Comments on Sana's Blog and comments on Mike's Blog

Blog #4

Spanish Animation

I thought it would be interesting to see what the rest of the world is doing with animation as we travel through history of animation, mainly in the United States. I recently went to Spain and I thought it would be interesting to find a Spanish animated cartoon and see how it relates to ones we have here. While in Spain there were not many cartoons on the television and the movies that were animated in the theatres were movies from here in English as well with Spanish subtitles. Spanish animations tend to be used more for teachings instead of entertainment.
After searching online, for numerous hours, I was only able to find Spanish animation that are geared towards teaching children and adults the Spanish language. Perhaps it is because I am searching online in America, but I do not think it really matters. The animations are very similar to ones you would see on the computer. They are not as developed and detailed as ones you would watch on TV. The characters are very simple with simple features. In one animations about mananitas ( little mountains) the mountains were simple like a kindergarten drew them. Just three green lumps. The people were similar to stick figures but with clothes on. It looked like a 5th graders drawing had come to life. This animation was used to teach Spanish but it also told a story. It was teaching by telling a story and not by helping the children or adults to speak the language.
Another animation that was completely geared toward learning how to speak the language did not have many characters and did not tell a story. The character in the animation was like a teacher but was only a head figure. The features of the person were very detailed but still looked as if a young adult or new art student drew them. The person also looked futuristic. The colors used for the lips were very interesting and seemed to contrast the color of the skin. I found this to be very interesting because I feel as if there are not many futuristic animations for children or animations with futuristic characters and not just ABOUT the future. (futurama does not count in my book as a good animation for children)
I was not very impressed with the Spanish animations. However in another article that I did read it said how some of the western countries are more advanced in this art and that other countries, including Spain, are now starting to get the ball moving. They have recently agreed to merge two companies that are going to work on animations. However the Spanish animations I did watch were very interesting and although I already know a lot of Spanish it was a good way to brush up on some things I had forgotten!

Blog #3

"September Fun Facts"

Instead of doing my usual blog about the readings, I decided to venture out onto the internet and see what kinds of information I could find about animation. There are numerous websites dedicated to up and coming artists and their animated cartoons. Some I have found amusing, while others will probably stay on the internet. Although one website that I came across really interested me. It was a timeline of what went on in the all teh different months! So I checked out September and here is what I learned.
We all know from class how September starts out, FELIX the cat! The website gives a great description of Felix and describes how other characters were designed after him, including Oswald and Mickey Mouse. (the mickey mouse surprised me) In September of 1929, Walt Disney travelled to Los Angeles to see the premiere of Paul Terry's sound cartoon. Surprisingly Walt Disney did not like and said " My gosh, terrible! A lot of racket and nothing else!" I could not beleive that when I read it. Another fun fact in the beginning of September, specifically the 3rd, the British Prime Minister interrupted a Disney cartoon of Mickey Mouse for a war annoucne in 1939. So after this the televisions are cut off completely and when they return in 1946, the announcer continues right where the cartoon left off. After 7 years the audience is still waiting for the conclusion of this cartoon. Its amazing the impact the cartoons had in this period of time, war. For today's fun fact, 1912 Chuck Jones was born and 1920 Jay Ward, the creator of Rocky and Bullwinkle was born. At the end of September 29, the creator of "The Addams Family", charles Addams died of a heart attack. To end this wonderful month of September one of our own favorite childhood shows premiered, the Flintstones!!
September was an exciting month for the history of animation. Especially through out the 1920s. The birth of numerous famous artists, as well as cartoons. I was suprised to see how old the Flintstones really were! I can not wait to see what October holds for us.

Chapter Two

Walt Disney: A Legend

The first sentence of the chapter basically sums up what a majority of the world thinks. " It is impossible to overstate the impact Walt Disney had on the development of animated cartoons" Honestly after reading that I did not feel the need to go on, but I did. It is hard to believe that Disney has been donating to the worlds happiness with his animations for over 40 years! I am still watching disney movies as a 21 year old and I will continue to show my children. Walt Disney has left a profound impact on the animation world, and thanks to him I feel as if the animation world will only keep getting better. Even without his presence here today.
Although I do love Disney movies, I have never been a big fan of Mickey Mouse or Fantasia. In the chapter they talk how they had concerns of Mickey Mouse being like other animated animals, but were looking for a way for him to have his own personality. So they added other characters to the line up and people fell in love. It is amazing how long Mickey Mouse has been around. He was born 1928 and now its a conpletely different century! What shocks me even more is how Mickey Mouse was created in black and white but made the transition into color.
This chapter had so much information in it that I found to be so interesting that I would never have guess about Walt Disney but there is just to much to analysis and bore you all with in this one blog. Walt Disney is so facinating and I am sorry for realizing this now. I am definately going ot plan a trip to Disney world for after graduation! Anyone interested??

The Silent Era

Blog #1
I would have never thought of color and sound being major technological advances. However, in the world of animation they made large and drastic changes. The artists and cartoonist of the time period took great pride in their work and that is something that is not always soon in today's world. Chapter one discusses numerous artists and cartoonist while introducing us to the world of silence and black and white.

The Silent Era was not my favorite period for animation. In a previous history class we were required to watch a silent cartoon, whose name I do not remember, and I was not entertained. I do not understand how or why, people of the time period would be entertained by silent cartoons. Perhaps I am just spoiled by the 21st century and all the advanced technology we have now, but silence tends to put me to sleep.

One thing about this chapter that I enjoyed was the enthusiam the cartoonist showed. After reading about numerous cartoonists and artists including Earl Hurd, Bud Fisher, and Natwick to name a few. Although many of these cartoonists and their cartoons are not as popular they are still being studied and enjoyed. With all the changing of technology most did not make the changeover, like Felix the cat. With the edition of sound and color some cartoons do not send the same original message as before. Although silent cartoons are not my favorite I would not want to watch Felix with sound or in color.

Step One

Hope this works!