pencilstrokes and inkblogs

2005-12-08T09:27:00.000-08:00

Post # 12: The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Nightmare Before Christmas is quite a movie, and quite possibly one of the best stop action animations I have ever seen. I looked the movie up on the internet and found out that the entire cast of characters were individually created and styled toys of sorts. I really began to contemplate the incredible amount of artistic ability that such an endeavor would entail. For instance, in a regular movie the actors would all be cast, and the artistic part would be outfitting them. In this movie each character had to be created from scratch, down to their very appearance, movement techniques, coloring, wardrobe and attitudes. The sheer magnitude of this type of film can only be explained by the fact that none other than Tim Burton was the creator.

Tim Burton is one of the most unique and non-Hollywood of modern directors. He adds a personal touch to each project that can only be described as Burtonesque. His two Batman movies are regarded as the two best, Edward Scissorhands is a classic, and even Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has that certain bizarre quality. Each and every movie he makes he leaves his mark on, and that is so rare in this era of cookie-cutter productions. The Nightmare Before Christmas really takes the cake because there were no real actors involved in the action, therefore every character had a unique feel and could not be replicated or confused with anything else.

2005-12-08T09:15:00.000-08:00

Post # 11: Toy Story 2 (Better than the original)

The CGI production of Toy Story 2 was really quite amazing. Pixar has made leaps and bounds of improvement from their previous efforts, and really capture the motions of the toys and the world around them in an effort to make the setting and action as lifelike as possible. However, the biggest improvement that Toy Story 2 offered is the much improved storyline and entertaining action. I think it is interesting how it is not just enough to have dazzling special effects, rather the storyline is still the most important part of a successful movie, be it a drama or a cartoon.

The second most appealing thing about the movie was the choice of voices for the characters. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen do a magnificent job, but the real show stealer is the toy collector (whose voice is done by Newman from Seinfeld). The voice really ties together the body motions, emotions and overall character type of the character, and gives something real that the audience can attach to the character. I think it is so interesting that a cartoon character's voice could so drastically effect the presentation of that character.

There are many cartoon characters whose voices are their lifeblood. Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny both have distinctive voices, as do Homer Simpson and Mickey Mouse. These voices really tie the character in to the real world and give something tangeable that the audience can identify with. It is through the voices of the characters that their actions onscreen are complemented and reinforced and therefore through the voices true comedy can be created.

2005-12-08T09:04:00.000-08:00

Post #10: The Second Coming of The Family Guy

Like many other college students, i am quite a fan of the cartoon The Family Guy. It is an irreverant take on the fictional life of a family (a la the Simpsons). However, I was not always a fan. In fact, like most other people, I hardly ever watched the show when it was released about four years ago, and didn't even notice when it was cancelled. The fact is that the show, even though it was on the same night as the Simpsons, was being marketed towards the wrong demographic. It was a show with a particularly crude sense of humor that only a college age guy could fully appreciate.
The reruns of the show appeared on the Cartoon Network some two years after it was cancelled as part of their Adult Swim lineup that played late at night (the perfect time to catch a pot smoking college student's attention). The show quickly became a cult hit, and a box set DVD was released featuring the first two seasons that played some years earlier on the Fox Network. The box set was an instant success, and grossed so much money that Fox network executives sat up and took notice. Within one year the show was back on the air in one of the prime t.v. spots, and it is enjoying a renewed mainstream popularity.
The moral of this story is that the substance of a cartoon has to be solid, but the marketing of the cartoon must be equally as important. The producers of the show must find out what audience is most likely to watch the show and then cater to their needs in order to biuld mainstream buzz. The buzz surrounding a show is the most important part of marketing, because it says that there is a verifyable group of people devoted to the creative and comedic aspects of the show.

2005-11-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

Post # 9: Animation's take on History

Many animated features use history as a template on which to build a story of some kind. Cartoons use history to make the backdrop appealing so that the story seems fantastic yet realistic in ways (for a cartoon). One such backdrop that I have seen used again and again is medival times. Movies such as "Sword in the Stone" and cartoon strips such as "Haggar the Horrible" and "The Wizard of Id" use people's knowledge of medival times to set up storylines and humorous gags.

I think that the main reason so many animated mediums use history as a backdrop is that it is something that most people have at least a rudimentary knowledge about. This basic knowledge of history comes from the fact that it is a mandatory subject in all grade and high school systems, and even if a student slept through all of those classes some of the basics seep in via osmosis. Anyway, the audience's basic knowledge of history makes for an interesting backdrop because it gives a touch of reality in an otherwise unrealistic story (the very fact that cartoons aren't real makes it unrealistic). This touch of reality gives every person a point of reference for some of the plot twists and ploys used by writers which can end up enhancing the overall experience. In all, history makes for good settings because people know what they love and love what they know.

2005-11-02T19:36:00.000-08:00

Post # 8: Adult Language in Cartoons

I decided to indulge myself last weekend while I was at Blockbuster and rented a childhood favorite: Transformers the Movie. I was just as entertained by the premise of robots that change into cars and tanks as I was years ago, but something struck me about half way through the movie. Ultra Magnus, one of the main characters, utters the "open goddamnit!" while struggling with something in a time of stress. The movie had a PG rating which I attributed to the simulated violence when I was younger, but that instance of foul language would have bothered me as a parent of a younger fan.

I can't begin to understand why a movie directed towards a child audience would feel the need to use that phrase to get its point across. I understood the situation was stressful due to the music, lighting, and action, and I found the inappropriate phrase to be just that. The word "darn" would have had the same effect, because let's face it, the movie wasn't competing for any Oscars which would have made the use of the phrase appropriate if it supplemented the scene.

I guess the message of this blog is that children are smart, and they can understand the weight of a scene without the writers adding inappropriate language to reinforce the point. This movie was put out in 1988, way before the era of today when children are exposed to countless scenes of adult content, and it surprised me that the trend of today was taking hold in yesteryear.

2005-11-02T19:25:00.000-08:00

Post # 7: Saturday Morning Rituals

Every Saturday morning my brother and I would wake my father up at the crack of dawn. You see, cartoons started early and we needed to share the excitement with someone who would understand. My father is one of those people who not only enjoys spending time with his kids, but really does enjoy what his kids are into. He also looked forward to the Saturday morning cartoons the way we did, and made sure not to miss an episode.

His favorite cartoon we watched together was called "Monster High." It was a cartoon about all sorts of slimy creatures that attended high school, complete with the obligatory teenage Frankenstein. The reason he liked it was because it taught lessons about issues that kids faced, such as bullying and tattling. This was always a forum where my father could briefly discuss the moral of the story afterwards, or even share with us some of his gained knowledge from high school. Either way, the more we watched, the more he shared.

They cancelled the show long ago. However, in this day and age of classic shows reappearing on DVD, he wonders aloud every now and then about when they will do that for "Monster High." I am not sure how good the show would actually be given my present state of mind even though it was awesome when I was 10. Frankly, I would rather have the fond memories of the show remain untainted as a lasting testament to the time my father and I spent together on Saturday mornings.

2005-10-12T11:45:00.000-07:00

Post # 6: Animaition in the Real World

In last class we watched a few different cartoons in which the animation interacted with live action people. I always thought that the trend was started in the late 1980's with Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, but I was off by about 50 years. The practice of the cartoon characters interacting with a live action set have been around awhile as I was shown last class, and they were done with the same expertise that would be expected in more modern movies. Live interaction with cartoons is an excellent way to draw the audience into the show in a unique and realistic way.

The reason that Jessica Rabbit was so popular after the release of Roger Rabbit is that she interacted with live characters, therefore making her seem more accessible to the real world. She even graced the cover of Playboy Magazine, the milestone for who is hot in this day and age. I found it interesting that people really were excited by the prospect of a cartoon vixen given the fact that she was little more than ink on paper, but the interaction with the detective in the movie gave her a tangible qualiy that will not soon be forgotten.

2005-10-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

Comments for Post # 5:

Here are my comments for Lisa and Bonnie.

2005-10-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

Post # 5: Sterotypes in WWII Cartoons

I have noticed that in many WWII cartoons sterotypes run rampant. This is especially true in cartoons such as Superman and other quasi-realistic looking cartoons. The physical depictions of different foreign groups that the U.S. was at war against (such as the Japanese) are pointedly sterotypical in such cartoons. The sterotypes that were shown in WWII era cartoons became America's reference point for such races due to middle America's lack of knowledge about foreign cultures at the time.

One such sterotype that comes to mind is that of the Japanese. They were shown as comically small in stature with big buck teeth and squinty eyes. The physical traits of the Japanese were manipulated and caricatured to show signs of deceitfulness and make them look rat like. This was done to dehumanize the enemy and to make it known that enemies we were fighting were closer to animals than humans.

In contrast to the sterotypes of the Japanese, the portrayal of the beautiful and heroic Anglo-American shows Superman with his broad chest and powerful demeanor. This portrayal shows how superior Americans were based on our physical traits and superhero morals. The one thing I don't think was intended was that it is typical of the United States to come swooping down on any nation who disobeyed the laws of the west.

2005-10-05T11:38:00.000-07:00

Comments for Post # 4
Here are my comments for Kristy and Mona.

2005-09-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Post # 4: Fleischer's Bad Business Sense

I will never understand how someone like Max Fleischer could create some of the most memorable cartoon characters of all time and not retain the rights to them. I think it is the equivalent of having children and then giving them away. His creative genius is what gave life to these cartoons and a studio full of businessmen got to profit from it. Cartoons are a business, and the success of that business allows the creator to continue to finance doing what he or she loves.

The reason Walt Disney's cartoons became progressively better is that he would take the profits from one and roll it into another project. The reason he made such profits is because he retained ownership of his characters and was able to merchandise them. Disney only really cared about cartoons, but he understood that money would allow him the freedom to continue his artistic freedom.

Max Fleischer created Popeye, one of the most recognizeable cartoon characters on the planet. Maltin states that "First and Foremost, Fleischer was not a good businessman. He never retained ownership of his cartoons" (83). The fact that he was so short sighted to not retain ownership of such a character is the reason that he went out of business. I understand that he only really cared about making good cartoons, but a Disney showed, part of making good cartoons is capitalizing on success in order to continue making cartoons.

2005-09-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Comments for Post # 3:

Here are my comments for Lisa and Bonnie.

2005-09-29T10:11:00.000-07:00

Post #3: The Cathedral is not missing anything!

Prof. Petrik,
I do not agree with your statement that The Cathedral was an incomplete animated short because it had an inadequate plotline. The whole point of an animated short is that it is a self-contained unit that needs no introduction and the audience is expected to take what it is given. In the beginning we see the traveller looking at a vast wasteland and seeing the cathedral which he then decides to enter. The abiguity of the situation in the beginning of The Cathedral is what makes it magical, it can mean many different things to many different people.

Given the fact that it was an animated short, it looked like an introduction to me. The fact that we do not know why he is there or what he is travelling for is inconsequential, we do know that the cathedral is his focus of attention and that its mystery is what consumes him. The Cathedral can and does mean different things to different people, such as the realization of a dream after a lifetime of searching only to realize that you made the wrong choice, or the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Cathedral was an Grammy nominated short not only because of its excellent animation but because its plot was engrossing without much need for a concrete introduction. The animators were able to create a world in which nothing but the traveller and the cathedral mattered, a place where they met and came together. The Cathedral was a success because it said so much without saying anything at all.

2005-09-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

Comments for Post # 2

Here are my comments for Kristy and Mona.

2005-09-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Post# 2: The Disney Effect

The book states correctly what every cartoon enthusiast knows: "(Walt Disney) did not invent the medium, but one could say that he defined it" (Maltin 29). Disney productions are what comes to mind whenever the classics are mentioned (Snow White, Bambi) or whenever contemporary cartoons are concerned (The Lion King, The Little Mermaid). Disney perfected one thing other than the animation and storyline process which ensured their movies would forever be remembered - they perfected merchandising. Disney's merchandising machine has successfully introduced new stories and characters to the public while simultaneously reminding us of their classic stories and characters through an endless supply of stuffed animals, t-shirts, school supplies, not to mention theme parks. Disney has mastered what very few other film companies have successfully attempted: constant promotion without saturating a market.

Disney's success merchandising their movies with a steady stream of products only works because audiences continue to love their characters, their movies, their creative genius. Without loveable characters or compelling storylines there would be no market for merchandise because there would be no demand for it (many cartoons, like Atlantis, have had terrible luck merchandising because the movie was not first embraced). The public wants stuffed animals of their favorite characters or rides at Disneyland mimicking some of their favorite scenes in a movie because it allows them to own a small part of the magic they first felt at the movies.

Maltin states that "the profits form merchandising helped Disney defray the cost of making his sumptuous cartoons in the 1930's, and the continuing success of these products has helped to keep his name, as well as his characters, alive" (83). This fact shows that merchandising can not only help promote a movie, but future movies that have yet to be conceived through the creation of risidual income for a studio. Magic does not happen without the money to finance it.

2005-09-22T09:08:00.000-07:00

Post #1: In Virgin Territory with Gertie

Winsor McCay was a man who worked during the silent era to bring cartoons out of newspapers and into theaters. He was a man who did what few others, if any, had ever done before. It was during the early years of American cinema Winson McCay created drawings that came to life, thereby giving the American public another medium of entertainment that has lasted until present times.

I find it nothing short of amazing that a few innovative people gave life to cartoons in the early days of cinema. It is understandable that people would want to film other people, but to more or less create a separate world that is completely under your control is incomprehensible. It was almost like McCay invented a whole new universe in which stories could be told, a place where an extinct dinosaur named Gertie could come to life.

The most fascinating thing about McCay was that had "no desire to be part of the industry" (Maltin 5). The marriage of cartoons and cinema was so new that he did not even see that there would be a separate and viable area of moviemaking devoted to this art form. Almost one hundred years later I can testify that some of the highest grossing movies at the box office are cartoons, a feat that McCay would have never imagined.

2005-09-14T09:48:00.000-07:00

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