Who was Vladimir Propp? (add music video and analysis)

Vladimir Propp was a Russian scholar who analysed the basic plots an narrative structures of Russian folk tales. He applied the formalist approach to his work, meaning he broke down sentence structures into smaller, analysable elements. Propp was then able to use this method to analyse fairy tales and break them down into their smallest narrative units. By doing this, he invented a specific type of narrative structures still around today.

There were 31 components to this approach, including TRICKERY, DEPARTURE, GUIDANCE, STRUGGLE, and eventually, VICTORY.
An example of this style of video is Sic Transit Gloria by Brand New. This is because it follows along with the song's lyrics as well as keeping in beat with the music. This becomes apparent when the main character says 'This is so messed up' at the same time as the singer, connecting him to the music and establishing his status as the main person. The music is non-diagetic, so he shouldn't be able to tap his foot in time with the beat, or sing along to the song in other parts, including 'Die young and save yourself'. The video is filmed with a sort of blue filter to convey sadness when the main character feels alone in the club, though it changes when he begins to start breaking things, as now he has the power of control over everyone. There is a lamb on the door at the start of the video, and the same lamb is on the shirt of the girl at the end, this shows the audience that there is a connection between the two of them, and also fits in with the line, 'He is the lamb, she is the slaughter'. The end of the video seems to be the victory part, as it looks like he has picked up a girl, but then there is an element of trickery, when he himself is controlled by an unidentified man.