Animation of Chinese Folktales : Identity, Values, Elements of Chinese Folktales to Creation of Shandong Opera Animation “Liang Zhu”

Abstract

The article was a part of research on “Animation of Chinese Folktales: Identity, Values, Elements of Chinese Folktales to Creation of Shandong opera Animation “Liang Zhu.” The purpose was to study the values and elements of Shandong opera in folktales. The journal performed an identity analysis, characteristics, and backgrounds of Shandong opera characters as information in creating the animation “Liang Zhu”. The study showed that Shandong opera had a long history and was one of eight major Chinese operas. Shandong opera originated from the lifestyle of the working class in the lower class of society. People expressed their inner feelings and reflected the taste of delightful life, sadness, and hardship. One of the most famous Shandong operas was Liang Zhu, or the love story of Liang Sanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Nowadays, media is an important tool of transmitting human cultural heritage. Shandong opera has combined the creation of the animation “Liang Zhu.” It could express the unique charm of Shandong opera in a new format with animation. It transformed traditional opera into a modern and interesting medium. Shandong opera was more accessible and contributed to the preservation of traditional culture. It created the novelty in content of Chinese animation. Integrating the spirit of Shandong opera art with modern animation, it performed, and comprehensively re-created all aspects such as modeling, expression, movement, costume, and so on. The unique charm of Shandong opera showed a new presentation form, through animation design. It could  transform the traditional opera performance into a modern and classical media.