Tashtopia

With the recent development in CGI and computer animation it has been argued by many critics and film goers alike that the animation method of Stop motion is indeed becoming less and less prevalent, and that the question is often posed: is Stop motion animation a dying art form?. I would like to disagree. Although perhaps it would appear that Stop motion is not the most popular animation method by film makers, mostly due to the vast amount of time and money that a full length Stop motion animation feature would need, perhaps it also needs to be noted that the popularity of Stop motion has increasingly surged within the last decade in despite of the growing preference of computer animation over other animation techniques, such as Stop motion or cell animation. In fact I would even go so far as to argue that Stop motion is more popular now than it ever has been with the appearance of such Stop motion animated films as Fantastic Mr. Fox, Coraline and The corpse Bride. This perhaps can be heralded as the achievement of such Directors as Tim Burton, who are considered as pioneers of Stop motion who are intent on keeping such an art form very much alive and included within the mainstream. However, perhaps it is the calling of a new audience who very much appreciate Stop motion animation as an ART FORM, and would much rather watch the crafted beauty of a Stop motion animation than a computer animation any day. Whatever the reason, is Stop motion animation a dying art form? I don’t think so, and I think animation film audiences of today would agree with me also.

Alice was such a good girl

Until she fell down the rabbit hole,

So innocent and sweet

Until she went out of control.

Nobody could help her

They all cried to the press,

That girl was trouble

That girl was a mess.

Nobody noticed

The marks on her arms,

Nobody thought

There was need for alarm.

She was just a nobody

So quiet and meek,

Some thought her strange

Some thought her a freak.

She hid in the corners

Engulfed in her sorrows,

Injecting more poison

To get her through til tomorrow.

One day it seemed

That the pain got too much,

She swallowed those pills

And the result was as such.

She passed out on the floor

And was found the next day,

Onlookers shook their heads

As she was carried away.

Outsiders asked questions

And the press printed stories,

Those that ‘knew’ her gave interviews

Seeking only prestige and glory.

When the newspapers asked

Did you know Alice well?

They all shook their heads

And only this they could tell.

Alice was such a good girl

Until she fell down the rabbit hole,

So innocent and sweet

Until she went out of control.

Nobody would help her

Printed the press,

They said she was trouble

They said she was a mess.

There are the things you do because it’s your duty’

They talked with such passion,

 referencing freedom and beauty.

They promised advancements,

Change and power to the people,

Yet lies and scandals became the example.

They said we have no choice

Tough decisions must be made,

For the benefit of our country it’s a price we must all pay.

But who is it I ask

Who must pay such a price?

Not the bankers I trust who are no better than lice.

Families sit and listen,

Enwrapped in despair

At the rising of poverty, and a country in disrepair.

A child unaware of political state,

But aware of the holes in his shoes

And the last time he ate.

But you call this liberalism?

Empowerment and freedom?

Listen to the people, talk to and hear them!

Perhaps your Big Society,

Is not so big after all

But a crippling ignorance and in a state of appal.