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By sass • 15 years ago

Update on Pixar Can Do Better: An Open Letter to Pixar

June 30, 2010
Berkeley, CA
An Open Letter to Pixar
Dear Pixar Creative Team:
I adore your films. Want proof? My car is named Dory. I have Boundin ‘ posters hanging in my house. My partner and I mentioned both a jackalope and a delay fish in our wedding vows. We are fans.
I know that you are aware that Toy Story 3 has been receiving some criticism for a few lines and moments that seem sexist and homophobic. What you may not know is how to fix this situation, or why you should bother.
Let me briefly offer you answers to both of those questions:
1) How to fix this: I want you to hire a consultant to read your scripts and look at your storyboards. More on that later.
2) Why you should bother:
Here’s the thing. Your movies are funny, warm, moving, lively, and brilliant. And yet every so often, they contain a throwaway joke – something that doesn’t forward the plot, something that you don’t need! – that hurts kids.
Let me repeat. You are putting in jokes that aren’t necessary for the scripts, that no one will miss, and that hurt kids.
Here are some examples just from Toy Story 3 and Ratatouille :
A) Making fun of boys who transgress gender lines hurts kids.
In Toy Story 3 , Ken laments, “Why do people always call ...
By sass • 15 years ago

Update: Pixar can do better

Hi folks. I figured that my original post will get buried, so rather than keep adding to the comments I will add new posts when I have updates. Mods, of course, please tell me if that is not ok. [From Jessica: It’s okay!!]

Here is the facebook page for my project attempting to end gratuitious sexism in Pixar movies.

Updates:

a) We have 46 fans! PLEASE become a fan if you support this cause. I am hoping to get to 5,000 fans so that I can influence Pixar even more.But even 100 would be a great goal!

b) On that page you can also find the latest research that I have found suppoting my cause: a study that (surprise) found ...

Hi folks. I figured that my original post will get buried, so rather than keep adding to the comments I will add new posts when I have updates. Mods, of course, please tell me if ...
By sass • 15 years ago

Pixar can do better

(Warning: I do spoil a small part of Toy Story 3 here. If you haven’t seen the movie, you may want to wait to read this.)

So I went to see Toy Story 3 last weekend, and it’s a fun, warm, funny movie – with several grievously sexist moments.

And you know what? I’ve had enough.

SO. I plan to talk to Pixar. Somehow. I haven’t decided yet how: a letter, a meeting, a website…we’ll see. In the meantime I am gathering my arguments and debating techniques.

I’ve started a page at facebook for this quest and would love it if you would become a fan and forward it to your friends.

The following is my first draft ...

(Warning: I do spoil a small part of Toy Story 3 here. If you haven’t seen the movie, you may want to wait to read this.)

So I went to see Toy Story 3 last weekend, and ...
By sass • 16 years ago

Feminist TV

I think I may have found one of those rare gems, a feminist female lead- in a cop show, no less!
I may be jumping the gun, as I’ve only seen the first 3 episodes but BBC’s Ashes to Ashes is fantastic! It follows on from the earlier series Life on Mars where the male protagonist traveled back to the 1960’s; here, the protagonist is female and the year is 1982, but she is working with the same horrendously sexist (but ultimately good-hearted, I believe we’re meant to feel) team.

I think I may have found one of those rare gems, a feminist female lead- in a cop show, no less!
I may be jumping the gun, as I’ve only seen the first 3 episodes but BBC’s ...