Category: The World of Animation

This module offered us the chance to choose a nation to explore and produce a poster detailing its animation history. Irish, American, Japanese, British, Canadian, French, Korean, and Russian/Soviet animation were the nations that could be decided upon. We also divided into groups of five, with Jack, Katie, Gio, Jamayne, and me in group 2. We have decided to study American animation as the theme of our research poster. The first conversation in the group that I had missed Jack, Katie, Gio, and Jamayne had written some notes on the whiteboard after having a brief conversation about what we could concentrate on starting the creation of the research poster. The notes are below.

We chose to concentrate on Disney because it was the first thing that appeared to mind when we thought of American animation, but upon more reflection, Disney plays a significant role in this industry. We weren’t entirely sure how to simplify the components and concentrate only on certain Disney content. I believed that we could focus on how we might contribute by conducting research about how art styles have evolved over time and how Disney’s animation productions have been impacted by developments in technology such as colour, as the animations were in black and white in the early 19th century. As the years went by, more tones were added to the development; in the beginning, there were no sounds at all but later, dialogues, musical backgrounds and other elements were included. We also discussed quickly with Carmen about the idea that we had, and she suggested we should focus on a specific character or studio. This advice and encouragement helped us move forward, and we have chosen to concentrate on Mickey Mouse, the Disney figure with the longest history of appearances. We also wrote some notes on whiteboards throughout the conversation about the aspects of Mickey Mouse research that we could complete.

We arranged the five elements that we believe are most important for Mickey Mouse’s contribution to the growth of the Disney industry. The five elements included the progress of Mickey Mouse’s Disney style and the character’s modification or further development. Disney’s expanded universe included additional creations, such as the Disney princesses, that were developed during the creation of Mickey Mouse. How did Mickey Mouse’s performance evolve or be impacted by Disney’s technological advances? Disney’s success and profits were a result of Mickey Mouse’s contributions to the company, which included the profits that allowed it to continue operating for hundreds of years and the success that helped Disney gain recognition in the animation industry. Disney’s consequences included the development of Mickey Mouse, the quality of its productions, its broad popularity, upgrades, and modifications to the production studio, among other things.

At the ended of the discussion, each one of us picked one element to complete further research for the research poster. Which I took the profits and success of Disney, Jamayne took technological advancement of Disney, Gio picked expanded universe of Disney, Katie picked the style of Disney and Jack chose the consequences of Disney.

 

• References

Anon., 2024. Ever Edge. [Online]
Available at: https://www.everedgeglobal.com/news/whats-your-mickey-mouse/
[Accessed 10 April 2025].

Anon., 2025. Wikipedia. [Online]
Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest-grossing_media_franchises
[Accessed 12 April 2025].

Anon., 2025. Wikipedia. [Online]
Available at: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Mouse
[Accessed 12 April 2025].

Gluck, K., 2012. The Walt Disney Family Museum. [Online]
Available at: https://www.waltdisney.org/blog/selling-mickey-rise-disney-marketing
[Accessed 11 April 2025].

Staff, 2023. The Week – A century of Disney. [Online]
Available at: https://theweek.com/business/a-century-of-disney
[Accessed 11 April 2025].

Stanley, I., 2023. Daily Mail. [Online]
Available at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12877237/amp/Mickey-Mouse-worth-Disney-creation-century-business.html
[Accessed 8 April 2025].

• Reference notes

In this research poster project, I’ve focused on what profits and success has Mickey Mouse brought into the industry of Disney. Through the creation of movies, TV series, merchandise products, theme parks, branding and promotions, Mickey Mouse has generated billions of dollars in profits for Disney over the past century. Although it is impossible to determine Mickey Mouse’s exact earnings for Disney, it is estimated that he has contributed approximately 171 billion dollars to the company’s growth from the beginning to the present. On November 18, 1928, Mickey Mouse made an appearance in the animated short film “Steamboat Willie.” This movie brought Mickey Mouse to a larger audience and attracted his first audience. Mickey Mouse has maintained his following since the movie, which has sparked a lot of business opportunities. In 1929, the rights to use Mickey Mouse on a children’s pencil tablet were purchased for 300 dollars from Disney. Mickey Mouse was making an estimated 1 million dollars a year from item sales within five years of his debut in Steamboat Willie. Disney had developed a range of items by 1930 to go alongside the short film series themed around “Steamboat Willie.” The mouse ears, toys, and games were mass-produced in five more years, and the Disney company was earning over 1 million dollars annually from merchandise sales, which are estimated to be worth a total of 19 million dollars today. Walt Disney opened Disneyland, a theme park, in Anaheim, California, in 1955. He quickly promoted and raised funds for the project by making his ABC debut on “The Mickey Mouse Club,” a children’s variety show. Three million people visited the park in its first year, and during the following five years, Disney’s the total income increased from 27 million dollars to 70 million dollars. Disney Since the park’s 1971 opening, over 100 million visitors have visited Disney parks in the US, China, France, and Japan, which has become known as a significant evolving area. As Disney kept expanding, more characters were made and placed in the attention, forcing Mickey Mouse out of the centre and leaving him jobless between the release of his final cartoon short, “The Simple Things,” in 1935 and the 1983 “Special Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” But in 1941 ten of Mickey Mouse’s film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film which one of them has won the award is the “Lend a Paw” then in 1978 Mickey Mouse became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Frame. A short memory flashback remaking Fantasia in 1999 has brought in 90.9 million dollars at the office box globally. Even though Mickey Mouse is no longer as popular, I believe that he has increased Disney’s fame.

• Poster inspiration and ideas

We decided to use Jamayne’s poster design. Here the result of our research poster.

Together with Jack, Hurley, and Amber, I was in group 12 for this module’s analysis of the short film “Parasomnia.” We set up a few group meetings where we reserved a library room to discuss the movie to start the analysis and get us all working together. To support the group, I completed a simple summary analysis of each scene independently, including camera shots, angles, lighting, sound, and action descriptions. I used Hurley’s notes on scene description, my filmmaking skills, and some research to develop this shot list. 

Shot list: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-Qd2ZkiNW1KOiTtPziN0F7SmsGZZXw_fXgIZllCQneE/edit?usp=sharing

 

We finalized the structure of how we are going to do the analysis for Parasomnia. Which we decided to split the film into 4 sections, and we individually analyse the cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing, and sound in the section of the film we chose. I decided to take the first section; Jack took the second section, followed by Amber the next section and Hurley the last section.

• Reference

Anon., 2001. ACMI. [Online]
Available at: https://www.acmi.net.au/education/school-program-and-resources/exploring-camera-angles/
[Accessed 23 February 2025].

Crawford, M., n.d. Filmmaking Lifestyle. [Online]
Available at: https://filmlifestyle.com/what-is-continuity-editing-in-film/
[Accessed 27 February 2025].

Deguzman, K., 2022. StudioBinder. [Online]
Available at: What is a Lap Dissolve — Film & Video Editing Techniques
[Accessed 27 February 2025].

Francis Tuttle, n.d. 2D Animation. [Online]
Available at: https://www.ftanimation.com/resources/camera-angles-actions/
[Accessed 23 February 2025].

Frawley, C., 2023. Backstage. [Online]
Available at: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/high-key-lighting-vs-low-key-lighting-in-film-75630/
[Accessed 23 February 2025].

Gula, D., 2023. StudioBinder. [Online]
Available at: https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/film-sound-effect-techniques/
[Accessed 25 February 2025].

Lutes, A., 2023. Backstage. [Online]
Available at: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/mise-en-scene-definition-examples-75967/
[Accessed 24 February 2025].

Notes from the reference:

Parasomnia Analysis – Section1 “Set-up” (Scene 1-9/Time 00:10-00:53)

• Cinematography

Camera Shot: Extreme long shots were used in the opening of the film to show that it was set in the MC’s the house, with the MC working in his office while seated in front of his desk. (Scenes 1). A medium close-up shot was then employed to provide the audience additional insight about the MC’s tiredness as he sketched a black monster creature (SCENE 2). Long Shot was employed to show the scene where the MC brings the audience to a different location as he enters his bedroom. This allows the audience to observe the MC’s entire movement as he enters the bedroom and sits on the bed. We can also view a few elements of the room while the action is taking position (SCENE 3).  A Point of View Shot was used to establish a connection between these two scenes by revealing to the audience what the MC is looking at and where the clock is in the Close-up Shot of the MC turning to the side and viewing it (SCENE 4-5). The MC is shown sleeping calmly in a Medium Close-up Shot before waking up (SCENE 6). Immediately after, a Point of View Shot is used once more to show the audience that the MC is staring at the door when a sudden string of fear approaches, followed by a scene from the MC’s thoughts (SCENE 7-8). This Point of View shot, in my opinion, is more realistic than the other since the creator included natural blinks that reflect the eyes opening and closing when they awaken. A Medium Close-up Shot was used to reveal the MC’s shocked glance as he conveys to the viewers his confusion regarding the circumstances (SCENE 9). Long Shot addressed the MC’s confusion in the previous scene by fully presenting the circumstances. In this scene, the black monster creature crawled on the wall and used its smoky legs and pointy fingers to enter the room (SCENE 10). Since it’s difficult to see the monster creature and not enough atmosphere was created, I don’t think this would terrify the audience as much. Instead, I think they would be more confused.

Camera Angle: As I watched the movie, it seemed to me that the MC’s vulnerability and loneliness were mostly communicated through high angles. In wide shots, it gives us the impression that we are seeing him as a ghost floating in m deair. Frequently employed in point of view shots, low angles allow us to see the scene from the MC’s perspective, creating a sense of empathy and a connection between the audience and the character.

• Mise-en-scene

Props: Many props were employed to emphasize the MC’s emotions at the beginning of the movie. While the MC is working in his office, there’s lots of post-it notes on the wall, giving the viewer the impression that he is a chaotic worker. At the same time, there are many crumpled papers on the floor and table, which indicate that he is disoriented and irritated.  The time on the clock and dark lighting tells the viewers its very late at night, also the character is wearing pyjamas which leaves the viewers curious about why he is not sleeping or he’s just a hard worker that loves to work. Attracts the viewer’s attention wanting to watch the film.

Lighting: To evoke tension and a sense of unease, low key lighting was employed. Most of the scene had been set in a chilly, gloomy approach, which evokes a sense of emptiness and loneliness. The lamp, which emphasizes to the audience that it is “the only hope in the dark,” was the only source of warm light, giving us the impression that we are in urgent required of warmth in the depths of the cold.

• Editing

I believe that the continuity editing of the Parasomnia short film was an important factor for the creators, as evidenced by the naturalness of most shot transitions. Our group didn’t even realize the MC was moving between two rooms during the opening scene of the film, when he was walking from the office into his bedroom, until we did extra research and watched the movie a few more times (SCENE 1-3). This is because the editing was so seamless. Another editing method employed was lap dissolve, in which the double exposure effect of SCENE 8 appeared several times in SCENE 7, creating an unsettling and uneasy viewing experience for the audience. The extremely unrealistic effect this technique creates also informs the audience that the MC experiences hallucinations. Other sequences before that ran seamlessly one after the other, making them easy to watch, demonstrating natural and realistic editing.

• Sound

The background music was tense and eerie, creating a very mysterious and intense atmosphere that makes the audience curious about what will happen in the film. However, because it isn’t a real sound that would naturally occur in the real world, this non-diegetic sound makes the scene less realistic. The creators employed a lot of diegetic sounds to make the sound more real. The Diegetic Sounds of pen scrabbles on paper (SCENE 1-2) in the opening scenes of the film, which show the MC working in his home office, inform the audience of what the MC is doing before they even see the scenes. Before a scene is shown, diegetic sounds of the MC yawning are used to inform the audience that he is exhausted (SCENE 2). Additional diegetic sounds, including the MC’s breathing, footsteps, and clock beeps, might provide the audience a more genuine impression by forming an image in their minds of the film (SCENE 3-6).  The audience may be surprised or frightened by unexpected sound effects, such as lion roaring and machine error, in addition to the background music, which was one of the non-diegetic sounds used (SCENE 7–10).

Final Power Point slides: