Journal Entry – Week 4 (short paper outline)

POPEYE THE SAILOR MAN: Blow Me Down! (1933)

I will be writing about Popeye the Sailor Man, specifically the episode Blow Me Down! by Dave Fleischer. This animation was one of my favorites in childhood. The Popeye theme song is a childhood anthem for me. Every time I hear it again, it reminds me of my childhood. It uses the rotoscoping animation technique, so the movements of the characters are very smooth, making the fight scenes more realistic.

Elements I Will Be Researching and Writing About

Brief Introduction to Popeye the Sailor Man and Its Historical Significance

Background of Blow Me Down!

• Released in 1933 by Fleischer Studios.
• Featuring the voice of William Costello as Popeye.

Plot Summary

• Classic Popeye vs. Bluto rivalry over Olive Oyl.
• Action-filled brawl, exaggerated humor.

Animation Techniques and Style

• Rubber Hose Animation.
• Rotoscoping.
• Early Sound Synchronization.
• Fight Choreography.
• Limited Background Movement.
• Pioneered action-comedy animation.

Popeye as a Working-Class Hero

• Tough, hardworking sailor.

Spinach and American Culture

Felix the Cat in “Futuritzy” [1928] – I chose this short because of it’s various sounds and intruguing storytelling. I like how the events play out in the story, and for a cartoon in the late 1920’s, it’s pretty well-animated. It’s simplistic plot was charming in a way, and it’s great how the animators were able to tell the story so well without a lot of dialogue.

Elements I will be discussing:

• Sounds (music, environment)
• Storytelling
• Animation Technique

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) by Lotte Reininger

I was actually introduced to this film for the first time in middle school. It captivated me from the intricate details of the paper puppets to how expressive the movements and story telling was. I also love Reininger’s use of color and the style of the puppets themselves.

Introduction:

• The Adventures of Prince Achmed by Lotte Reininger is a retelling of one story from a collection of Middle Eastern folktales called, “One Thousand and One Nights”

Elements I will be researching/talking about

• The influence of the Bauhaus movement and Chinese puppet theater on Reininger’s work
  • Her early career – pre-animation
• Public response to the film as well as current political events
  • Reininger’s style – expressionism vs realism
  • Distributor issues
• Her contribution to innovations in the multiplane camera and cel animation
  • led to the multiplane camera, solidified by Disney

For my short paper, I will be focusing on the Fleischer Brothers’ short film “Out of the Inkwell, Inc.”

I am particularly drawn to this film because of its innovative blend of live-action and animation. The interaction between the artist and the character Koko the Clown, I find incredibly engaging and humorous. The comedic touch brought by this dynamic interaction adds a unique charm to the film.

-Who are the Fleischer brothers’

– Animation techniques used

– Historical implications

– Influence’s

Pinocchio(1940)

I my paper to be about Pinocchio because of the fact that there is a lot of double meaning throughout the movie. I am drawn to this film because of the story it portraits and the messages it gives.

Elements I’ll talk about:

1. Talk about the story of pinocchio aside from the lying
2. Animations Technique that help make the film a classic
3. Sounds(dialogues, musics, environment sounds)
4. The Budget

Lotte Reiniger

“The Adventures of Prince Achmed”

The film I will be discussing in my short paper is “The Adventures of Prince Achmed” by Lotte Reiniger, I am drawn to this film because I like the style and aesthetic of the film it reminds me of shadow puppets, and it’s described as one of the first feature-length animations and that fascinates me.

Outline

Introduction/Creator Overview

Who is the Creator?

What was Lotte Reiniger’s life like?

What did they experience and how did this affect their work and the trajectory of their life?

Witch one of their works will be focused on in this paper?

Describe the film: What is the story? Who are the characters? What does it look/sound like? What is the tone of the piece (funny, sad, serious etc.)…

What is the story?

who are the characters?

What is the “conflict” or what drives the plot?

What animation techniques were used in this piece?

Context

Why is the film important?
Who was the film’s audience?

How is the time period this piece was made in reflected in it?

Who worked on the film?

How popular was this film at the time?

What technology was available at the time and how did that influence this work?

Why was this film created?

Analysis/personal Thoughts.

Analysis/Personal Thoughts

How is the film influenced by the current social attitudes at the time?

What are some differences between this films and modern reputation and the reputation that it had at the time?

What does the animation style remind me of?

Why is this film relevant today?

“L’Idée” (“The Idea”) by Berthold Bartosch

This short film drew me in its use of sound. The electronic instrument mixed with the complex storyline. It also drew me in with its use of paper-like characters and the technique used in creating the piece. I also enjoyed the spread of drawings from the L’Idee.

I will discuss…

1. The meaning of the film
2. The way it was created
3. The person who made the film
4. How the film impacted time back then and now

My paper will be about Popeye the Sailor Man, In particular the episode called “Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor”. An episode of Popeye primarily noted for how polished the techniques in it used at the time. The reason why I’m drawn to this particular episode is because of the innovation and boundaries it broke at the time, while also introducing new was to spice up animation as a medium. I also have a soft spot for Popeye growing up with it in my childhood my father would put it on television for us to watch.

What I’ll be mainly talking about

• How Popeye came to be
• Techniques used in “Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor”
• How Popeye laid the fundamentals for cartoons in the present

The Artist’s Dream (1913) By John Rudolph Bray

This film attracted me because Bray introduced cel animation, which left a huge impact on the animation industry by drawing images and then filming them. I think it’s a simple enough concept that has since been used in very creative ways. The film itself uses drawings to create the idea that there is movement, and, in my paper, I will discuss the history of cel animation, the significance of cel animation and the impact that it left on modern animation.

I will focus on the history of Popeye the Sailor. While I’ve seen some of it growing up, the style of Popeye and the elements from its story and animation have always gravitated me to it.

The things that I plan to focus on are the history of Popeye, when it comes to his character and his creation, alongside his inception into media. I want to also focus on the usage of the principles of animation, specifically squash and stretch, anticipation, and follow through, along with how they use it compared to other parts of media at the time.

My paper will be about Popeye the Sailor Man, specifically the episode titled “A Date to Skate” directed by Dave Fleischer. Although I didn’t grow up watching Popeye, my mother did, and I remember me and her watching it together sometimes when I was a kid. This episode in particular I remember so vividly, so for sentimental reasons, it makes me want to talk about in my paper.

The elements I will talk about in my paper will include:

• The history of the character Popeye and its influence
• Animation techniques that were used which solidify the fundamentals of animation still being used today.
• A comparison of American culture/setting from 1930 to modern
• Early use of audio and audible dialogue, and how that influenced the animation.

“A Night on Bald Mountain” (1933) by Alexander Alexeieff & Claire Parker.

This film attracts me because of the technique that was used to create it, which is with pins and shadows, something I never thought it was possible to use to create an animation. I liked how all the shapes and creatures merge in the film in a very abstract way and while you are watching it you get lost and don’t know what is happening, it is a very strange film. I will research about:

How the pinscreen animation technique was invented, What is the real plot of the film according to the director and What other recognized films exist with this technique.

I will focus on “Steamboat Willie,” a short animated film we discussed in class during week 5. This film is notable for its groundbreaking technique in synchronized sound animation, its historical significance in the evolution of the Walt Disney Company, and its lasting impact as a cultural icon. The story and techniques used in the film mark a pivotal moment in animation history, as it officially debuted Mickey Mouse and set a new standard for animated films. Additionally, the cultural and political context of the Roaring Twenties, along with the economic challenges that led to the Great Depression, provide a rich backdrop for understanding the film’s success and legacy.

Walt Disney’s Steamboat Savior (Outline)

I. Introduction

• Hook: Did you know Mickey Mouse from “Steamboat Willie” is now in the public domain?
• Context:
  • Roaring Twenties: Economic prosperity, social change, rise in consumer culture, technological advancements.
  • Walt Disney Company’s financial struggles and competition.
  • The Great Depression began in 1929, shortly after the release of “Steamboat Willie,” bringing widespread economic hardship that Disney navigated successfully due to the film’s success.
• Thesis Statement: “Steamboat Willie” revolutionized animation with synchronized sound and introduced Mickey Mouse as a cultural icon, crucial for Disney’s resurgence.

II. Body Paragraphs

1. Economic Context Before “Steamboat Willie”
   • Financial Struggles:
     • Monetary challenges faced by Disney. (Source: Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas)
   • Need for Innovation:
     • Groundbreaking work was needed to stand out in the industry.
2. Innovation and Impact of “Steamboat Willie”
   • Synchronized Sound:
     • Significance and uniqueness. (Source: Disney Archives)
   • Technological Advancement:
     • Challenges and efforts in sound integration. (Source: The Oxford Handbook of Music and the Body)
   • Audience Reaction:
     • Public captivated by sound in animation. (Source: The Oxford Handbook of Music and the Body)
3. Social and Cultural Impact
   • Introduction of Mickey Mouse:
     • Symbol of optimism. (Source: Walt Disney Archives)
   • Cultural Icon:
     • Global appeal and merchandise. (Source: Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas)
   • Reflecting the 1920s Spirit:
     • Resonance with societal trends. (Source: Jazz Age: People and Perspectives by Mitchell Newton-Matza)
4. Economic Success Post “Steamboat Willie”
   • Financial Stability:
     • Revenue generation. (Source: Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas)
   • Foundation for Future Success:
     • Groundwork for future projects.
   • Expansion of the Company:
     • Growth in staff, technology, and projects. (Source: Walt Disney Archives)
   • Relation to the Great Depression:
     • “Steamboat Willie” provided financial stability that helped Disney navigate the economic challenges of the Great Depression. (Sources: Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas, Disney Archives)

III. Conclusion

• Restate Thesis: Importance of “Steamboat Willie” in Disney’s resurgence.
• Summary of Key Points: Economic struggles, innovation, cultural impact, financial success.
• Closing Thoughts: Lasting legacy and influence on modern animation.

I am planning to write my short paper about “Popeye,” which was the first animated series I grew up watching. I remember I was singing the Popeye theme song every morning when I woke up. The character of Popeye was created by Elsie Criser Segar in 1929, but the first cartoon in the series was released in 1933. I will research how it was created, which methods and techniques were used for the cartoon.

Pauvre Pierrot (Emile Reynaud, 1892)

Im drawn to this film because its cute and simple but inna a very complex way. I like the story the sounds. How there is one setting and only to characters but without words you can learn so much about them and the plot. I love the colors and how it resembles that of a painting and I know it was painted but it gives Salvador Dali.

-What material was used

-Who Emile Reynaud is

-The music

I want to discuss Absolute film and how it would’ve impacted people if it was more mainstream.

I chose Absolute Film because its content lacks a narrative, yet it triggers feelings of satisfaction, like the satisfaction of something moving—it’s eye candy, per se.

I would use the films “Opus I” “Rhythmus 21” or “Composition in Blue” to discuss how they trigger the imagination of the human mind with just moving shapes, color, and music, and how media of its likeness still exists mostly through modern-day television.