Animals in Narrative Film and Television: Strange and Familiar Creatures

This book explores fictional representations and narrative functions of animal characters in animated and live-action film and television, examining how they intersect with social issues and critique human actions. It covers a range of animal characters across screen genres and formats, highlighting the aesthetic features and latitude of fictionalized narratives to bring about change. It is of particular interest to scholars of film studies, media studies, and animal studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

Animal characters have been a staple of animated and live-action film and television for many years, and their fictional representations and narrative functions have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. This book explores the ways in which these representations intersect with a variety of social issues, including race, culture, class, gender, and ability. Contributors cover a range of animal characters, from heroes to villains, across a variety of screen genres and formats, including anime, comedy, romance, horror, fantasy, and science fiction.

One of the key themes of this book is the aesthetic features of these works. Fictionalized narratives and alternative worlds provide a unique platform for exploring social issues, as they allow existing social problems to be brought to the forefront in order to effect change in our societies. By incorporating animal figures into media, these screen narratives have gained the ability to critique actions carried out by human beings and explore dimensions of both the human/animal connection and the intersectionality of race, culture, class, gender, and ability.

One of the most significant ways in which animal characters have been used to critique human behavior is through the use of metaphor. Metaphors can be used to convey complex ideas and emotions in a way that is accessible to a wide audience, and animal characters can be used to represent a wide range of human characteristics and behaviors. For example, a character who is portrayed as a dog may be used to represent loyalty, obedience, and protectiveness, while a character who is portrayed as a cat may be used to represent independence, curiosity, and playfulness.

Another way in which animal characters have been used to critique human behavior is through the use of allegory. Allegory is a type of narrative that uses symbols and imagery to convey a deeper meaning or message. Animal characters can be used to represent a wide range of social issues, including racism, sexism, and environmentalism. For example, a character who is portrayed as a bird may be used to represent freedom and independence, while a character who is portrayed as a fish may be used to represent the fragility of the environment.

In addition to their use in critique, animal characters have also been used to explore dimensions of the human/animal connection. These dimensions include the relationship between humans and animals, the impact of human activities on animals, and the ethical implications of our interactions with animals. For example, a character who is portrayed as a horse may be used to explore the relationship between humans and animals, while a character who is portrayed as a dolphin may be used to explore the impact of human activities on animals.

Animal characters have also been used to explore the intersectionality of race, culture, class, gender, and ability. This intersectionality is important because it allows us to understand the ways in which different social groups are affected by social issues. For example, a character who is portrayed as a black woman may be used to explore the impact of racism on her life, while a character who is portrayed as a white man may be used to explore the impact of racism on his life.

Despite the many positive aspects of animal characters in film and television, there are also some negative aspects. One of the most significant negative aspects is the use of animal characters to perpetuate harmful stereotypes. For example, a character who is portrayed as a black woman may be used to perpetuate the stereotype that black women are lazy, promiscuous, and violent. Similarly, a character who is portrayed as a white man may be used to perpetuate the stereotype that white men are dominant, aggressive, and powerful.

To address these negative aspects, it is important for filmmakers and television producers to be mindful of the messages that their works convey. Filmmakers and television producers should also work to create more diverse and inclusive narratives that reflect the experiences of a wide range of social groups. This can be done by hiring a diverse cast and crew, by creating characters that are not based on stereotypes, and by exploring a wide range of social issues.

In addition to their use in film and television, animal characters have also been used in other forms of media, such as advertising, marketing, and education. Animal characters can be used to promote products and services, to educate children about the natural world, and to promote social causes. For example, a character who is portrayed as a dog may be used to promote a dog food brand, while a character who is portrayed as a cat may be used to promote a cat food brand.

However, the use of animal characters in advertising and marketing can also be problematic. For example, some animal characters may be used to promote products that are harmful to animals, such as animal testing or animal cruelty. Filmmakers and television producers should be mindful of the messages that their works convey and should work to create more ethical and sustainable advertising and marketing practices.

In conclusion, animal characters have been a staple of animated and live-action film and television for many years, and their fictional representations and narrative functions have been the subject of much scholarly inquiry. This book explores the ways in which these representations intersect with a variety of social issues, including race, culture, class, gender, and ability. By incorporating animal figures into media, these screen narratives have gained the ability to critique actions carried out by human beings and explore dimensions of both the human/animal connection and the intersectionality of race, culture, class, gender, and ability. While there are some negative aspects of animal characters in film and television, there are also many positive aspects, and it is important for filmmakers and television producers to be mindful of the messages that their works convey and to create more diverse and inclusive narratives that reflect the experiences of a wide range of social groups.

Weight: 367g
Dimension: 227 x 150 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666904833