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Category: 2.1 Week 2

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2.1 Week 2 Design for Animation Uncategorised

Week 2

Mise en scène

Apart from research approaches and strategies we have studied mise en scene this week. Mise en scène is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play. In film analysis, the term mise en scene refers to everything in front of the camera. Mise en scene in film is the overall effect of how it all comes together for the audience. The elements of mise en scene are

  • Sets
  • Props
  • Lighting 
  • Costumes
  • Actor blocking
  • Shot composition

We always saw some video references and it made the concept more clear to me. The video reference showcased the importance of mise-en-scene in film. I have learned that if is properly used, it elevates film from a series of moving pictures to an art form with purpose. Something bursting with atmosphere and emotions that pulls viewers in and doesn’t let go.

Film Example: Titanic

A shot from the movie, Titanic

James Cameron’s epic romance and disaster film is largely memorable for its bewitching use of key mise-en-scene elements. The biggest challenge is that it is completely set in a ship sailing in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Moreover, deep space is often used where even the far view of the ship is in clear focus. The setting in this film has created the contrast between higher and lower classes. The vivid acting style by several main and supporting characters has enhanced the storyline, and also made the story run smoothly. Lighting in this film has created meaning in all scenes, the mood has enhanced through different lighting in several scenes. The costume in this film is functional in telling audiences that the different characteristic of the characters in the scene. It has also enhanced the contrasted class level in this film. Space arrangement in this film has giving the meaning to the particular scene through different camera placement and camera shot. It wasn’t the tragic love story alone that made Titanic the success it was. The awe-inspiring visuals played an equal role. Now, that’s the power of a meticulously designed mise-en-scene

Categories
2.1 Week 2 Design for Animation

Week 2: Research activity

This week we studied different methods and strategies of research. We were asked to come up with a potential research topic or a question and write a brief paragraph about it.

The research topic I have selected is “Objectification of Women in Kids Cinema”. I chose this topic because the portrayal of Woman’s body in cartoons and animations has always irked me. It always made me question myself that why do woman are overly sexualized and to answer my curiosity I decided to research on this topic.

Research Topic: Objectification of Women in Kids Cinema

Cartoons play a significant role in children’s development. With young children spending so much time engaging in these forms of media, the messages they promote are especially important. When you turn on some light-hearted cartoons for your elementary schooler, the last thing you hope to see is an oversexualized and unrealistic female character. Most of the times the women are shown as an unattainable ideal, with huge breasts and an hourglass waist and their sole purpose is to entertain the leading male. Although most characters are not as extreme as Jessica Rabbit or Lola Bunny, it is evident that all women in cartoons are representing the unrealistic standards of beauty. The ideas of young people who have not yet developed a high level of thinking can be easily molded by the media they experience every day. The purpose of this research to investigate the streotypical  representation of female characters in the animated cartoons and films and how they are affecting the development of our kids. 

Key Word

Objectification of Women, Animation, Cartoons 

Bibliography

Nelson, A. 2021. Pixar’s Objectification Obsession in “Inner Workings” and Beyond. 15 January. Gender Depiction in Pixar. [Accessed 16 October 2022]. Available from: https://medium.com/

Gilmore, S. 2021. The Harmful depiction of Women in Children’s Film and Television. September 6. The Objectification of Women in Children’s Television. [Accessed 15 October 2022]. Available from: https://yourdream.liveyourdream.org/