Fact: Soap operas are older than television itself. History tells us that soaps were actually “serialised dramas” broadcast on radio before they hit the small screens. The name was a result of many soap brands advertising on the daytime programs as they were on air when homemakers were doing the washing.
Audiences would enjoy going about their housework whilst listening to the relationship/life problems of fictional characters. The “soap industry” has had programmes come and go all over the world with only a few remaining – and Neighbours, although not one of the first, is currently holding the title as Australia’s longest running soap after 32 years!
Love them or hate them, soaps have helped shape modern day storytelling & continue to play an important role. Here’s why:
Messaging
Soaps are written not long before they hit the screens, so you’ll often see topical issues pop up whilst they are still in the media. An example is Ste Hay (played by Kieron Richardson) from Hollyoaks battling an addiction to crystal meth.
Hollyoaks had a platform to not only show audiences how bad the drug can affect families and friends, but how to & how not to handle the problem. It’s not a helpline, but can be useful if written correctly.
During my time at Neighbours we have hit storylines to do with body image, bullying, addiction & sexuality to name a few.
CHANNEL 5
The truth about Hamish Roche looks set to come out on Neighbours
Escape
No different to when they began, soaps continue to provide viewers an escape from their own lives. You know that feeling when you’re having a hard go about something in your life, whether it be with your partner, a family member or work, then you meet someone whose problems blow yours out of the water so you sit back and think: “Wow, my life’s actually not too bad.”
Well that’s what we’re here for! As wrong and twisted as it sounds, a fictional character’s suffering can sometimes make our problems go away or at least put them into perspective.
CHANNEL 5
What are Hamish Roche’s true intentions on Neighbours?
Training
Everyone in front and behind the camera at Neighbours work together like the cogs of a Swiss watch – it’s pure precision while working at speed.
The crew are so well-rehearsed that they seem to be able to communicate without words sometimes and the writers are under constant pressure to create day in day out. I still can’t figure out how they do it.
The actors can memorise three pages of dialogue in less than 60 seconds. They can be trusted to hit a mark, be in focus, avoid shadows and tell the story before the production day is over – that’s why anyone involved in these shows are so highly valued all over the world.
When you have films like Wolverine that cost an estimated $ 1 million USD per day to make, you can’t have amateurs. Any time lost in production will cost the studios BIG TIME. What better place to hone your skills than a soap!
CHANNEL 5
Neighbours star Matt Wilson has spilled the beans about what to expect
Jobs
Other than Neighbours and Home & Away, there is no other TV show that provides full time work for actors in Australia. It doesn’t stop with actors – jobs for writers, camera operators, boom operators, sound and light technicians, producers, schedulers, directors, editors, and so on are all difficult to snag in Australia and when they do come up, they are usually only for five to 12 week blocks.
If none of this is news to you, then I guess this is just me bragging about how amazing the Neighbours team are and thanking them for having me. Long live the soap!
CHANNEL 5
Tyler Brennan could be set for heartache when it comes to his dad Hamish in Neighbours
Next week in Erinsborough, viewers will be in two minds over the real intentions of Tyler’s (played by Travis Burns) dad, Hamish Roche (Sean Taylor).
He seems to be making a strong connection with my little bro Ty, but is it all too good to be true… Hamish is a man with a plan.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and is repeated at 5.30pm.
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