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AQA GCSE Media
Studies

Unit 1 Investigating the Media

Exam Topic: Science Fiction Films
Lesson 18 Stereotypes, Propps character
types and Gledhills star theory

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Education, 2015
own use

Starter

Stereotypes
Watch the following video, which shows
Tom Cruise in hero moments!
https://youtu.be/odg4UFk-a58 (4:31)

Starter

What type of character does Tom Cruise usually portray

in his films?

Can you name some science fiction films Tom Cruise has
starred in?

Can you name any other male actors who usually appear
in science fiction films and play the same type of
character?

Can you name any female characters who usually appear

in science fiction films and play the same type of
character?
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Heroes/heroines in science fiction films

TOM CRUISE
Minority Report (2002)
War of the Worlds
(2005)
Oblivion (2013)
Edge of Tomorrow
(2014)

Heroes/heroines in science fiction films

KEANU REEVES
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
(2008)

Heroes/heroines in science fiction films

WILL SMITH
Independence Day (1996)
Men in Black (1997)
Men in Black 2 (2002)
I, Robot (2004)
I Am Legend (2007)
Men in Black 3 (2012)
After Earth (2013)

Heroes/heroines in science fiction films

SIGOURNEY WEAVER
Alien (1979)
Aliens (1986)
Alien 3 (1992)
Alien Resurrection (1997)
Avatar (2009)
Paul (2011)
Chappie (2015)
Avatar 2 (2016)

Heroes/heroines in science fiction films

There are many actors who take on different

roles, in many different films.
However, there are some that are cast again
and again in stereotypical roles, typically that
of the hero/heroine that saves the day, the
world or the planet!

Vladimir Propps character type theory

Propp analysed many stories and decided that
there were seven main types of character. We
can apply these character types to science
fiction films.

Vladimir Propps character type theory

Can you suggest any film, not necessarily a
science fiction one, and see if the character types
apply to that film?

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Applying Propps character types to

Back to the Future ACTIVITY

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Applying Propps character types to

Back to the Future - ANSWERS

Character type

Which character in Back to the Future?

Hero

Marty, George

Villain

Bif

Helper

Doc

False Hero

N/A

Donor

Doc

Despatcher

Doc

Princess

Jennifer, Lorraine

Do you agree with

me?
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Christine Gledhills star theory

Gledhills theory suggests that actors are

commodities or products which help a film to
make money.

What do you
think?

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Christine Gledhills star theory

Choose any film star and
complete the worksheet

Capital
value

Constructed
image
Stick a picture
of your chosen
film star here!

Deviant
image

Cultural
value

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Plenary

In the back of your book, write one thing you

have learnt this lesson.
Show it to the teacher as you leave the
classroom!

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Homework

Who would you cast in the main lead role for

your science fiction film called Voyage to the
Planet of the T-Rex? Use the star theory to
help you explain your choice.

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