tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post4281300160335064322..comments2024-03-19T02:27:08.584-05:00Comments on Ghibli Blog: Studio Ghibli, Animation and the Movies: Super Bowl Commercials in 3-DDaniel Thomas MacInneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01406180871529775448noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-36920419410409232532009-02-03T08:59:00.000-06:002009-02-03T08:59:00.000-06:00Daniel - I wonder if we often confuse the artists ...Daniel - I wonder if we often confuse the artists at Dreamworks with the suits who are making the decisions about what that creative staff will take on. I happen to believe that there is some beautiful stuff going on at that studio from an art direction and animation standpoint. It is too bad that they are also trapped inside a burping and farting vehicle. Nonetheless, I'm sure there are plenty of "A" students who are involved in the production of what we would consider less desirable films. <BR/><BR/>I'm hoping to see Ponyo in a theater, if so it would be my first Ghibli movie seen on the large screen. I hope but don't hold my breath.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-44219349992019571582009-02-02T22:30:00.000-06:002009-02-02T22:30:00.000-06:00I read your blog all the time!Keep up the posting ...I read your blog all the time!Keep up the posting when you can!<BR/>I'm a big Ghibli fan, and for me, when watching a ghibli film, I don't feel like I'm watching a bunch of product placements or a big franchise start that wants you to watch the movie, go to Mcdonalds and get the toys, then go to the store and buy the clothes, books, toys, etc. then wait for the sequel, prequel, and spinoff television series. (Disney shoud've just stopped with 'lilo and stitch.' Great movie, but it didnt need a sequel, prequel, or spinoff tv series IMO.) When watching a Ghibli movie, I feel like I'm watching...art, a movie made for its own sake. They dont make movies as advertisements or with merchandising in mind, with a whole line of products and spinoffs in the making. Although, if the movie is popular, like 'Ponyo', then I guess it's alll right to profit from merchandising. ^^ If I was in Japan, I'd definitely be buying all the Ghibli and 'Ponyo' merchandise I could... Even though it's all so expensive. (Bought the Ponyo art books at Amazon a few months ago...they were expensive!) <BR/><BR/>I guess that Disney can't do a commercial for 'Ponyo' now because it's set to be released in the summer.<BR/><BR/>I will be soooooo ticked off if Disney buries 'Ponyo'. It's kind of a personal reason, but I made a website in school, and the topic I chose was 'Ponyo' and I had to present it in front of a bunch of my high school peers... Needless to say, I got a lot of reeally blank stares and some guys were laughing because they thought it was stupid. Which didnt bug me, because I was kind of expecting it. But some of the people had seen Spirited Away or Kiki's Delivery Service and liked them and they said they'd go see Ponyo when it comes out, 'if it's as good as Spirited Away or as cute as Kiki's Delivery Service' and that made my day. If you ask around, lots of people have seen Ghibli movies but they didnt know it at the time. :) Sorry, I'm rambling... I digress. <BR/> <BR/>I put my site on the 'net, if you want to see it. Here. http://ponyoonthecliff.webs.com/splash.html <BR/> <BR/>Speaking of animation and 3-D, do you have any thoughts about the movie 'Coraline'?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-41047420045627661912009-02-02T20:03:00.000-06:002009-02-02T20:03:00.000-06:00I'd like to add one non-related thing about 3D. I ...I'd like to add one non-related thing about 3D. I have no idea what this commercial was like as I didn't see it. (And you are right: I saw the preview to Aliens vs. Monsters and it just looks so unambitious and derivative.) I have to say, though, that I got to see Beowulf in 3D and I was thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle. It was like seeing a possible future of film. As long as it avoids being too gimmicky, I think movies like the 3D Beowulf can be really enjoyable like a roller coaster at an amusement park. (Perhaps that is the future of 3D, more of an attraction than actual filmmaking.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969765.post-61684132342171141822009-02-02T17:29:00.000-06:002009-02-02T17:29:00.000-06:00I fully agree with you about Disney and American a...I fully agree with you about Disney and American animation and merchandising and so on. It's all true. I'm a huge Ghibli fan (which is why I always read this informative blog), but I do have to add something about merchandising and Ghibli.<BR/><BR/>I live in Tokyo. Since I've moved here I've done a lot of shopping for Studio Ghibli related items. I have to tell you that Studio Ghibli is on overdrive with their own merchandising. Ponyo, especially, has been heavily merchandised. Every where you go there is some kind of merchandise: Playing cards, stuffed dolls, hand puppets, bath toys, cell phone accessories, calendars, CDs, post cards from the Post Office, trinkets, toys, and on and on and on.<BR/><BR/>Now I do not think Studio Ghibli makes a film with merchandising in mind. I honestly believe they have a definite creative and artistic agenda unlike the American tradition that created things like He-Man and G.I. Joe (toys first, cartoons later). However, I don't think they shy away from exploiting the financial possibilities of merchandising.<BR/><BR/>I would also add that - Man alive! - the Ghibli stuff is expensive! In Tokyo, at least, Disney merchandise is much cheaper than Studio Ghibli merchandise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com