'The Simpson's' is a comic American animated TV series about a family living in the eventful town of Springfield. It features the family from day to day as they negotiate a series of surreal adventures. The Family consists of five members, a dog and a cat. The husband, 'Homer Simpson' is an ape like man, who is famed for liking beer and cannot control his anger. The mum, 'Marge Simpson', is a stay-at-home 'mom' who nags the children, and primarily looks after the house and well-being of the family. 'Bart Simpson', is the reckless son who always seems to be in trouble for his countless pranks, in several episodes it is suggested that he has ADHD. Daughter 'Lisa Simpson', is the nerdy child prodigy who loves animals and music. In addition to the main characters, silent baby 'Maggie', Grandad 'Abe', cat 'Snowball 2' and Dog 'Santa's little helper' all make up the family 'Simpson'.
Matt Groening created 'The Simpsons' in 1987 as a filler for 'The Tracey Ullman Show' after being contacted by James L.Brooks. He based most of the characters on members of his family, and even named them all accordingly. In 1989 the show became a FOX network, half hour prime TV show, with more characters being introduced, including the 'comic book guy' whom Groening claims is some-what of a self portrait.
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| Original 1987 animation |
Each member of the 'Simpson' family is completely different in multiple ways, whilst 'Homer' is the very typical angry dad, always thinking of himself,his stomach and leading the family into thoughtless encounters, 'Marge' is on the other end of the spectrum. As the mother, she is the glue that holds the family together, ensuring that things are carefully planned, she also admirably tolerates 'Homers' Oafish-ness. As the family terror, 'Bart' lives up to his role of the typical naughty son. He pulls pranks on his father purely to wind 'Homer' up and then cackles at the result of being chased because of it, and also repeatedly annoys most members of the animated town of 'Springfield'. Next youngest, is 'Lisa' who is a very bright young daughter, and usually displays her annoyance at the family's disregard for the environment and the arts. Youngest of the Family is the small baby 'Maggie' who interestingly never seems to make a noise, although she communicates using facial expressions and the help of her pacifier. However in one episode, she displays a possible 'prodigy' side ("smart and smarter" - episode no. 326), and this gives an indication that she may take after her older sister. Described individually, these family members seem like they are worlds apart. However, when put together in different situations, they seem to work as a family unit. At times, they annoy and frustrate each other when the episodes problem is first presented but ultimately pull together by realising each others strengths at the end.
I think that although 'The Simpsons' definitely do not conform the media's idea of 'the perfect family', they are a good indication of the typical family. Speaking to Los Angeles times, shortly before the 500th episode was due to be aired, creator Groening told writer 'Robert Lloyd' that "James L. Brooks insisted from the very beginning that the characters had to be real and if it were just a cartoon he wasn't interested in pursuing it". I think that this outlines the writers desire to create a family that everyone who was watching the show could relate to, therefore creating the almost impossible to achieve 'perfect family' stereotype would have been foolish because viewers would not have been able to find a connection.
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| Current 2012 animation |
In 'The Simpsons', as previously discussed, the family are all very individual but also gel together as a family. This is reinforced by the use of aesthetics during each episode. As is commonly known, 'The Simpsons' are animated yellow characters, this was a choice suggested by one of the animators, and was well received by the production team. Although this was a choice only to differ the animation characters from other cartoons, I think it denotes comedy and playfulness, enhancing the comic aspects of the episodes. Other aspects of the episodes that depicts the characters are; the opening credits - where the characters are each shown interacting with other residents of Springfield and gives a snapshot of their personality; the theme tune - is playful and matches the speed of the chaos that surrounds the family, in parts the tune is also of-key which shows the the family are slightly dysfunctional; the characters clothing - is usually the same in episodes, almost denotes the repetitiveness of the way that the family continue to argue then make up, then argue again in every episode. Using the same clothing also allows the family to be well known for the sake of merchandising.
I think that this has helped me to develop my research because it has shown that there can be different ways of depicting a family, and also has given me some ideas on the different ways that I can introduce significant characters in my documentary. Watching the way that family dynamics is presented during this animation has also given me some ideas on the differences of opinion about the idea of 'the perfect family' amongst animators and moving image producers. I think that by looking at the time-scale that each story each episode story is told within, it has given me an idea of how long it takes to tell a story. This could possibly affect the time-scale I choose to tell my story.
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