Asides

A Look At The Disney Channel

Animation, Disney /

Via: TV With Thinus

This week, I’m sequestered in lovely Western New York; a quiet part of the country where not a lot happens in the winter because of the snow. So that’s a pefect excuse to stay warm indoors with some TV, and while there is a lot a Top Gear on BBC America, there is also the four kid’s cable channels: The Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and newcomer, The Hub.

So using this extended time off, I figured I would write an overview of the four channels. Today, it’s the turn of the Disney Channel.

Started by Ron Miller back in the 80s the channel is unique in that it carries no  commercial advertising whatsoever. Although you should not construe this a as no advertising whatsoever, as the channel still has breaks where shows from other Disney channels, Disney films and misc. things are presented to the viewer.

The range of animation is a bit more limited than it used to be. As of right now, besides the pre-school shows, Phineas and Ferb and Fish Hooks take up the majority of the animation aimed at older kids. However, where the Disney Channel excels is that it can draw upon the vast, vast, vast library of the Disney Company and it regularly broadcasts movies that are rarely seen anywhere else, such as Snow White, Aladdin and pretty much all the Pixar films.

A direct comparison with its competitors is a bit unfair though, as Disney recently nixed Toon Disney in favour of starting a new channel aimed at boys, hence Disney XD and its own share of animated programming (namely Kick Buttowski).

Overall, the Disney Channel isn’t perfect, but it isn’t completely horrible either. It would just be nice to see more time for animation and less for mind-numbing kidcoms that burn through their child stars at a faster rate than I go through delicious Tim Hortons coffee.

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Six Traditional Pieces Christmas Animation

2 Comments / Animation /

Following on from yesterday’s post, here are some traditional forms of Christmas animation.

Christmas means different things for different people. American’s generally rate A Christmas Story as their top film, but it is completely unknown in Europe (a situation that resulted in some near heart attacks in more than one house I’ve visited). Naturally there are reciprocal films, but thankfully animation seems to be fairly neutral in that regard with Christmas favourites being shared across the Atlantic.

So here are six most loved Christmas specials/films for all to enjoy:

The Snowman (a true classic from the moment it aired, although a recent, shocking announcement suggests a new version is coming with new animation and updated music)

Via: Wikipedia

Mickey’s Christmas Carol (Disney’s take on a classic tale sparked Mickey’s first outing in more than a decade)

Via: Wikipedia

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (more so an American tradition, it is nonetheless well-known abroad)

Via: The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass

Frosty the Snowman (another Rankin-Bass creation, our version we taped from the TV had not one, but two apologies for the poor quality of the sound!)

Via: Christmas Specials Wikia

A Charlie Brown Christmas (this one goes without saying)

Via: TV Guide

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (so does this one)

Via

And for Irish people everywhere, it’s not animated, but it isn’t Christmas without it:

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Four Non-Traditional Pieces of Christmas Animation

Animation, List /

Yes, it is the season and coming tomorrow is a list of Six Traditional Pieces of Christmas Animation, but today’s post is about four, non-Traditional pieces of Christmas animation.

What could that possibly mean?

Well, on TV around Christmas, the normal programming schedules get scrapped in favour of showing films, and lots of them. Less so in recent years, but still quite prevalent (at least in Ireland and the UK), these films are a great mix of family fare and films that you wouldn’t normally see at other times of the year, such as Spinal Tap and pretty much any Mel Brooks film. I once tried to explain to the fiancée that Irish people’s favourite Christmas film was almost consistently polled to be Back to the Future for the very reason that’s it’s a Christmas staple. She called me weird.

So, without further adieu, here’s the top four non-Traditional Christmas films:

Mary Poppins

Via: ItThing.com

Any Pixar Film (more so A Bug’s Life and Monster’s Inc. but always at least one premiere)

Via: The Pixar Times

Shrek (including the various sequels)

Yup, he sure looks festive doesn't he?

Via: DreamWorks on Wikia

Studio Ghibli (that wonderful channel, Film4, can be relied upon to broadcast plenty of Studio Ghibli films around Chiristmas, the early mornings are well worth it).

 Via: Cartoon Brew

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My Life as a Teenage Robot Now on DVD!

1 Comment / Animation, MLaaTR, Nickelodeon /

All three seasons of one of the most underrated cartoons of the last decade are now on DVD through Amazon. At $19.99, they aren’t the cheapest, but seeing as this show is well overdue for a release and that DVD is in the twilight years of its existence, you should consider it a worthwhile investment.

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

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The Atlanta Braves Oppose Pixar’s ‘Brave’ Trademark Application

Animation, Pixar /

Hilarious image shamelessly yoinked from Filmdrunk

I’m really not quite sure what to make of this. According to /film (who got it from Stitch Kingdom), the Atlanta Braves baseball team have filed an objection to Disney/Pixar’s use of the word “Brave” as a trademark for the upcoming film, Brave.

Trademark law make a distinction between singular and plural versions of a word, but that has not stopped the baseball team from claiming that:

that damages will occur as a result of Disney’s trademarks being approved as they have used the singular form before on merchandise and insist it is common for fans, media, et. al. to use the singular form when referring to a single player, whereas the pluralized form refers to the entire team.”

Long story short, they’re saying that by Disney trademarking ‘Brave’, poor Joe Public might get confused between a baseball player and a red-haired Scottish heroine who lives in the middle ages.

Yup, that sure is real confusing, especially as one is an actual, real-life team of people playing sports for money and the other is a fictional character who only exists within the film (and on related merchandise).

There’s no way this objection should fly although, as ever, “discussions are ongoing” between the two parties. So expect an “agreement” to come eventually.

Just what a waste of resources though and it doesn’t exactly put the Braves in a good light either, what with the pettiness of their claim and all.

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TONIGHT IN NYC: It’s The 2011 ASIFA-East Animation Art Auction!

Animation, ASIFA-East, Event /

Apologies for the late notice, but while this is an event that I normally attend and willingly part with my hard earned cash in support of a good cause, I unfortunately have a final presentation in class tonight. Seeing as a good chunk of my final grade (and therefore the tuition I coughed up for it) depends on it, I won’t be making the trek to New York this time.

However, that should not preclude you in the slightest from swinging by the SVA on 23rd St (between 2nd and 3rd) at 7pm and heading on up to the ampitheatre and parting with your hard earned cash in exchange for some great animation art.

For a full list of the lots up for bid as well as pictures of everything, visit the aNYmator blog.

ASIFA-East Animation Art Auction
7:00 pm SVA Amphitheatre
209 E. 23rd Street, 3rd Floor

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Favourite Cartoons Described In A Single Sentance

1 Comment / Animation /

Spotted on Tumblr today is this list of popular cartoons by Aisha Thani who reduced their descriptions to a single line.

  • South Park: Four friends try to ignore the fact that 1 of them is a dangerous psychopath by swearing a lot and learning stuff
  • Camp Lazlo: A happy monkey ruins camp for everyone by being friendly and outgoing.
  • Courage the cowardly dog: a horror show about a cute pink dog trying to save his owners from terrors
  • Cow and Chicken: a cow and a chicken are harassed by a naked red demon
  • I am Weasel: a weasel and Baboon are harassed by a naked red demon
  • Avatar TLA: Kung fu action jesus saves the world with the help of his friends
  • Invader Zim: an alien is banished to earth. He is too insane to notice.
  • Ed Edd n’ Eddy: 3 boys are so engrossed in each other they forget all social skills and boundaries , also scams
  • Xiaolin Showdown: 4 elemental monks collect mystical objects and keep them in a poorly guarded vault. Jack Spicer is cute
  • Kick Buttowski: An adrenaline addict endangers himself regularly and makes the rest of the cast jealous
  • Adventure Time: in a post apocalyptic world the last living human being has lots of adorable adventures with his radiated dog
  • Regular show: a Bluejay and a Raccoon regularly awaken the elder gods
  • Phineas and Ferb: Two boys of superior intellect entertain people with their powers while their schizophrenic sister tries to stop them
  • Fanboy and Chum Chum: a 90s cartoon in disguise, slapstick everywhere
  • My Little Pony FIM: 5 friends regularly experience mental break downs and save the town, also some ponies have facial hair
  • Dan vs: A small angry man narrowly avoids ending up in a psychiatric ward with the help of his best friend Chris

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Thoughts on Brand Mascots As Characters

3 Comments / Opinion /

They’ve been around for years and for many, they’re a part of their childhood, or even their entire lives (I’m looking at you, Snap, Crackle and Pop), but mascots are an interesting bunch of characters, aren’t they?

Think about it, they’re ostensibly characters, but their appearances are often limited to 30 second commercials and perhaps some rudimentary comics on the packaging (or when you sent in so many coupons and 3.99 p&p).

The reason this struck a chord with me is because I came (or rather stumbled) across the twitter feed for Chicken of the Sea, who apparently have, as their spokeswomen, the Chicken of the Sea Mermaid.

Yup, the mascot for a tuna company is a mermaid. A bit of a conflict of interest there if you ask me, but I’m not one to judge.

Anyway, it’s kind of interesting to see that she not only has her ‘own’ twitter feed but a Facebook page too with almost 99,000 ‘fans’ on the latter.

It makes me wonder how the public really feels about such characters. I mean, we expect the ones in TV shows to be fully developed, complicated and conflicted beings. But our standards for commercial characters are so much lower.

Is it because we only see them for 30 seconds at a time, or is it more likely that we see them as exceptionally shallow; created for the single purpose of selling us stuff.

Of course, we often forget that characters in TV shows and films sell us stuff too, it just isn’t as blatant as an actual commercial.

Some of the longest-lived brand mascots have evolved well beyond their initial function. Indeed the 1980s saw brands and mascots descend upon TV and film like never before. Now the lines were seriously blurred between spokesman and character, even if the quality of both were similarly flimsy.

Or how about real characters shilling stuff?

Do we have a certain tolerance for Bugs and Daffy filling the role because it’s more of a sideshow for them?

Brand mascots and spokespersons are an interesting study area as they inhabit a unique culmination of art and commerce. Getting the balance right between the two is hard.

What are your thoughts on brand mascots and characters?

 

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Some Kim Possible Character Details Which You Know Are Awesome

Animation, Disney, TV /

For the record Kim Possible is one of the best characters ever to grace a TV screen. So it should come as no surprise that her character constructions sheets, which came by way of Art of Animation and Inappropriate Banjo (both on Tumblr), are no less interesting.

Kim’s a fascinating collection of sharp points and swirling curves that oh so cleverly allude to her double-sided life as an ordinary student and ass-kicking heroine.

Here, we see some of the finer points of her character design in her hair, which undoubtedly adds much grace to her movement in the action scenes.

It’s always great to see these kind of things, especially as they essentially offer us a peek into a character’s soul (per se).

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