HONORS SCHOLARS 120.004
FRESHMAN SEMINAR
COMPUTER ANIMATION: SPECIAL (AND NOT SO SPECIAL) EFFECTS
FALL 2007
PANEL DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT #1 (50 POINTS)
DISCUSSION TOPIC: DISNEYโS โTHE PRINCESS AND THE FROGโ
PANEL TIME & DATE: 11:00 AM, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2007
PANEL MEMBERS: BREANNA M. BAKER, CHRISTOPHER K. BUCHHEIT, MELISSA A. COOK
The first panel discussion in this course involves the planned 2009 re-
lease of Disneyโs โThe Princess and the Frogโ and the many contro-
versial aspects of that animated feature. All class members should
consider the following questions:
The movie takes place in the French Quarter of New Orleans dur-
ing the Jazz Age. Given the political volatility of post-Katrina New
Orleans, with what potential sensitivities should the filmโs creative
staff concern themselves?
The title of the movie has been changed from โThe Frog Princessโ
to โThe Princess and the Frogโ, apparently due to the fact that the
word โFrogโ is a pejorative for the French. Was this an overreac-
tion or an appropriate response on the part of Disney?
The lead character in this film was originally Maddy, a black cham-
bermaid to a spoiled white Southern debutante, but her name was
later changed to Tiana and Disney announced that rather than a
chambermaid, she โwill be a heroine in the great tradition of Dis-
neyโs rich animated fairy tale legacy, and all other characters and
aspects of the story will be treated with the greatest respect and
sensitivityโ. Given the fact that previous Disney Princesses like
Cinderella and Snow White had lower class backgrounds, did Dis-
ney respond too defensively to possible accusations of racism?
On the animation front, โThe Princess and the Frogโ will be the first traditional-
ly animated film produced by Disney since 2005โs โPoohโs Heffalump Movieโ,
which had been announced as the last of Disneyโs traditionally animated movies.
Given the mediocre performance of Disneyโs traditional animation in recent
years (โPoohโs Heffalump Movieโ, 2004โs โHome on the Rangeโ, 2001โs โAtlan-
tis: The Lost Empireโ, etc.) and the relative profitability of computer animation,
what are the possible motivations for Disneyโs return to the traditional ap-
proach?
All students should come to class on Thursday, September 6, 2007, prepared to discuss these issues. The
three panel members listed above will be expected to lead this discussion. Each panel member should:
Investigate each issueโs background thoroughly, preparing to provide details beyond those listed here.
Discuss the issues with other panel members, determining who will be the designated authority on
each issue.
Prepare some brief opening remarks about the issues, as a means to prompt discussion about them.
