Representation And Ethics In Animation

The writer of the article believes that cultural stereotypes are being used and the it is all to common place in modern day animation. He points out that the main characters are white Americans. Even one character that is born and raised in Rio still has this white American accent. This is demonstrating a cliched idea used in many big budget animation films.

Whereas other characters in the film are vioced by non-white actors. these charcters parts on the whole are usually involving singing and dancing. Actors like Will-i-am (African American) and Bruno Mars (Mixed Race Hawaiin) are used for side kick and comical characters.  it seems the trend that African American voice actors are used as the butt of jokes and the less influential characters. Also British characters are used for the villians which the writer believes  is an all too overused representation in film.

PEPs are a concept talked about by Da Costa stands for Problem Contexts, Entertainment Contexts and Performance Contexts. It involves the idea that black people and other genotypes are used as characters who are exceptional. Who for example will strive to make others happy or to be extraordinary.

Da Costa thinks we end up with social stereotypes in animation for different reasons. One being the time frame that animations need to be completed in. Because of the long extensive animation process it means there may not be much time for sophisticated character development. So it is naturally forced into conventional stereo types because they are simple to understand and can resonate with the audience. Also to widen the customer base of the animation companies feel obliged to put in many different racial representations. Sometimes without much ethical sensitivity.