This document discusses soap opera genres and narrative structures. It first discusses Vladimir Propp's characterization of character roles and narrative functions in folktales. It then provides a summary of two trailers for soap operas. The first trailer introduces the villain through ominous music and lighting, establishes a female hero going against stereotypes, and hints at conflict between the hero and villain. The second trailer shows the princess getting married, the villain attacking someone while being called by name, and the hero jumping in to save a relative from the villain, then struggling with the villain.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Propp’s Character Roles
Propp’s Narrative Functions
Name: Emma Walker
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Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
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OCR Media Studies – A2 Level
Unit G324: Advanced Portfolio

2. Trailer 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAE0V4ExSWo
The villain’s are clearly represented in this
trailer through the use of low key lighting and
music which suggests danger, added with the
dialogue of ‘let’s go and cause some mischief’.
One of the villain’s is also shown as the false
hero. The female antagonist is perceived as a
good character but is later revealed to be evil.
This trailer also represents anti-stereotypes. This
becomes clear when the hero is portrayed by a
female character. Stereotypically, the hero is a male
character, but in this trailer they go against this
stereotype with a female hero. This will appeal to the
female audience as it suggests women empowerment
and independence. This female hero character is
therefore one that a female audience can idolise. The
hero is portrayed through the narrative as she reveals
she knows about the actions of the villain.

3. Trailer 1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAE0V4ExSWo
Struggle
The villain and hero meet in this trailer and are involved in
conflict. There is a mid shot of the villain closing the door
with a smirk on her face with the hero appearing in the
background with a worried look on her face. This implies
that there will be conflict occurring, through the hints
implied by the shot type (close up), facial expressions and
low key lighting. Although there is not direct conflict in the
trailer, this scene connotes the idea of conflict being
present in the full episode.
Mediation
The hero learns of the villain’s actions and suggests they
are uncovering the identity of the villain. This is portrayed
by the narrative in the trailer, in particular where the hero
says “Kim wasn’t the only person with connections to
Phoebe, to Freddie, to Rick”. This suggests that the hero
knows the true identity of the villain. This intrigues the
audience as to how the hero will reveal the villain’s identity
and how the story will unfold, this therefore encourages
them to watch the soap.

4. Trailer 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HXXOS-qySE
The Princess is shown through the mise-en-
scene in the trailer, as she has a wedding
dress on and this therefore connotes she is
getting ready for her wedding.
The Villain is shown in the trailer through the
hero’s relative screaming his name whilst being
attacked by the Villain. The Villain is further
shown in the trailer when he attacks someone
and the victim is heard shouting his name in an
attempt to make him stop.
The Hero is shown in the trailer when a
relative of his screams his name for help, and
the Hero jumps in the water in an attempt to
save his relative.

5. Trailer 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HXXOS-qySE
Villainy
In the trailer the Villain harms a family member of the Hero,
this causes the Hero to want to seek immediate revenge and
help save his family member. There is a mid shot of the
Villain and the Hero’s family member, which then cuts to a
close up of the Hero with a worried expression on his face
and then a long shot of the Hero running towards them both
with a soundbridge occurring of the Hero’s family member
screaming his name for help.
Struggle
In the trailer there is a long shot of the Hero and the Villain
coming into contact and struggling with each other and
fighting. This shows the first struggle that the Hero and the
Villain have had and comes after the Villain harms one of the
Hero’s family members.