As an avid watcher of cartoons and anime one thing I have noticed it that in the west if a movie or a tv show is animated it has to be driven by humour. Regardless if it's a cartoon directed to an older audience like Bojack Horseman, Archer or something like Bobs Burger these shows have to be laugh out loud funny. While as with Anime, it's easy to find series where humour is barely present yet that is directed to an adult audience like Death Note, Erase, Spychopass and many more. It's as if the west think that for something to be seen as serious it has to be live action, which would explain why someone would go out of their way to make a live action remake of Your Name, which is completely useless since is animated form is already perfection. Japan and anime has already proven that animated material doesn't need to have humour to be successful, why do you think the west is set on always linking cartoons with humour? Is it because of the word "cartoon" itself or is it because the medium will never be as respected as something live action, and why is that. Can an image or a voice actor not convey the same kind of emotions than a traditional actor? Will we ever see a mainstream tv show or movie that is animated that isn't a comedy but that gets the same kind of respect than a live action movie. Or do you think some animes are able to avoid the comedy title because of the different types of animes that exist (shonen, seinen, shojo, josei and kdomomuke). Should the west possibly follow these different types of categories in order to have more variety in the cartoon world?
You have an interesting topic suggestion here, but I would suggest more research is done into western animated storytelling, so as to avoid the generalisation that it is driven by humour. There are some very fine examples of non-humorous animated tales that could be considered, such as: Fantastic Planet (1973), Watership Down (1978), When the Wind Blows (1986), Flatland (2007), The Illusionist (2010), April et Le Monde Extraordinaire (2015), Ethel and Ernest (2016)...the list is practically endless. – Amyus6 years ago
I guess I should have added more of an emphasis on mainstream cartoons targetted to adults. Never meant to make the claim that everything produced by the west in driven by humour, like I said I love anime and cartoons so I watch a lot of a variety of things and I know we have some serious animated movies on our end too, but mostly the popular cartoons that are known about by the general public are almost always comedies which isn't always the case in Japan. – tmtonji6 years ago
I get what you're saying. Mainstream cartoons in western society are almost always humour based. I think a large part of that is because of Disney and Nickelodeon's corner on the market. I really do think it's how we've been fed cartoons culturally. In western society, cartoons and animation have been marketed to us almost exclusively as either for children or for light-hearted humour and nothing more. In regards to Japan and anime, it seems that it is more respected as an art form and seems to focus on the characters and their development as opposed to the typically plot driven western productions. Seeing how anime so popular, I think if the west followed in the footsteps of Japan in taking part in more serious animation, they would find a large market for it here. – Melissa6 years ago
We've been hearing a lot of the end of the angry male protagonist in modern-day television. Breaking Bad and Mad Men are over, plus other TV shows with those similar main character tropes. What does this say about masculinity? Are we seeing more diverse male characters? Does this allow for better representation of what a man is?
Reading your post, I've literally just clocked how Breaking Bad is a representation of toxic masculinity, and how a man can be made to feel emasculated through a failure to provide for his family, both in terms of security and monetarily. – mooreben927 years ago
Great topic-I really hope that the representation of masculinity branches out more. I think more 'complex' representation outside of angry and/or cocky white man trope (Harvey Specter in Suits, etc) needs to be incorporated into mainstream media, and especially in more popular shows.
I think it would allow for better representation of masculinity/men. I think an analysis on an older show featuring the trope you described above in comparison to a newer show with a different kind of male character would be a great topic to write on as well. – jmclaren7 years ago
Even in Breaking Bad, Walter White had two sides. One that was frightened (long before his cancer diagnosis), afraid of success and resentful of others accomplishments. We all know what the other side became: ruthless, yet with a habit of picking on those weaker than him, selfish and greedy. The show's character of Jesse Pinkman gave us a young man who had many flaws, mainly addiction and confusion, but who had extreme compassion, especially for kids, and tolerance of others. He only became a criminal because Walter manipulated him and he was too trusting and weak. This is the kind of guy I think we are seeing now. In Mr. Robot, Elliot Alderson, a practical orphan, takes out his rage at society and the death of his father by hacking people, snorting morphine and eventually bringing down a huge corporation. He tries (fairly successfully) to justify his actions due to the horrors of Capitalism and what his sister Darlene blithely calls "The Oligarchy". Yet even after a (more or less) successful revolution, he still doubts himself, still uses and spends most of his time fighting with his deceased father, who exists as his "dark half". The modern man is often just as broken by society as someone like Ray Milland in "The Lost Weekend" or the couple in "Days of Wine and Roses". The 1950's consumerism traps them and even the fight to escape or destroy it causes more destruction and pain. – SharonGenet6 years ago
Oh, please please write this. And definitely bring up male characters that make a break with toxic masculinity, like Terry from Brooklyn 99. It's interesting that the male characters that tend to play with expectations of masculinity and tropes of male/female gender roles are often featured in sitcoms rather than action or dramatic movies/tv. – Eden6 years ago
For every The Office, Friends, and Scrubs, you will find a Cavemen, Dads, or Clerks (not the movie, the TV spinoff). This is not to be divisive to those who who enjoyed the latter shows. These shows were rejected by both audiences and critics. Community was loved by critics but ignored my most audiences. The Big Bang Theory has had a strong audience for years but is critically reviled. How do you find the sweet spot that is technically good, and fan-pleasing enough to keep you from getting cancelled?
I actually like this question, as time and again there have been shows that have absolutely come from left field and startled the expectations of audiences, studios and critics, and equally as noted, ones believed for success that have boomed. I think a key component is in the ability to find a niche in the market that audiences were unthinkingly yearning for. But part of the alchemy is in the casting of particular actors in a role that either they resonate with or excel in the expression of. This would be a really interesting discussion, because it is a question without a single answer (as truly if there was an easy answer someone would be making millions off it). – SaraiMW7 years ago
Nice question - it does raise some interesting questions about the nature of what "successful" means, especially in sitcom terms; Friends (US) may have done well but it'll never dream of being anywhere near Peep Show (UK) or The Mighty Boosh (UK). They are stark in contrast, delivery but also in pathos and tone. I agree wholeheartedly that there are many angles and answers to this question which means it can only ever come back motives of the writers, how much they can be knowingly or unknowingly undermined and consequently, what's left of their motives after the industry process. That's perhaps where Friends meets The Mighty Boosh, they did what they wanted to do at the time and then backed themselves - which means, most importantly, that they wouldn't mind failing. If you're in it for the money, chances are it won't work anywhere near a s well and if you're invested in it. – MichaelHall6 years ago
Analyze the growing trend of digital and internet streaming regarding all forms of Television Media. For example, In 2017 the NFL saw a drop in their television audience, is this due to the increase in digital streaming and the elephant in the room: Pirate streams?
Jeffrey Cook, While I think digital streaming certainly has a lot to do with the drop in TV watching, I wouldn't use the NFL or other sports outlets as an example. While pirate/digital streams may have contributed to the drop in viewership, I'd say that most people stopped watching sports in 2016-17 because of hyper-politicization, most aptly seen in Colin Kaepernick's refusal to stand during the National Anthem, which inspired others to do so. Sports are meant to be fun, and when you start bringing politics into the mix, you get a lot of displeased and annoyed people who would prefer to tune out. With that said, I think that any number of other examples could help you explore this topic. For example, loads of streaming services have TV shows that now rival the best that cable has to offer. House of Cards, 13 Reasons Why, Orange is the New Black, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage, Black Mirror, Stranger Things, and Narcos are all Netflix originals that have been critically lauded as being as good if not better than most cable programs. Even HBO (presently) doesn't have that many popular shows streaming constantly, and if anything, they're on their way out. It used to be that they had three or four critically acclaimed shows going on at once, like The Sopranos, The Wire, Deadwood, and Six Feet Under. Now, they have one very popular show, Game of Thrones, and a bunch of smaller, kind of popular shows like Girls, Divorce, Silicon Valley, Veep, and Westword (which could become a popular show). I haven't really paid attention to why this is, but given that the trend is there, you could certainly investigate why it is that this change has occurred and what people see in streaming that they don't in cable. Thanks for your time,
August – August Merz7 years ago
If you're analyzing this trend, I think it'll be really good to point out different generations and the tendency for youth to be much more likely not to use cable TV. I can't provide any sources, but I know from personal experience that people of a younger age talk more often about shows that can be streamed online, whether that be from Netflix or anime. But at the same time I think it's worth noting what children watch. I'm not sure if children still really enjoy cable TV, but it definitely seems adolescents /teenagers/ young adults prefer streaming. – Khriistopher6 years ago
Definitely, fast internet will end cable tv era. – TomKucharski6 years ago
From the Camdens of 7th Heaven to the O'Neals of The Real O'Neals, there are plenty of fictional Christians populating our TV shows. Those portrayals are refreshingly diverse and imperfect, but one wonders if they are all accurate or the best representations of Christianity.
Choose a couple of shows, such as 7th Heaven vs. The Real O'Neals, and compare and contrast their approach to Christianity. What do the shows make look attractive about this religion? Off-putting? Which one is the best representation of modern Christianity? What do these shows say about Christianity in general, particularly to audience members who aren't followers?
I disagree about relevance and interest, but I do understand what you mean. Maybe contrasting two different shows, one with a more "traditional" approach and one more "modern" one? 7th Heaven vs. The Real O'Neals, perhaps? – Stephanie M.8 years ago
Is there really a true portrayal of Christianity? There are so many sects of the religion, and so many individual views of those sects, that any interpretation can seem normal to at least some viewers. – MikeySheff8 years ago
Hmmm, that's a good point as well. Let me ruminate on that for a while. :) – Stephanie M.8 years ago
You could also add movies such as A Walk to Remember – Munjeera8 years ago
I thought of that, as well as movies that are specifically targeted toward a Protestant Christian audience (mostly people from the Bible Belt). Examples: God's Not Dead, Courageous, Fireproof. I've seen these movies and been entertained by them, but the narrowness of the intended audience bothers me. It also bothers me that in many cases, Christianity is the defining trait of the main characters, and that the directors take the easy way out (i.e., painting an atheist professor as unnecessarily cruel to his students, and then letting a car run him down). That's what I mean by an unhealthy portrayal of Christianity. I just wish the entertainment industry could get past either treating Christianity as a joke, or as something only fundamentalist Protestants are interested in watching. I also wish writers of Christian-based movies would do a better job of presenting Christians as multifaceted, normal people. Anyway, rant over. – Stephanie M.8 years ago
I really felt the title "God's Not Dead" should be adjusted to "Stereotypes Are Not Dead." Every single stereotype was portrayed in the movie: the strict Asian dad, the freedom loving hijab wearing young girl who wants to express herself and the atheist professor. I do not believe the sequel was any better. Why is it so difficult to write Christian screen plays? Even The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe fell flat in the dialogue. But The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was much better in my opinion. Frustrating! – Munjeera8 years ago
@Munjeera: It is frustrating and in its own way, gives Christians a bad name. I have rarely, if ever, seen Christians portrayed as "normal" people in the media, or their lifestyle portrayed as such. Instead, Christians often come across as goody-goodies with persecution complexes which...no. Some of the things that have happened to American Christians are grossly wrong. But compared to the followers in other nations, we have it made. – Stephanie M.8 years ago
I actually live in Canada so it is a little bit different here than in America. I have not felt that movies with Christian themes have nuance. I really liked A Walk to Remember. I think that Mandy Moore did an excellent job, and Roger Ebert agrees. Shane West, also was believable. I am not sure what it is but most movies with Christian themes focus too much on stereotypes and the characters come across one-dimensional. A Walk to Remember was based on a true story written by an older brother whose younger sister died of cancer. If I were rating Christian movies, I would put A Walk to Remember at the top. Movies based on religious themes would be a good comparison overall. Maybe it is difficult to pull off for any religion. – Munjeera8 years ago
The Simpsons both reflected and defined the church-going, 'religious only on Sunday morning' type of Christianity for an entire generation. They may have portrayed God and Flanders in a comic light but they ultimately shaped millions of people's views. – jackanapes8 years ago
Blindside was one of the worst movies in terms of racist portrayals towards the Black community and valourizing White Christians. Are there any diverse people that screenwriters ask when writing on diversity? We do it here on The Artifice and that is why our platform puts out quality material. It is difficult to see my own blind spots so I value the feedback I receive when I publish an article here. If we can do it, why don’t Christian movie producers check with diverse communities. I remember when the movie “Jesus” was produced, there was great concern the movie could evoke anti-Semitism. The producers went to the Jewish community, asked and received constructive criticism. How hard is it to get diverse feedback? – Munjeera4 years ago
I've never actually seen The Blind Side, but I'm not surprised about the criticism. Unfortunately, my tribe (evangelical Christians) doesn't have a very good history with diversity of any kind, and IMHO, it hasn't improved. That is, most pastors I know are trying to take a stand against racism and I'm sure some are doing a good job (b/c of the pandemic, I'm not 100% sure of what everyone's words and receptions have been). But others are either using the same old platitudes, or aligning themselves with those who riot and commit horrible violence--sometimes against Blacks and other minorities--in the name of anti-racism. It's a complex issue, to say the least. On a personal note: have any of you seen how Christian media portrays disabilities? It's even worse. Characters with disabilities are so inspirational and sappy, it's sick. A lot of them die at the end. And this same Christian media always throws around the word "retard" or "retarded." Now, I will admit I've had villains use this word in my own writing because, well, they're villains and they suck and that's what they do. But in Christian media, everybody who isn't disabled says it. It's accepted as fact: "This person is retarded. Retarded is an acceptable word, as long as we say it in the right tone." Ugh. – Stephanie M.4 years ago
I think it would be interesting to explore how much or how little Megyn Kelly has changed since moving to MSNBC. I think it was signalled by her and by the channel that she was or would be different to her Fox News persona but it doesn’t seem to have been true. Maybe people think that’s good or maybe they think it’s bad. Either side I think it’s an interesting topic.
Maybe one problem for Kelly is that she is seen in her current position as though she were still at Fox News. Can she escape her past? Other Fox News figures have moved on to other stations, but in Kelly's case her high visibility from confronting Donald Trump during the 2016 Presidential campaign stays with her. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
The representation of fatness on television happens in a myriad of ways in modern television. Sometimes this is with diversity, sensitivity, and real life reference. Other times, fatness is rejected on television. There is also often a spectrum of an acceptable level of fatness. Trace how these representations occur in modern television in dichotomous and often contradictory ways. This could include an analysis of a specific fat television character, the impact of gender, age, and race on representations of fatness, and/or tracing the history of television representations of fat characters.
This is a great topic and a well-mapped thesis, however, it's a bit broad for the length of an article-- this reads more like a chunk of a thesis proposal than a prompt for a journal entry. I would recommend narrowing this topic down by genre (e.g.: animated sitcom, children's media, family drama, etc.) by sub-group (e.g.: specifically white men, specifically black women, etc.) or by decade (e.g. sitcoms in the 1970s versus 2010s sitcoms; 1960s advertising versus 1980s advertising, etc.). This is fertile ground, but you should probably zero in on a specific subtopic. – TheCropsey6 years ago
The TV show This Is Us has approached this from probably one of the more sympathetic and relatable perspectives. There is a lot in that show that could be discussed in regards to this topic. – tclaytor6 years ago
Thanks to social media, social justice movements have become more prevalent over the past decade. The prominence of social justice sounds like a great thing; promoting equality between sexes, improving rights for marginalized groups, and recognizing that there are more than two genders are just a few examples of the diverse, multifaceted social issues that exist in our society. However, many companies and celebrities use buzzwords like "feminism" and "equality" to win the favour of their audiences. Does this bandwagon approach trivialize serious social issues? To what extent are we helping a cause and to what extent are we exploiting it?
This is such an important thing to consider. I think of Forever 21 selling shirts with the word "feminism" on them, when they were likely made by underpaid women in poor conditions. – Heather Lambert6 years ago
WOW, great topic. I mean, how timely could you get? I would especially like it if intersectionality were part of this discussion, since a lot of people think if you aren't 100% intersectional, you're not supporting anyone/exploiting everyone. (That might be true, but sometimes the way it's handled is more than a little exploitative). – Stephanie M.6 years ago
There might be ways to measure impact: 1) Duration, 2) Money raised and where it went, and 3) Precise organizations helped and how exactly. – Joseph Cernik6 years ago
