The Impact of Animated Movies on Children - Research Paper Example

The Impact of Animated Movies on Children Animation is important when teaching children because it is one way that they can be engaged in learning. Cartoons and other types of animation have entertained children for many years. There are a variety of types of animation to be used with children and this research will examine various program. The research will result in a conversation about this researcher’s project and how it will impact children. Overview of Animation as it Applies to Children There are many definitions of animation. For this research, animation refers to a process that pushes frames of film at a rate that makes the frames look like they are moving. Since man has the ability to clearly distinguish between thirty at maximum in a second, in order to watch animation, the mind creates an optical illusion that happens as they constantly look at the frames. Animation for children refers to cartoons and movies that are specifically made for children. This can be movies in a movie theatre, DVDs or videos and television movies that are geared towards children. Many cartoons and movies rely on fairy tales because these are simple tales that are easy for children to understand. Andersen (1991) states that fairy tales speak to children in a language they understand. Fairy tales are also vibrant and colorful, the music is sometimes loud, and there are no serious voice overs in them because the message is contained in the story. Beck (2005) states that videos also can easily convey a message to children. As an example, many videos have been done to show global warming and the importance of conserving energy. One recent example of this was the Disney Movie, Wall-E, about the devastation of the earth. Wall-E was a robot who fell in love with another robot and wants to help her when she gets into trouble. The story progresses and the viewer is exposed to a world that has been overused by people. The people have been moved to a different planet because it is no longer habitable by humans. The girl robot goes to earth periodically to see whether it is habitable or not. Each time she goes, she comes back with something that shows that the earth has no life. Until, one day, she does find life, and she is in danger because a big corporation does not want people to go back to each. Although the story is serious, because it is a cartoon, it is not seen as serious as it cold be in a documentary. Picture Credit: http://www.firstshowing.net/img/walle-final-poster.jpg The movie shows in a sometimes humorous way, one idea of the result of global warming. Many experts believe that these films help children form their perspective on the world when they are very small. This is another reason why it is important for parents to monitor what children see because what they see will have some bearing on their personality development. Although children are exposed to posters and picture books, animation has a greater impact on children than other media (Grant, 2006). Most people know that animation works well for adults as well as children (Ghertner, 2010) and as an example, The Lion King and The Lord of the Rings were two movies that were entertaining to adults and to children. Picture credit: http://www.dandare.org/FreeFun/Images/CartoonsMoviesTV/LionKingWallpaper1024.jpg In looking at the above picture, it is clear to see that both adults and children would be pleased by this movie. Although there are animals in the picture, most of them are smiling. The viewer can also see the difference between the protagonist and his brother. The colors are pleasing and the picture draws the individual into the picture, which is also what it did in the movie. Bessen (2008) adds that animation can create greater meanings and insights as the storytelling progresses. One of the factors that Bessen describes is the fact that animation lends itself to people being able to create themselves as the heroes in these stories. In The Lion King, children can relate to Simba as a child and how he goes through a coming of age story. Adults can relate to the older Simba as the symbol of the father and his protectiveness over his son. The female children can relate to Nala and the mothers can relate to the mother’s in the story. This movie shows another idea that Block (2007) states in that using animation with a specific subject will enhance a child’s retention and their ability to critically think. There are many examples of issues within The Lion King that children have to think about and understand throughout the course of the movie. Animation and the Cognitive Process One of the areas where animation has been shown to create a positive impact is on the human brain. Actually, this has more to do with the cognitive process and how children learn. Gilland (2009) points out that around 20 years ago, people may not have imagined that animation would be a part of the classroom. Today, animation is common because schools have realized that it helps children learn. Animation can also be more effective than other modalities. Block (2007) states that using animation with specific subjects will enhance a child’s retention and their ability to critically think. As an example, the story, Little Red Riding Hood, is a familiar fairytale for many children and it is usually read to them at some point in their young lives. Many children have seen the picture book of the story but when they are able to see the action from the animated version, it brings the book to life. Now, children are able to see the Wolf in grandmother’s clothes and they have a different reaction to the story than when it is read. The animation causes them to think about the story at a deeper level and to make decisions about what is happening. By watching the images in animation, the child is able to process cognitively what is happening and retains the images better than looking at stagnant pictures (Block, 2007). Animation shows movement and it provides graphics that can be aesthetically pleasing, entertaining, attract attention and this can all be inspiring for the child (Matessi, 2006). The Importance of the Message As stated previously, animation can also provide a message. Although many adults today do not heed the warning signs of global warming, children who are exposed to it may ask more questions because they have new knowledge. Global warming has been a theme in many moves. Wall-E was one such movie as has been discussed, but in 2010, Disney created the movie, How to Train a Dragon which talked about how to conserve the world and take care of the wildlife (Zarneke, 2010). Disney has produced many of these movies because they want people to understand that they are a part of the ecosystem and that it can be disrupted if the animals that are on our planet disappear (Disney Editions, 2010). Picture Credit: http://daveonfilm.com/pics/how-to-train-your-dragon-one-sheet.jpg The movie had the message that people need to take care of the environment and protect the animals. Someone else could have produced a documentary on the topic and some people would have received the message, but by putting this into an animated film and using children as the audience, it was clear that this movie was able to help children understand the message where adults may have missed it. Also, with an animated film, many generations can be touched at once. Animation as a Tool to Convey Controversy Animated feature films are one sure way to portray a controversial topic to an audience. Many experts state that all types of message can be used in this way. As an example, Preston (1994) use the example of controversial topics such as the consequences of teen marriage, domestic violence or rape. Preston states that if these themes are used, the video must also clearly state the age group that it is intended for and the audience that should view it. It is important to provide this information in order to stop misunderstandings. When dealing with controversial topics, parents must understand that they can always change the channel when something does not coincide with their point of view. However, many of these topics are educational in nature and require an open mind from the viewer. Layborne (1998) suggests that when using videos, people must differentiate between what is right and what is wrong in these situations and decide what is best to show to their audience. Another controversial topic is the issue of technology and how it is making people lazy. Beyond teaching about global warming, the movie Wall-E presents this issue and shows how technology made an entire society lazy and fat because they did not have anything to do. Each person relied on gadgets (cell phones, computers, people movers) to move them through the day. Johnston (1995) considers that the message from Wall-E was for young people to be more independent and not rely on the gadgets they use today. Although this could have been a harsh message, it was well executed in animation. The animation was a true depiction of a world today and the issue was conveyed easily. This example also shows the impact that an animated feature has over a documentary. Young children are in their habit forming stage when looking at these types of films and they are able to mold themselves to be better humans when they see these types of movies. Animation as a Tool for Learning Sullivan (2008) suggests that when children are growing up, they need to be exposed to experiences that will teach them about life. These lessons are embedded in what Sullivan calls, the 3 T’s of life, which are transformation, transition and trash. These 3 Ts are actually a part of what is shown in many animated movies. In this context, transition is graphically depicted in the evolution of some characters in animated films. The characters change their outlook and persona to meet the requirements of the society in which they live, which allows them to live in harmony with the rest of the world. The concept of trashing is often depicted in what happens to a character when nothing they do works. Usually, when a character has been through many situations and it seems like society is hurting them more than helping them, they make the decision to trash these social hurdles and blindly follow their hearts. When these concepts are shown in movies, children have an opportunity to talk to their parents about what they are seeing. A good example of how these concepts work is shown in the Disney movie, Up, when Carl Fredriksen, a seventy year old man has his life turned upside down when the city decides to build a new mall where his house is stationed. Everyone else on the block has sold their homes to the new development but Carl lived in the house from the time he was married until now. Although his wife has died, he still has fond memories of the house and what it meant to him. When the city decides they have finally had enough of him, they call the local nursing home to come and take him away. Carl’s way of handling this is to bring a neighbor’s son in to help him and they rig balloons that are big enough to carry Carl’s house away to South America. This is an uplifting movie that shows how one man overcame obstacles to do exactly what he wanted to do, and it also allowed him to have closure with his memories. As Houser (2009) states, the movie was a very good opportunity for everyone to see a silver lining appear out of a black cloud. The movie also showed that Picture Credit: http://static2.aintitcool.com/images2009/UPexclusiveBig.jpg one should never lose hope since there is always a way to make life better, regardless of the situation. These types of movies also show that when we trust in our abilities we can overcome any situation that comes to us. This is a valuable message that if children learn it early, they have a possibility of learning to face any obstacle that may come to them as they get older. My Project Idea I will create a story that teaches about culture, ethnicity and national identity. A main character will be a liger (a cross between a male tiger and a lioness) who does not belong to any tiger or liger groups. Because he does not belong, he tries to find his own identify amongst the different groups that exist around him. The medium for this story will be an animated film that is about two to three minutes long. This animation will be for children who come from different cultures. The purpose of the movie is to teach children that we can all come together as people, no matter what our differences. In this researcher’s opinion, it is time for the world to come together and embrace differences instead of bulling or hurting people because they are different. The movie will break down the barriers of prejudice that exist in our world, in favor of embracing each other as one unit of people. This is an important message because when we have been a divided world, we have not seen good things happen. Instead, we have seen wars and difficulties. In order to make the world a better place, we need to identify ourselves by our talents and not by our race. As an example, we have to understand that different ethnicities have made positive contributions to the world and because of this and other factors, we have to accept everyone. Young children are a good audience for this kind of information because they are more open to new concepts and they love everyone until their parents teach them to hate. The Project’s Basic Proposition, Idea or Research Question My project will aim to impact children with an animated short video that speaks to them on a psychological development level. It will encourage them to find their identities in something other than the family or culture they belong to. Often children go overboard in expressing their culture because of peer pressure to belong. However, sometimes this type of behavior can make them targets for bullying. Wenke (1998) noted that while some children take their identify positively and become more confident when they realize an identity they can belong to, others are often crumbled because they are bullied for their difference. What is more helpful is if they learn to identify themselves not only by culture, but also by the things they do or other things in their lives. Therefore, my animated movie will seek to show how a child’s psychological development can be shaped by finding their identity. My aim will be for the movie to appeal to children who are from families of mixed heritage and help them to learn something positive that will help them gain confidence in themselves. Hopefully the video will help them also boost their self-esteem and help them realize that they are actually much larger than their cultures and have more to give the world. In the world we live in now, our elders have strong opinions about what our culture is and how we should act. Unfortunately, what they believe may or may not work in the world today. It is up to us to show how we can live in the world by not only embracing our culture, but also by embracing each other’s differences so that we can live without bullying or stress. Intentions and Purpose in Proposing the Project Although culture is generally a serious subject, I intend to present it in an entertaining way through an animated short film. It will not be an educational one but it will contain a message that is important and serious. I will create a movie that children can relate to and therefore will remember because they will have seen an animal that is different and what they go through in order to belong. Field of Study The project aims to investigate the impact of fairytales on children’s psychology. In general, it seeks to examine how animation impacts a child’s mind. The video will present sociological elated topics around ethnic identity and culture. The proponent will deliver the importance of animation for the preoperational period of a child’s psychological development. The audience will be children of mixed marriages. The project will be based on profound knowledge and exeirence, also it requires lots of time and effort to finish it within a given period. For this reason, the project will be a simple, short, animated film based on already proven theories of children’s psychology; it will be based on scientific evidence. This will not propose any new theory but will build on the existing ones in an entertaining and informative way. In the past, many children have lost their true identity and in an effort to find their culture and ignore others cultures, they have been the recipients of bullying. This project targets an audience that may be at risk for these types of situations and aims to move them away from the risk by helping them realize that divisions between people are useless. Potential Focus Points of Study It is a planned project and the animated setting has been created for the sake of entertainment and conveying a message. A study of relevant literature has shown that animated movies leave a lasting impression on children’s psychological development. This means that movies should be made carefully. In addition, these movies should not defy or contradict the norms and values we ant our children to learn as they are growing up. There will be no special change in the manufacturing technique. This project will show a creature exploring their identity. This will ensure that the message gets through without being offensive. Personification is always a safe tool for teaching social issues. The children will experience rich water colors for the scenery and the characters. Key expression is that the inanimate object behaves as the creature, and the creature behaves opposite. The key expression will illustrate identity and differences in an ethical and social context. Stages of Progress June – Primary research, build characters , and build overall story line. Collect references and envisage the outcome of the project. Start animating (line test) in the middle of the month. Finish the final animation with sound by the end of the month July – Complete whatever is left in the animation August – Edit and add what seems missing September – Exhibition plan Text Resources Consulted Bettelheim, B. “The uses of enchantment the meaning and importance of fairy tales” Sarup, M. “Identity, culture and the postmodern world” Conclusion The project at hand is lengthy and detailed, however, since existing research in this field of study offers a wide pool of interest, it is hoped that the goals of the project will be attained in the time frame provide. Also, since animated movies are one of the most cherished possessions of children, it needs to be ensured that the movie is worth watching. Animation keeps children engaged in learning if it is interesting and if it has plenty of action. Using culture and ethnicity as a theme is important because it gives children something to think about when they are on the playground or just playing in their neighborhoods with different children. Gokcearslan (2010) states that ethnicities have divided mankind for a long time and we must do something to stop this divide before it is too late. However since children live in a bubble, it is the responsibility of their elders to tell them the bitter truths of life in a way that they can understand it without scaring them. Showing children harsh realities will not help them but showing them truth in an entertaining way will be more successful. References Andersen, Y.(1991). Make Your Own Animated Movies and Videotapes. Little Brown &Co. Beck, J. (2005).The Animated Movie Guide. Chicago review Press. Grant, J. (2006).Animated Movies Facts, Figures & Fun. Facts, Figures & Fun. Sullivan, K., Alexander, K. & Schumer, G. (2008). Ideas for the Animated Short: Finding and Building Stories. Focal Press. Block, B. (2007). The Visual Story. Focal Press. Preston, W. (1994). What an Art Director Does. Silman-James Press. Laybourne, K. & Canemaker, J. (1998). The Animation Book. Three Rivers Press. Bessen, E. (2008). Animation unleashed. Michael Wiese Productions. Ghertner, E.(2010). Layout and Composition for Animation. Focal Press. Beiman, N. (2010). Animated Performance. Ava Publishing. Johnston, O. (1995). The Illusion of Life. Disney Editions. Disney Editions. (2010).Walt Disney Animaton Studios, The Archive Series. Disney Editions. Skouteris, H & Leanne, K. (2006). Repeated Viewing and Co-viewing of an animated video: An examination of factors that impact on young children’s comprehension of video content. Australian Journal of Early Childhood. Gokcearslan, A.(2010). The effect of cartoon movies on children’s development. Elseiver. Wenke, E. (1998).Accents in children’s animated features as a device for teaching children to ethnocentrically discriminate. UPenn Journal. Gilland, J. (2009).Elemental Magic: The Art of Special Effects Animation. Focal Press. Zarneke, T. (2010). The Art of How to Train Your Dragon. Newmarket Press. Matessi, M. (2006). Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators. Focal Press. Hauser, T. (2008). The Art of WALL.E. Chronicle Books. Hauser, T. (2009). The Art of Up. Chronicle Books. Read More