D1- Compare and contrast genres of animation across global cultures
Disney Pixar vs Aardman
Disney Pixar create 3D animation films aimed at children aimed more at American audiences. They use blockbuster actors that do voice overs for their animated characters, such as Tom Hanks in Toy Story and Dwayne Johnson as Maui in Moana, which creates more fans of the shows as they may want to watch just for their favourite celebrities.
Toy Story
Toy Story is a 3D animation and is aimed at young children as it is a story where toys come to life whenever humans aren't around and the story focuses on a relationship between old-fashioned cowboy doll named Woody and and a more modern astronaut action figure named Buzz Lightyear. 3D animation is aimed at children because it is imaginary and wouldn't happen in real world scenarios. The bright colours highlight life and happiness, colour is a very important aspect of film as it can influence thoughts and communicate feelings.
In western audiences, toy story had a mixed response however the majority was positive. Some people argued that Toy Story is disablist and throughout each episode there is a serious lack of representation. When Toy Story was released in 1996, it was loved by all however in recent years people have grown to have change their views towards Toy Story. People in recent years have felt like Toy Story lacks representation because there is an absence of a major black role in the film. When Disney Pixar released Toy Story 4 in 2019, the absence of a black character infuriated fans who felt like just having black actors was not good enough.
AARDMAN animation studios:
AARDMAN is a British Animation studio based in Bristol. AARDMAN is an independent company. They are popular for creating stop motion clay animation such as Chicken Run and the 3D animation Flushed away.
Chicken Run was AARDMAN's furst feature length animation and it was created in 2000. It was entirely created using clay stop motion. The production of this film was very time consuming as it took the company one week to complete a minute of the film and took them 18 months to complete. There were over 30 sets and 80 animators working on the film.
Flushed away was created in collaboration with both AARDMAN and Dreamworks. This film was created using CGI and 3D softwares rather than stop motion. However, the film still encapsulates AARDMAN's animation style. Using 3D softwares, the companies were able to blend 2 different animation techniques and increase the production speed compared to Chicken Run.
AARDMAN created characters that were funny, fresh, dramatic and relatable to the audience and made sure they were recognizable to create the connection. The familiarity became standard in AARDMAN's style.
AARDMAN's main films feature the ideas of home, which is portrayed throughout their charming characters and funny and cosy clay animations. Also, AARDMAN explore the themes of loneliness/isolation and dysfunctionality, however the films that do explore these themes are a lot less familiar with viewers rather than the fun and bubbly characters in the Wallace and Grommit, which is very recognizable. These themes are even explored through different colours in the animations.
AARDMAN portray their themes very visually to connote the styles such as colour schemes, models and locations. The characters in the darker animations looks mean and aggressive whereas the characters in Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run are happy and loving.
Reception of animation amongst different cultures:
Pocahontas is an American line drawing animation created by Disney which released in 1995. The film follows Todorov's narrative structure, where its narrative is based on a Powhatan woman called Pocahontas where English colonial settlers arrive. The film shows themes of colonisation and romance through the relationship of Pocahontas and Native American John Smith. The film doesn't accurately depict a very dark period in time as it romanticises colonisation rather than considerinf the millions of oppressed and slaughtered people. The film contains stereotypes where the story has been described as "false reality rendered rhrouh the dominant culture, which seeks to amelorate the horrific methods of which they came to occupy an entire nations worth of landmass" by Kenzie Allen who is a native American and defendant of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. The film has also faced backlash by critics for its historical inaccuracies and damaging stereotypes.
The character is also sexualised through the one shoulder dress, which is intentional and link to the laura mulvey male gaze theory to appeal to a 'heterosexual audience'
However, the studio attempted at progression as she was the first adult female and woman of colour as a main protagonist. Also, it was the first time Disney had created a film based on a real person and real event. Ultimately these positives were overlooked as the film romanticises and skirts over the atrocities committed by Europeans against Native Americans.
Overall, Disney over romanticised a horrific period in time and over sexualised the first main woman of colour.
Aardman vs Ghibli
Aardman and Ghibli animations are two of the most beloved animation studios in the world. Both have produced some of the most iconic and beloved animated films of all time. While both studios have their own unique styles and approaches to animation, there are some similarities and differences between them.
Aardman is a British animation studio that is best known for its stop-motion animation films. Aardman’s films are often characterized by their quirky humor and unique visual style. The studio has produced some of the most beloved films of all time, such as Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, and Shaun the Sheep. Aardman’s films are often praised for their creativity and originality, as well as their ability to tell stories that are both funny and heartfelt.
Ghibli is a Japanese animation studio that is best known for its hand-drawn animation films. Ghibli’s films are often characterized by their lush visuals and beautiful animation. The studio has produced some of the most beloved films of all time, such as Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, and Princess Mononoke. Ghibli’s films are often praised for their stunning visuals and emotional depth, as well as their ability to tell stories that are both imaginative and thought-provoking.
When comparing Aardman and Ghibli animations, there are both positives and negatives to both studios. On the positive side, both studios have produced some of the most beloved animated films of all time. Aardman’s films are often praised for their creativity and originality, while Ghibli’s films are often praised for their stunning visuals and emotional depth. On the negative side, Aardman’s films can sometimes be too quirky and offbeat for some viewers, while Ghibli’s films can sometimes be too slow-paced and ponderous for some viewers.
The target audiences for Aardman are typically children and adults who enjoy animated films with a comedic edge. The target audiences for Ghibli are typically children and adults who enjoy animated films with a more fantastical and magical feel.
Aardman and Ghibli both portray different cultures in unique ways. Aardman is known for its humorous and lighthearted approach to storytelling, while Ghibli is known for its more serious and emotional stories. Aardman often uses British culture and humor as a basis for its stories, while Ghibli often uses Japanese culture and folklore as a basis for its stories. Both studios have created stories that are beloved by audiences around the world, and both have a unique way of portraying different cultures.
In conclusion, Aardman and Ghibli animations are two of the most beloved animation studios in the world. Both studios have produced some of the most iconic and beloved animated films of all time and both have their unique styles and approaches to animation.
Include a background to each studio (origins, target audience and culture) Discuss studios and include a conclusion****
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