Essay Plan, Introduction & First Paragraph

Essay Plan

Paragraph 1

Introduction

Paragraph 2

Write about animation in general and the different types of animation.

Paragraph 3

Talk about Japanese animation and lead into writing about Hayao Miyazaki.

Paragraph 4

Write about Miyazaki-san’s work using my Neighbour Totoro Spirited Away and Ponyo as main Examples.

Paragraph 5

Write about Miyazaki-san’s influences and how he has influenced others.  

Paragraph 5

Conclusion

Introduction & First Paragraph

This essay will be exploring and analysing the work of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki. Animation in general terms will be discussed with reference to various books including The Fundamentals of Animation (Paul Wells, 2006). The specific style of Hayao Miyazaki is discussed using the films Spirited Away (2001), My Neighbour Totoro (1988) and Ponyo (2008) as key examples. Miyazaki-san’s influences are discussed as well as his influence on overs.

The Fundamentals of Animation (Paul Wells, 2006) states that “animation is one of the most prominent aspects of popular culture” [Wells,2006] it goes on to explain how animation is present in all aspects of pop culture. The films of Pixar, DreamWorks and Studio Ghibli continue to present animation as traditional narratives. However animation now has a massive presents in other areas of pop culture such as TV, advertising and even live musical concerts. The internet, video games and mobile phones also ensure animation, in some form, is always a part of the general zeitgeist. Despite these new platforms for animation and new technology in animation, specifically the rise of CG animation, the traditional techniques remain. Traditional drawn animation and stop motion animation are still being made however western culture is currently dominated by CG. In Japan however traditional animation is very much still a mainstream media.