COM2200 - Animation cultures

Leader: Dan Black

Offered

Berwick Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit examines animation from both a practical and critical perspective. Students will undertake practical instruction in basic animation skills as well as investigating animation as industry, transnational cultural commodity, fan text and technology. Animation Cultures takes a largely critical approach to the study of animation, and students will become familiar with a variety of critical and theoretical perspectives on the form. However, the unit will also include a four-week practical component, in which students will be given a practical introduction to animation techniques.

Objectives

By the conclusion of the units students will be able to:

1. Discuss animation as a complex and broad ranging phenomenon that is not restricted to traditional animation forms such as the comic book and the cartoon, but is also a feature of, for example, advertising, virtual reality, live action film and television, and MTV.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of animation and be able to account for the development of this 'genre' by reference to social, cultural, political, technological, economic and industrial factors.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural specificities that inform the production, distribution and consumption of different forms of animation.
4. Identify the key issues that impact upon animation's creative and technological processes.
5. Apply current theoretical perspectives to explain the relationship between forms of animation and communications and media architectures.
6. Apply current critical theory to the analysis of the popular cultural appeal of animation texts.
7. Ability to analyse and explain transnational flows of animated media texts
8. Demonstrate advanced skills in research, writing and critical analysis.
9. Demonstrate a basic competence in animation production skills.

Assessment

Major Essay (2500 words) 40%
Group debate and summary (1500 words) 10%
Creative Production Exercise (Equivalent of 5000 words) 40%
Attendance and participation 10%
All students are required to undertake a four-week production skills module.

Contact hours

One hour lecture, 1.5 hour screening, 1-hour tutorial (9 weeks) and 3 hour practical workshop (4 weeks)

Prerequisites

An approved first year sequence

Prohibitions

COM3200