Film Studies For Dummies

Chapter 6

Getting Animated about Animation

In This Chapter

Analysing the appeal of cartoons for children and grown-ups

Understanding the workings of the greatest animation studios

Encountering animation from all over the world

Those poor misguided people who think that studying films is a waste of time sometimes use the term ‘Mickey Mouse Studies’ as an insult. But what’s so wrong about studying Mickey Mouse anyway?

Mickey Mouse was a vital pioneer in the world of character animation and went on to become one of the most recognisable fictional characters ever created. If that wasn’t enough, he’s also a formidable brand representing the enormous power of one of the world’s biggest producers of entertainment, Walt Disney. Surely that’s worth taking seriously.

But there’s so much more to animation than just lovable Disney characters. In this chapter you encounter a wide range of styles and techniques aimed at kids and adults alike, as well as taking a tour around a world filled with cartoons.

Considering Much More than Kids’ Stuff

Yes, most short cartoons and longer animated films are aimed at children, but that’s no reason to write them off as irrelevant. Animation instantly fascinates ...