Comments on: The State of Animation http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/ Thoughts and observations from a quirky cartoonist and designer. Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:08:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3-beta3 By: rkai http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1430 rkai Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:27:41 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1430 "Dragonball Z or shows with wacky titles like “Super-Hyper Go-Go Chicken Balls" Dragonball Z was really never that serious, but is sparked a cultural phenomenon in Japan and around the world. I'm saddened about DB, the original artist had a great story in mind, it a definate end, but Toei sorta forced Toriyama to keep appending to it. It was much better during the time it was actually about a homage to the great Chinese epic of Journey to the West. I still consider the series before the Saiyans to be much greater than the present series. Even though I was raised on original anime, before it got popular in America, I admit that such series like DBZ helped introduce anime to America, and spark interest in great shows and series that otherwise would be hard to introduce without a demand. It is my hope that the generation raised on great features like Miyazaki's masterpieces and the thought provoking Ghost in the Shell series to grow up, and revive animation. Look where that led to today, we got Avatar, a rich, cultural experience with purpose. As for the Super Hyper whatever you said, I'm sure you're thinking of that cartoon about robot monkeys that hopelessly try to emulate manga style. “Dragonball Z or shows with wacky titles like “Super-Hyper Go-Go Chicken Balls“
Dragonball Z was really never that serious, but is sparked a cultural phenomenon in Japan and around the world. I’m saddened about DB, the original artist had a great story in mind, it a definate end, but Toei sorta forced Toriyama to keep appending to it. It was much better during the time it was actually about a homage to the great Chinese epic of Journey to the West. I still consider the series before the Saiyans to be much greater than the present series. Even though I was raised on original anime, before it got popular in America, I admit that such series like DBZ helped introduce anime to America, and spark interest in great shows and series that otherwise would be hard to introduce without a demand. It is my hope that the generation raised on great features like Miyazaki’s masterpieces and the thought provoking Ghost in the Shell series to grow up, and revive animation. Look where that led to today, we got Avatar, a rich, cultural experience with purpose.
As for the Super Hyper whatever you said, I’m sure you’re thinking of that cartoon about robot monkeys that hopelessly try to emulate manga style.

]]> By: kartooner http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1429 kartooner Wed, 30 Mar 2005 20:37:29 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1429 Alot of great input here, thanks for sharing. I could have elaborated on the fact that traditionally animated films from Disney as of late have been of poor quality but I left that open to interpretation. Also, I agree in regards to Anime. However, when it comes to shows like Dragonball Z or shows with wacky titles like "Super-Hyper Go-Go Chicken Balls", I'm not that impressed. On the other hand, movies like Spirited Away or anything by <a href="http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/miyazaki/" alt="Miyazaki Collection" rel="nofollow">Miyazaki-san</a> continue to impress me with their visuals and story. It's an acquired taste no doubt but something that evokes a strong sense of imagination. Alot of great input here, thanks for sharing. I could have elaborated on the fact that traditionally animated films from Disney as of late have been of poor quality but I left that open to interpretation.

Also, I agree in regards to Anime. However, when it comes to shows like Dragonball Z or shows with wacky titles like “Super-Hyper Go-Go Chicken Balls”, I’m not that impressed. On the other hand, movies like Spirited Away or anything by Miyazaki-san continue to impress me with their visuals and story. It’s an acquired taste no doubt but something that evokes a strong sense of imagination.

]]> By: Max http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1428 Max Wed, 30 Mar 2005 04:14:27 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1428 I don't have much to add - I hate that traditional 2-D animation is going away. I love Pixar for their storytelling. The 3-D work is cool (fantastically cool), but sticking feathers up your ass doesn't make you a chicken. Pixar has the goods. I haven't seen much else that compares (besides <em>some</em> anime). I don’t have much to add — I hate that traditional 2-D animation is going away. I love Pixar for their storytelling. The 3-D work is cool (fantastically cool), but sticking feathers up your ass doesn’t make you a chicken.

Pixar has the goods. I haven’t seen much else that compares (besides some anime).

]]> By: beto http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1427 beto Tue, 29 Mar 2005 16:47:22 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1427 Words to live by, man... hey, I'm a big Incredibles fan (just got the DVD) and it would be hard to imagine it done in 2-D. But as people have said here before it's not about technology coolness (that can only take you so far) but how you tell your story. It could have been done with matchsticks, but if those matchsticks can move me with joy, melancholy, tears and emotion in general, then that's what really counts. Whiz-bang technology without heart and soul put into it is nothing. Disney lost it a number of years ago, more or less around completion of "The Lion King" (<em>Lilo and Stitch</em> being a singular exception to the rule) and the consolidation of the Eisner dark empire, whose only interest is to maximize returns in past glories recycling them ad nauseam (Pooh movies, anyone?) and milk the Mickey cow till it runs dry. Period. Something many animation buffs ignore so easily these days is that it took a couple of former Disney artists -Don Bluth and Gary Goldman- to light some fire under Disney's butt, releasing a number of films that signaled a renaissance of the art form in the mid-eighties, when Disney was already declaring animation dead (not the first time, huh). In fact, Don is my favorite animation director of all time and I feel he sadly doesn't get enough credits or respect from the industry given his pivotal role in animation history. Back then there was some rumor that Pixar could fund a school/filmmaking institution based in 2-D. Could it happen someday? I know Pixar has a LOT of respect for traditional animation... they could become 2-D's saving grace. Words to live by, man… hey, I’m a big Incredibles fan (just got the DVD) and it would be hard to imagine it done in 2-D. But as people have said here before it’s not about technology coolness (that can only take you so far) but how you tell your story. It could have been done with matchsticks, but if those matchsticks can move me with joy, melancholy, tears and emotion in general, then that’s what really counts. Whiz-bang technology without heart and soul put into it is nothing.

Disney lost it a number of years ago, more or less around completion of “The Lion King” (Lilo and Stitch being a singular exception to the rule) and the consolidation of the Eisner dark empire, whose only interest is to maximize returns in past glories recycling them ad nauseam (Pooh movies, anyone?) and milk the Mickey cow till it runs dry. Period.

Something many animation buffs ignore so easily these days is that it took a couple of former Disney artists –Don Bluth and Gary Goldman– to light some fire under Disney’s butt, releasing a number of films that signaled a renaissance of the art form in the mid-eighties, when Disney was already declaring animation dead (not the first time, huh). In fact, Don is my favorite animation director of all time and I feel he sadly doesn’t get enough credits or respect from the industry given his pivotal role in animation history.

Back then there was some rumor that Pixar could fund a school/filmmaking institution based in 2-D. Could it happen someday? I know Pixar has a LOT of respect for traditional animation… they could become 2-D’s saving grace.

]]> By: Colin D. Devroe http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1426 Colin D. Devroe Tue, 29 Mar 2005 12:46:13 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1426 If you ain't got story, you ain't got shit. Take a look at Robots. If you ain’t got story, you ain’t got shit. Take a look at Robots.

]]> By: Greg http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1425 Greg Tue, 29 Mar 2005 03:12:02 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1425 I tend to agree with the notion that Pixar has been successful as much for their concentration on story and characterization, as for the quality of computer animation. I think the power of animation is the ability to bring ideas to life that couldn’t otherwise be explored. Sure, The Incredibles had great visuals, but it was one of the best movies of the year because of the interesting plot and wonderful characters. It also gave Craig T. Nelson more work, and can’t we all agree that Hayden Fox is THE MAN? The Secret of NIMH isn’t my favorite animated movie because it has groundbreaking animation. I just love the plot. For my money, it’s still the most intriguing animated movie ever made. I tend to agree with the notion that Pixar has been successful as much for their concentration on story and characterization, as for the quality of computer animation. I think the power of animation is the ability to bring ideas to life that couldn’t otherwise be explored.

Sure, The Incredibles had great visuals, but it was one of the best movies of the year because of the interesting plot and wonderful characters. It also gave Craig T. Nelson more work, and can’t we all agree that Hayden Fox is THE MAN?

The Secret of NIMH isn’t my favorite animated movie because it has groundbreaking animation. I just love the plot. For my money, it’s still the most intriguing animated movie ever made.

]]> By: gpshewan http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1424 gpshewan Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:58:14 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1424 Damn good point Donnie that I'm ashamed to say I forgot about. Anime rocks :) Fell in love with that <em>many</em> years ago after going to an all-night screening of about six moviews :D Damn good point Donnie that I’m ashamed to say I forgot about. Anime rocks :) Fell in love with that many years ago after going to an all-night screening of about six moviews :D

]]> By: Donnie Jeter http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1423 Donnie Jeter Tue, 29 Mar 2005 02:39:03 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1423 "...Put it this way, to this day I’m still moved and in awe of many 2-D animated films..." I think Japanese anime should also be considered when discussing the facets of 2-D animation. They have some epic stories that many of us never get to experience - I for one really enjoy high quality anime, as dorky as that may sound. “…Put it this way, to this day I’m still moved and in awe of many 2-D animated films…”

I think Japanese anime should also be considered when discussing the facets of 2-D animation. They have some epic stories that many of us never get to experience — I for one really enjoy high quality anime, as dorky as that may sound.

]]> By: Mike http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1422 Mike Mon, 28 Mar 2005 22:21:58 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1422 Obviously traditional hand drawn animation is less than stellar these days. I agree with your observations and would not attribute it towards the medium. Is CGI something revolutionary and super cool? Heck yeah, just look at the interior of the whale sequence of <em>Finding Nemo</em>. It is near impossible to get that kind of realism by hand drawing 32 frames per second. But I don't think it's the eye candy that makes Pixar flicks so popular. Disney's stories have been pretty boring and run-of-the-mill. There are no more brothers Grimm fairy tales to go 'round. Pixar has been developing stories that are unique and fun to watch over and over again. Maybe they are an unstoppable train with lots of talent aboard. It definitely is a major time of change for feature animation. It's not such a good time for us Disney buffs, but I'm sure there will be a resurgence of amazing hand drawn animation. It will be retro and funky, hopefully. Obviously traditional hand drawn animation is less than stellar these days. I agree with your observations and would not attribute it towards the medium. Is CGI something revolutionary and super cool? Heck yeah, just look at the interior of the whale sequence of Finding Nemo. It is near impossible to get that kind of realism by hand drawing 32 frames per second. But I don’t think it’s the eye candy that makes Pixar flicks so popular.

Disney’s stories have been pretty boring and run-of-the-mill. There are no more brothers Grimm fairy tales to go ’round. Pixar has been developing stories that are unique and fun to watch over and over again. Maybe they are an unstoppable train with lots of talent aboard. It definitely is a major time of change for feature animation.

It’s not such a good time for us Disney buffs, but I’m sure there will be a resurgence of amazing hand drawn animation. It will be retro and funky, hopefully.

]]> By: Michael Heilemann http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1421 Michael Heilemann Mon, 28 Mar 2005 22:04:44 +0000 http://www.kartooner.com/archives/2005/03/28/the-state-of-animation/#comment-1421 Of interest, an entry I wrote called <a href="http://binarybonsai.com/archives/2003/08/29/the-state-of-animation-features/" rel="nofollow">The State of Animation Features</a>. Of interest, an entry I wrote called The State of Animation Features.

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