Journal Entry – Week 11 (long paper outline)

Outline for Coraline Analysis

I am drawn to this film as it is one of my favorite animations I have ever watched. I feel as though Coraline’s animation was so far ahead of its time. As I watch it today I can’t believe it was released 15 years ago. As it not only keeps up with todays animation but beats it more times than not in my opinion. I love the fact that everything in the film was very intentional and that the film is still talked about today.

1. Film Overview:
   • Plot summary and key characters.
   • Visual and auditory tone (gothic aesthetic, music).
2. Contextual Details:
   • Director Henry Selick and Neil Gaiman’s novella.
   • Production process, team, and animation techniques (stop-motion and 3D).
   • Public release, reception, and commercial success.
3. Historical and Cultural Analysis:
   • Influence of gothic literature
   • Connection to earlier animation styles and techniques.
   • Comparison to contemporary animated films of the late 2000s.
4. Technical and Artistic Innovations:
   • Integration of stop-motion with 3D.
   • Lighting, set design, and character animation.
5. Narrative Themes:
   • Exploration of identity, family, and societal expectations.
   • Duality between real and parallel worlds.
6. Relation to Animation History:
   • Evolution of stop-motion from early examples (King Kong) to modern uses.
   • How Coraline reflects or diverges from animation traditions.
7. Personal Analysis and Critique:
   • Strengths of the film’s narrative and visual style.
   • Areas for improvement in storytelling or character development.
   • Overall impact and legacy in animation history.

Name of show : chargeman ken 

Why: I am drawn to this show because it was one of the first animatedAnimated 1970s shows that was introduced into by YouTube video and it intrigued me on how bad it really was. Not only was the style of animation but it used clips to the point it was Laughable , but there was also misaligned animation cels. I remember watching a clip between a few Episode and some characters were different colors . The aesthetic was Garish and the premise of a young boy having light powers Defending his Planet by destroying aliens which sometimes try to flee or did not engage in a fight was a little morally questionable. 

Elements I will be researching/presenting:  

• How long did the show take to make? 
• How did it become a a cult favorite?
• Who created/distributed the show ?  
• In what way was chargeman ken innovative?  
• Does the animation style still hold up today?  
• How was chargeman ken distinct/similar to what came before it

I will be writing about the first-ever aired episode of Pink Panther. The main reason I’m attracted to it is due to it being my favorite childhood animation to watch. It’s use of 2D animation to create comedy through surreal geometric drawings, it’s strong use of colors in an often very blank background, and the humorous rivalry between Pink and Big Nose(originally known as The Little Man or The White Man).

• I will go over it’s Visual Design
• Use of it’s iconic music
• How the public perceived it, whether it was a success
• It’s Legacy
• And finally, who it’s inspired since its first airing on TV in 1969

TV Series : Adventure Time

I chose Adventure Time as the TV series I will be focusing on.

Adventure time has been my favorite show since I was a kid. I am drawn to it because of its unique characters, imaginative world building, and complex themes beneath the playful surface. It is one of the few shows I can rewatch over and over again without getting bored. It is truly timeless and not just because of its nostalgia, but because it builds on universal human experiences rather than relying on trends. I love the subtle philosophical exploration hidden within its whacky adventures and whimsical exterior. It is the first show that ever caused me to think deeply on certain subjects, yet still helped me feel better when I was sad.

Some elements I will be researching are:

• What made this show such a unique and successful animated series?
• What were the different types of animation techniques utilized in the series?
• What scene in the series was the most powerful? 
• How does the series cater more to children, longtime fans, or both? How does it achieve this balance?
• How does the film balance continuity with accessibility for new viewers?
• What was the message the creators attempted to convey through this series?
• How does this series influence modern animation today?

The television series I will be choosing is Robot Chicken

The reason I chose this series is because it is one of my first experiences with stop motion animation and I love the lack of story, aswell as the ability to create such unsettling scenes using clay the reason this interests me is because of my style.

Elements I will research

• political context
• stop motion origin
• visual style
• sound design
• how was the animation series received at the time
• what made the series a success
• presentation and accolades
• why was the show ultimately canceled

The movie I will be choosing is Spiderman Into the spider verse

The reason I chose this movie is because it is one of my favorite animated films and I love the story, he was troubled between what is right and wrong and is put in a position where it was a lose-lose.

Elements I will be researching

• Story and Themes
• Character Analysis
• Visual and artistic style
• Sound and music
• Cultural and social impact
• Technical and production aspects
• Key takeaways and legacy

The film i’ll be talking about in my paper will be “The Lion King” directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff in 1944.Honestly what drew me to this film was the backstory to it.A young lion growing up through trials and tribulations had watched his dad die , and left home.Then he went back to his home and regained control his father once had.

Elements I will be talking about are my personal reflection on “The Lion King” and how it was created.How the animations were put into the film.How could the film markers have elevated the film.

SELECTED FILM: Spirited Away
DESCRIBE

– Title, date, length, director, studio

– Describe the action (main characters/themes/tone.)

– Type of animation (hand drawn, sound, color)

CONTEXTUALIZE

– Story’s origin (Japanese folklore)

– Important narrative changes from source material

– Length of production + number of people who worked on it 

– Use of music/songs

– Context of screening? Who saw it? 

– 2003 Oscar for best film

– Marketing toward a worldwide audience

ANALYZE

– How is it visually distinct/similar to what came before it?

– How did it influence what came after it – technically and/or aesthetically?

– How does it hold up today – does the visual style/animation feel old-fashioned or modern? 

– My experience watching this film.

Name of Film: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit 

Why: I am drawn to this film because it was one of the first animated films my mother introduced me to. Not only was the style of animation stop motion, but everything was also made of clay. I remember watching a clip of the step-by-step process of moving the clay for every single shot and being fascinated. The aesthetic is comforting and the premise of having a dog living with an English man and not only being his pet but his companion who can build gadgets and clean a house is funny.  

Elements I will be researching/presenting:  

• How long did the film take to make? 

• Who created/distributed the film?  

• In what way was Wallace and Gromit innovative?  

• What influenced the plot for Wallace & Gromit The Curse of the Were-Rabbit? 

• Does the animation style still hold up today?  

• How was Wallace & Gromit The Curse of the Were-Rabbit distinct/similar to what came before it?  

The short film I’ll be focusing on will be “Shop: A Pop Opera” by Jack Stauber.

I was drawn to this one specifically partially because of its unorthodox style, its animation, its music, and its themes & message. The other part is because of the creator’s most well-known work, Opal. I was going to talk about that short, but I went with Shop because of how many people already talked about Opal online and the lack of discussion around the latter.

I particularly want to talk about the themes and animation of the short the most, but I’m going to try to see if I can find anything revolving around the actual production of the film, which might be difficult since I’m not sure if the creator really talks about the behind-the-scenes aspects of his work.

This long paper will be centered around the full feature film ” The Lion King ( 1994 ) ” . I’m specifically drawn to this film due to its ongoing presence within the film & theatre world . The plot of the lion king also happened to leave a lasting impression on my experience with enjoying full feature films , making for a memorable film . In terms of analytics , I look forward to diving deeper into the following elements of The Lion King 1.The success of the lion king when first released 2. Production 3. Time took to create the film .