MEDIA301 Animation provides an introduction to the theory, history and creative practice of animation. The integration of these approaches is intended to serve as a foundation for a number of future possibilities such as; academic research, artistic practice or employment within the creative and media industries. While time will be devoted to discussing the significance of a broad range of animated works, we will also consider the role and experience of the animator as a practitioner, and the ways in which audience members might engage with animation.

The range of audio-visual media discussed in this paper will impart a critical awareness that seeks to compliment what you will learn about the creativity of the production process. Although the paper does not include tuition in the specific technical and software competencies associated with animation production, principles of learning in this paper are based on the understanding that the relation between theory and practice is a reciprocal process. While theory and textual analysis may inform or inspire creative practice, it is also understood that the exploratory process involved in creative practice may also bring about an enhanced conceptual understanding and ability to reflect upon creative process. This paper immerses you in this reciprocal process, and therefore challenges you to engage in a constant negotiation between theory, textual analysis, contextual understanding and creative process.

Objectives

• To introduce students to the theory and creative practice of animation

• To develop a critical understanding of the aesthetic traditions of animation through textual analysis. This will include an exploration of the major ‘modes’ in animation, as distinguished by differences in national and cultural production, technique, and aesthetic orientation.

• To explore the influence of the production context upon animation, specifically in terms of political, economic, cultural, and historical influences upon the production of animation. This will also include an overview of contemporary industrial and technological aspects, which help to define and constrain the possibilities for animators in New Zealand and beyond.

• To study the genre of animation within the context of art history and the development of cinema, and specifically in relation to foundational art movements such as realism, formalism, the Avant-Garde, dada, surrealism and expressionism.

• To consider the role of animation as a distinct cultural form. This will involve an exploration of the ways in which animation is positioned and utilised within contexts such as; fine art, popular culture, experimental media, commercial entertainment, political ‘propaganda’ and audio-visual media.

• To examine representation, intellectual and affective modes of engagement; the construction of national, trans-national and cultural identities, the transmission of cultural memory and notions of; popular appeal, subversive encounter and distaste.

Teaching will involve a combination of lectures, guided research, and workshop sessions (see table below).

There is an online Moodle community for this course. Moodle can be accessed via iWaikato. Lecture presentations, tutorial exercises, assignment details, important dates and the paper outline are all available from this site.