Interests

Interests

I think it will be easier for me to come up with a project aim if I establish my interests first. This Post is also somewhat of a start into my research for my project even though I’m not set on an idea of what my project will be based around. The influences though will still be used in my research no matter which way my project goes.

Mickey Mouse

Especially the early Mickey Mouse shorts that built up the reputation of the Disney Company.

Felix The Cat

I am interest in the history of Felix the Cat and how it compares to Mickey Mouse.

Looney Tunes – Bugs Bunny – Daffy Duck

I love the early Looney Tunes cartoons, especially Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Some of them are masterpieces of animation and deserve the recognition they have gotten so far.

Tex Avery

Tex Avery was one of the driving forces behind the early success of Looney Tunes. I’m also interested in his life overall with his career.

Chuck Jones

I'm interested in Chuck Jones in much the same way as Tex Avery. I prefer the characters and Cartoons of Looney Tunes in general.

Nine Old Men

The Nine Old Men ‘founded’ the 12 principles of animation and each of them in their own right are interesting characters with careers to match their reputation.

Early Disney/Warner Bros./Hannah Barbera/MGM Shorts/cartoons

These are the companies that pioneered animation during the last century. There are of course more for sure but these are the most relevant to me. I spent a good amount of time at college researching into many cartoons/characters by these companies and they have been a great influence on my desire to learn over the past 4 years.

Experimental/abstract animation

I have always looked at experimental animation while in the pre-production stage of previous projects and they have always been of great enjoyment for myself.

Winsor McCay

Winsor McCay is arguably credited with the first animation (Beaten by j. Stuart Blackton and Emile Cohl). I probably have more favour with Winsor McCay and Emile Cohl because I looked into them at college for an essay.

Technology developments in animation – multiplane camera, zoetrope, rotoscope…

I have also researched into the technologies created (particularly in the early 20^th century) and how they have affected the way animations were created.

Film theory – Shots, narrative structure

Animation uses film theory at its heart. That is why it’s so important to have knowledge in film theory so I can structure an animated short correctly without creating any jarring shots/scenes.

Akira Kurosawa

There are perhaps other film directors that I could put in this post but Akira Kurosawa is at the top, many current film directors for instance pay homage to Kurosawa so it only seems tradition to do the same. He was the master of shots and composition. 

Don Hertzfeldt

Don Hertzfeldt is one of the animators I have often referred to as inspiration during my years at college and university, that’s probably not going to change this year.  He has a simple style of animation and yet he still manages to evoke strong emotions in his, often existential, works.

Jan Svankmajer

Jan Svankmajer is an animator I came across at college and he has stuck with me ever since. He is not just an animator though, he is more a film maker who utilises animation to allow him to achieve effects he maybe otherwise couldn’t achieve with live action. He produces often thought provoking short films that have social commentaries tied to it as well. 

 Summary

These are the base of my interests and they will naturally be some of he main influences for my Honours project. I will be looking to some of these for inspiration for my research question as well.