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merican animated fifilms have become an indispensable part of global popular culture. From iconic cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, to famous animated films such as Snow White, The Lion King and Toy Story, American animation studios have left a deep mark in many fields, from art, to cinematography, to culture and society. Beyond their entertainment value, these animated works have played a significant role in shaping cultural narratives and reflecting the values, aspirations and anxieties of American society. From the idealized depictions of family and community in classic Disney films, to the subversive social commentary embedded in works like The Simpsons, American cartoons have offered a unique window into the nation’s collective psyche. The design techniques employed in American animated films are equally fascinating, showcasing the interplay between traditional hand-drawn methods and cutting-edge digital technologies. From the lush, hand-painted backgrounds of 2D classics to the immersive 3D worlds of modern CG features, the visual language of American animation has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible on the screen. In this magazine, we will explore in more depth the immense influence of American animated films, and how they are expressed through diverse design techniques. From the development of animation technology, to the creation of iconic characters and socio-cultural messages, we will examine the great contributions of Hollywood animation to global culture. Through this, we can see that American animated films are not just sources of entertainment, but also unique works of art and cultural communication tools. 2 3
With early 20th-century animators like J. Stuart Blackton, Winsor McCay, and the Fleischer brothers, American animated films have a rich history. Historical Development Walt Disney’s 1928 invention of the enduring Mickey Mouse, which signaled the start of the American animation industry’s meteoric rise, was a significant turning point. The 1920s-1930s are considered the “golden age” of US animation, with the emergence of iconic animated characters like Mickey Mouse, Popeye, and Betty Boop. From the 1930s through the 1950s, major studios such as Disney, Warner Bros., and MGM shaped the “golden age” of American animation. In the 1940s-1950s, US animation continued to develop, with the creation of feature-length animated films such as Bambi, Cinderella, and Alice in Wonderland by Disney. With the help of filmmakers like Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and Friz Freleng, American animated films experienced a dramatic change in both quality and substance starting in the 1960s. 4 From the 1960s to the present, US animation has seen many technological and artistic advancements, with the rise of digital technology and diverse animation styles. 5
Animated Films to the Present Day, Impact on Global Culture: Economic Importance: American animated films have grown to be a significant export and have influenced global culture. Vintage Pixar and Disney movies are adored and well-known throughout the world. With hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue, the American animation sector is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. Well-known cartoon figures such as Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and Homer Simpson have gone beyond their original medium to become recognizable icons of popular culture in the United States. From Japan to Europe, American animation has impacted the production methods, storytelling, and aesthetics of animation businesses worldwide. Global media giants Disney, DreamWorks, and Pixar are animation firms that have created successful franchises for movies, TV shows, merchandise, and theme parks. The expansion of related businesses like visual effects, gaming, and toy production has also been spurred by the popularity of American animated films. Technological and Creative Innovation: Impact on Other Media: American animation studios have pushed the limits of the medium by being at the forefront of creative and technical innovations. American animated films have greatly influenced live-action movies, serving as an inspiration for character archetypes, special effects, and storytelling methods. The art form has improved thanks to inventions like multiplane cameras, cel animation, and computer-generated animation, which were pioneered by Pixar, Disney, and other companies. The rise in popularity of American animated series such as South Park and The Simpsons has also had an impact on the global growth of adult animation. American filmmakers and animators are well known throughout the world for their ability to combine social commentary with amusement and for their inventiveness and distinctive visual aesthetic. 6 American animation has been successfully adapted for comic books, video games, and theater, among other media. 7
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UNIVERSE Therefore, Steven inherited his mother’s power and the Crystal Gem team took on the task of teaching him to use that power fluently. From there, adventurous but no less humorous and profound adventures gradually began. The series developed a broad fanbase and has been critically acclaimed for its design, music, voice acting, characterization, prominence of LGBTQ themes, and science fantasy worldbuilding. The series won a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Kids & Family Program in 2019, becoming the first animated series to win the award. It also received a Peabody Award for Children’s & Youth Programming in 2019. Year of production: 2013 - 2019 Number of seasons: 5 Director: Rebecca Rea Sugar IMDb score: 8.2 Steven Universe is an American animated television series created by Rebecca Sugar for Cartoon Network. It tells the coming-of-age story of a young boy, Steven Universe (Zach Callison), who lives with the Crystal Gems— magical, mineral-based aliens named Garnet (Estelle), Amethyst (Michaela Dietz), and Pearl (Deedee Magno Hall)—in the fictional town of Beach City. Steven, who is half-Gem, has adventures with his friends and helps the Gems protect the world from their own kind. The pilot was first shown in May 2013, and the series ran for five seasons, from November 2013 to January 2019. The TV film Steven Universe: The Movie was released in September 2019, and an epilogue limited series, Steven Universe Future, ran from December 2019 to March 2020. 14 When mentioning one of the famous animated movies on Cartoon Network, Steven Universe cannot be missed. The film revolves around the daily life of boy Steven - a hybrid boy between human and gem and the Crystal Gem group - a group of alien gem warriors who come to protect Earth from monsters and invaders. intending to harm the Earth. Steven is the love crystallization of Rose Quartz (Rose Quartz) - the former leader of Crystal Gem and an ordinary man named Greg Universe. She decided to give up her gem form to give birth to Steven. 11 15 12
AND THE COCKROACHES Year of manufacture: 1998 - 2019 Number of seasons: 7 Director: Olivier Jean-Marie, Charles Vaucelle, Jean-Yves Raimbaud, Lionel Allaix IMDb score: 7.5 Oggy and the cockroaches (Oggy and the mischievous cockroaches) is one of the animated films that is loved by many people, including adults and children, on Cartoon Network. Similar to Tom and Jerry, the film revolves around Oggy’s chases and the mischievous pranks of three cockroaches: Dee Dee, Joey and Marky. Oggy is a special blue cat with a kind, honest and extremely sociable personality. Perhaps Oggy would have a very peaceful life if it weren’t for the three cunning cockroaches. Each episode is a fight and laughter-filled battle between Oggy and these mischievous cockroaches. Oggy and the Cockroaches (French: Oggy et les Cafards) is a French animated television series created by Jean-Yves Raimbaud and produced by Gaumont Multimedia for seasons 1–2 and Xilam Animation for seasons 3–7. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of Oggy, a blue cat whose life is constantly interrupted by three cockroaches – Dee Dee, Marky, and Joey respectively – who love to cause mischief within his home. The show employs silent comedy: characters either do not speak or use unintelligible vocalizations and gestures. The show premiered in September 1998 on France 3, and later expanded internationally. The series ended in January 2019, having released seven seasons in over two decades. 16 17 13 14
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