Corrie Soap Opera Conventions

Storyline or Plot (Narrative) Look for the multi-strand narrative, open narrative and closed narratives (Some narratives may come to an end).	Peter and Tina having an affair hiding it from all of their friends cover up stories, back tracking. Roy is missing so fizz and Tyrone try to track hem down. Dennis and Rita fighting so Gloria is trying to worm her way in, he goes crawling back to Rita but she isn’t having any of it. Todd is trying to come between Marcus and Maria, because he wants Marcus all to himself. Using sympathy to get on Maria good side. Deirdre is trimming a dress for Tracy.
Characters Quick description of the range of characters e.g. male/female, age, job, position at work.	Tina-Female-early 20’s-works as barmaid-the feisty young woman. Gloria-Female-Mid 70’s- works in Bistro. Peter-Male-mid to late 30’s-works as manager in factory- represented as being the jack the lad figure as has been married a lot of times and cheats on all the women he’s in relationship with. Chesney-Male-late teens to early 20’s-works as manager in Kebab shop. Dennis-Male-mid to late 70’s-Music manager. Maria-Female-late 20’s-works as hairdresser-young couple as in a relationship with Marcus and has their problem of trying to find a house and the problem of Marcus falling for Todd. Todd-male-early to mid 20’s-unemployed. Rita-Female-early 80’s- owner of and works in corner shops- the grandparent figure. Steve-Male-early 30’s-owns pub and works in there. Simon-male-9/10-school boy. Tracey-Female-early 30’s-owns electronic shop and works in there. Tyrone-male-early 30’s-works as mechanic in garage. Michelle-Female-early 30’s-owns pub and works as barmaid in there. Tony-early 40’s- Carla- female-late 20’s/early 30’s- owner of the factory- represented as being the strong woman.
Length of scenes Roughly how long is each scene?	1:25 minute –Tina 1:30 minutes - in café 2 minutes – musician 1:30 minutes – in café 30 seconds – Tina 1 minute – bistro 1 minute – rovers 20 seconds – street 1:20 minutes – rovers 1:30 minutes – Barlow’s house 45 seconds – street Tina 30 seconds – looking for Roy 1:15 minutes – rovers 1:25 minutes – Barlow’s 35 seconds - out looking 1:45 minutes – Barlow dinner 1:45 minutes - bistro 1:30 minutes- bistro meal 1:05 minutes- fiz Nothing above 2 minutes Nothing less than 20 seconds
Setting Where does each scene take place?	11. Street 12. Canal 13. Rovers 14. Deidre’s House 15. Canal 16. Peters House 17. Bistro 18. Fizz’s House 19. Credits 1. Peters House                    2. Roy’s Cafe 3. Bistro 4. Roy’s Cafe 5. Peters House 6. Bistro 7. Rovers 8. Street 9. Rovers 10. Deidre’s House
Theme What central themes are being explored? Love, conflict, secrets, skeletons in the cupboard.	Love and Deception and Secrets between Peter and Tina Sadness, ,misery, upset, ,missing between Fizz, Chesney and Tyrone. Because they are missing Roy. Conflict and Sarcasm between Rita and old lady Lies and secrets between Carla and Peter Love between Todd and Marcus
Verisimilitude Explain elements that make the programme feel realistic.	Costumes the same as real police officers, sounds of cars passing on the street, sets for the outside of the houses look like real houses o a street, sounds of the plastic bags over exaggerated
Costumes This links to characters. How can you tell the position of the characters from their costumes?	Tina- Naked opening scene, sexy/feminine female character. Clothes- small vest top Rita- patterned blazer, pearls- sophisticated and well respected character Maria- Floral dress, long curly hair- pretty and innocent girl on the street- middle class Dennis- shirt, trousers, big coat- dapper, smart, old fashioned