Propp's Character Theory

Propp is a big persona in the film industry, his a Russian critic and literary theorist, who has analysed over a 1000 Russian fairytales in the 1920s. He suggested that it is possible to classify and label each character to signify their role to the narrative. Propp's character theory can also be applied to music videos, and the characters include;

• The hero (protagonist seeking something) 
• The Villain (Antagonist opposes the hero)
• The donor (helps the hero in some way on his quest)
• The dispatchers (sends the hero on his quest/way) 
• The false hero (false role of the hero)
• The helper (gives support to the hero)
• The princess (The reward to the hero, also needs saving from the villain)
• Her father ( the person whom gives the reward to the hero) 

Justin Bieber's music video, 'as long as you love me' connotes and conforms Propp's character theory, where the father subverts role of the princess' father and is signified as the villain, of whom is restricting and opposing the hero and protagonist, signified as the artist; Justin Bieber. Justin is connoted as the hero as he is seeking and attempting a relationship with a girl and her father (the antagonist and villain) is opposing and restricting him- during this the girl is signified as the princess, the price for the hero and also the person in which is in distress and needed to be saved from the villain; in this case her father. 

However music videos are more explicit in conforming to Propp's character theory; Megan Nicole's, 'Mascara', the artist connoted and is denoted in a very stereotypical hero fashion- where she is dressed hand to toe in a makeshift super hero attire. The narrative of the music video signifies the person she is fighting (her ex lover) is connoted as a villain, where he goes against the hero. Another music video that portrays and signifies the same visuals conforming Propp's theory is Jessie J's hero (a soundtrack for kick ass 2).