An Exploration of Elderly Representation & Stereotypes in Animation

Author

Tyler Kidd, Clemson UniversityFollow

Date of Award

8-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Digital Production Arts

Committee Chair/Advisor

Eric Patterson

Committee Member

Rodney Costa

Committee Member

Tony Penna

Abstract

In the world of animated features, supporting cast members are often reduced down to simple character traits in order to give the audience a simple idea of their personality or role in the story, or to support the creation of a work that is easier to understand for people of all ages. However, this can often result in the application of negative tropes that do not reflect kindly on those being depicted. The elderly are a group that often get caught in these stereotypes, being depicted as wrinkly, clumsy, overweight villains. While you can still find many positive portrayals in children’s media, studies show that these negative portrayals are often what kids remember the most. Drawing inspiration from elderly characters like Merlin (The Sword in the Stone) and Kamaji (Spirited Away), this thesis aims to analyze aged portrayals through the history of theater and animation, applying our findings to the character of Wilbur, a supporting cast member of the upcoming Digital Production Arts short film Kate Shelley and the Bridge of Darkness. Wilbur will be fully rigged and placed in an animated sequence, utilizing his character design as well as gathered research in order to present a character worthy of sympathy and respect, without any loss to his core as a source of comic relief.

Recommended Citation

Kidd, Tyler, "An Exploration of Elderly Representation & Stereotypes in Animation" (2025). All Theses. 4608.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4608