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Victor A. Garza

Professor Moore

English 1301-UHP01

1 December 2019

Tea’s Relationship with Consent

The animation produced by Blue Seat Studios creates a message about the significance of

consent that is directed towards individuals interested in participating in sexual behavior with

their partners. The animation uses tea as an analogy to explain how the absence of consent

alludes to undesirable outcomes in intimate relationships such as insecurity and sexual violence.

The visuals suggested how forcing someone to drink tea similarly to pressuring someone to have

sex without their permission can lead to conflict in the relationship. Colors in the illustrations

contribute to addressing circumstances surrounding consent. The speaker explains through the

tea analogy of how consent is necessary for proper communication and understanding between

individuals. Relationships should be consensual and understanding to ensure security and

satisfaction. The illustrations, colors, and narration in the Tea and Consent animation aims to

inform individuals about the importance of consent to encourage them to be supportive of each

other and have healthy relationships.

Simple illustrations such as stick figures interacting in the animation explain to the

audience how to incorporate consent to produce healthy relationships. Blue Seat Studios uses

animation as a style of education because visuals are more appealing and understandable to

viewers. “We use hand-drawn animation to bring stories to viewers in a very down-to-earth and

human way” (Blue Seat Studios). The visuals provide different scenarios where consent is

necessary. For example, the tea analogy shows how some people can commit selfish actions by
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making someone drink tea no matter the circumstances. The analogy reveals that people must

recognize others’ boundaries before making decisions to preserve their respect toward each

other. One illustration showed a situation of someone being unconscious, which referred to

consent not being available and leading the audience to acknowledge common sense. However,

the illustrations emphasized the danger of the situation because it is a realistic problem that

occurs in society. Another illustration focused on the fact that after individuals are given

permission once, then they assume that future situations will be the same. However, this is not

the case because everyone can have different moods on different days, which results in consent

always being necessary no matter how close or trustworthy individuals are in their relationship.

The visuals in the animation provide simplicity and appeal that help the audience understand and

become interested in learning why consent is necessary for relationships.

The colors used in the animation contribute to recognizing the circumstances that include

consent as a necessity. Each color has a purpose in grabbing the audience’s attention. For

example, red is used in illustrations that emphasize inappropriate outcomes due to imprudent

choices made through the absence of consent. “It attracts attention more than any other color, at

times signifying danger” (Przybyla). The illustrations revealed a red no symbol in situations of

someone drinking tea against their will to inform the audience of consequences that can occur

due to carelessness. In the scenario involving unconscious people, words highlighted in red

focused on context explaining that when they are in critical condition requiring assistance,

consent is not applicable. People must recognize and treat the danger in the situation and

disregard any prior agreements made between each other. White is used for the background of

the animation for simplicity and a light-hearted mood. It gives viewers a clear perspective about

consent’s impact on relationships. Blue Seat Studios believes that teaching audiences meaningful
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topics can be done through entertaining demonstrations. “We believe that even the most serious

subjects can be treated with humor and compassion” (Blue Seat Studios). Colors provided a basis

for the animation to present its message through clarity.

The speaker in the animation provides reasonable logic from the tea analogy to explain to

the audience that consent can help individuals strengthen their relationship through compromise.

He states that understanding the concept of consent is as simple as the concept of serving

someone tea. The speaker explains that no one is entitled to make someone drink tea even if

consent is given. He sees those situations as preposterous because people contain egocentric

thoughts that disregard the other person’s personal feelings. The speaker suggests that consent is

properly communicated between individuals when applied with common sense and agreement.

“Consenting is a choice you make without pressure, manipulation, or under the influence of

drugs or alcohol” (“Sexual Consent”). But because some people are unaware of the damage

miscommunication of consent can do in relationships, an abusive relationship is possible. The

audience must recognize that consent requires respect and understanding in relationships. For

example, the speaker explains a situation where a person asked for tea and lost interest over time,

then decided to not drink it. He emphasizes that people can change their minds on decisions even

after consent is granted to inform the audience to be mindful. Narration in the tea analogy lets the

audience infer how absurd certain individuals are in abusing others in relationships for their

selfish pleasures. The speaker uses logic to encourage the audience to acknowledge consent’s

role in communication to produce mutual relationships. He suggests to the audience that

“consent is everything” (“Tea and Consent”) because of the balance it places in relationships.

The animation presented its message through elements that gave the audience a

perspective of how consent impacts relationships. The illustrations shown focused on the tea
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analogy, which alluded to the reality of people taking advantage of others through absence or

miscommunication of consent. Each color used in the visuals highlighted relevant factors in

relationships that the audience must be mindful about. The speaker throughout the animation

expressed how communication is important to encourage the audience to not only be passionate

but also thoughtful of their partners’ feelings to produce compromise and support between each

other. Individuals must understand that everyone has different feelings and must respect their

boundaries. The animation informs the audience of the consequences in relationships that can

occur if consent is not explicitly communicated. It is a public service announcement that raises

awareness of consent and how it can prevent misconduct. Consent is an important factor in

relationships to establish trust and healthy bonds between individuals. Without it, there would

always be conflict and disagreement between people, which would lead to sexual violence and

selfishness. The animation attempts to inform the audience about consent through illustrations,

colors, and commentary to acknowledge the mistakes it can prevent in relationships.

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Works Cited

Blue Seat Studios. Blue Seat Studios, https://www.blueseatstudios.com/about. Accessed 20

November 2019.

Przybyla, Dena. “The Ultimate Guide to Color Meanings.” Color Psychology,

https://www.colorpsychology.org/. Accessed 20 November 2019.

“Sexual Consent.” Planned Parenthood, https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-and-

relationships/sexual-consent Accessed 23 November 2019.

“Tea and Consent.” YouTube, Blue Seat Studios, 12 June 2016,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7Nii5w2FaI. Accessed 23 November 2019.