From an android princess to a psychological thriller filled with fantasy and hidden references, Dana Terrace’s new animated show is out! And there’s a lot to unpack…
Everyone who is familiar with Terrace’s animated world should recognize the name “The Owl House” since it’s considered as one of Disney’s greatest animated series. Likewise, you might also know that Terrace explained the show was cut because Disney, as a company, felt it didn’t match with their brand anymore. This is not the first time we hear from creators being toned down by the company, limiting their creativity and stories along the way. Alex Hirsch, creator of “Gravity Falls,” had similar issues with censorship.
Luckily, Dana made a big reappearance with a brand new series under Glitch Productions, an independent animation studio that’s mostly recognized by their shows “The Amazing Digital Circus” and “Murder Drones.” Dana, along with John Bailey Owen and Zach Marcus, are the creators of “Knights of Guinevere,” a cyberpunk world consumed by diseases and pollution where a floating theme park, Park Planet, dominates the industrial and social lives with overpriced entertainment. Of course, every amusement park has its mascot. That’s where Guinevere comes up. She’s the princess of Park Planet, her image being used and cloned, whether it’s movies, merchandise, or even androids. In contrast to the fantasy land sold under her name, Guinevere is mistreated by Olivia, daughter of the founder of the park, because she always needs to be fixed. Sounds familiar, right?
Dana’s resentment towards Disney is evident when you see the pilot (fully recommend it). The dystopian setting, Guinevere’s character and the park itself is a direct critique of Disney’s ambition, the control they take over the entertainment industry and how the empire they built is affecting society. It also shows the mistreatment of corporations towards creators and how they exploit their products to maintain control and sales. In fact, the name ‘Guinevere’ could be a reference to the folk story of King Arthur, where she represents loyalty, betrayal and the downfall of a kingdom. Very fitting.
There is a similar story where an ex-Disney creator has made an impact on the modern animation course. For illustration, “Shrek” and DreamWorks wouldn’t exist without the resentment towards Disney. Besides, other media such as “Arcane,” “Blue Eye Samurai” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” are part of new animation’s renaissance, which was dominated by Disney over the last century. On the other hand, Dana’s decision to join Glitch Productions was a clever move considering independent/indie animation shows are slowly making their way in the industry. Take for example “Hazbin Hotel,” a show started on YouTube as a pilot that is now part of streaming catalogues, and “Biombo,” a series made in Puerto Rico combining live action and animation.
Time has shown that independent animation is on the rise and Disney is in serious trouble trying to find a new voice for their stories if they keep dismissing its artists. Taking risks, experimenting with original ideas and having a clear yet strong voice is vital to keep up in this field. The case of “Knights of Guinevere” is proof that creativity flourishes when artists are not restrained by high corporations that prefer quantity over quality. Furthermore, it shows that even in resentment and pain we can create something beautiful and meaningful not only to an audience, but to ourselves.