Post-modern animation is a very broad subject matter with a wide spectrum of components which constitute its definition. Post-modernism as a single unit in itself has such a wide application across various different platforms; from artistic, to cultural, economical and the most proliferant architecture; with numerous academic arguments aiming to define it, the easiest way in which to view it is as a movement, with particular elements that construct its meaning. In addition, animation too is so broad and varied with such a wide scope of individuality and styles, that the term post-modernism could arguably be seen overused by critics, making it rapidly becoming amorphous, losing its significance. A post-modern animation could therefore be correctly deemed so, by adhering to the various characteristics of post modernity as established by the conceptual masterpiece of philosopher Jean-Francois Lyotard and other relative theorists. The most definitive of these characteristics being its questioning of Grand narrative, ratiocination and lack of deductive explanation particularly through an avoidance of narrative closure. Burgeoning on parody, appropriation and the use of pastiche, post modernist animations breakdown boundaries between high and low cultural forms, creating disorientating ambience without certainty. Throughout this essay I will be focusing on the effects of post-modernity in mainstream animated works, most predominately those within popular film and television. In a setting as rigid and conformist as Hollywood, due to their need to appeal to mass audiences in order to create revenue, there is little room for the experimentation and individuality that post-modernism encourages. Although independent art house animations are... ... middle of paper ... ...nt of social constraints over humanity. Programmed into our system from a young, we learn society exists off hierarchy and differences in social class making the influence of these just to strong to be avoided as elements of this will always seep through into animated works, even if done so unknowingly or unintentionally through the subconscious. As a result of this, post-modernism and its belief of breaking social forms can never be fully achieved as hegemonic domination will always have some sway over the final production, particularly in a setting as conformist as Hollywood. Having said that, an increasing number of animations, as explored throughout this essay, are attempting to incorporate post-modernistic techniques into their production making for a refreshing outlook on media and narrative structure which may eventually result in a truly post-modern work.
Some of these animations add visuals when a complex idea is being described, such as the idea of the ‘lemon dance” or the ‘rubber room’ in New York. Guggenheim also takes the idea of tenure and uses these techniques to twist tenure into somethi...
The standard Disney story from the mid 1930s to the beginning of the 1940s is one of the pursuit and somewhat linear progression towards realism. Many theorists used the term ‘hyperrealism’ to describe what appeared to be Disney’s “attempt to represent reality in a medium predicated on artificiality” during the Disney-Formalist period (Disney Formalism, Pallant, 40). Indeed, as the animation and technology employed by the company became more advanced, productions relied less on gag-based humor and metamorphosis and more on realistic animation to develop character and narrative. Many critics of this evolution viewed them as “a move away from animation’s main province, as well as a kind of non-artistry produced from simply duplicating live
The postmodern cinema emerged in the 80s and 90s as a powerfully creative force in Hollywood film-making, helping to form the historic convergence of technology, media culture and consumerism. Departing from the modernist cultural tradition grounded in the faith in historical progress, the norms of industrial society and the Enlightenment, the postmodern film is defined by its disjointed narratives, images of chaos, random violence, a dark view of the human state, death of the hero and the emphasis on technique over content. The postmodernist film accomplishes that by acquiring forms and styles from the traditional methods and mixing them together or decorating them. Thus, the postmodern film challenges the “modern” and the modernist cinema along with its inclinations. It also attempts to transform the mainstream conventions of characterization, narrative and suppresses the audience suspension of disbelief. The postmodern cinema often rejects modernist conventions by manipulating and maneuvering with conventions such as space, time and story-telling. Furthermore, it rejects the traditional “grand-narratives” and totalizing forms such as war, history, love and utopian visions of reality. Instead, it is heavily aimed to create constructed fictions and subjective idealisms.
Arnheim’s body of theory suggests that the necessity of human intervention to implement plot, tropes, and culturally legible symbols raises a film to a higher level than a mere copy of reality, and that this interpretation and expression of meaning is “a question of feeling” or intuition on the part of the filmmaker. (“Film Theory and Criticism” 283) One consequence of effective directorial intervention is that differences in speed, stops and starts, and what would otherwise be jarring gaps in continuity can be accepted by viewers, because if the essentials of reality are present, th...
Postmodernity is said to be “a reaction against the Modern movement” (Nicol 2009) and has shown a complete disregard for many aspects of art and design that were popularized during modernity, including: legibility, the grid, and use of a clear hierarchy. Postmodernism, as an art movement, aims to create works based on an independent style. Nothing is new in postmodern art, in a sense that something always comes from something else.
During the course of this essay it is my intention to discuss the differences between Classical Hollywood and post-Classical Hollywood. Although these terms refer to theoretical movements of which they are not definitive it is my goal to show that they are applicable in a broad way to a cinema tradition that dominated Hollywood production between 1916 and 1960 and which also pervaded Western Mainstream Cinema (Classical Hollywood or Classic Narrative Cinema) and to the movement and changes that came about following this time period (Post-Classical or New Hollywood). I intend to do this by first analysing and defining aspects of Classical Hollywood and having done that, examining post classical at which time the relationship between them will become evident. It is my intention to reference films from both movements and also published texts relative to the subject matter. In order to illustrate the structures involved I will be writing about the subjects of genre and genre transformation, the representation of gender, postmodernism and the relationship between style, form and content.
This article starts off by identifying the relationship between adaption and transfiguration. Johnson introduces the idea that film adaptions are not meant to be exact replicas
In society today, we are conditioned to believe certain sets of ideals. We use these ideals to interact and get along with the other people we surround ourselves with. These ideals are often the societal norms that form common ground amongst individuals. However, living life based off these basic and unchanging beliefs is not beneficial to humanity, nor does it make life any easier to live. In fact, holding on to the most accepted beliefs holds back society as a whole. Judith Halberstam, in her essay “Animating Revolt and Revolting Animation” challenges these societal norms through the analysis of animated movies and, in doing so, carves a path for a new way of thinking.
As time and people are continually changing, so is knowledge and information; and in the film industry there are inevitable technological advances necessary to keep the attraction of the public. It is through graphic effects, sounds and visual recordings that all individuals see how we have evolved to present day digital technology; and it is because of the efforts and ideas of the first and latest great innovators of the twentieth century that we have advanced in film and computers.
Antirealism in film transcends and brainstorms the fantasies that never become reality. Even though antirealism is apprehensive with a smaller amount then actual stuff, our observation for an...
Postmodernism is a vague term that can describe a variety of disciplines that include, architecture, art, music, film, fashion, literature…etc. (Klages). In the case of “Videotape”, postmodern literature would be the main focus or area of study. This type of literature emerged in the era that succeeded World War II and relies heavily on the use of techniques such as, fragmentation, the creation of paradoxes, and questionable protagonists. Furthermore, postmodern literature also exudes ambiguity and critical thinking where the focus is mainly on the reader and his/her experience of the work rather than the content and form. Building upon that, the selected passag...
Bliss, John, Art that Moves: Animation Around the World. Chicago, Illinois: Heinemann Raintree, 2011. Print
Star Wars (1977) is one of the world’s most successful films of all time. It has made a terrific impact on popular culture since its release. Furthermore, Star Wars changed the narrative and aesthetic style of future Hollywood films. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, illustrates how cinema has evolved since Fred Ott’s Sneeze (1894). Ultimately, this essay will explain the set up of Star Wars and how it connects to cinema history, in the point of views of the: narrative and cinematic style, genre, auteur theory and the global film industry.
“Entertainment has to come hand in hand with a little bit of medicine, some people go to the movies to be reminded that everything’s okay. I don’t make those kinds of movies. That, to me, is a lie. Everything’s not okay.” - David Fincher. David Fincher is the director that I am choosing to homage for a number of reasons. I personally find his movies to be some of the deepest, most well made, and beautiful films in recent memory. However it is Fincher’s take on story telling and filmmaking in general that causes me to admire his films so much. This quote exemplifies that, and is something that I whole-heartedly agree with. I am and have always been extremely opinionated and open about my views on the world and I believe that artists have a responsibility to do what they can with their art to help improve the culture that they are helping to create. In this paper I will try to outline exactly how Fincher creates the masterpieces that he does and what I can take from that and apply to my films.
Animators show emotion in their depiction of both the character and the setting to create a great animation. Pixar films focus on masculinity, calling it the “Post Princess Models of Gender” era. The general theme is that the alpha male is disempowered by conflict and is emasculated. Then, the alpha mal...