Propp and Todorov- Theorists

Vladimir Propp suggested that characters take on one of seven different role types in any film. These were:

1. The HERO, traditionally male (but in current times is becoming more of an equal role) restores the equilibrium of the narrative and situation by going on a quest that creates the plot and involves some form of rescue situation and 'heroic' actions. Generally the protagonist of the story, but sometimes an outside character who is 'accidentally' brought into the story.
2. The VILLAIN, who causes the disruption in the plot therefore calling for the actions of the assigned hero to take place
3. The DONOR, who assists the hero by giving them something that will aid them in their rescue and completing the story
4. The HELPER is another character that assists the hero throughout the story
5. The PRINCESS/VICTIM is the antagonist of the narrative that the hero is destined to save- usually ends up with the hero as a conclusion to the plot.
6. The DISPATCHER is the character to send the hero on their task-often the princess' father (in traditional tales).
7. The FALSE HERO is the character who appeared to be good at the beginning but by the end turned out to be an evil character and a disadvantage to the real hero's efforts.

However, not every film has one character of each type; there may be multiple, or one character may fill more than one type of role.

Tzvetan Todorov suggested that narratives within conventions are structured in five stages:

1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium.

This structure is very familiar through most mainstream motion pictures.