The Impact of Animation for Children's Psychological Development in Finding Their Identities - Literature review Example

 Impact of animation for Children Table of Contents: Sr No. Topic Page 1. What are animations and what forms they may adopt 3 2. Animations Sharpen the Human Brain 4 3. Animations as a tool to convey some controversy 7 4. Animations as a tool for learning the 3 T’s in life 8 5. My Project Idea 10 6. My Project’s basic proposition, idea or research question ? 11 7. Intentions and Purposes in Proposing the Project 12 8. Field of Study 12 9. Potential Focus Points of Study 13 10. Other Project Details 13 11. Stages of Progress 14 12. Text Resources that will be consulted 14 13. Conclusion 14 14. References 16 What are animations and what forms they may adopt Since man has the ability to clearly distinguish between thirty frames at maximum over a second, an animation refers to a display of up to thirty images a second which model an illusion of movement. This optical illusion occurs due to persistence of vision and has been used successfully over centuries in the benefit of animation and other movie makers. Animation for kids refers to all the cartoons and other fun movies whose main targeted audience is the kids. Fairy tales are one of the most prized possessions of a kid, often so, because they are said to belong to the children world. As Andersen(1991) says, the fairy tales speak to a child in a language he understands. They are vibrant and colorful, the music is often loud and don’t need a serious voice over because the video alone conveys the message. Beck (2005) believes that animations may also convey a message. They don’t necessarily have to end with a prince charming falling head over heels with a princess who has it all. It can also convey important messages such as effects of global warming, importance and need of conserving energy, basic human rights etc. At the tender age when children normally enjoy these animations, they are forming their perspective of the world. Obviously what they see will reflect on their personalities hence the animation makers need to ensure that the message conveyed is positive and important. Grant (2006) exclaims that we often see banners promoting positivity and a revolution in the world but then, animation have a much a greater impact than mere pictures and words. Ghertner (2010) exclaims that animations are not just for kids, they entertain the elders just the same. For example, who hasn’t watched ‘Lion King’ or ‘ The Lord of the Rings’? There are so many such epic animations that one wonders if there would ever be an end to storytelling; and the answer is no! Animated stories have been there since centuries and there will always be new stories evolving. Bessen (2008) says that one can only hope that this art gains a greater meaning and insight as it progresses since storytelling affect the psyche of young kids and adults alike who watch them and often consider themselves to be the heroes of the story. Picture credit: http://www.dandare.org/FreeFun/Images/CartoonsMoviesTV/LionKingWallpaper1024.jpg Animations Sharpen the Human Brain Over the last two decades one sees the popularity of the use of animations and other graphics increasing by leaps and bounds in the instructional media. Almost all schools rely on animations to teach the kids the basics and the teachers then add on to it. As Gilland (2009) correctly points out, around twenty years ago, one could not have imagined but now robotic schools are well thought for idea. This intrigues one to explore how animations are more effective than the teachers themselves. Block (2007) exclaims that it has been experimentally proven by various researches that animations on subject matters really improve a child’s retention and inference abilities. Instead of a teacher telling how Red Riding Hood got scared of the wolves, if a student gets to see it, he is able to infer it better and not only that, he retains the images better than words. The reason why animations Some of these reasons are associated with the affective role that graphics can fulfill. For example, animations may be aesthetically pleasing, entertaining, attention-attracting, or inspiring as Matessi (2006) explains. However, animations may also convey some message or motto that is important for the world to know. Who does not know how scarce water supplies are in most parts of the world, who does not know the harm global warming is causing these days, who does not know how many innocent girls are being killed on birth in many primitive areas even today? So maybe these animations can serve a purpose. They can be used to shape the minds of the viewers- kids and adults alike. According to dual-coding theory which is a theory coined by the computer science people, by conveying information in both verbal and pictorial codes, a double track is provided for the processing, encoding, and retrieval of this information hence it sinks deeper into the minds and souls of the viewers than just pictures or words. In the year 2010, Disney released ‘How to train a Dragon’. It was an excellent animated movie in the sense that it conveyed the message of conserving and taking care of the wildlife as correctly said by Zarneke (2010).. Disney Editions (2010) warns that the whole balance of the ecosystem would be disrupted if the animals that we see around us today get extinct in the coming years. Hence we need to care for them and protect them. This is a very serious message indeed and the animation beautifully illustrated it. If instead, the company would have thought of making a documentary on it, it would have been much boring and would have catered to only a very limited viewership. However, this animation got appraisal by the kids and adults alike and so even the next generation got to know how important conservation of wildlife is and how can each one of them contribute their share towards it. Picture Credit: http://daveonfilm.com/pics/how-to-train-your-dragon-one-sheet.jpg Animations as a tool to convey some controversy Animated stories are a great way to get across a message. Preston (1994) is of the opinion that the message could be very controversial like teenage marriages and their consequences, rapes and other injustices, domestic violence etc but it should very straight forwardly indicate the age bracket it caters to and what and how it addresses it. Without these ratings, even animations on such topics can raise issues amongst the narrow minded. However, with appropriate warnings, such animations can be acceptable and teach the public much more than what talk shows and books can. We often change the channel on television when we know it is about something our norms conflict with. What we don’t understand is that it is about time that we need to open up our minds and learn. If the generations before us have been indulging themselves into polygamy, adultery, gambling and other vices, we need to break the chain. Layborne (1998) explains that we need to be able to differentiate between the right and the wrong and it is these animated stories that can get across a very controversial message in a sugar coated tablet. For example, ‘Wall-e’ is one of the highest rated animated movies. As Houser(2008) correctly deduces, it talks about how technology dependent and lazy the generations are getting and how much we rely on our gadgets for work. It was a very true depiction of the world today. Johnston (1995) considers that it was a message to the young ones to be independent of their tools. They should use their tools and not the tools use them. It was a seemingly harsh message but the way it was brought up in the animation was superb. It did not feel harsh but the seriousness of the issue was conveyed. That is the true power of animations over documentaries and other modes of conveying information. Also when kids watch such movies, they are in their habit forming stages and so they mould themselves to be better humans. If each child decides that, the whole world would be a better place to live. Picture Credit: http://www.firstshowing.net/img/walle-final-poster.jpg Animations as a tool for learning the 3 T’s in life Sullivan (2008) asserts that when kids are growing up they need to learn a lot of things in life, some of the most important lessons in life are engulfed in the 3 T’s of life. The 3 T’s of life being transformation, transition and thrash. The concept of transformation comes from the changes in graphically depicted items. These could be changes events, circumstances and the environment. The concept of transition comes from the creation and evolution of the fictional characters in an animated movie. The characters change their outlook and persona to meet the requirements of their lives in harmony with the rest of the world. When nothing works, comes the concept of trashing social hurdles and blindly following one’s heart. These three lessons are in fact very profound hence if they get into the heads of the young ones at a tender age, they are much more likely to succeed in future. For example, recently a Disney creation ‘Up’ provides an excellent showcasing of how when nothing else goes right for the seventy eight year old Carl Fredricksen, he plans to thrash the social upheavals and sets himself into the wilds of South America. As Houser (2009) agrees, it was a great movie since it showed there is always a silver lining of every black cloud. One should never lose hope since we can always make our lives better. It is in fact rightly said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. All we need is have trust in our abilities and fight till we can. This is indeed a very valuable message. If young children who watched the movie got this through, it would definitely help them later in life when they will be left to face the obstacles of life on their own. Picture Credit: http://static2.aintitcool.com/images2009/UPexclusiveBig.jpg My Project Idea I will create a story which is about ethnicity and national identity. A main character is a liger who doesn’t belong to any of those tiger and liger groups. Therefore he tries to find his own identity amongst the different groups that exist around him. The final outcome will be an animated film, about two to three minutes long. This animation is for children who have different identities of ethnicity and nationality. It is meant to teach them that it is about time when we, as a whole world, break down the barriers of ethnicities, colors, races, genders and nationalities and face the world as one. Being divided has never done anyone any good hence we should not expect that too. It has always led to disagreements, wars and injustice, none of which is a likeable outcome. In order to make the world a better place, we need to identify ourselves by our talents and not our races. Gone are the times when the Blacks were persecuted and killed for their skin color. Now they are making it big in the world market and we need to accept that. This will serve to erase any such concepts in the young minds of the viewers and will shape their minds to believe that they cannot attain success or fame on the name of their nation, color or creed, they will have to work hard for it and success is all theirs. My Project’s basic proposition, idea or research question ? My project aims to deliver the impact of animation for children’s psychological development in finding their identities. Often children go overboard to know which family or nation they belong to. It has become especially important because of consistent peer pressure and the bullying that follows. Wenke (1998) realizes that while some kids take it positively and become more confident when they realize that their identity is what they will make of themselves with hard work and persistent; the others are often crumbled by the hands of the bullies and they contemplate that it is their family identities and nation that defines them. In the long for searching for it, they lose on their own identity and self confidence is shattered. Therefore, my animated movie seeks to tell how an animated movie can shape a child’s psychological development in finding his identity. This effect is often very sharp since when children see an animated movie, they consider themselves to be the lead character and apply everything that relates to the main character on them. My aim for the animated movie is that children will be able to relate to it and by the end of it, learn something positive that will help them overcome the barriers of ethnicity and national identity for the sake of building their own identity by boosting their self confidence, burning midnight fuel for it and realizing that they need to do something big in their lives to be recognized and appreciated by all. In the world that we live in, our elders are strongly jolted in perceptions that pertain to ethnicities, nationalities, colors, creeds etc so it is time we start teaching our little ones and the knowledge and effect will just propagate. Intentions and Purposes in Proposing the Project Despite being a serious topic, I intend to present it as an entertaining animated movie. It will not be an educational one however; will contain a message that is important and serious. Often sugar coated tablets get easily through our throats and that is exactly what I am aiming at by making my animated movie an entertaining one. It will be one of those movies that children remember for a long time and hence get the message too but not in an imposing way but in a light and acceptable way. Field of Study The project aims to investigate the impact of fairy tales on children’s psychology. In general, it seeks to find the difference an animation makes on children’s minds. It talks about sociology related topics such as finding one’s cultural, ethnic and national identities and the role these play in the social spheres of life. The proponent will deliver the importance of animation for preoperational period children’s psychological development to the audience of mixed marriage parents. The project should be based on profound knowledge and experience, also requires lots of time and effort to finish within a given period. For that reason, this project will be a simple short animated film with already proven theories of children’s psychology through many studies 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 in an urge to find their ethnicities, creeds and other superficial divisions of mankind. This project targets an audience that may be at such a risk and aims to get them out of the risk by making them realize how useless these divisions are. Potential focus points of study This animated movie seeks to exploit the relationship between animation and children: how moving images and sounds in animation effect on children. As researchers have concluded that animations leave a lasting impact on children’s minds this project seeks to use that as a tool for conveying an important message in an entertaining fashion. It also seeks to explore the change of behavior of children after watching animated films and how their thinking shapes accordingly. Other Project Details It is a planned project and the animated setting has been created for the sake of entertainment and conveying the message alone. Surveys have been conducted and other researches on this topic. What has been deducted from previous resources is that animated movies leave a lasting impact on children’s psychology so they should be made carefully and not defy or contradict the norms and values we want our children to learn and grow up with. There will be no special change in manufacturing technique. In this project, it will be concerned visualizing human identity through creatures. This will ensure that the message gets through without being offensive. Personification is always a safe tool for such social issues. The overall atmosphere is like water color. Key expression is that the inanimate object behaves as the creature, as the creature behaves opposite. The key expression will illustrate identity and difference in an ethic and a social content. Stages of Progress June – Primary research and build characters and 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 that will be consulted The uses of enchantment the meaning and importance of fairy tales by Bruno Bettelheim, and, Identity, culture and the postmodern world by Madan Sarup Conclusion The project at hand is undoubted lengthy and detailed however, since existing researches in this field of study are a wide pool of interest, it is hoped that the goals of the project will be attained in the time frame provided. Also, since animated movies are one of the most cherished possessions of children, it needs to be ensured that they are worth watching a hundred times over and still having some new element or angle to it. That is what keeps the children entangled and the movie successful. Gokcearslan (2010) exclaims that ethnicities have divided mankind for long and if not now, it would be too late to do something about it. However, since children live in a bubble of theirs, it is the responsibility of elders to tell them about the bitter truths of life envisaged in a very acceptable and understandable manner. Showing them how Blacks got persecuted and were stoned to death at times will just make them scared to face the world later in their lives. That is certainly not desirable hence they should be made to realize the truths in a way that they understand the crux but are still aloof from the harsh realities. This will help them shape their minds better without making them scared of what lies ahead of them. Animated movie makers should make sure that they convey some important message and not just show a world that’s pretty and perfect because we don’t want our next generation to live in an illusion. It should know and appreciate the realities of life and try to have a mindset to curb the bitter realities when they grow up. Skouteris (2006) believes that self confidence and assurance are the most helpful and important tools for any growing individual and they should not be harmed or exploited by any movie, media or person in general. 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