Camera Work, Editing and Sound in soaps

Camera Work:

Within soap operas, the camera work that is used is very simple, the reason being is because it allows the audience viewing the soap to follow the stories alot easier. For example, an episode of Eastenders that we had recently watched in class showed many close up shots showing the expressions and shows the tension between characters. I believe that close ups have big part in all soaps has they are very easy to prefect, but also gives the audience a better understanding of what is happening within the scene. Two shots are also a common use off camera work within soaps, as they show conversation between the characters that are in the same location. From looking at the camera work used in soaps, you can see that the shots are really basic and they show a realistic view from the audiences point of view.

Editing:

The same as camera work, the editing within soaps is also very basic to give the audience a better understanding of what is going on within the soap. One of the most common editing terms that is used in soaps would be the shot reverse shot. The shot reverse shot is very simple as it shows a backward and forward conversation of two of the characters on the set. Cross cutting is also an editing term that is always used in soap operas as they are used to form a transition from scene to scene, for example, going from a characters house, then cutting to a conversation between to other characters in the pub.

Sound:

Mainly throughout episodes of soaps, sound used is normally diagetic sound as there is always alot of conversation between characters throughout. Sound bridges is commonly used within soaps, mainly used to link one scene to another. For example at the end the scene you will hear a sound (someone talking) before you see them in the next scene.