Propp and Todorov's Theory

Both Todorov and Propp are well known and play a big part in the making of films. They believe that all or most stories, narratives or films follow specific patterns when it comes to the characters and plot of them.

Every film, story, or narrative has a beginning, middle and end to it. They always involve typical things that are ever present in all kinds of films such as, problems, conflicts, good guys and bad. Which is what makes films so interesting otherwise they wouldn't be as popular as they are today.

Todorov and Propp both came up with their own theories or ideas of how films should be made/structured and what they should include. They then broke them down and found the basic foundations of how they were structured.

Vladmir Propp

Vladmir Propp was born in St. Petersburg to a German family on April 17, 1895. He was a russian soviet formalist scholar published a book in Russian in 1928 called 'Morphology of a Folktale'. His Theory involved:

• Preparation
• Complication
• Transference
• Struggle
• Return
• Recognition
  
  

Included in Propp's theory were different character types that he believed were evident in every story. 

Hero - normally the main character.

Villain - the character the hero is trying to stop.

Prize - what the hero gains at the end.
Mentor - the character who helps the hero all the way through.

Helper - the character that aids the hero.

Blocker - the character that delays  the hero from getting what they want.

Dispatcher - the character that sends the hero on his journey.

Tzvetan Todorov

Tzvetan Todorov was born in Sofia, Bulgaria on the 1st March 1939. He is a French-Bulgarian philosopher and writes essays and book on literary theory, thought history and culture theory. Todorov's theory included:

• Equilibrium
• Disruption
• Recognition of Equilibrium
• Attempt to repair disruption
• A return of new equilibrium
  
  

In conclusion, both Tzvetan Todorov and Vladmir Propp's theories character types can be put with almost any film, literature, narrative, etc of any genre. Following these men's theories will allow my group to create suspense and tension in my film and give us some guildline when planning the storyline or plot.