Propp's Character Roles and Functions Task

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Propp’s Character Roles
Propp’s Narrative Functions
Name: George Barnstable
Candidate Number: 3010
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Propp’s Character Roles
Trailer 1: EastEnders – There's a killer amongst them
In this trailer, there is no clear ‘villain’ or ‘hero’ (Propp’s
Character Roles) represented as the trailer simply
captures long and close up shots of characters in a still
frame for a few seconds. This highlights to the audience
how it could be anyone who is the killer, which builds
incredible suspense. The trailer is also very effective as
depicting each character as credible for the killing
because of the actions they are undertaking such as Phil
closing a bin or the female antagonist who seems to be
washing a white shirt stained with a red substance, which
can be presumed as blood. Since there is no clear killer,
other character roles are incredibly hard to identify. For
example, the ‘false hero’ could initially be the a
stereotypical innocent, caring and old character but then
turn out to be the killer; this once again adds huge
tension and suspense and literally allows the audience to
include anyone to be the real killer.

3. Propp’s Character Roles
Trailer 2: Hollyoaks – Who Killed Amy?
This trailer is once again about who is the
murdered, therefore it is difficult to distinguish
character roles. However, similarly to the EastEnders
trailer, each character is seen with Amy in her
house, speaking to her in a manner which is either
kind or unpleasant. For example, Amy welcomes a
blonde male into her house with a hug, therefore
characters initially believe he is the ‘hero’ however
scenes later that same man is frantic and in rage. All
other characters are depicted in the light of the
‘villain’ due to their angry faces and raging
behaviour. This technique of allowing the audience
decide who killed a character is exceptional as it
builds suspense and allows the audience to connect
with the show socially through platforms such as
Twitter.

4. Trailer 1: Eastenders
Propp’s Narrative Functions
In the trailer there is the thought of ‘Villainy’
(Propp’s Narrative Functions) due to the fact that
the whole trailer is about trying to find the killer.
There is no harm done by the villain during the
trailer however it is after the crime has been
committed and the villain is trying to get rid of
evidence that the trailer films. Also, ‘Violation of
Interdiction’ is also evident as each character is
seen as a lurking and manipulative presence.
Each character is suspected as the killer
therefore each actor is seen as manipulative
become not one is yet responsible for the crime.
This allows the audience to voice their opinion
on the characters as guess who is the real killer.

5. Propp’s Narrative Functions
Trailer 2:
This trailer denotes huge evidence of ‘Struggle’
(Propp’s Narrative Functions) as Amy and each
suspected killer of her walks in the door and
begins conversation with her. As the trailer
progresses, the shouting begins and voices get
loader, rage is shown on characters faces and
each character leaves angrily. There is also a
scene where a male antagonist, called Harry is
on the stand at a court house, the final scene
of the trailer. This ‘Punishment’ depicts Harry
as the killer due to him being the only person
shot in the court house. This gives the
audience the choice to choose him as the killer
or stick with their previous beliefs if it wasn’t
already him.