- The animated feature film that I will focus on for my short paper will be the production of Walt Disney’s 1940 fantasy/musical; Fantasia.
- As the film that initially drew me into the World of Animation, I can admit that I have developed a strong affinity for the film’s history. Fantasia is one of those films that I find aesthetically pleasing for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s the inventive backgrounds, the visually satisfying practical effects combined with traditional 2d animation, the fluid rotoscope dance sequences perfectly synced to the musical scores, or the use of classic animation principles such as squash and stretch to exaggerate the characters’ movements, this film was truly ahead of its time in terms of animation techniques. This is also a film that I strongly identify with my Grandfather, him being the person who introduced me to this spectacle of a feature. As a result, I will always carry a warm spot for this astonishing motion picture and a deep admiration for this early pioneer of Disney’s animated wonders.
Contextualize:
- Who created and distributed the animated film, Fantasia?
- How many staff and workers were involved with bringing the animated feature to life?
- What were the different types of animation techniques utilized in the film?
- How long did it take for the film to be completed?
- Was the film originally a critical hit in the box office?
- How was the film originally portrayed within the public eye?
- What made this film such a unique and successful animated feature?
- What animation principles and techniques used in this film are still being utilized today?
- Did any details surrounding the film’s production influenced its content?
Analyze:
- What was the message the creators attempted to convey through this film?
- What scene in the film was the most powerful?
- If you were working as a animator for the film, would you have changed anything visually?
- How does this film influence modern animation today?
- Is there anything culturally significant about the film?
- How is this films animation visually different from its predecessors?
- What artistic and creative techniques does the filmmaker use appeal to audiences view of the film?
- What do you believe the overall goal was for making this film?
Quote from at least one of the assigned readings to support your analysis. You should demonstrate that you are able to interpret and assess information from an external source.
