For my first post I thought what better subject to take on then what makes a good soap promo?
#1. A good story:
Not even the best promo in the world can salvage a horrible story! It's just not doable.
#2. Good ACTING!
#1 and #2 go hand and hand together don't you think?
And finally #3. GOOD MUSIC
The best promo's (in my opinion) are those that have THE BEST music. I don't mean the simplistic kind that you kinda rock out to every now and again, but the kind that makes you rush out to iTunes to buy the single! Those songs are what make or break a good promo.
So that's enough yapping, let's look at some examples shall we?
First up we have the UK promo for Home and Away.
As you can see the promo shows all three of the qualities i discussed above. From the 'killer' story with Belle's (Jessica Tovey) cancer, to the hit song "Untouched" by The Veronica's this promo had it all.
Another amazing example given by Home and Away aired during the early part of 2009.
Again we have an amazing song performed by the shows (then) newest star Axel Whitehead, and amazing storyline's and performances promoted.
But then again not all promo's need amazing "vocal" music, a bit of light background noise can completely set the tone as shown in Neighbours 2010 promo
So what do you think makes a good promo? And what are some of your favorite soap promos? Post the links and I may make a post just highlighting some of your favorites!
Welcome soapwikijohn! I'm so glad you're now an official resident of Denial Island, lol! Taxes are due every month - make the check payable to daisyclover - thanks, lol!
ReplyDeleteOooh. You know I love Promos! Even if I don't watch the show, a promo can get me interested. I think you're right, a good promo can't salvage a bad story, but I'll say this... a good promo can trick an audience (temporarily) into believing a crappy story is a good one.
A great promo to me gives you a good idea of what the story will be and manages to stir emotions in a viewer (even if you've never seen the show before.) And for me, it's all about the right combination of music and editing. I honestly do think it's an art. Just think of the amount of work that goes into it. You're given a story description and lots of footage and from that you've got to create a 30 second - one minute sequence that pulls audiences in. Wow... Where do you even begin?
I'll try and find some good promos from the past and post them on here :)
You posted Aussie show promos - does that mean you like Aussie promos better than US ones?
It is an art form, it takes a LOT of work to make a good promo. Editing is key as well.
ReplyDeleteA good example:
on the 2nd home and away promo at 0:25 we see Aden 'flow' with the music just perfectly.
YES aussie promos are generally the best (IMO). But here is one US promo that sums up this soaps entire run with one line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xELUdsuNKws
"This is going to change our lives FOREVER"
BUT with that said, the UK can do it up as well -
This promo was for Clare Devine (THE BEST soap villain EVER) quick return for The LOFT FIRE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0Rg6kTlVzk
--
Also from Hollyoaks we have the end of the Craig/Sarah/John Paul triangle promo-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqWXmBxlJw&feature=related
(This promo was for Max's exit...it made me tear up again lol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AGNwdb4imM)
and lastly we have -
WHO PUSHED CLARE -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hu0yxYEqLXw
LOL okay thats enough from me :)