Hollyoaks Trailer Analysis

1:

• The music played throughtout the video sounds like a heartbeat - creates a sence of mystery and panic
• The etablishing shot is of Paul and Mercedes in a close up - Paul dominates the shot to show that he is in control of their relationship
• Mercedes in the shot (extreme close up) looks vulnerable and scared of Paul. She is hidden behind her hair and is looking down to the floor whereas Paul's body is turned towards Mercedes and his eyes of locked onto her - again to show the control.
• In the shot, Mercedes looks soft, and her face looks almost as if she has been crying which furthers the idea of being scared by Paul.
• The lighting in the shot is natural daylight, drawn in from the window behind the couple. The lighting almost appears harsh and further-mores the idea of Mercedes being scared and trapped by Paul.

2:

• This shot links to the next establishing shot of Mercedes and Jacqui in the kitchen (can tell through the use of yellow lighting and wall tiles/cuboards.) Mercedes states that she has never seen a man so possessed.
• Mercedes is now dominating the shot, making her look more dominate than her sister.
• The dark lighting used in this shot almost suggests that Mercedes is safe compared to when she was with Paul. This is challenging the conventions as usually dark lighting suggests danger more than security but through the use of diegetic speech, we understand that Mercedes feels safe here.

3:

• The next shot is a medium long shot of Jacqui and Reece. Through the use of conversation and diegetic sound we hear Reece say that 'the girl needs help' - referring to Mercedes.
• Through a jump edit, the shot quickly moves to Jacqui in a office, which we believe to be Pauls. The Mise-en-scene in this shot helps us to understand that it is an office, through the use of a desk, in-tray and closed blinds.
• Jacqui is seen rooting through draws in the desk in a extreme close up. The fact she is rooting suggests that she is not supposed to be there and has to hide.
• We see Jacqui pull away in shock which suggests she has found something.

4:

• This leads swiftly onto the next shot which is of Mercedes who has 5 missed calls from her sister. This suggests that it is urgent and she is in trouble.
• In an extreme close up, we then see Mercedes and Paul back together on the sofa. Paul is still dominating the shot and looks in control and demands still.
• Mercedes has her hands on Pauls face but she still looks scared of him as her face is still hidden in the shot.

5:

• The next shot is of Jacqui running through the hospital - can tell through the mise en scene, on the phone saying 'Mercy is in danger.'
• The clip then ends with Jacqui coming up a hall, and running to a door which is believed to be Pauls through the her facial expressions and previous shots.

6:

• The trailer sticks to one storyline throughout but we can tell the time changes through the use of locations.