This document discusses soap opera genres and Propp's character roles and narrative functions as seen in two trailers. In the first trailer for Hollyoaks, the hero is a woman who wants to find a missing person on her own. A potential plot twist is introduced through a villain who may be falsely accused. In the Emmerdale trailer, a woman expressing love could be seen as a princess, while a boy threatening his grandfather with a gun is identified as the villain. Both trailers show narrative functions like the protagonists struggling and a binary opposition of good versus evil.

1. Soap Opera Genre –
Propp’s Character Roles
Propp’s Narrative Functions
Name: Jude Munday
Candidate Number: 3092
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: Hollyoaks Autumn 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGSxBX82AX0
The Hero – In this trailer the hero is easily identifiable, when the lady at (0:24) says “there not
doing anything to find him, I’m going to go chase him up on my own”. On its own this is a heroic
statement which connotes bravery as she isn't afraid to go and chase a person who perhaps
might be dangerous, and do what the real hero’s (the police) aren't doing despite the fact she has
a disability as well. This Ultimately proves she has a heart for justice no matter her incapability
she is ready to peruse it, which connotes the evident quality's of a hero.
The villain – In this case the villain may in-fact be a false villain. She is described to
police as being in a dark skeleton hoodie, and the person calling the police says “she is
dangerous and needs to be stopped” however when she is revealed within frame, she
instead looks frightened and most importantly innocent, being a young girl. This is
important as the trailer is alluding to a potential plot twist by introducing a villain who
perhaps isn't as described.

3. Propp’s Character Roles
Trailer 1: Emerdale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLjU-Ut3tA
The princess – In this trailer, a woman of Asian ethnicity who confesses her love at (0:30) could
be perceived by Propp as a princess. This is because she is revealed expressing her emotions,
something which a princess would stereotypically be expected to be full of, as evidence a “drama
queen” associates drama and royalty. later she is revealed sleeping, with a slow camera pan over
her body denoting elegancy as we see her jewellery get stolen from her. The Jewellery being
stolen indicates that it has a high value, high value Jewellery is something commonly associated
with being owned by a queen or princess.
The villain – This is the boy who blames holds his grandfather at gun point in (0:55). This act
alone signifies that he has villainous quality’s, only someone with evil intentions could threaten
the life of a family member. This is important because even the boys grandfather says “there's
something broken up there” as he gestures to his head, connoting that something isn't right in
the boys consciousness, which would connote that evil is emplaced there. When you read about
a horrific crime or villainous act you would be quick to say that the person who committed it
would have some sort of mental incapability's as suggested by the grandfather.

4. Propp’s Narrative Functions
Trailer 1: Hollyoaks Autumn 2016 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGSxBX82AX0
Struggle – The protagonist Harriet, is clearly in a struggle as she even admits that
she needed some wine through verbal communication in which someone gave to
her. This connotes that she is searching for ways to release stress. Because of this
she has clearly been involved in some kind of emotional strain, which could allude to
a specific even or person.
Binary opposition (Levi Strauss) of Good vs. Evil – Throughout this trailer, there is
tones of binary opposition. As evidence, it cuts from one shot at 0:26 of a couple
clearly in a state of joy as they kiss to the complete opposite where a woman
punches a man anchoring the connotations of anger and indignation. Its important
to have this within a trailer, so that there is a variety of drama, which appeals
directly the the target audience.

5. Propp’s Narrative Functions
Trailer 1: Emerdale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzLjU-Ut3tA
Villainy – The villain harms a family member which is one of the most evil things
someone can do, as family are supposed to be loved regardless. This shows the
cruelty of the villain, and how sinister they truly are.
Delivery – This is the delivery of evil by the villain previously analyzed in the
character roles. We see this appear when we hear the diegetic sound of a gun shot,
which is followed by the boys mother running in fear into the house. Because of this
by the end of the trailer, it is clear that the boy is the villain, as he gains advantage
over his victim.