Todorov-
Todorov came up with the theory that the majority of films etc follow the same structure:
Equilibrium
Disequilibrium/Conflict
Recognition of the conflict
Attempt to repair the conflict
Reinstate a New Equilibrium.
Propp-
Propp developed the theory that most films follow a general list of character types:
Hero
Princess/Prince
Helper
Donor
Villain
Dispatcher
False Hero
These all may seem like random terms when they're laid out like that in front of you, but lets apply them to a film. In this case I'll use Disney classic Beauty and the Beast, as Disney structure tends to be almost written by the book with these theories in mind.
PROPP
Hero - Belle - She is the one who saves the Beast and returns him to being human.
Princess - Beast - He is the one in need of saving overall
Helper - Lumier and Cogsworth - They are the ones who give advice to both Belle and the Beast and provide comedy
Donor - The Enchantress - She gives the Beast the rose, which seems like a curse but is to teach him how to love, a blessing overall
Villain - Gaston - He is the one who disrupts the equilibrium and wishes to bring harm
Dispatcher - Phillippe the Horse - He comes and gets Belle to take her to the castle, and makes her save her father
False Hero - Gaston - He doesn't appear a hero to the audience, but to all of the town folk and everyone else in the film he is a man worthy of admiration.
TODOROV
Equilibrium - Belle dancing around the town at the start, living a peaceful life, everything seems fine
Disruption - Her father gets taken prisoner by Beast
Recognition - Phillippe comes to pick her up and takes her to save her father
Attempt to fix disruption - Belle gives herself as prisoner so her father can go free
THERE IS THEN A SECOND DISRUPTION - Gaston attacks the castle
2nd attempt to fix - Battle between Beast and Gaston
New Equilibrium - Belle and Beast and everyone involved live happily ever after, as humans.
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