Sunday, January 26, 2014
McLuhan could respect this Batman
“I do my best work in the dark.” Batman, from Justice League unlimited, a spin off of the Animated series. McLuhen more than likely would have found an admiration for this beloved series. At a time before computers and high definition T.V., the show still makes a powerful impact nearly twenty years since it left air. The artists behind the look of the show were, Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. They wanted the show to be dark. However at a time when true black on home televisions was impossible the duo had to be creative. McLuhen claimed that media is dictated by technology. In order for them to get the look they wanted they tired something completely different. They began with sheets of black paper instead of white. The show was then drawn over the already black paper. This richened the look and feel of the show. The show had to bend to the technology available at the time. The show went on to earn four Emmy Awards. Despite all the hard work of the animation team at the time animation was still limited slightly limited. There was not the same technology to help animated the show as we have today. Once again the show would have to play a strength to make up for a technical weakness. The show hired a cast of fantastic actors. These voices not only strengthen the show, but defined many of what the characters sounded like for numerous fans. The technology dictated a problem so the makers of the show had to play to their strengths. Among this cast are broadway actors such as Kevin Conroy, T.V. stars such as Bob Hastings, and Adam West, and Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. In conclusion, I wonder if McLuhen would have thought about what creativity can be born from failings in technology. The impact of this show was a look, a sound, and a style all it’s own. Created by technology that made it impossible for the show to be done any other way, and as a fan, I’m glad the show was limited by the technology around. I think McLuhen could respect that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
This is really interesting, I really am not familiar with this text but after reading your post, I agree that McLuhan would probably have a lot of respect for it. A lot of creativity can and has come from failings of technology especially in past years, and thinking about it know, it seems that this is something that has always kind of been looked over and not really acknowledged.
ReplyDeleteI will admit that I read Batman comics and watched the series on TV, but reading your post made me appreciate what the artists and actors had to do to portray the characters on the show as they envisioned them. They did not let the limitations that existed as far as technology was concerned dim their creative flair. Despite the fact that they were resigned to the technology at the time, they used whatever technology was available to create a distinct look that has set the tone for all future Batman movies. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThis post is very interesting because the history behind the creation of the show is really different and although I am not familiar with this text, I do find it interesting how the creators had to find new ways to make the show happen. Conceptually, I think you could have drawn a few more concepts of the chapter, but I do think what you provided is strong and relevant the our discussions in class!
ReplyDelete