Study_Notes_History_of_Animation_Merchandising.docx

Early Merchandising Pioneers ============================ Felix the Cat ------------- - First animated character to be merchandised. - Pat Sullivan, Felix\'s owner, was flexible with merchandising deals, often accepting flat fees. Early Disney Merchandising -------------------------- -...

Early Merchandising Pioneers ============================ Felix the Cat ------------- - First animated character to be merchandised. - Pat Sullivan, Felix\'s owner, was flexible with merchandising deals, often accepting flat fees. Early Disney Merchandising -------------------------- - Started with Mickey Mouse, initially used by a paper company for school tablets in the early \'30s. - Charlotte Park created handmade Mickey and Minnie Mouse dolls, reflecting Disney\'s emphasis on quality. - Due to high costs, mass-produced doll patterns became popular. Significance of Merchandising for Disney ======================================== Financial Stability ------------------- - Roy Disney managed merchandising deals, crucial for the studio\'s financial health. - Merchandising revenue funded animator training, studio expansion, and R&D. Advertising and Brand Recognition --------------------------------- - Merchandise served as a form of advertising, enhancing brand recognition and popularity. Innovations and Impact ====================== Herman \"Kay\" Kayser\'s Approach --------------------------------- - Transitioned from one-time fees to royalties and quality control. - Pre-release merchandising with \"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs\" set a new industry standard. Success Stories --------------- - Mickey Mouse watches by Ingersoll Waterbury became collectible and helped the company avoid bankruptcy. - \"Snow White\" merchandise generated over \$3 million in 1938. Comparison with Other Studios ============================= Disney vs. Other Studios ------------------------ - Disney\'s extensive merchandising was pivotal for its survival. - Other studios like Warner Brothers and MGM had limited merchandising activities in the \'30s to \'60s. Collectibles and Nostalgia ========================== Warner Brothers and Collectibles -------------------------------- - Older Warner Brothers merchandise is now collectible. - Items like lunchboxes and thermoses are valued for their nostalgia. Disney\'s Collectible Strategies -------------------------------- - Released limited edition items to appeal to collectors. - Pre-order bonuses like collectible lithographs drove sales. Errors in Historical Merchandise ================================ Disney Mug Error ---------------- - Mug featuring Walt Disney\'s first business card had an incorrect address (Hyperion Hollywood instead of Kansas City, Missouri). Anniversary Merchandise ======================= Disney\'s 100th Anniversary --------------------------- - Merchandise included Christmas ornaments, models of the Hyperion studio, and a signpost from the Burbank studio lot. Animation and Politics ====================== Disney\'s Role During WWII -------------------------- - Goodwill Ambassador Program - Walt Disney visited Central and South America as part of a U.S. goodwill initiative to foster positive relations and counter Axis influence. - Propaganda Films - Created educational and propaganda shorts, including ones featuring Donald Duck to promote messages like tax payment and war efforts. Examples of Propaganda Shorts ----------------------------- - \"The New Spirit\" - Combined tax payment instructions with patriotic messaging, featuring Donald Duck. - \"Chicken Little\" - Warned against the dangers of gossip and rumors. - \"Reason and Emotion\" - Depicted the battle between rational thinking and emotional manipulation. - \"Der Fuehrer\'s Face\" - Used satire to mock life under Nazi rule. War Bonds Propaganda -------------------- - Promotion of War Bonds - Animated shorts like \"Any Bonds Today\" encouraged citizens to buy war bonds as a patriotic duty. Racist Imagery and Propaganda ----------------------------- - Wartime Animations - Featured racially insensitive depictions reflecting the era\'s stereotypes and xenophobia. Legacy and Evolution -------------------- - Post-War Animation - Transitioned from overt wartime propaganda to more subtle social commentary.Series like \"The Simpsons\" and \"South Park\" became platforms for political satire. Television and Animation ======================== Shift to Television ------------------- - Economic Factors - Decline in theatrical attendance and rising production costs drove animation studios to television. - Impact on Animation Studios - Major studios like MGM and Disney closed their theatrical animation units, leading to a rise in TV animation studios like Hanna-Barbera. Television Animation Techniques ------------------------------- - Limited Animation - Introduced by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera to reduce costs.Relied more on voice acting and music, simplifying backgrounds and character movements. - Success Stories - \"Crusader Rabbit\" and \"Rocky and Bullwinkle\" became successful despite budget constraints. Influence on Future Animation ----------------------------- - Foundational Influence - Shows like \"Rocky and Bullwinkle\" and Hanna-Barbera\'s series had a lasting impact on animation.Techniques and formats developed during this era influenced future animation. Hanna-Barbera\'s Contribution ============================= Winning Formula --------------- - Early success with a formula of adapting existing TV sitcoms and comedians. - Created numerous series with similar themes and characteristics. Key Series ---------- - Notable for shows like \"The Flintstones\" which had long-lasting popularity.