Cite

– The only thing scarier than the enemy is an incapable ally.

Since we don't have any letters yet, we'll present a behind-the-scenes treat: an analysis of Ariel given to Disney artists by directing animator Glen Keane. It's dated October 20, 1988, when The Little Mermaid was in production.

The youngest of seven daughters, Ariel is sixteen years old.

Of the seven, she is the quirky one. Her sisters conform to their roles as princesses and take themselves more seriously than Ariel. Ariel thinks for herself and is independent, impulsive and curious about everything (particularly things dealing with the surface). She does not think things trough logically but is motivated by her feelings and emotions.

Ariel is a typical teenage girl with a sense of adventure and romance. She longs to be free of the restrictions set upon her by her environment and by Triton, her father.

She loves her father, and he loves her. He wants what is best for her but does not relate to how she feels. Ariel is Triton's biggest headache but also occupies the place closest to this heart. There is actually a lot of Triton in Ariel. They are both headstrong and act with deep conviction.

Ariel is not passive. She makes things happen. She goes 100 percent in whatever direction she decides. She is uninhibited.

Ariel's fiery side, red hair and all, is balanced by her sweetness. She is naive and innocent, making her vulnerable to the evil intentions of Ursula. She is open to being hurt deeply and is hurt by her father as he destroys her collection and by Ursula as she destroys Ariel's hope of true love and remaining human.

These qualities are all inner. On the outside, Ariel has a sweet beauty. Her face is pretty, leaning to the cute side rather than the glamorous side.

She is sexy in an innocent way, unaware of her natural beauty and appeal. When she moves, there should be an inherent grace and vitality.

She is petite but not frail. Her spontaneous, impulsive personality comes through in her actions.

When animating Ariel, pay close attention to who it is you're animating. Ask yourself:

• Am I animating Ariel in this scene, or could this be any girl?

• How would Ariel do this action?

• How does Ariel feel? What is she thinking?

• What is uniquely Ariel in the way I'm animating her?

Some further notes on animating Ariel:

Fluidity is a key word in how she moves. Her actions are not jerky and stiff but rhythmic and fluid.

Keeping a clear line of action in her pose will help.

Her timing should reflect her impulsive personality. Snappy timing in a head turn or fin swish will give her a brighter, more perky feel.

Sebastian: Hey! What in da world did you think you're doing?! Put does back! Put dem away! You shouldn't be touching them! Dey got human germs on dem!

– What is it?

– Trouble, dat's what it is.

– How do you know?

– Because it's from da human world. Dat's how.

– Mfff... Mfinnnggg... Moffff... Mmmeee...

– What's he saying?

– Sounded like «Mff mfinngg mofff mmeee».

– I think it was «Get this thing off me».

Scuttle: Leave it to me! I'll get your pal out or my name isn't... uh... Scuttle! Yeah. That's it.

Sebastian: I hate to admit how much I like dat girl... So beautiful, wid a lovely voice... If only she used da head dat da voice came in every now and den...

Ursula: Darling, if I don't know it, it hasn't happened.

King Cornelius: Who are you?! How did you get in here?!

Ursula: Why, my dear king of the moray... I'm the sea witch. And when I want to go someplace, I generally get there.

Guard: Highness, should we...?

King Cornelius: Let her pass. No matter what her appearance, I'm not afraid of any woman.

Ursula: Well how fortunate... considering I'm not just ANY woman.

Sebastian: She got a lot of her father in her, dat one does.

Flounder: Holy halibut!

Flounder: We're caught! We're CAUGHT! Ariel, what're we gonna do? We're gonna get cooked and eaten! I'm too young to fry!

Sebastian: ...I never met da net dat could stand up to a determined crab!

– Struggle all you wish, my dear! Even allowing for whatever additional physical strength you might have from living in the deeper pressures of the sea, you still won't be strong enough to break those ropes. They're too densely woven.

Aquata: I thought being in charge meant doing whatever you wanted. I never realized that, sometimes, being in charge means having to do things you'd much rather not do.

Ariel: Flounder, look! It's a thingamabob!

Flounder: Aw, Ariel, whattaya need another one of those for? You've got nineteen already!

Ariel: So now I'll have twenty.

Ariel: This is incredible! All sorts of creatures I've never even heard of, much less seen! Look at all this! Flounder, when was the last time you saw anything remotely like this?

Flounder: In my nuh... nightmares.

Sebastian: Look at da size of dat t'ing! And we're going in dere?

Ariel: Aw, Sebastian, where's your sense of adventure?

Sebastian: I must've left it behind wit' my common sense!

Sebastian: JUMPIN' JELLYFISH!

Sebastian: Well, I just hope dis ain't a case of curiosity killing da crab.

– Ariel, wait! We're not supposed to come this far! There's boundaries your father set! Official borders! And we're about to cross one. We'll be outside of the merpeople territory.

– Now there you go again, Flounder! Borders are just made-up lines! Look down there. Do you see any lines?

– Well, ah... no.

– There, y' see? Why should I worry about imaginary lines? Am I an imaginary mermaid?

– Why do dese tings happen to me? What did I do to deserve dis? Da greatest musical mind in da seven seas, and I'm off looking for dat girl. Right now she's in more danger from me den dat shark, dat's for sure.

– Are you questioning my order, Sebastian?

– Me?

– You.

– No!

– Good.

– You got choral practice in an hour... So you want to be telling me where you suddenly sneaking off to, meaning you'll miss it like always

– Ohhh... Nowhere.

– Where nowhere?

– No somewhere in particular.

– Eric! For heaven's sake, get off of there!

– Sit down, ye landlubbing beanpole! Ye'll capsize us! Besides, don't ye know the highest rankin' crewman always goes down with his ship? An' no one ranks higher than a prince!

– Indeed. And if the prince honors that tradition and drowns, while we all sit here safely, the chances are the grand admiral will make sure your next assignment is to a garbage scow.

– Your highness! Get off that thing! No sense in losing the both of ye!

– Muuuuuuch better.