Seminar Notes 1: Genre. Animation and its relationship with/role in cinema

Ugh accidentally deleted my notes the first time...

• The categorization of film in easily recognizable ways, such as horror, musical and western.
• Often though these genres become deficient and contradictory, especially in recent films.
• On a deeper level it is useful to think how particular narrative structures work within genres within animation.
• In Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1947), the title is an obvious reference to western films, such as The Lone Ranger Rides Again, signifying the genre that this episode is going for even before it starts. At the time, several scenes were censored, such as the line spoken by character Yosemite Sam where he mentions Mahatma Gandhi, who was assassinated in 1948.
• In Dr Jekyl and My Mouse (1947), while the title is an obvious reference to the book Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the episode is not an absolute parody, with only a few familiar elements (Such as the potion and the transformation, though Jerry does not necessarily turn into a hideous monster) thrown into an otherwise typical Tom and Jerry episode. In fact, there weren't many horror elements in this episodes even though it was meant to parody one.
• Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids as a series of mortality tales has always been known to be considerably dark (If not scary) for an animated series aimed at children, while most horror themed cartoon at the times would still hold back in terms of darker and mature themes, this series did no such thing, which perhaps proves effective, especially if parents wish to get their children to take their morals and lessons more seriously.
• Achilles (1995) while telling the life and death of the titular character, focuses mainly on the relationship between Patroclus and him, a relationship that has been debated upon during the classical period and modern times (Be it a deep meaningful friendship or a egalitarian homosexual couple). Rather explicit for such a short film, it is also notable for using  symbolic elements (Masks, colors, lighting, shadows, etc.) throughout. It is a rather unique depiction of a greek tragedy, especially when the portrayal of the relationship between the two men was handled so eloquently if not beautifully, and in the form of an animation to boot.
• Generic Plots: 1. Maturation (Coming of age/rites of passage) 2. Redemption (Transition of main character from bad to good, Zuko from Avatar the Last Airbender)  3. Punitive (Main, ostensibly good character behaves badly and is punished. Eg, Lisa Simpson in The Simpsons) 4. Testing (Willpower Vs Temptation) 5. Education (Main character moves from negative to positive perception of the world) 6. Disillusionment (Reverse of Education)
• Definitions of Genre:                                                                                                                1. Discrete categories or types of film defined by visual, technical, thematic, or subject oriented consistencies. 2. A set of codes and conventions which determine particular expectations and outcomes in the narrative. 3. A term base on the recognition of particular kinds of visual and aural iconography which serve as key signifiers in an implied common language. 4. A means to recognize the ways in which limited and predictable features shape and determine the coherence of a presented form. 5. An infrastructure to film narrative which operates as a mode of order and integration. 6. A system which can change based on shifting historical and socio-cultural forces. 7. A framework which works with traditional models but also encourages redefinition through pastiche, exaggeration, etc. 8. A set of cinematic conventions determined by men which have absented women
• Paul Well's Seven Genres of Animated Film: 1. Formal 2. Deconstructive 3. Politica 4. Abstract 5. Re-Narration 6. Paradigmatic 7. Primal

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