1

Cailen Young

Connor Pearce

Composition I

11 October 2022

Annotated Bibliography

International Journal of the Arts in Society; 2011, Vol. 5 Issue 5, p1-8, 8p

Andrew Selby discusses the digital shift in animation and describes it as a “digital explosion”.

The field of animation has been drastically impacted by the digital shift as it challenges previous

studies and ideas of what animation is. Workers are forced to adapt and learn the new way

digitalized media has shaped and remolded animation. Selby describes this digital shift best with

his statement, “we must first accept that animation is not rooted in tradition - a new wave has

arrived that requires rationalised recognition through appropriate sub sections of our previous

understanding of animation Studies.”

Jun/Jul2022, Vol. 36 Issue 6, p76-77, 2p, 1 Color Photograph, 4 Cartoon or Caricatures

This interview with Karen Toliver, VP of Netflix animated films, shows her opinions and

hopes for the current field of animation. Karen believes that we need more diversity in our chairs

making executive decisions and leading projects as she strongly believes that not only does this
 2

promote a positive workplace environment and inclusiveness, but it will also help in bringing

this diversity and representation into our media. Representation in our media as the interview

states is important, it promotes diversity and love as well as educates us on others' cultures and

struggles. Many people who are running large companies need to consider this, and while the

field of animation is changing for a more welcoming environment and opportunities, it is still

scarce for those of unique backgrounds and cultures to have a significant executive position.

Friedman, Jake S., Jun/Jul2022, Vol. 36 Issue 6, p96-97, 2p, 1 Color Photograph, 3 Black and

White Photographs, 3 Cartoon or Caricatures

This article detailing the Disney Strike of 1941 is a solid example of mistreatment and

unfair payment in the industry. The article reviews how Disney pushed their workers to provide a

service for long nights with no increased pay. When the issue is brought up to Walt, it is

dismissed and ignored, pushing employees to take the next step: striking. Employees began

striking, demanding a raised pay, to which Walt retaliated by firing any striking workers, which

would be half of his team. Most of these striking employees were animators, animation

assistants, inker, painters, background artists, story artists, and effects artists. The author then

proceeds to detail their struggles the experience of being a Disney employee during this time,

and how they felt conflicted about who they needed to side with. The article is a good summary

of an important event for the animation industry the mistreatment of animators by large

corporations.
 3

Schilling, Mark. Japan Quarterly; Tokyo Vol. 44, Iss. 1, (Jan-Mar 1997): 30-40.

Miyazaki Hayao aimed to surpass Disney animations, finding that Disney’s animation

held realistic movement but lacked human emotion. Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli and began

working on animated films. Many of the studio's films went head to head with Disney’s major

animated pictures, even beating out Pocahontas at the box office with their fifth film Whispers of

the Heart. Studio Ghibli's techniques used to create the stories for their films show that the studio

creates paintings and animation first, then fills in the pieces to the story. This trick has proven to

be effective as stated previously, the studio has gone toe to toe with Disney studios. Studio

Ghibli is a clear example of choosing quality over quantity, and how putting love and passion

behind a project can make a major difference in how it is perceived by the audience. Disney

undoubtedly has high-quality animations, however, it is evident that the push to get films

published as soon as possible has affected the creative writing of said films. Miyazaki's methods

of choosing to focus on the art and animation first surprisingly help form a better and more

encaptivating story for audiences to understand.