Animation grad student tackles world of youth media

“The Little Mermaid.” The songs. The talking crab.
The little fish that could. That was Walt Disney’s fairy
tale, complete with happily ever-after ending. But the rendition of
this classic story that Michelle Banta-Tessier watched left a very
different impression, and ignited her passion for children’s
media.

“When I was younger, I watched some cheap version of
“˜The Little Mermaid’ and I didn’t like how it
portrayed women,” Banta-Tessier said. “Since I’ve
always liked to draw, my interest in children’s media started
from here ““ I wanted to see better portrayals of
people.”

Now aiming to create an improved visual medium for children,
specifically for those in the early developmental years,
Banta-Tessier is in her fifth year of graduate work at UCLA,
finishing her thesis for her MFA in animation. This past May, she
won the inaugural $10,000 scholarship in the memory of Fred Rogers,
the host, writer and producer of “Mister Rogers’
Neighborhood.”

“I still watch “˜Mister Rogers’
Neighborhood,'” Banta-Tessier said. “He was
someone who took the time to listen to his audience through
distinct pauses on the show. He tried to create two-way
communication out of what is generally considered a one-way
medium.”

Out of the 78 students who applied for the memorial scholarship,
Banta-Tessier was selected after a rigorous application process,
with requirements including a submission of work that reflects the
values Rogers held ““ specifically catering to young audiences
in the early primary developmental years, from kindergarten to
second grade. Banta-Tessier submitted her old films,
“Friendship Bread” (2004) and “Sabong
Spell” (2003), as well as the thesis she is currently working
on, “Camp Bean.”

“”˜Camp Bean’ is a place where children learn
to help each other away from the city, among nature in the
woods,” Banta-Tessier said. “I’m doing this
because a lot of different people I met while working at Unicamp in
my undergraduate years inspired me. I hope that people, especially
parents and caretakers, use this film to find ways to reach and
counsel children.”

Though only a five-minute short film for her thesis,
Banta-Tessier hopes to develop “Camp Bean” into a full
pilot for a television series that could potentially air on public
television. Banta-Tessier is overseeing every step of this project
herself, from drawing the frames to finding a composer. All of the
money from the scholarship is earmarked to be used toward
completing her thesis, which is now in its production phase. Her
completed thesis will be screened in June at the UCLA School of
Theater, Film and Television’s annual film festival.

“I’ve always been interested in children that are in
their developmental years and anything that is geared toward
younger audiences,” Banta-Tessier said. “There needs to
be more shows like “˜Mister Rodger’s Neighborhood’
that encourage kids to wonder and embrace who they are and their
world. They need to understand that emotions are a good thing and
to use them in a positive manner wherever they are.”

Banta-Tessier completed her undergraduate work at UCLA in 2001
in both Asian American studies and American Literature and Culture.
However, drawing has always been her real passion.

“American literature brings a cultural awareness to the
many voices and stories that make up society today,” she
said. “In addition, Asian American studies made me more
community conscious and aware of the needs of different people. But
I’ve always wanted to be a cartoonist, and another means of
reaching people was through film and television. That is why
I’m here now, combining everything.”

UCLA’s Unicamp program also increased
Banta-Tessier’s interest to work with children, leading her
to work specifically in film and television that caters to younger
audiences.

“I grew up watching television shows like “˜Sesame
Street”˜ and “˜Mister Rogers Neighborhood,’ so as a
viewer, I felt like that these shows and characters really spoke to
me,” Banta-Tessier said.

“I grew up in Moreno Valley, and there isn’t much to
do out there. Even with limited toys and not much to do, I had a
fun childhood because I used my imagination. When I got to UCLA and
joined Unicamp, it gave me the opportunity learn about the
emotional needs of children. This experience validated some
understandings of what young people need and reinforced my desire
to work with that age group.”

Though currently focused on finishing her thesis, Banta-Tessier
hopes to continue expanding her work to other realms of the media
and other artistic fields.

“I’d love to do a children’s book or Web site
in the future,” she said. “However, there is a real
need for shows that respect children and allow people to reaffirm
children ““ make them feel that they are special and that they
should be true to themselves.

“There is a quote by Rogers that sits on my desk which
reads, “˜If it’s for the children, it has to be the best
that we can give.’ That is my quality control motto and it
keeps me motivated.”