Abstract
Through a case study of Pixar Animation Studios, McCulloch offers an exploration of the relationship between screen narratives, branded production cultures, and cultural value.
The chapter analyses the representation and mediation of the company’s Emeryville campus across a range of paratextual materials (primarily journalistic exposés and DVD bonus features), before comparing this to the critical reception of its films. McCulloch discusses the legitimating implications of ‘behind the scenes’ narratives more generally, and demonstrates the potential for commodified production cultures to frame their output (and those who consume it) in very particular, culturally valuable ways. In Pixar’s case, Emeryville acts as a physical space for the reification of intangible brand values – a nexus point for the conceptions of creativity, fun and artistry that purportedly distinguish its films from those of its rivals.
The chapter analyses the representation and mediation of the company’s Emeryville campus across a range of paratextual materials (primarily journalistic exposés and DVD bonus features), before comparing this to the critical reception of its films. McCulloch discusses the legitimating implications of ‘behind the scenes’ narratives more generally, and demonstrates the potential for commodified production cultures to frame their output (and those who consume it) in very particular, culturally valuable ways. In Pixar’s case, Emeryville acts as a physical space for the reification of intangible brand values – a nexus point for the conceptions of creativity, fun and artistry that purportedly distinguish its films from those of its rivals.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Storytelling in the Media Convergence Age |
Subtitle of host publication | Exploring Screen Narratives |
Editors | Roberta Pearson, Anthony N. Smith |
Publisher | Palgrave Macmillan UK |
Pages | 174-189 |
Number of pages | 16 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781137388155 |
ISBN (Print) | 9781349481927 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
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Richard McCulloch
- Department of Communication & Humanities - Senior Lecturer Media and Film
- School of Arts and Humanities
- Centre for Participatory Culture - Member
Person: Academic