Really enjoyed this post Sasha and not something I'd thought about before. It makes me think of what my kids watch and how most of it is animation and comedy - like you say there's so many different skills they could learn from a film with a more complex and emotional story.
...this is a great observation...as someone who worked in children's entertainment for far too long i can share plenty a story of how assembly line, marketing driven, sanitized and dispassionate most children's entertainment is...feels like at some point we started talking down to the kids giving them what they should have, instead of what they want...a good kids movie has teeth and will scare you a bit, shock you into learning about growing up (Watership Dawn and Stand By Me I am talking to you)...a good kids movie reads to adults just as much as kids...i think we got afraid of showing kids as kids, little jerks sometimes (thinking Goonies, The Sandlot, etc.)...tides turn though so hopefully more folks consider their brilliant ideas to be for audiences all ages...
YES - those are all great examples. I really appreciate your thoughts. That's totally it - it's more industry and marketing, there's very little wonder, there's nothing to challenge in themselves. I guess just keep fighting the good fight?
Really enjoyed this post Sasha and not something I'd thought about before. It makes me think of what my kids watch and how most of it is animation and comedy - like you say there's so many different skills they could learn from a film with a more complex and emotional story.
Thanks so much, Jenna! Yes, the film industry could be doing a lot more for children.
Great article. Important stuff.
thanks! :)
...this is a great observation...as someone who worked in children's entertainment for far too long i can share plenty a story of how assembly line, marketing driven, sanitized and dispassionate most children's entertainment is...feels like at some point we started talking down to the kids giving them what they should have, instead of what they want...a good kids movie has teeth and will scare you a bit, shock you into learning about growing up (Watership Dawn and Stand By Me I am talking to you)...a good kids movie reads to adults just as much as kids...i think we got afraid of showing kids as kids, little jerks sometimes (thinking Goonies, The Sandlot, etc.)...tides turn though so hopefully more folks consider their brilliant ideas to be for audiences all ages...
YES - those are all great examples. I really appreciate your thoughts. That's totally it - it's more industry and marketing, there's very little wonder, there's nothing to challenge in themselves. I guess just keep fighting the good fight?
...sometimes we have to make the art/work we don't see in the world...so yeah let's fight!!...
I’m in
The Secret Garden is a classic and one of my favorites. Are you thinking of The Neverending Story? I love dragon tales :)