ANIMATION-+REALITY

**__Animation and Reality__** **__Animation & Kids' Fare__** Animation had, for the most part, taken a back seat to the more socially political and entertaining films of the '70s and '80s. However, Disney used catchy music and vivid colors when they resurrected the animated feature with //The Little Mermaid// in 1989. Because of the recession and a more family focused climate, Disney produced films like //Aladdin// and //The Lion King// that would draw people of all ages to the theater. Going to see these movies often became a family affair. Aiding to their popularity was the advent of computer animation in the mid '90s, which offered a more sophisticated and 3D look. Such technique were seen in films such as //Toy Story//. These films often had a moral story that the characters learned by the end of the film. Because of their popularity, animation helped spawn the "complete marketing package" by collaborating with stores and restaurants to promote their movie. For example, when //The Lion King// came out, you could go to Toy R Us and buy a stuffed Simba, the board game, or the soundtrack, then get a Happy Meal from McDonalds containing a //Lion King// action figure. Other films such as //Milo and Otis// which used animals who "talked" and //Who Framed Roger Rabbit?// which combined animation and live action appealed to both children and adults. **Teachable Moments** Many of these movies could be read as an individual text in the classroom. They could be discussed in the context of gender equality or the use of imagination vs. reality. Students could also compare and contrast the Disney films to the original written fairy tale, noting major differences. //Toy Story// would be a great tool to use while doing lessons on allusions to other stories, texts, or fairytales. **TV:** //Are You Afraid of the Dark? (’91-’96)media type="youtube" key="jgA2xo0HYrE?rel=0" height="351" width="432" align="right"//

//Who Framed Roger Rabbit (’88)// //Milo and Otis (’89)// //The Little Mermaid (‘89)// //Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (’90)// //Rescuers Down Under (’90)// //Beauty and the Beast (’91)// //Aladdin (’92)// //The Lion King (’94)// //Toy Story (’95) (move into computer animation) // //Pocahontas (’95)//
 * Movies:**

media type="youtube" key="-Dat4-k5G3s?rel=0" height="390" width="480" **__MTV and the Move to Reality Shows__** MTV was the first to broadcast what is known as reality television. Back then this form of TV was thought of more as documentary. With new editing technology introduced in the late '80s, it became easier and cheaper to film hours of footage and edit it quickly for half hour television episodes. In 1992, MTV introduced //The Real World// which centered around a group of strangers who meet and live together in a house while their lives are filmed. The earlier seasons of The Real World depicted less immature and outrageous behavior, and instead focused on serious issues that were affecting youth culture such as sexuality, substance abuse and prejudices. The 1994 season of The Real World: San Francisco featured Pedro Zamora, one of the first openly gay men suffering from AIDS. This season of the show remains one of the most popular and kick started the media's fascination with not only the show, but the power of reality TV. Although MTV was the purveyor of this burgeoning genre, the series //COPS// actually began airing on Fox in 1989. //All That// was created for Nickelodeon as a reality sketch comedy show featuring kids and teenagers. **Teachable Moments** Although many of these reality shows could perhaps not be shown in their entirety because of language and content, they could provide an opportunity to discuss real life topics and non-fiction texts. Clips (especially of the earlier and "cleaner" episodes) could be used to tie into current events or historical events as many of the "characters" share their feelings on such topics. Students today can also relate to reality television since it has become so popular. **TV:media type="custom" key="9938993" width="220" height="220" align="right"** //COPS// ('89-'11) //The Real World// (’92-present) //All That// (’94-’95) //Road Rules// (’94-’07) //Singled Out// (’95-’97)

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