Media Language

Question 1

Propp’s Character Types

Answer 1

1. The protagonist/hero (the character around whom the action revolves)
2. The antagonist/villain (opposes the hero)
3. The dispatcher/boss (send the hero on the quest)
4. The helper/sidekick (aids the hero)
5. The donor/fairy godmother (gives the hero advice or a useful object)
6. The princess/the girl (motivation & reward for the hero)
7. The false hero/the betrayer (often a helper who turns on the hero & is punished)

Question 2

Todorov’s Narrative Structure

Answer 2

1. equilibrium
2. disruption of the equilibrium
3. disequilibrium / recognition
4. repair
5. new equilibrium

Question 3

Barthes’ Action and Enigma Code

Answer 3

Action Code: building the storyline through an action

Enigma Code: creating mystery

Question 4

Levi Strauss

Answer 4

Binary Opposites

Question 5

Richard Dyer’s Star Theory

Answer 5

1. Stars are a commodity
2. Stars are a construction
3. Stars represent ideology and culture
4. Stars are a paradox (ordinary and extraordinary)

Question 6

Non-verbal Codes

Answer 6

Gesture
Mannerisms
Clothing
Casting

Question 7

Shots

Answer 7

Establishing shot
Long shot
Wide shot
Mid shot
Extreme close up
Close up
Mid close up
Eye-level
Bird's eye view
High angle
Low angle
Dutch tilt

Question 8

Diegetic and Non-diegetic Sound

Answer 8

Diegetic: a sound that comes from within a scene (talking)

Non-diegetic: a sound that is added on during the editing process (soundtrack)

Question 9

Leitmotif

Answer 9

An associated melodic phrase or sound that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation (symbol)