tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post5692827312684299530..comments2024-03-17T09:14:10.329-07:00Comments on Laini Taylor's blog: "Ma" and Tension-building, via MiyazakiLaini Taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14064837312936707024noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-15911650439111208262013-11-23T18:32:32.077-08:002013-11-23T18:32:32.077-08:00Isn't there a black Disney princess? She alway...Isn't there a black Disney princess? She always seems to get left out.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-29723838726469461602013-11-16T21:09:04.063-08:002013-11-16T21:09:04.063-08:00Laini, I love you and the whole Miyazaki part of t...Laini, I love you and the whole Miyazaki part of the post. But BOO to that awful graphic and all the Disney hating going on here. All of those princesses fought for their dreams and encouraged young girls to be proud and passionate in what they believed in. <br /><br />It is Walt Disney Animation Studios that has made Studio Ghibli films available and widely distributed in America. So before you insult Disney's greatest achievements, you might stop to think who exactly made it possible for all of you to watch any of Miyazaki's amazing films in the first place. <br /><br />Lizzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14265711655133917934noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-76979109661091332472013-11-06T13:16:19.447-08:002013-11-06T13:16:19.447-08:00Although I generally agree that Disney princesses ...Although I generally agree that Disney princesses lack complexity and personality, I have to say that I don't believe Belle belongs on this shame list. She's the one doing the saving in her story, which should gain her some points. Additionally, she loves to read, which means that she has more than one attribute. She also goes for the ugly guy rather than the attractive one, sending an important message about the difference between lust and love.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-75081025422255456012013-10-22T14:53:19.912-07:002013-10-22T14:53:19.912-07:00I'm very happy to read this. I'm reminded ...I'm very happy to read this. I'm reminded not to edit too much "Ma" out of my manuscripts. thank you.<br /><br />You've just given me a new appreciation of Miyazaki's films, though my sons' watched most every film growing up. I feel the same about Disney, and glad to keep most of it out of the house. <br />K. L. Hallamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05672153195378644215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-4337283733615414792013-10-21T17:50:48.948-07:002013-10-21T17:50:48.948-07:00Cristina, that's hilarious -- I KNOW. And ever...Cristina, that's hilarious -- I KNOW. And every time Jim or I does a driving maneuver that C perceives to be wild (it never is, in our defense), she says, "That was a Lisa turn!"<br /><br />:-)Laini Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14064837312936707024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-87723090822481702672013-10-21T17:39:47.441-07:002013-10-21T17:39:47.441-07:00we're HUGE fans of his stories. They're so...we're HUGE fans of his stories. They're so beautiful... (except for the mother in Ponyo, the boy's mother? I want to scream "SLOW THE EFF DOWN WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING WITH YOUR KID IN THE CAR!! every time I see the movie, hahaha) <br /><br />The Ma moment, mmm wow! it's so true. It's in those quiet moments that you really get to know the souls of the characters, I think.Cristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15064636500827230911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-42862067309746212792013-10-18T18:04:15.438-07:002013-10-18T18:04:15.438-07:00There is a series of books that I stopped reading ...There is a series of books that I stopped reading because the characters barely get a break in between really extreme tension/life-or-death fights. I got sick of it. And it happens to me the same way with movies. I get bored if car chases or fist fights go on too long.<br /><br />But! In books or movies that let you and the characters "rest" in the world, I feel like there is more immersion for the reader or watcher. And in my opinion things are much more enjoyable, too.<br /><br />I have read certain favorite books (including yours!) over and over again because they let me spend time in those worlds. It's an important gift for a storyteller to give! :)Lianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14543875776819421840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-28769427117119251732013-10-18T15:07:57.373-07:002013-10-18T15:07:57.373-07:00Wow, I never realized how important "ma"...Wow, I never realized how important "ma" was, but now that you mention it, I can't imagine a story being any good without it! Sometimes you just need a moment to ground yourself and appreciate the beauty of life - even if it's OH MY GOSH THE WORLD IS ENDING time. Thank you for sharing!<br /><br />Also, I need to see more Miyazaki films! I've only seen Nausicaa and Ponyo so far.Kritikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01264802302099286333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-1071394112752172362013-10-15T16:29:13.654-07:002013-10-15T16:29:13.654-07:00I also appreciate Miyazaki for him not taking the ...I also appreciate Miyazaki for him not taking the viewers for fools. He doesn't over explain things, sometimes he doesn't explain them at all. He trusts you to have enough imagination to accept weird as is, just because it exists. (How weird is that cat bus in Totoro? Or Porco Rosso?) He makes you feel like you are actually watching some part of the universe that he has created, just having a little peek at things that are a part of the regular day and they are so much more that you are just guessing about. <br /><br />Another thing that I find very unusual about his storytelling - is that they are antagonizing characters, but they are not necessarily "just your regular bad guy" flat. How cool is it that the antagonizing character in Ponyo is just an overprotective father? There are no negative characters in Totoro at all, and the story is still amazing. Every character is deep and conflicting and real even given that he is a pig, a weird creature or a monster who is taking a bath.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-18583797286384278472013-10-15T16:14:03.695-07:002013-10-15T16:14:03.695-07:00Very Good point, Laini. Disney princesses are just...Very Good point, Laini. Disney princesses are just caricatures. It upsets me when people talk about Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Belle etc. they automatically mean Disney princesses. Cinderella is almost a folk story, a version of it exists in many countries, the Chinese one is especially interesting for me. <br />The Little Mermaid is a beautiful sad and heart-wrenching story by Anderson, and it will take it a huge effort to get out of a pink sticky cough-syrup like sap of a false 'children appropriate' happy ending. It makes me sad to see children reading books written as interpretations of movies that were interpretations of real books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-86359496800523561612013-10-15T05:09:14.441-07:002013-10-15T05:09:14.441-07:00I loved this post! I love hearing Miyazaki talk ab...I loved this post! I love hearing Miyazaki talk about his films... and I'd never heard of the concept of "ma" before... but it's something I've always felt in his movies, so it's nice to put a name to it.<br /><br />As for the Disney Princesses... I have to agree with Kristan Hoffman... the messages of those movies can be skewed to fit any agenda.<br />Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15111661500387424612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-15179321695804141112013-10-14T20:04:19.324-07:002013-10-14T20:04:19.324-07:00My two younger sisters and I all adore Miyazaki...My two younger sisters and I all adore Miyazaki's films for precisely these reasons: female characters who are fully realized, and this concept of "ma" which allows for visual rest. <br />As you mentioned in your post, it's important not to forget to structure the "at rest" moment and just let the characters BREATHE.<br />Love the Disney Princess infographic!Abigail Buntinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14993797228034911245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-40254593229254441742013-10-14T16:02:35.362-07:002013-10-14T16:02:35.362-07:00Ditto here on the Miyazaki fandom! I love his stor...Ditto here on the Miyazaki fandom! I love his stories so much, and his heroines. In fact, my husband and I were just recently talking about how we need to re-watch Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind...<br /><br />That is an AWESOME Disney princess graphic. I'm going to have to send that around.Sarah Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16534942492714970282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-79025163596464867872013-10-14T15:48:29.354-07:002013-10-14T15:48:29.354-07:00I'm a Miyazaki fan too, Laini. Thanks for putt...I'm a Miyazaki fan too, Laini. Thanks for putting into eloquent words why I so love his movies.LinWashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13041832821260168483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-41330558109000416782013-10-14T15:23:52.270-07:002013-10-14T15:23:52.270-07:00A lovely, thought-provoking post. and I love Tone&...A lovely, thought-provoking post. and I love Tone's phrase, too - 'breathing scenes, where you can wish yourself into the world'. Those scenes are so important and I can't fall in love with stories that don't have those moments.<br />Thanks for your great blog, Laini - I always enjoy your posts.Helen Petersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-51818170494021016492013-10-14T14:05:39.977-07:002013-10-14T14:05:39.977-07:00LOVE the concept of "ma" and how it enha...LOVE the concept of "ma" and how it enhances the story.<br /><br />As for Disney... I'm not saying it's perfect, but that image and its summaries are incredibly reductive in a skewed way. Those are not the lessons I got from those movies as a kid. I'm not going to do them all, but for example:<br /><br />Snow White - Be kind and you'll make true friends, who will help you out of trouble.<br /><br />Beauty and the Beast - Intelligence is more attractive -- and infinitely more useful -- than beauty.<br /><br />Cinderella - Hard work and a good nature build up good karma; in the end you'll get what you deserve.<br /><br />Right or wrong, my point is that any of these stories can be interpreted (or twisted) to fit one's agenda. And I highly doubt that Disney is trying to brainwash girls into thinking beauty is the only measure of self-worth.<br /><br />(And maybe the comments of your blog isn't the place to go into this defense, sorry... *sheepish look*)Kristanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04771013578685419826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-64267022251338817632013-10-14T08:55:35.296-07:002013-10-14T08:55:35.296-07:00Oh, WOW, this is good stuff. I struggle to articul...Oh, WOW, this is good stuff. I struggle to articulate the concept of that boredom, the idea that not everything leads to Moments Of High Destiny. Sometimes novel characters tend slightly toward megalomaniacal idiocy with that. <br /><br />I love Miyazaki, and continue to treasure his films for those little moments of breathing room in his stories. Thanks for highlighting this.<br /><br />And, GOOD LORD, Cutie Pie is already spelling? <b>TIME FLIES.</b> And HAH to the word Mommy wouldn't translate. tanita✿davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01671822274852087499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8303240770763546035.post-37361846636557051522013-10-14T04:48:11.503-07:002013-10-14T04:48:11.503-07:00So often, it is the ma that feeds the story's ...So often, it is the ma that feeds the story's heart. That's where the true stakes are built, because that's where you grow to love the characters. The sipping of water in Fangorn. Diagon Alley. Not that these scenes have absolutely no connection with the plot, but they're mostly breathing scenes, where you can wish yourself into the world. I would love to shop at Ollivander's and eat warm bread on a Prague rooftop! tone almhjellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05213144552658031984noreply@blogger.com