JOURNAL ARTICLE

Ink-stained women: Animation reference performers and the body of the Disney princess.

  • Published In: Animation Practice, Process & Production, 2024, v. 13, n. 1. P. 97 1 of 3

  • Database: Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Hester, Jennessa 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines the crucial yet often overlooked role of live-action reference performers in shaping Disney’s iconic hand-drawn princess characters, specifically Cinderella, Ariel, and Tiana. It highlights how these women’s embodied performances informed the animation process, influencing character design and mannerisms, yet their contributions have been minimized or erased in favor of crediting animators and voice actors. The analysis reveals how patriarchal and racialized ideologies shaped the final animated forms, often altering the performers’ authentic movements and bodies to fit hegemonic standards of femininity and race. The article advocates for greater recognition of these performers’ labor and suggests reparative approaches to understanding Disney princesses as composite cultural artifacts layered with multiple performances.

Additional Information

  • Source:Animation Practice, Process & Production. 2024/06, Vol. 13, Issue 1, p97
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Mathematics
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:2042-7875
  • DOI:10.1386/ap3_00055_1
  • Accession Number:180991221
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