Description
Book SynopsisThe Animation Studies Reader brings together both key writings within animation studies and new material in emerging areas of the field. The collection provides readers with seminal texts that ground animation studies within the contexts of theory and aesthetics, form and genre, and issues of representation. The first section collates key readings on animation theory, on how we might conceptualise animation, and on some of the fundamental qualities of animation. New material is also introduced in this section specifically addressing questions raised by the nature, style and materiality of animation. The second section outlines some of the main forms that animation takes, which includes discussions of genre. Although this section cannot be exhaustive, the material chosen is particularly useful as it provides samples of analysis that can illuminate some of the issues the first section of the book raises. The third section focuses on issues of representation and how the medium of a
Trade Review[A] very good resource for a comprehensive understanding of the field …
The Animation Studies Reader’s editors certainly succeeded in demonstrating the richness and diversity of animation and animation studies. * H-SHERA *
Featuring an impressive array of important topics by leading figures in the field of animation studies, this book provides an excellent resource for introductory or advance study. It is a much-needed resource for courses, reflecting the ubiquity of animated imagery in its wide ranging forms and contexts. * Maureen Furniss, Director, Experimental Animation, California Institute of the Arts, USA *
The essays in this volume expose to scrutiny a wide range of questions essential to our comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon and process of animation, as well as its role not only in contemporary cinema but in the widest cultural and social contexts. Editors Nichola Dobson, Annabelle Honess Roe, Amy Ratelle and Caroline Ruddell, through twenty-two carefully selected texts, provide complex and exhaustive research of the field of animation. The carefully-structured
Reader argues that animation is a far reaching and multi-layered phenomenon that both demands and deserves a carefully proposed and mapped out multiperspective approach. The theoretical platform and analytical optique are presented in a systematic, detailed and didactic way, making this collection of texts accessible for the widest reading audience. * Dr. Nevena Dakovic, Faculty of Dramatic Arts, University of Arts, Belgrade, Serbia *
The Animation Studies Reader is a formidable compilation of outstanding contributions to the body of scholarship in modern animation studies. Well organized into three main thematic sections, it presents a veritable "who is who" of the most eminent scholars in the field. It covers a wide range of topics that reflect the main areas of academic significance and contemporary relevance. As such, the tome is an indispensable treasure trove for animation theorists, students and academically inclined practitioners alike. Highly recommended. * Hannes Rall, Associate Professor, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore *
Table of ContentsList of Figures List of Contributors Acknowledgements
Introduction Nichola Dobson, Annabelle Honess Roe, Amy Ratelle and Caroline Ruddell Section One: Theory, Philosophy, Concepts 1. Approaching Animation and Animation Studies
Caroline Ruddell (Brunel University London, UK) and Lilly Husbands (University of Arts London, UK and Middlesex University, UK) 2. The Cinema of Attractions: Early Film, Its Spectator and the Avant-Garde
Tom Gunning (University of Chicago, USA) 3. Re-Animating Space
Aylish Wood (University of Kent, UK) 4. Realism and Animation
Mihaela Mihailova (Michigan State University, USA) 5. The Uncanny Valley
Lisa Bode (University of Queensland, Australia) 6. Animation and Performance
Annabelle Honess Roe (University of Surrey, UK) 7. Animation and Memory
Victoria Grace Walden (University of Sussex, UK) 8. Some Thoughts on Theory-Practice Relationships in Animation Studies
Paul Ward (Arts University Bournemouth, UK) Section Two: Forms and Genres 9. Absence, Excess and Epistemological Expansion: Towards a Framework for the Study of Animated Documentary
Annabelle Honess Roe (University of Surrey, UK) 10. Experimental Animation
Paul Taberham (Arts University Bournemouth, UK) 11. Features and Shorts
Christopher Holliday (King's College London, UK) 12. Advertising and Public Service Films
Malcolm Cook (University of Southampton, UK) 13. Political Animation and Propaganda
Eric Herhuth (Tulane University, USA) 14. TV Animation
Nichola Dobson (Edinburgh College of Art, UK) 15. Animation and/as Children’s Entertainment
Amy Ratelle (editor of Animation Studies
) 16. Video Games and Animation
Chris Pallant (Canterbury Christ Church University, UK) Section Three: Representation: Frames and Contexts 17. Race, Resistance and Violence in Cartoons
Nicholas Sammond (University of Toronto, Canada) 18. We’re Asian. More Expected of Us: The Model Minority and Whiteness in
King of the Hill Alison Reiko Loader (Concordia University, Canada) 19. Transformers Rescue Bots: Representation in Disguise
Nichola Dobson (Edinburgh College of Art, UK) 20. Anime’s Bodies
Rayna Denison (University of East Anglia, UK) 21. Disney Films 1989-2005: The “Eisner” Era
Amy M. Davis (University of Hull, UK) 22. Taking an Appropriate Line: Exploring Representations of Disability within British Mainstream Animation
Van Norris (University of Portsmouth, UK) Index
