QUESTION: "What are the problems with animation today"

[carladaniela21782]

Hey guys, I am trying to help my cousin with a school project and it is about animation. But it is not only about the process and tools that are used, but he needs to find a real problem, like political, or religious, or economical, or social, or anything of a bigger importance matter, that animation could be envolved in.
If you had any ideas to share with me I would really appreciate it.
Thank you for the help,
Carla

[DSB]

http://www.unicef.org/crcartoons/main.htm

[Wontobe]

How about censorship, it is a on going hot topic. He would need to be very careful, are he could get into a whole lot of trouble just by talking about it.

[sajdera]

A few years back, my friend and I came up with our own term, called "Dextervision". Ever since Dexter's Lab, bold outlines have been a major trend. I find "Dextervision" in all the newest cartoons. Kim Possible, Teen Titans, Mucha Lucha, Fairly Odd Parents, and, to varying degrees, Yu-Gi-Oh, Totally Spies, and Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends.

Dextervision is like John K's "splotchy backgrounds". Dexter's Lab and Powerpuff Girls were more than enough Dextervision. Personally, I'd like to see far less bold outlining and more great characters like Buttercup or DeeDee (shit, I hated Dexter's Lab when it came out and it's way better than what I see my little cousins watching. Sheesh. )

[phacker]

Animation as in any art form can be used to promote social discourse of the ideas of the time, such as Hugh Harman's "Peace on Earth". Instead of focussing on selling spin off merchandise the way so many cartoons of today do.

[Animated Ape]

Originally Posted by sajdera

Personally, I'd like to see far less bold outlining and more great characters like Buttercup or DeeDee (shit, I hated Dexter's Lab when it came out and it's way better than what I see my little cousins watching. Sheesh. )

I think you might get your wish. I looks like the trend is swinging in the completely opposite direction with no outlines like, Juniper Lee, The X's, and those E-surance ads.

Aloha,
the Ape

[Animated Ape]

Originally Posted by carladaniela21782

But it is not only about the process and tools that are used, but he needs to find a real problem, like political, or religious, or economical, or social, or anything of a bigger importance matter, that animation could be envolved in.

It was one of the first industries that US companies started out-sourcing the work over seas. That might be an angle he could research.

Aloha,
the Ape

[Ken Davis]

Originally Posted by Animated Ape

It was one of the first industries that US companies started out-sourcing the work over seas. That might be an angle he could research.

Aloha,
the Ape

Outsourcing would have been my first pick, but I've realized its something else being something else.
Outsourcing is a symptom, but not the key problem

Imo, its not a monetary issue, I understand the "demands" for cheap labour to make productions viable ( and profitable) but its something endemics BECAUSE pf the demand for cheap labour.

In North America, no-one gives a shit about animation.


Its a child's medium--or something intended for geeks and dolts and "serious" people consume it at their peril.
The common perception is that children are mental idiots ( okay, or just DEVELOPING persons) and this the material presented to them must be patronizing towards those with "lesser" IQ's.
Its a slight that has saddled the North American animation artform for the past 50 years.
So deeply ingrained is this line of thinking that when ANY ATTEMPT is made at producing animation aimed at a older audience, there's a inevitable outcry that "this cartoon is not for children".

Well.........duuuh!
TV cartoons either have to have sly double meanings, or just a careful staged story to present material an adult AND child can enjoy.
Spongebob and Justice League are two good examples.
Even then, its a slippery slope when it comes to acceptance.

Cartoon just don't have the legitimacy of other cinematic entertainment.

[DIEMERAS Dark Angel]

The problem lies within the minds of the beholder. I guess?
We are fast approaching the future, and the notion regarding this, is that our way of life will become completely technological.
Many people love cartoons, but there are those who are afraid to admit it, reciting this as--childish. Whatever; yeah I believe you.
I don't have the proper evidence to support my.....'notion.' But never the less, people are finding cartoons, obsolete.

[phacker]

With the increased technology afforded animators, I actually see the field being taken more seriously, and being put to uses that in the past would have been unreasonable financially, such as medical and technical training. Animation affords a richer training experience than older methods, like lectures and plain text with static illustration. And there's actually more call for content out there, you now have the web, portable devices, computer presentations. I don't think we are just talking about cartoons here are we carladaniela?