Its Better If Kids Realize There's a Cost

        The animation genre. Define it. But don't, because animation is not just a genre. It is an entire world. Filled with unreal characters and fantasy lands that people work to bring to life. Think about it, why don't cha?
        Our article this week is less article and more video. We listened to Brad Bird's video essay about animation. He talks about how he writes and thinks for animation. His philosophy for animation has been to not think about it as a genre, but an art form because that is exactly what it is. You have drawing and painting and writing and this and that, so why should animation be a movie genre when it is an art form entirely on its own.
        Brad Bird talks about how forcing the idea process will get you nowhere. Ideas are complex and there is a value in teasing. "If you try to over control the process, you limit the process". He also mentions how making a scene dark is beautiful in a way, and overlighting is overused. He says most people rush and forget about the "sneaking around part". They don't take a minute to savor. His most admired filmmakers are the ones who take a moment to slow down, which I agree with. The gravity-defying part of an animation film is great, but come the time for danger what will you do then? That is basically the question he throws out there.
       Brad Bird talks about how animation is trying to get the audience to feel something, to see the human aspect in something that isn't alive. Animation doesn't do any one thing, it can do everything if it wanted to. He takes adult like approaches to everything he does to get the audience to feel and understand consequences, no matter the age. "It's better if kids realize there's a cost," is something he kind of emphasizes. He works with emotions, not stories, and that is what makes animation great. If you didn't feel anything by the end of an animation, is it truly being done right?
        Brad Bird is a genius among story makers and among the animation art form. That is what this animation shows. Weaving stories out of emotion and driving points that people don't often realize are his philosophy. So think about that animation art form, why don't you? It really is more than a 'genre'.

        Bird's thing about kids realizing a cost being better than them not is really sticking with me. It is completely true. I, as a kid who has grown up with animated movies, understand consequence a lot better than I think I would if I didn't see it in movies I've grown with. He's trying to point out something here, and I see what he's getting at.
        I want more story writers like Brad Bird because he speaks greatly to me. Sure, a fun and weirdly action filled animation is nice. But also animations full of substance and consequence and emotion are ones that make you sit and think. Right now, to me, cutesy animations outweigh substanced animations. one day I'm sure it will be balanced out, and more kids will understand the weight of action and emotions and the small moments.