to the spectator, to be understanding and tolerant of the many evils which go on within that family.” ( Feminist Television Criticism, A Reader, Charlotte Brunsdon et al, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1997 p.39) In terms of the technical production of soap operas adding to the feel of naturalism, the style usually includes static, unobtrusive camera shots with little tracking, the use of flat lighting with no shadows, continuity editing, naturalistic sets and no diegetic music. (The only use of music is usually a strong signature tune)Also the programme makers make use of close up shots and extreme close ups regularly. This allows the audience to share the feelings and emotions that the characters are feeling as if they are stood in front of them.When these soaps are successful in portraying real life, they have an educational value as well. This can be seen when issues are covered such as AIDS or breast cancer. It is important for soaps to educate about these issues, because of their massive audience. In most cases this audience won’t feel as though they are receiving these messages from their favourite characters but will take this knowledge on board which they may not have done had they read an article about the issues in a newspaper.An example of an important issue that was covered in Eastenders and showed just how successful the soaps are at educating their audience is when Mark Fowler discovered he was HIV positive and then told his family about it. It was reported that the day after this episode was aired, more people went to be tested for HIV than on any other day on record.An incident that shows the other side of this successful portrayal of the real was reported in the Guardian, “…. Some fans find the dividing line between fact and fiction blurred. A record 29 million people watched an episode of Coronation Street in which Alan Bradley – who had been beating his wife Rita – was run over by a tram...
