However, two points Tim Gray failed to bring up are the extreme prejudice against animation that deals with adult topics, and secondly, why should animation be relegated to its status as a minor art form when the year's Top 10 box office grossers usually includes 3 or 4 animated features?
It seems like audiences have no problem loving animation, while the Hollywood establishment just doesn't get it.
Anyway, please let me know what you think of this article. Thanks!
--Bill
I'm a new subscriber. I just wanted to say I agree with this article 100% Walt Disney him self probably saw it this way, I feel ashamed when talking publicly about animation as an "art-form" but that's how I view it as art. people always look at me, and scoff cartoons.
ReplyDeleteI sat in a packed theater for the movie 9 and I can tell you that there is adult interest in animation. People thought it was a Tim Burton movie though and were disillusioned when they saw the end credits. Video games seem to be more popular among adults than animation though. I can't explain exactly why. First person shooters and RPGs are very popular among adult gamers.
ReplyDeleteSome issues are shared like the obsession with graphical realism which is pushed in every release. Others like the outdated play formats of old games aren't.
I know that there's stories out there waiting to be told in adult animation and I know that at least some of the audience is waiting to see them. Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tale The Shadow is one that somebody pointed out on Eddie Fitzgerald's blog. I'd love to see that turned into an animated feature. The Rose Elf could make for a good movie too with some plot additions to make it longer.
I can't wrap my head around what motivates otherwise perfectly intelligent people to immediately ditch animation in the "unworthy" bin. Same goes for comic books. No matter how absolutely mind-blowing and game-changing some animation films and comic books are, nope, it's just not art, or even not an adult-worthy thing according to some. And indeed, when presented with animation that perfectly deals with adult themes, those people seem to totally freak out and feel that is one obscene thing to do. I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteOn an other topic, just saw your "Revengeance" update, the samples are fantastic, it's really inspiring to see how you deal with distorted perspectives. And, knowing your art, it's never gratuitous, and perfectly serves the narration and expression of inner feelings of your characters. Were you inspired by the expressionism movement or is that a natural drive you got?
Thanks for the great work!
Melo from Belgium
I can agree with that. Is it right that a film worthy of best picture is one where the ideas from the stories or characters of a film have to be powerful enough to live outside the film itself? Even for a comedy?
ReplyDeleteIf the Oscars had allowed more than 5 nominees for Best Picture in 2002, I'm imagining how much chance Spirited Away would have had of making the shortlist. I can't think of a film animated that's felt as grand as that film in the past 15 years. It combines solid ideas from classic mythology and literature, and carefully tests the audience's patience unlike all animated features since then. Then again I feel like I praise that film too much. I haven't seen Anomalisa yet and I'm hearing good things about it.