Theories to use

Todorov's Narrative Stages:
Equilibrium - the setting is established, key character(s) are introduced and the story line is set up
Disruption - opposition character(s) appear and the story takes a particular direction
Recognition of disruption - the lives of characters and events are interwoven. Tension builds throughout this section, which is often the longest
Attempt to repair disruption - the highest point of tension after which there is a change in dynamic
Reinstatement of equilibrium - matters are sorted out, problems are solved and questions answered

Propp's Narrative Stages:
Preparation - a community or family is in an ordered state of living
Complication - the villain harms a member of the hero's family. The hero plans action against the villain
Transference - the hero is given a magical gift. The hero arrives at the place he can fulfil his quest
Struggle - there is a struggle between the hero and villain
Return - the hero escapes, the hero is given a task, the hero completes the task
Recognition - the hero is rewarded

(Propp’s theory of narrative seems to be based in a male orientated environment critics often dismiss the theory with regard to film. However, it may still be applied because the function (rather than the gender) of characters is the basis of the theory. E.g. the hero could be a woman; the reward could be a man.

Critics argue that Propp’s strict order of characters and events is restrictive. We should rather apply the functions and events randomly as we meet new narratives. E.g. the hero may kill the villain earlier than Propp expects. Changing the traditional format will change the whole way the text is received.

Some critics claim there are many more character types than Propp suggests and we should feel free to identify them.)

Propp's Character Types:

The villain - struggles against the hero

The donor - prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object

The (magical) helper - helps the hero in the quest

The princess and her father - gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero, marries the hero, often sought for during the narrative. (Propp noted that functionally, the princess and the father can not be clearly distinguished.)

The dispatcher - character who sends the hero on their quest via message

The hero - reacts to the donor, weds the princess

False hero - takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess

Cultivation theory:
Suggests that television is responsible for shaping, or ‘cultivating’ viewers’ conceptions of social reality. 
The combined effect of massive television exposure by viewers over time subtly shapes the perception of social reality for individuals and, ultimately, for our culture as a whole 
Cultivation theorists argue that television has long-term effects which are small, gradual, indirect but cumulative and significant.

Hypodermic Needle Theory:

This theory suggests that the mass media could influence a very large group of people directly and uniformly by ‘shooting’ or ‘injecting’ them with appropriate messages designed to trigger a desired response.

Both images used to express this theory (a bullet and a needle) suggest a powerful and direct flow of information from the sender to the receiver. The bullet theory graphically suggests that the message is a bullet, fired from the "media gun" into the viewer's "head".

Uses and Gratifications Model:

1. Information -

finding out about relevant events and conditions in immediate surroundings, society and the world

seeking advice on practical matters or opinion and decision choices

satisfying curiosity and general interest

learning; self-education

2. Personal Identity -

gaining a sense of security through knowledge

finding reinforcement for personal values

finding models of behaviour

identifying with valued other (in the media) 

3. Integration and Social Interaction -

gaining insight into one's self

gaining insight into circumstances of others; social empathy

identifying with others and gaining a sense of belonging

finding a basis for conversation and social interaction

having a substitute for real-life companionship

helping to carry out social roles

enabling one to connect with family, friends and society

4. Entertainment -

escaping, or being diverted, from problems

relaxing

getting intrinsic cultural or aesthetic enjoyment

filling time

emotional release

sexual arousal

Halls Theory:
Dominant - see's the texts preferred reading and agrees with it
Oppositional - the dominant idea is seen but rejected
Negotiated - the dominant idea is seen and the viewer agrees with both the opposition and dominant ideas