Children Tell bfi What Makes A Great Toon

The British Film Institute (bfi) today announced the findings of a research survey, conducted for the bfi by MORI in January 2001, to probe animation and the reasons why animated characters appeal to children. This coincides with the start of a major six-month tour of the bfi's Drawn to be Wild, a programme of animated films from around the world. It will visit more than 30 cinemas UK-wide between late February and August 2001, Walt Disney's centenary year.

The research is based on a series of paired and one-to-one depth interviews with boys and girls aged between 7-12 in their homes, together with data gathered in a recent national children's Omnibus survey, and other statistics.

Five essential ingredients for successful animated characters:

1. They should make children laugh or feel happy - with their different looks, funny voices, use of imitable catchphrases;
2. They should expand children's imaginations by blurring fantasy and reality - by doing things real people cannot do or acting irreverently;
3. They should remain in character and behave logically, however fantastic their situation or location;
4. They should have a problem to solve, go through a journey or adventure - but their stories need not always end in the same predictable, entirely successful outcome;
5. They should have natural movements and their mouths should form words properly - children have high expectations!

The type or style of animation - whether characters are drawings, puppets or models - is not so important; neither is the country of origin.

Top five TV animation among children aged 7-12 - a mixture of enduring classics and favourites in vogue:

1. The Simpson's - the humour is liked by children of all ages, but the series' popularity increases as children get older;
2. Pokйmon - especially liked by younger children - older children feel they have grown out of it, although they may still watch - but now its overall popularity seems to be waning;
3. Rugrats - required viewing on Saturday mornings;
4. South Park - cited as popular even though most children admitted they were not allowed to watch it: they were aware of the characters from school friends and ubiquitous merchandise;
5. Tom and Jerry - mayhem to be watched with the whole family.

Top five animated feature films in UK cinemas in 2000:

1. Toy Story 2 (Disney/Pixar) - UK release February 2000
2. Chicken Run (Pathй/Aardman) - UK release June 2000
3. Dinosaur (Disney) - UK release October 2000
4. Pokйmon (Warner Bros./Nintendo) - UK release April 2000
5. The Tigger Movie (Disney) - UK release April 2000

37% of 7-14 year olds in the UK go to the cinema at least once a month. This proportion has doubled over the last ten years. (Source: Screen Digest/CAVIAR).

bfi Director, Jon Teckman, said: "From an early age, children are bombarded with an amazing array of moving images. Sometimes their tastes change rapidly, as one flavour of the month succeeds another. This authoritative new research, complementing our UK-wide Drawn to be Wild programme, offers a fascinating insight into what makes animated characters tick, and stand out, in the minds of discerning young viewers. Animators everywhere, take note!"

Technical details

• Founded in 1933 and established by Royal Charter, the bfi offers everyone throughout the UK opportunities to experience, enjoy and discover more about the world of film, television and the moving image.
• The bfi's Drawn to be Wild is a celebration of the world of animation for children aged 7-12, their teachers and families. It comprises a series of animated films showing in more than 30 cinemas UK-wide; educational workshops and talks; and a new children's website, www.bfi.org.uk/wild, which includes details of what's on, a guide to trail-blazing animators past and present, and a chance for children to quiz experts online. Patron of Drawn to be Wild is Thunderbirds creator, Gerry Anderson.
• Images from the launch of Drawn to be Wild in January 2001, attended by Gerry Anderson and Blue Peter presenter, Konnie Huq, and from a selection of films in the programme, are available free via the Press Association Bulletin Board, the digital photo delivery network. Click on the bfi icon, then select and download the images from your computer. If you do not have access, contact David Muir at the PA. t: 020-7963 7531.
• A schedule of cinemas participating in Drawn to be Wild is attached.

PLAY DATES AT UK CINEMAS FOR THE bfi's DRAWN TO BE WILD PROGRAMME OF ANIMATION

Each participating cinema is playing at least one of the following feature-length programmes of animated shorts, compiled by the bfi: Animated creatures and scary beasts; contemporary British animation; Animation from around the world; classic TV animation (including Roobarb and Custard, Bagpuss, The Clangers and more).

Feature films on show at the bfi National Film Theatre during Drawn to be Wild include: Aardman's Chicken Run with a Creature Comforts short; Disney's Dinosaur and The Emperor's New Groove; and The Land Before Time with an early short, Gertie the Dinosaur, marking the first screen appearance by an animated dinosaur.