STUDY GROUP: Out Of The Dark Age

Class is back in session! But in true nearly-the-summer-holidays style, you’re not expected to do any work this week. Film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Sam Summers are back to banish The Dark Age once and for all with another Study Group episode, capping off the era of Walt Disney Animation Studios films we most recently explored. Rankings are updated, the best characters, songs and sequences are discussed, and the stage is set for the Disney Renaissance. All that, and there’s plenty to get caught up on: the Oscars performance of ‘Bruno’, the arrival of Pixar’s Turning Red, a mind-boggling Letterboxd list, Sam’s beloved (and expensive) new action figures, and important updates from guests Sam Clements and Nick de Semlyen. Next episode: Chip ’N Dale: Rescue Rangers bonus episode Disniversity is brought to you by Ben Travis (@benstravis) and Sam Summers (@samsummers0), with art by Olly Gibbs and music by Nafets. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @disniversity. This podcast is not affiliated with Disney. — Welcome to Disniversity, the podcast crash course through the history of Disney’s animated classics, with film journalist Ben Travis and animation academic Dr. Sam Summers. Each week, we’ll be moving forward in time through the legendary Walt Disney Animation Studios catalogue, watching every feature film in chronological order – from Snow White to Encanto. Watch along with us, and listen as we explore each film’s historical context, advances in animation and lasting legacy, and talk about how they stand up today.