Detailed Essay Plan

Q. ‘I don’t think after Jurassic Park that we can, or should ever accept a model animated dinosaur again’.

How has CGI ensured the box office success of the animation genre, paying particular attention to ‘Shrek the Third’ (2007)?

Paragraph 1- Introduction

· What is animation? - Animation involves individual frames put together to create a moving image.

· What types of animation are there? - 1. Traditional hand drawing- e.g. Walt Disney classics- ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937), 2. Stop-motion- Chicken Run (2001) 3. CGI animation- ‘Shrek the Third’ (2007)

· About ‘Shrek the Third’- upside down fairytale, the most successful CGI animation brand, third film of the films and fourth in development. One of the most successful individual animations.

· How am I going to prove CGI has ensured the success of animation- Looking through history, its social, historical and economical successes and at the impact of CGI animation, by looking at a range of CGI animation texts, and accomplishments and awards achieved by animation films e.g. ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003) - sold more DVD copies than any other film in history (28 million copies sold). Also looking at the animation conventions and key ingredients to make a successful animation film.

Paragraph 2- Discovery and development of animation

· Optical device- Phenakistoscope (Greek word meaning ‘deceiving viewer’) disc was developed in 1831 by Joseph Plateau. It gave the viewer the illusion of animation.

· No one founder of animation

· James Stuart Blackton created a short animation in 1906, it intrigued many and so began animation

· Windsor McCay- ‘Gertie the Dinosaur’ (1914)- Inspired many generations of animators to bring cartoons to life. Also developed and invented many standard animation techniques used now days e.g. Animation loop technique

Paragraph 3- 2D Traditional Cel Animations

· Animations were hand drawn. Every image was re-drawn again and again. This was a painstaking, tedious and time-consuming task.

· The Cel was introduced in 1910. It prevented animators from re-drawing backgrounds and focus on the animations.

· Walt Disney (founded 1923) classics were created through the traditional cel animation method up until 1989. They remain some of the most loved classic animations for kids which we will always reflect as films to love and enjoy in our childhood (37 films in total). Examples ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)- First ever Walt Disney animated film, ‘Pinocchio’ (1940), ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (1959), ‘The Jungle Book’ (1967)

· Walt Disney is a highly successful company. ‘Animation is central to Disney’s economic strength and cultural influence’. This shows that animation was the core to Walt Disney’s success.

· 2D Traditional cel animation developed to:

Paragraph 4- 3D Stop Motion animation

· Puppet and model animation using 3D physical objects (puppets, paper, clay, models, card) and creating motion was the next step in the development of animation.

· Aardman

· ‘Wallace and Gromit’ was an Oscar winning success and the animation success at the time is illustrated by its achievements. ‘Wallace and Gromit’ (British) - 1. A Grand Day Out (1989), won BAFTA Best Animated Film, nominated for Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated, 2. The Wrong Trousers (1993), won BAFTA Best Animated Film, won Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated, 3. A Close Shave (1995), won BAFTA Best Animation Film, won Academy Award for Best Short Film, Animated
· The arrival of CGI saw the decline of stop motion

Paragraph 5- The arrival of CGI

· Explain the quote in the title- ‘I don’t think after Jurassic Park that we can, or should ever accept a model animated dinosaur again’. The impact of CGI animation on the film industry was huge! In the past dinosaurs such as the one in ‘King Kong’ (19..) were made from models, however the dinosaurs of ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993), thanks to CGI were so life like and real that it made the world and the film industry stand up and notice the potential of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). ‘Jurassic Park’ changed the movie industry forever.

· The purpose of the film ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993) was to actually alert the public of the dangers of biotechnology as it was around this time that scientist were trying to create life/clones and the film was warning them the dangers of cloning through the destruction the dinosaurs cause. However this was ignored as in 1996, Dolly the Sheep’ was cloned.

· Walt Disney computerised there animations from 1990 with ‘The Rescuers Down Under’ (1990) being the first.

· CGI was used in live action films

Paragraph 6- CGI animated films and its impact

· 'Toy Story' (1995) is the worlds first ever computer generated imagery feature film. It was from this film that the individual genre of CGI was born. The film grossed $191,773,049 at the box office was won a large amount of awards including Golden Globe awards such as ‘best motion picture’ and Saturn awards such as ‘Best family film’. It was also voted by the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS) the best animated film of all time ahead of the likes of ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) who finished third place and ‘Shrek’ (2001) who finished 15th in there list.

· From here many CGI animated films have been created and have become some of the greatest films ever.

· ‘Finding Nemo (2003)- sold more DVD copies than any other film in history, most successful commercial Pixar film

· Shrek 2 DVD (‘The making of Shrek 2’)- Quote from ED Leonard (chief Technology officer DreamWorks SKG)- “ Computer graphics is still relatively a young industry”. CGI animation has only been around for roughly a decade so compare to other films and genres, it is short, this in turn shows that CGI has yet to reach its potential, not been around long and so what is has achieved amongst other films just illustrates the success of CGI and animation e.g. ‘Shrek the Third’ (2007), third highest intake in an opening weekend at the box office in history’.

· Antonio Banderas (voice of ‘Puss in Boots’) at the ‘Shrek the Third’ Premiere- “A landmark for animation movies and movies in general”.

· Many highly successful CGI animation companies have emerged during the time of Toy Story’s release and along with them came more success for animation - 1. DreamWorks SKG (1994)- ‘Shrek’, ‘Madagascar’, Blue Sky Studios (1997)- ‘Ice Age’ (2002)

Paragraph 7- Factors that make animation’s successful

· Appeal to large audiences. Quote from Justin Timberlake (voice of ‘Artie’ in ‘Shrek the Third’) at the ‘Shrek the Third’ Premiere in California- “My favourite thing about Shrek is it meets the 8 year olds and the 38 year olds”. This is a big factor to the success of animation and as it illustrates the films have not only had an impact on there primary audience ‘kids’, but they also reach the adults ’38 year olds’. This shows that CGI has had a massive impact and that it draws in large audiences (kids, adults, families).

· Conventions of animation- hybrid. Animations unlike other films can depending on the story contain a large variety of genres e.g. ‘Shrek the Third’:

· Action- Fiona and the princesses break into kingdom to try and save ‘Shrek’.

· Adventure- ‘Shrek goes on a quest to find Artie to take over as the king of Far Far Away

· Horror- ‘Shrek’s nightmare of babies’

· Romance- Love between Shrek and Fiona (Fiona “ Love you”)

· Comedy- Donkey and Puss in Boots love and hate relationship.

· Magic- Merlin the wizard

· Fantasy- the film itself, fairy tale

· Sport- Artie doing sports at the high school

· Drama- Prince Charmings play

· Music- Songs in the end of Shrek films

· Historical- Old fashioned buildings e.g. the high school, castle, kingdom

· Comedy- One of animations key ingredients that make them popular is there use of comedy. Look at a few examples of comedy in a variety of animations such as ‘Shrek the Third’- Donkey, Finding Nemo- When Marlin and Dory are stranded on the surface, they have to stay still as a flock of Seagulls who continually repeat the word ‘Mine’, are waiting for movement.

· The use of Celebrities endorsement- More so in recent time, animations are using celebrities to appeal to audiences. Looking at Shrek the Third you can see the list of some of the biggest ‘A’ list celebs involved in the film giving it an even bigger appeal. Shrek the Third ‘A’ list- 1. Mike Myers (Shrek), 2. Cameron Diaz (Princess Fiona), 3. Eddie Murphy (Donkey), 4. Justin Timberlake (Artie), 5. John Cleese (King Harold), 6. Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots).

· Animal characters have become a common feature of animation films

· Storylines e.g. Good vs Evil

Paragraph 8- Animations outside films

· Adverts- HSBC, Shrek the Third health advert tackling obesity- reflect society, BBC Report about obesity (see Med6 Blog). (S)

· Adult animations- ‘Family Guy’, ‘South Park’, American Dad’, King of the Hill’,

· TV- ‘The Simpsons’ (1989- still running) undoubtedly one of the most successful TV shows in the world and it’s an animation!

· Cartoons- Tom and Jerry (1940-1957)-(considered one of the best animated cartoon series ever), Looney Tunes (1930-1969)

· Music Videos- Counting Crows ‘Accidently in Love’

· Animation appear broadly over the media, illustrates success and impact of animation. Compare with other types of tv shows ratings

Paragraph 9- Patriarchy and society reflected by ‘Shrek the Third’ (2007)

· Patriarchy- Shrek and Artie, male heroes (phallic objects-swords)

· Female power- Princess Fiona, strong, smart, discuss history, feminism, penis envy. Look at theorist/theories e.g. David Gauntlet

· By covering major issues in society, it can also reach those audiences as they identify with them

Paragraph 10- Bullying

· Bullying is cover in ‘Shrek 2’. - BBC Bullying report 2002- serious issue reflected by film. Identify with the victims through ‘Shrek’. One reason for bullying is appearance e.g. stereotypes of geeks- smart, nerdy, goofy, glasses, weak) or in Shrek’s case ugly (appearance). Shrek is out casted from society through his appearance (illustrated in all Shrek films)- e.g. Shrek 2- reaction Shrek receives when he arrives at Far Far Away and King Harold treatment towards Shrek, degrading as he is an ogre.

Paragraph 10- Pregnancy

Pregnancy- Report of pregnancy in the UK. Ideologies and values of this topic. Use quotes from the film when the princesses discuss Fiona’s baby and the “stress” but also the “joy” of having a baby.

Paragraph 11- Development of the genre

· Look at a range of genre theorist and use examples from various the animation films (make links)

· Compare ‘Shrek’ (2001) and ‘Shrek 2’ (2004) and how Shrek 2 has developed and improved from Shrek one. Use the quotes from the making of ‘Shrek 2’, 1. “Technology is advancing”. 2. When you see Shrek 2 after a mere three years what we are able to realise of our artist dreams and imagination in that film, it kind of takes your breath away” 3. “Shrek 2 showcases some of the most astonishing breakthroughs ever in computer animation”.

· Shrek 2 uses a new bounce shader (explain and how it shows development)

Paragraph 12- Future of animation

· Colin Kennedy, editor of the Empire magazine- “Computer animation is the way forward simply because production techniques are getting so much cheaper and cost effective.” Kennedy also believes that it’s down to a “strong story” and “sharp scripts” that holds the success of animation.

· As technology is advancing more, the computer will be able to advance the quality and level of animation and in a short space of time e.g. Shrek (2001) and ‘Shrek 2’ (2004). Because of the technology, the computers can create anything in our imaginations however the storylines and scripts cannot.

· John Lasseter (chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney and Animation studios- “The term CGI is a misnomer - the computer doesn't generate the images. That would be like calling traditional animation Pencil-Generated Imagery. No matter what the tool is, it requires an artist to create art”. This shows that no matter what happens in the future of animation, the stories and ideas will never come from the computer that will always be in the power of the human.

· ‘Ratatouille’ (2007) the latest CGI animated film released, look at its box office success against others in 2007.

· Access to 3D animation now at peoples homes means it is available to anyone = growth in animation films.

· CGI has cemented it’s the film industry and its future is bright as it is a “young industry”, also used in live action films for special effects e.g. ‘Spiderman’ (2001) swinging around New York.

· Animation’s future has endless possibilities and this is best depicted in a famous animation quote from the first ever CGI animated film ‘Toy Story’ (1995) ‘To Infinity and beyond’.