1. Lesson Objective
At the end of this lesson you will be able to identify key character roles using a media theory.

2. Unit Objective
At the end of this unit you will have produced a film review.

3. Starter
In the films that you have seen, or books that you’ve read, what are the key characters that you can identify?
For example, there is usually a hero.

4. Today we are going to look at a media theory put forth by Vladamir Propp.
He believed that in every text the following character roles can be seen. We will use his ideas to explore different media texts.

5. Propp’s Character Roles
THE HERO SEEKS SOMETHING
THE VILLAIN OPPOSES THE HERO
THE DONOR GIVES SOMETHING USEFUL TO THE HERO
THE DISPATCHER SENDS THE HERO ON A QUEST
THE FALSE HERO
THE HELPER SUPPORTS THE HERO
THE PRINCESS ( A REWARD FOR THE HERO, SHE NEEDS
PROTECTING FROM THE VILLAIN)
HER FATHER
Type notes here

6. Can you think of any stories that use Propp’s characters?

7. For the next two lessons we are going to watch the film Stormbreaker to explore Propp’s theory.
Using the worksheet provided, fill in details and information about the characters, including which role(s) you think they fulfil.