Reading: Art in Motion - Maureen Furninss

Last year we were given chapters to read from this book. I thought it would be good to do some further reading on this week's topic of methods of research.

Conducting Animation Research

• It important to understand production context of piece of art "historical, economic, social, technological, industrial, and other influences" p. 7
• Should consider social factors of the piece and its impact on representation
• Think about the background of the artist/company
• Furniss describes using historical methodology  - for example looking at a WW2 piece and considering effects of 1930s depression
• The reading was slightly outdated and suggests using a new thing called the internet (ha)
• Suggested website - Animation World Network, awn.com (still exists!)
• Visit the library
• Write to/interview people who've worked on production
• Focus groups - questionnaire after watching a certain animation
• textual analysis "one might consider the way in which character design gives meaning to a work" p. 10
• aspects of symbolism
• Freudian or Jungian theory
• "Theoretical analyses can be useful for understanding more about the thought processes and the ways in which a society expresses itself" p.10
• Try not to focus too much on mainstream: Disney, Warner bros etc