Renee Zhan’s 2018 2D animated short film Reneepoptosis is inspired by Chinese ink wash painting and follows a trio of her alter ego Renees who embark on a treacherous journey of self-exploration while seeking out God—the animator herself. The trio,…
Analyzing Animation
A Goofy Movie (1995) Character Study
by Nick Mahoney • July 12, 2022 • 0 Comments
Many films claim to be the “Family movie of the year”, but so few match this description. Traditionally, a family movie needs to appeal not only to children, but also to their parents, siblings, and anyone else who might be…
Analyzing Animation
Best Friend (2018)
by Jamie Sybico • June 21, 2022 • 0 Comments
As the development of technology grows, so does the dependency on technology in everyday life. We create new products that improve our lifestyle, but how does this affect us when we are without those technologies? The 2018 graduate student short…
Analyzing Animation
Negative Space (2017)
by Jackie Garza • June 13, 2022 • 0 Comments
It is an understatement to say dealing with death is a difficult thing. The 2017 short film Negative Space by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata is reminiscent of the mental headspace where one may try to recall the rose-tinted memories…
Analyzing Animation
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
by Eesha Muddasani • June 6, 2022 • 4 Comments
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a film directed by Isao Takahata in 2013, and it is based on a Japanese folktale called “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.” Commenting on the consequences of prioritizing wealth, the film portrays…
Analyzing Animation
Analyzing Animation: An Introduction to the Theme
by Christine Veras • June 3, 2022 • 0 Comments
The final assignment in my undergraduate Animation Studies course is film analysis. The students use an animation of their choice as a primary source to analyze and draw connections with the content studied in class. Throughout the semester, students read,…
Asian Animation
Sakuma Drops: An Essay on the Spillover Effect (Part II)
by Gaia Kriscak • May 23, 2022 • 0 Comments
In the first part of this two-part blog post, the chronological and the spirit timelines of Grave of the Fireflies were located and defined, with the aim of showcasing how Plantinga’s concept of the spillover effect is found and works…
Asian Animation
Sakuma Drops: An Essay on the Spillover Effect (Part I)
by Gaia Kriscak • May 16, 2022 • 0 Comments
A graveyard: autumn fireflies, two or three Gensho, 1742 In this two-part blog post, I will use the story structure of Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies, Isao Takahata, 1988) to highlight how in the two identifiable story timelines…
AI
Minds in Motion: Some Basic Thoughts on AI and Animation
by Julia Eckel and Nea Ehrlich • May 10, 2022 • 2 Comments
This blog theme is part of an emerging project that explores what image-oriented disciplines like Art History, Media and Film Studies contribute to the academic and public debate about AI, specifically what it means to conceptualize AI as a cultural…
AI
Intelligence In Between: Documenting AI in Animation
by Julia Eckel • May 2, 2022 • 1 Comment
The connection between AI and animation is currently widely discussed with regard to the influence of machine learning technologies on animation production (e.g., see The Next Leap: How A.I. will change the 3D industry – Andrew Price). What animation is…