Wk 10 - Sustainability in Animation Movies

The role of "Pixar" in the world of cinema, storytelling, and digital rendering is already well documented, however, its link with architecture have yet to be fully explored. Among the greatest advantages and perhaps overlooked, is the talent to create convincing architectural worlds adjacent to and within the human world, we inhabit every day. Which then lead to my question of its role as an entertainment industry as a new tool to encourage  as well as provoke critical thinking about sustainability

I profess that, I grew up with Pixar's animation during my early days, however, I actually did not know the message of sustainability before their animations till I came across this article. Remembering being exposed to the ocean life of the great barrier reef in the movie, the importance of the natural ecosystem created towards the environment as well as living organism in the ocean. Today, as my maturity and understanding of urban sustainable development grow, it was evident that there was a sustainable message before every animation they created, a story within a story, how human interventions and greed are destroying the natural habitat of the ecosystem. 

Install the role of sustainability from an early age. an ideal learning tool. (Sekalias & Anthony, 2015) Imparting universal lessons through storytelling, creating empathy through anthropomorphism of its main characters.

Source : ( Pixar cite by Sekalias & Anthony, 2015)

Accessibility as well as ecology that portrays a wide range of scale, shape, and physical ability within their individual environment. Personally, as a designer, a sustainable city, has to be carefully thought out equally that caters to accommodate users' different height, exemplifying a sensitivity to accessibility and universal design. Of course without denying that fact, we are sharing the environment with other biological systems, so that it allows all inhabitants to coexist happily and comfortably. 

Source : ( Pixar cite by Sekalias & Anthony, 2015)

The reality that is imagined in the movie Wall-E if we continue to consume and waste scared resources mindlessly 

 The above screenshot was from the movie "Wall-E" that has a definitive stance on our patterns of consumption, showing the world that we must abandon because it no longer can sustain any form of life. As designers, we often encourage the  integration of sustainable technology as well as consider biodegradable options in order to minimalise the impact of the proposed building on the environment. 

Source : ( Pixar cite by Sekalias & Anthony, 2015)

Personally, it is a self-reflection that goes beyond the mere practical and the reflections of the inhabitants.

The Joy in Sustainability 

To the extent, this proofs that "when there's a will, there's a way". What is to be taken away from the article is that the responsibility of sustainability doesn't necessarily fall on the shoulders of governments, policy makers, urban planners or architects, it is the responsibility of all humanity to preserve what is important for future generations to meet heir daily needs. Of course, apart from producing exciting and beautiful animations for the community, the hidden meaning or reality of a current society that objectively exposed to younger generations to develop their sense of sustainability, however, studies shows that parent or guardian influence is the key towards their development,  "the influence of Pixar on generations of children and their parents around the world has been enormous" quoted by arch daily. Therefore, parents as a role model should work hand in hand with government, community or the environmental governing bodies to help prepare the society of tomorrow in combating the issue of global sustainability development. 

On the side note, while preparing this particular journal entry, curiosity struck me. Which type of cinematic genre is more sustainable compared to others ? A fully computer animated rendering that requires long extended hours of computer renderings ? OR a live action movie that requires heaps of materials, time and labor throughout the preparation process of the set and destroying it in the process ?  

Resource:
http://www.archdaily.com/771987/4-lessons-pixar-films-can-teach-us-about-architecture