Animator Tony Bancroft Wants to Create Positive Family Messages in His Work
By Allyson Vannatta, Senior Writer
Animator Tony Bancroft has been working in the entertainment industry for almost two decades on movies like THE LION KING and ALADDIN. Now, he wants to present positive family messages through projects from his own animation studio.
The former Disney animator and owner of Toonacious Family Entertainment wants to implement one aspect of Disney he loved in his own endeavors.
“What I loved about Disney was that there was always a scene where the main character learns a lesson about right and wrong.”
“I’ve always wanted to produce films and projects that were very positive and for children,” he told the Christian Post. “I don’t do anything scary or horrific or anything that will stunt growth, mentally or emotionally. That’s something I’ve devoted my career to.”
Stunting cognitive development in younger audiences is something that Movieguide® Founder Dr. Ted Baehr writes about often and is something parents should take seriously.
Related: Asking The Right Questions: Educating the Hearts & Minds of our Children
Bancroft understands that positive messages in today’s society is incredibly important in a world filled with hate.
“I look at some of the bigger studios, and I am concerned about where storytelling has gone,” he said. “There’s a darkness that’s popular right now in the eyes of executives. That is largely why I left Disney and started my own animation company. I felt like we needed to have better values and morals and elements in our storytelling.”
“From a parent’s perspective, but also as a creator, I want to be responsible,” he added.
Bancroft is attempting to be responsible by teaching aspiring animators at Azusa Pacific University the importance of morals.
“I try to hand down the importance of incorporating the principles of respect, morality, and kindness in film so that we can influence the future. I’m very hopeful about it.”
The animator worked on countless family-friendly projects that Movieguide® enjoys like THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE, MARY POPPINS RETURNS, ANIMAL CRACKERS, and newly released RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS.
RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS teaches the importance of inner beauty rather than focusing on one’s outer beauty.
Movieguide®’s review sees the movie as “a funny, endearing adventure that parodies the classic tale of Snow White with its own unique twist. The movie has a strong moral worldview where love conquers evil and character is valued above appearance.”
View this post on Instagram
This happened today. Something cool coming soon… #buzzfeed #art #animator #show #surprise
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +4