Xmas Tasks

Tsk #1 - Textual Analysis of Wall-e

Wall-e is a computer animated science fiction film, produced by Pixar Animations. Released in 2008, the film ranking highest grossing opening for a Pixar film , making it a very popular film among not only children but adults too. Overall, the film follows the journey of a robot ( Wall-e) his mission to stay on earth whilst the humans live in space, to clean it up. Along the way, he finds himself the reason for the returning of the humans to earth.

The film raised many social issues that can be related to society at present. The growing environmental problems about the amount of pollution and increase of wastage, is defiantly mirrored in the film. Looking at the chosen scene, when the humans arrive to earth, the setting shows earth as a derelict place, been dominated by wastage and therefore not liveable for the humans. As the camera establishes a long shot of the spacecraft, it comes down and the smoke/ dirt parts and the sky are shown. This signifiers the make way for the end of the environmental problem as now the humans have come to their senses “it’s good to be home”, they are able to restore the earth as it once used to be. The last shot is a pan over the earth that shows the greenery of vegetation emerging upon the hill and also the opposition of the plant and the spacecraft shows an end to the war against technology and traditional things.

The genre of the film is “ cyber punk” , that displays the dystopian view of the world as machines and robots control peoples lives. The is shown when the humans are aboard the spacecraft and although they have a captain, the one that has sole control is a robot ( the auto- pilot). The theory Marxism can be applied to the film because the robots could signify a controlling ruling class, as the humans are subservient to the demands of the robots. Through the representation of the humans, they are seen to be dominated by the robots as they no longer walk but live their lives in a seat that has everything on it, making them unable to see the affects of the robots. As they are in a sense blind to this, it follows the Marxist view that the exploitation of the proletariat is unaware of this as the distractions of other things allow the bourgeoisie to take control. This is evident as the robots control what they eat, what they think and what they do while they remain in the seat. The costumes of the humans as well connotes that they are all the same as they have the same identity through their clothes being the same.

However, like Karl Marx predicted of a revolution, the humans revolt against the robots, resulting in freeing themselves against this. The humans are also represented being lazy and obese, as this is another social issue due to child obesity. The state of the humans have become so bad that they are unable to walk, but when the captain attempts to make his first step, the theme tune of Armstrong is played that connotes a revolutionary thing taking place such as the humans walking , showing the extent of the damage of retreating to space.

Another issue that the film raises are the changes in the family structure. The roles of a man and women are changed as the robots take on that role. In the scene the robots look after the babies and since the humans have come to their senses, a women says to the man “are you ready to have some kids” as they grab them. This highlights the extent of the control over the humans and how much things have changed in this futuristic view.

Politically, the film raises the question whether or not there is enough government intervention and whether it is good or bad. As their solution for the bad state of the earth was to go to space, it shows the extent of the damage and raises the alert about the environment. When the people step off the spacecraft and the captain says “this is called farming” it shows the distinction between advanced technology and the need to go back to traditional ways in order to restore the normality of the earth.


Tsk #3 - The Genre of animation movies has had to adapt to wider social concerns to maintain its popularity

Historical Text Analysis & Research – comparison to Wall-e

Looking at the film Wall-e , the historical film I’m going to compare this to is The Little Mermaid produced in 1989. This film highlights the ways in which the genre of animation has had to adapt to the social concerns over time.

Historically, The Little Mermaid mirrors the decade that feminism had made a break through, through legislations passed such as the sex discrimination act and the equal pay act. The Little Mermaid is represented as a headstrong young mermaid as her ambitious nature to look for the undiscovered and the unknown (humans) is similar to the film Wall-e. The robot “Eve” has a mission to look for anything existing upon the earth, however along the way she meets “Wall-e” and her priorities change. Similarly, both are headstrong females, without both the story wouldn’t end in the way they do. As for Eve , without her then the humans wouldn’t be able to come to earth and without Ariel , the mermaids wouldn’t have mixed with humans.

However we can see that the representation of women has changed over time as for Ariel, even though a headstrong female, her role sometimes proved to be menacing with something bad happening. Unlike the representation of Eve that she still sticks to her loyalties and keeps focused on her mission, also managing to fall in love with Wall- e in the end. This shows that the representation of women over time has become more representative and equal, signifying that we are now living in a post feminist era.

Another way that The Little Mermaid can be compared to Wall-e is by both seem to rebel against something. Ariel being a 16 year old is shown to be rebellious despite her father’s warnings of certain things such as mixing with the humans. From the 60s, a youth culture emerged and music and fashion became the central point in developing their own identity that challenged authority. Films such as Mary Poppins (1964) portrayed this, through the musical fantasy combining animation and live-action sequences. Similarly in Wall-e instead of just youth’s rebellion, all the humans rebel against the system by trying to overthrow the robots in charge. Therefore the genre of animation can be seen as adapting to society and the social changes within it.

Looking at Steven Neales genre theory , “ difference in repetition” , its explanation shows how the animation genre still has similar aspects despite the time in which they were set. The Little Mermaid and Wall-e have similar locations and actors. Such as the under water castle and the spacecraft in space. Still the genre fulfilling its function to provide escapism for children and even adults. Also the actors in the two films have both the princess ( Ariel) and ( Eve) and villains. However, it is evident that the genre has adapted because of social changes, as for both narratives are different despite being both animations. Usually, animations consist of fairytale good triumphs evil and there is a quest to find someone.

However the 80s when The Little Mermaid would see these similar narratives, but Wall-e goes against this as it addresses more about societies problem about the environment rather than providing escapism for the audience.
Whilst comparing The Little Mermaid and Wall-e, the class differences are another similarity, where the genre has adapted due to society’s changes. In the 80s when the little mermaid was made, there was an increase in unemployment as Thatcher came to power, where voyeuristic pleasure about looking down on working class was established. This is evident as even within the mermaids there were class differences as they had servants etc. However in Wall-e it puts the robots in authority and above all. That goes back to Marxists theory of how the bourgeoisie are exploiting the proletariat.

Research into historical affairs

Cinderella (1950), released on February 15, 1950; three-time Academy Award nominee: Best Score, Best Sound, Best Song (Bibbidy-Bobbidi-Boo) [Cinderella has been widely regarded as the most re-made storyline ever]

60s- swinging sixties – youth culture importance music and fashion – children more of an identity challenge to authority –
Multiculturalism
Intro of pill- divorce law


70s- race relations act – love thy neighbour-
Equal pay act – sexual discrimination act – first women MP - 1979


80s – unemployment – thatcher years
The Little Mermaid (1989). i the tale of the headstrong young mermaid Ariel. The popular and highly successful film earned $84 million at the box-office and insured the revival of animated films. (Social)
Brixton riots


90s- reality tv- bnp moral panic – goodness gracious me
Ethnic minorites – greater equality – more multicultural society
Mulan (1998) Disney's hand-drawn animated Chinese folk tale (Disney's 36th feature-length animated film), and DreamWorks SKG's' epic ( Ethinic minorites) ( Social)

The family – changes
• Stuart Little (1999)
• Finding nemo – 2000s

3D
A 3D animation is a motion picture processed to include the illusion of depth perception.
3-D films have existed in some form since 1890 but largely relegated to a niche audience. 3-D films were featured in the 1950s and 1980s in American cinema and currently experiencing a rebirth at the start of 21st century as a result for the development of computer – generated imagery and introduction of high definition video standards.
Whether or not this is the way forward for animation
A larger demand
Been used to bring back animations such as Toy Story

Disney particularly changed their appeal to the audience by producing more mature animations in the late 80s and 90s
Pluralism – The genre could be argued to have changed because of demands from the audience, therefore putting them in control of what is produced instead of the institutions.


Steven Neale “ difference in repetition” meaning that all films have similar aspects in the same genre that is shown through the…..


Narratives- Within the animation/ fairytale similarities seen throughout is the notion that good triumphs evil in the end/ a search or quest to find someone/ something/ usually makes some connection with fairytales.


Location- castles/ forests/ kingdoms/ exotic lands – escapism / what young children want to get lost in/ a place of belonging


Actors – princess/ prince/ hero /villain /anti hero /helper


Rick Altman – “Audiences feel safe with genre as they know what to expect”
Its important considering Disney's audience ( children) as they need to know what typical things are going to be within the narrative.
They not only need to feel safe with the genre but parents allowing their children to be exposed to certain films will base their judgement whether or not it is safe to watch upon other animations as they know roughly what to expect.


Task #2 Bibliography:

A2 Media Studies By Peter Bennett, Jerry Slater, Peter Wall
Wider contexts:
“ it is difficult to deny the significant role played by the media in the transmission of culture and values within western society”
“ in film the late 1960s was notable for its fascination with “ swinging London” – “ everyone was having sex on the pill and enjoying themselves.”

The no- nonsense guide to global media by Peter Steven
“ Accordingly, social trends, general fears and aspirations, the status of various groups and the power of ruling elites will be seen reflected in the media”

When you hear people talking about media as a mirror of society they are framing their comments in this context.”


“ the media don’t simply reflect , they provide the symbols, images, ideas and frames that constitute power itself – the dominant media create some of the forms by which power operates”



“ the various media forms , from the newscast to the blockbuster, don’t simply communicate hegemonic ideas that have been created …. They represent those ideas and ways of thinking in specific media forms”



An introduction to film studies by Jill Nelmes
In recent years computer animation has enabled animators to work in different ways and to invent fresh approaches to their work whilst at the same time attracting huge audiences”.
“ The effect has been that animation is now one of
the most significant art forms of the twenty – first century”



Media and society a critical perspective by Arthur Asa Berger
Media uses and gratifications by genre
Genre- documentary , news show – to satisfy curiosity and be informed
Travel show – to experience the beautiful
Horror show – to experience the ugly
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=REqAFs2aR68C&pg=PT254&dq=film,+domestic+and+foreign&lr=&cd=11#v=onepage&q=film%2C%20domestic%20and%20foreign&f=false



Task #4

Continued … Internet Research


Film review: WALL•E : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/3556627/Film-review-WALLE.html
John Lasseter- "Character animation is when an object moves like it is alive, when it moves like it is thinking and all of its movements are generated by its own thought processes."
"WALL•E looks and sounds like almost nothing you've seen before in an animated picture"
"Pixar's latest film is an outrageously ambitious love story that pushes the art of digital animation to new heights, says Sukhdev Sandhu"


Enchanted - The Sunday Times Review- http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article3042349.ece

how do you go beyond Shrek-like irony without going back to Disney-like innocence? Answer: Enchanted
The film focuses on the clash between Robert’s disillusioned realism and Giselle’s wide-eyed romanticism.
The film could have done without the big ending, but it is the best adult romantic comedy and child’s fairy tale we’ve had for a long time

Will Avatar put actors out of work?
James Cameron's space opera might just see less human stars on the big screen but an actorless age is a whole world away - - http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2009/dec/28/avatar-james-cameron
The idea of entirely removing the actor from the film-making process is not one that has really taken root in Hollywood, though it represents an attractive prospect for currently cash-strapped studios
it's why Cameron spent 12 years waiting for the technology to catch up far enough for him to be able to make Avatar.
Technology tends to move along the path of least resistance, and right now that's a route which is eschewing software programs in favour of performances based on real human beings.


Task #6

The Genre of animation movies has had to adapt to wider social concerns to maintain its popularity

Introduction:

The genre of animation has continued to surprise and amaze its audience since its first appearance from Disney’s classic Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. Following on from this, famous films such as “Toy Story” and “Shrek” have continued to enchant us with its storylines filled with mythological plots resulting in “animation is now one of the most significant art forms of the twenty – first century”. However, over time institutions such as Disney have addressed more social concerns in their films than ever before. I will be looking at whether we have moved from a time of films providing escapism and now resulting to adapt to wider social concerns, or whether this has been a reoccurring theme in animation films that has guaranteed its success.