“After Ever After”: Social Commentary through a Satiric Disney Parody for the Digital Age

Abstract

"If you've ever wondered why Disney tales all end in lies," then ask YouTube artist Paint-aka Jon Cozart. He has created a video for YouTube.com that re-imagines what happened after four of Disney's leading ladies' "dreams came true." Continuing a tradition that is as old as the tales he sings about, the artist combines characters and melodies that have become culturally ubiquitous since the media domination of the Disney Corporation with an interpretation of the material that tries to make sense of the world in which it exists. Continuing the criticisms of post-modernism and feminist theory, Cozart challenges the "happily ever afters" that have become the stock endings for the genre. Through comedic satire he creates parodied storylines that bring four animated princesses out of their Disney realms and into the real world where they must deal with environmental destruction, racism, and colonialism, among other issues. The use of a video-sharing site such as Youtube.com not only allows for the expanded distribution of fan-created material, but it also directly addresses a wider audience than traditional oral story tellers could possibly reach: the Internet. This case study looks at the ways in which the global recognition of Disney culture allows for the creation of social commentary through familiar and beloved characters, while an increasingly digitally-connected world impacts the capabilities and understanding of both the creator and the viewers of the material. While far from being a new phenomenon, the reinterpretation of fairy tales takes on content and a form that reflects the increasingly globalized and digitized world in Cozart's Disney parody.

Fairy tales between transformation and repetition: How audiences rethink the big romantic myth through Disney princess stories

“…The cinematic adaptations made by the Walt Disney Company often play all three roles. Firstly, some scholars argue that because of the incredible popularity around the globe, Disney animations have taken the place of classic tales (Schroeder 2016;Stone 1975); and, for example, the Disney adaptation of "Cinderella" may be more recognizable by contemporary international audiences than the Grimms' fairy tale is. At the same time it is important to remember that in Disney animations, classic tales have undergone creative rethinking and hence display significant changes (see Zipes 2012; Mollet 2013).…”

“…Fans may use the animations of Disney princesses to speak about different social problems such as environmental crises, terrorism, refugee crises or even mental health issues. One of the best examples of fans' creativity of this type that is extremely popular (more than 80 millions views on YouTube) is the series of musical parodies After Ever After 12 made by Jon Cozart that has been analysed by Kylie Schroeder (2016).…”