To: Rebecca Agosta From: Carlos Vargas Date: February 28th 2014 Subject of Inquiry: Disney fandom Initial

Inquiry Subject: My inquiry subject is going to be on Disney and how its animated film fandom has shaped their identities. I will be looking at different groups of fans, which occur depending on which period, or renaissance, they favorite film presides and see why they enjoy that period than another. I will also be look at how being apart of the Disney fandom diffs from just going to see their animated films. I am interested in this topic because I have actually grown up with Disney and have always wanted to do an English assignment looking at how Disney has affected peoples lives. It is a company, which creates animated, live action and short films located in California. The company became really popular after the start of Mickey Mouse in the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie. The company has done 53 animated films excluding what Pixar has done which they have been partnered with since the 90s. Disney owns six Disney theme parks around the world; two of which are in the United States. This topic relates to me because of the fact that I have always been interested in the Disney community. I grew up with Disney as a kid and it was always fascinated me on how they shape our identity. In fact I consider myself apart of this fandom. Methods: When looking at this community, one of the first things that I want to research is the fan website known as D23. The reason here is to look at the past, I will be able to examine which films are considered popular as well as when they were not as popular through different forums and articles. This will then go in to interview of a professor on campus who has a class about Disney in the feminist ideal. This will allow me to gain more in site and information toward the Disney Company from someone who can be considered a part of the fandom. Finally I will be looking a Rotten tomato, a review website, to help create a time line that will help me examine the trends the films when through by percentages given from critics reviews. Questions: 1. Why is Disney fandom considered a Discourse community? 2. What is the difference between a novice and an expert in this fandom community? 3. Has the Disney Company changed its support of fans through out its existence? 4. How Does the Disney fandom interact with one another? 5. How is the Disney fandom important to our society? 6. How Does Disney shape peoples identity?

7. Why are some people more interested in one period of Disney films rather than another? 8. Does personal belief effect what period of Disney films you enjoy ?