COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
Myth Adaptation: Constraint and Outlook within Chinese Animation Industry
Creator:
Zhang, Xiaoxiao (Sheila)
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Illustration
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Illustration
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
The history of Chinese animation has been as long as 100 years, since the first animation was made in 1920. Although the beginning of Chinese animation is excellent and full of bold attempts, it was even admired by Japanese manga masters. However, China has experienced many drains and cultural faults during historical events, resulting in its technology falling far behind other countries. Despite the efforts of several generations, the quality of Chinese animation is slowly improving. However, the strict censorship system and the loopholes of the government's animation funding system have led to another slump in the quality of Chinese animation. It was not until 2015 and 2019 that mythology-adapted animated films, such as "Monkey King: Hero is Back" and "Nezha: Born of the Demon Child" blew Chinese audiences away. These two films brought new hope for Chinese animation. But the new problem is that audiences do not seem to like non-mythology-adapted animated films. Even every original animated film cannot escape the box office losses. Most of the dozens of animated movies registered in 2021 will be based on mythologies, as Chinese animation companies try to avoid losses and attract their audiences’ attention. While the current situation is worrisome, it's just a shortcut that Chinese animation companies must take to get back on their feet, which is the fairy tale adaptation Disney used in its early days. Using well-known IPs allows animation companies to save money and keep viewers interested, killing two birds with one stone and reducing the risk of censorship. As for the future of Chinese animation, I think Chinese animation can adapt Chinese mythology and try to adapt the works of other countries in a way that conforms to modern aesthetics.
Keywords: Chinese animation, history, censorship, animation funding, mythologies adaptation.
Keywords: Chinese animation, history, censorship, animation funding, mythologies adaptation.
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta)
Date:
2021-11
Format:
1 online resource: 1 PDF (Thesis, 74 pages, color illustrations)