For decades, cartoons have experimented and tried to adapt to new technology to bring striking stories to life. Unlike other movies, animated movies require a lot of effort and talent simply because the success of the characters and the way the story is presented depends on the team behind the creation of the animations. That’s why we find some animated movies successful while others weren’t brilliant. Even with an exceptional storyline, animated films cannot succeed if the animations do not attract viewers. From the color palette to the technology used, all this has to be factored into the creation as these films rely heavily on footage.
When the same form of art is used by different creators, even if the storylines and characters are new, viewers may not be able to identify the uniqueness, thus falling short of their expectations. Therefore, it is imperative that this particular type of film expands its style. Either by watching foreign animators or experimenting with new technology, there are so many ways this can be achieved. But this article is not about “how”, but about “why”. Here are some key points that illustrate why taking a leap of faith and experimenting with new art styles can help animation filmmakers.
Animated movies are not just for kids
First of all, we need to get rid of the misconception that “cartoons” are just for kids. More often than not, adults may prefer animated movies to get that sense of nostalgia and step away from reality for a while. The simple reasoning is that the animated world is a place where anything and everything is possible. However, if the same repetitive animated styles are used, even adults can get bored. Studio Ghibli’s animated films are a great example of the triumph that comes from exploring different art styles. People of all ages are obsessed with Studio Ghibli movies simply because the art style is so all-encompassing that even the trivial elements like the steam of hot meals are visually appealing.
If Asher Isbrucker points out, this studio uses, among other things, “lifelike character movements, meticulous world-building and animation styles such as rotoscope” to strike a balance between fantasy and realism. That’s the reason Pony‘s ham and Calcifer’s breakfast in it Howl’s moving castle mouth watering.
Speaking of food, another movie that became a favorite among adults Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. This movie uses an art form where the characters look comedic and cartoonish while also looking a bit real. The realistic food makes it even better. In fact, the film’s heavy focus on the animation of food is a major reason it became so successful. Nutrition plays a central role in this Cloudy with a chance of meatballsand the genius of the animators in making sure they appear visually appealing while looking like the perfect version of real food ensures that it immediately grabs the viewers’ attention.
Opportunity to explore other cultures
Exploring different art styles helps the filmmakers understand different cultures and even find out how these unique styles are prominent in the said cultures. For example, anime is often known as animations originating in Japan. Perhaps if non-anime creators explored this art style, they could learn more about Japanese culture, creating new storylines and characters. This inspiration would also make it possible to merge different art styles.
A brilliant example of such success is Avatar: The Last Airbender. There may have been many instances where viewers thought this cartoon was an anime. However, Avatar: The Last Airbender is simply an anime-influenced cartoon made by western creators. The cartoon’s inspiration from the Eastern world has made it a huge success and a cultural phenomenon. The same can be applied to films that try to cross borders and seek inspiration from other cultures. from Wes Anderson Island of dogs is such a success story. It uses stop motion to create a story influenced by Japanese culture.
Explore different genres and adapt different styles based on them
If Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse did not have comic book style animations, it wouldn’t have had such an impact on viewers. The biggest fans of this particular movie are those who are already familiar with the Spider-Man comics. So when Sony Pictures used that inspiration to create Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, it’s a no-brainer that the viewers will feel nostalgic and quite excited. In fact, part of the reason the movie continues to be applauded by MCU fans is that the experience is equivalent to a walk through a comic book.
rangoUsing a 2D animation technique to achieve the look of western style movies is what made it such a big hit. Interestingly, the budget did not allow for the film to be made in 3D. However, according to Gore Verbinski“in terms of the value of the story and the characters and the fun” 3D wouldn’t have made sense. rango is the perfect example of how a unique art style made the film perfectly reflect its intended storyline, which in turn generated positive feedback.