EFFECTIVEESS OF FILMS I PROPAGATIG EVIROMETAL ISSUES- A comparison between live action and animation films A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Communication Department of Media Studies Christ University, Bangalore 2012 Deepa Chandrashekhar Reg.No:1024017 Christ University Bangalore 560 029 Master's Signature This is to certify that I have examined this copy of a master’s thesis by Deepa Chandrashekhar Reg.o:1024017 and have found that it is complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the final examining committee have been made. Committee Members: _____________________________________________________ Dr. Sagarika Golder _____________________________________________________ Date:__________________________________ I, Deepa Chandrashekhar, confirm that this dissertation and the work presented in it are original. 1. Where I have consulted the published work of others this is always clearly attributed. 2. Where I have quoted from the work of others the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations this dissertation is entirely my own work. 3. I have acknowledged all main sources of help. 4. If my research follows on from previous work or is part of a larger collaborative research project I have made clear exactly what was done by others and what I have contributed myself. 5. I am aware and accept the penalties associated with plagiarism. Date: Signature of Student Christ University Abstract Effectiveness of films in propagating environmental issues- A comparison between live action and animation films Deepa Chandrashekhar Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Dr Sagarika Golder Department of Media Studies The thesis aims at finding out which is a better medium to communicate environmental issues. For the purpose of the research, four films were selected, two live action films and two animation films. 2012 and 8 Below are the two live action films and Wall-E and Madagascar are the two animation films. The study had a sample of 86 people, 45 females and 41 males respectively between the age group of 18 to 28 years. A survey was conducted, consisting of four questions each for the four films. The questions were devised to find out the theme of the films, whether or not the film has scientific grounding and if yes as to the reason why. After tabulating and analysing the results it can be seen that animation films are more popular as 76% of the sample has seen the animation films and majority of the sample believes the films have scientific grounding and that the issues and rendered in a comic fashion. 2012 and Madagascar have been watched equally by the sample, both of them have 80 percent. TABLE OF COTETS Chapter 1 ...................................................................................................................... 1 ITRODUCTIO ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1Rationale ...................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Operational Definitions ............................................................................................... 2 1.3 2012 ............................................................................................................................ 3 1.48 Below ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.5 Wall-E ......................................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Madagascar ................................................................................................................. 7 References: ....................................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................... 10 REVIEW OF LITERATURE .......................................................................................... 10 2.1Animation And America ............................................................................................ 10 2.2 Up Close and Political Three Short Ruminations on Ideology in the Nature Film ... 12 2.3 The 2012 Phenomenon: New Age Appropriation of an Ancient Mayan Calendar .. 14 References ....................................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 3 .................................................................................................................... 20 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 20 References ....................................................................................................................... 24 CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................... 25 AALYSIS ........................................................................................................................ 25 Analysis for the film 2012 .............................................................................................. 27 Analysis of 8 Below ........................................................................................................ 32 Analysis for the movie Wall-E ....................................................................................... 36 Analysis for the movie Madagascar ................................................................................ 40 Rating of the Films ......................................................................................................... 44 References ....................................................................................................................... 45 Chapter 5 .................................................................................................................... 46 COCLUSIO .................................................................................................................. 46 Educational implications ................................................................................................. 48 Limitations to the Study .................................................................................................. 49 Suggestions for further studies ....................................................................................... 49 BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................. 50 APPEDIX ........................................................................................................................ 52 i LIST OF TABLES 4.1 Table showing number of people who have watched 2012 and 8 Below 25 4.2 Table showing number of people who have watched Wall-E and Madagascar 26 4.3 Table showing choice of theme of the sample for the film 2012 27 4.4 Table showing number of people who believe the film 2012 is scientific 28 4.5 Table showing reason as to why 2012 is scientific 29 4.6 Table showing choice of theme of the sample for the film 8 Below 32 4.7 Table showing number of people who believe the film 8 Below is scientific 34 4.8 Table showing reason as to why 8 Below is scientific 34 4.9 Table showing choice of theme of the sample for the film Wall-E 36 4.10 Table showing number of people who believe the film Wall-E is scientific 38 4.11 Table showing reason as to why Wall-E is scientific 38 4.12 Table showing choice of theme of the sample for the film Madagascar 40 4.13 Table showing number of people who believe the film Madagascar is scientific 42 4.14 Table showing reason as to why Madagascar is scientific 43 4.15 Table showing the rating of the films on a scale of 1 to 5 44 ii LIST OF DIAGRAMS 4.1Pie Diagram showing number of individuals who have watched the four films 26 4.2Pie Diagram showing the percentage of the theme of the film 2012 27 4.3Pie Diagram showing why people think 2012 is scientific 29 4.4Pie Diagram showing the percentage of the theme of the film 8 Below 32 4.5Pie Diagram showing why people think 8 Below is scientific 34 4.6Pie Diagram showing the percentage of the theme of the film Wall-E 36 4.7Pie Diagram showing why people think Wall-E is scientific 38 4.8Pie Diagram showing the percentage of the theme of the film Madagascar 40 4.9Pie Diagram showing why people think Madagascar is scientific 43 iii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Image 4.1 Snapshot of Adrian Helmsely and Dr.SatnamTsurutani discussing 28 Image 4.2 Snapshot of the water that has heated up from the core 28 Image 4.3 Illustration of the Pangea 30 Image 4.4: Snapshot of an action sequence in the film. 30 Image 4.5:Snapshot of Volcano erupting in Yellowstone National Park. 31 Image 4.6:Snapshot of Paul Walker and Max reuniting after the bitter cold season. 33 Image 4.7: Snapshot of the sled dogs finding food 33 Image 4.8: Jerry and the family of his eight sled dogs 35 Image 4.9: Snapshot of Maya, the leader of the pack during the bitter cold weather 35 Image 4.10: Snapshot of a Dysfunctional Wall-E 37 Image 4.10: Snapshot showing how garbage is piled up to the height of skyscrapers. 37 Image 4.11: Snapshot of Captain McCree when he first saw the plant 37 Image 4.12: Snapshot of Wall-E when he first sees the plant 39 Image 4.13: Snapshot illustrating the four of them in their