Date of Publication

8-2023

Document Type

Bachelor's Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts Major in Communication Arts

Subject Categories

Film and Media Studies

College

College of Liberal Arts

Department/Unit

Communication

Thesis Advisor

Jason Vincent A. Cabañes

Defense Panel Chair

Gerardo A. Mariano

Defense Panel Member

Winston J. Baltasar
Fatrick Tabada

Abstract/Summary

Isn’t It Love? is a three-part mini video series on the significance of queer—specifically sapphic—representation in children’s cartoons. The first episode concisely tackles the development of queer representation in cartoons, challenges that obstruct representation, and examples of cartoons that depict diverse characters in a meaningful and appropriate manner. The second episode takes a closer view into Steven Universe (2013), a children’s show by Cartoon Network that follows the story of a young boy named Steven as he and his family of alien pseudo-parents navigate and learn what it means to be human. The analysis of this show serves as an example for young media practitioners of sapphic representation that is meaningful, deliberate, and comprehensible for children. The third episode takes the discussion of representation and animation to the Philippine context. It tackles the challenges of the animation industry in the country that obstruct it from making further developments, such as diverse representation. Despite these challenges, the video provides possible paths for growth for representation, such as the ever-growing komiks community in the country.
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/="/">The overall objective of this series is to shed light on a kind of representation that is often missed or even debated upon, which is telling queer stories to children. As discussed in the series, there is value in teaching younger audiences that there are various avenues that make up holistic development and that understanding one’s gender and sexual identity is not separate from that development. Although the series often refers to general queer representation, it makes specific references to sapphic representation as it is the main focus of the project.
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/="/">The series was created through two main components: (1) written textual analyses of chosen queer cartoons and (2) the overall production of the video series. The written analyses serve as the backbone of the video content. It includes thematic analyses of Steven Universe (2013) and She-Ra and The Princesses of Power (2018). The analyses were conducted by the proponent’s complete viewing of the shows and her written discussion on the themes that demonstrate both shows’ ability to depict meaningful sapphic representation. These themes include: sapphic representation within main characters, sapphic identities as part of transformative experiences integral to character development, and normalization of sapphic love contrasted by integration of realistic social issues. The content of the written component guided the production of the video series. The videos were created completely through digital software and resources such as episode clips, images, online videos, and originally-produced graphic assets. Images and videos taken from shows and other sources were used purely to educate and substantiate specific points in the series. The narration, which guides the entire flow of the series, was recorded by the proponent.

Abstract Format

html

Language

English

Format

Electronic

Keywords

Film mini-series; Animated films; Queer comic books, strips, etc.

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Embargo Period

8-8-2023

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