In this much-needed study of a neglected medium, Paul Wells undertakes aconvincing defence of the animated film as a significant art form, explaining, why animation has been consigned to the margins of film history and criticism, and offering a variety of strategies for inrtpreting and evaluating animated film. Part history, part theory, part celebration, Understanding Animation explores approaches to animation through an electric range of case studies from Betty
Boop's Snow White , to Jan Svankmajer's Jabberwocky . Opening with the discussion of the early history of animation through experimental figures like Emile Reynaud and J. Stuat Blavkton, Wells moves on to discuss narrative strategies; the idea of realism and Disney-esque hyper-realism, the construction of comedy; representations of gender and race, and animation and audience research. Understanding Animation provides a range of points of access into this undervalued medium, and demostrates that the animated film has much to tell us about ourselves, the cultures we live in and our view of art and our society.
By:
Paul Wells Imprint: Routledge Country of Publication: United Kingdom Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 156mm,
Spine: 18mm
Weight: 476g ISBN:9780415115971 ISBN 10: 0415115973 Pages: 280 Publication Date:28 May 1998 Audience:
College/higher education
,
General/trade
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Primary
,
A / AS level
Replaced By: 9780415397308 Format:Paperback Publisher's Status: Active
Paul Wells is Subject Leader in Media Studies at De Montfort University in Leicester.