Claudia Herbst
Associate Professor
Pratt Institute
Department of Digital Arts



DDA 310 Introduction to Animation: Assigned Readings

Active participation and positive contribution to class discussions and critiques are an integral part
of this course.

In response to the assigned readings, answer the following questions. Take notes and come to class
prepared to contribute to the discussion.



Assigned reading: Animation Genre and Authorship, by Paul Wells, Chapter 1,
"What is Animation?"

Come prepared to answer the following questions:

1) The author speaks of the "histories" of animation -- why the reference to multiple histories?

2) According to the author, what are the implications of CGI for the art of animation?

3) What distinctions does the author make between cartoons and animation?

4) During what year, and in what film, was the multi-plane camera first used?

5) What does the author infer about the use of sound in animation?




Assigned reading: Animation Genre and Authorship, by Paul Wells, Chapter 2,
"The Animation Process"

Come prepared to answer the following questions:

1) The author notes that, in computer-generated animation, there are no restraints; anything is possible.
In the author's view, how does this affect the quality of animation?

2) The discussion asserts that a Disney style of animation prevails. According to the author, what are the
reasons for the dominance of Disney style animation? Do you agree?




Assigned reading: Animation Genre and Authorship, by Paul Wells, Chapter 3,
"Animation: The Modernist Art

Come prepared to answer the following question:

1) Summarize the author's arguments according to which animation is a "modernist art" form.
What makes it so?




Assigned reading: Animation Genre and Authorship, by Paul Wells, Chapter 4,
"Genre in Animation"

Come prepared to answer the following questions:

TBA




Assigned reading: Animation Genre and Authorship, by Paul Wells, Chapter 5,
"The Animation Auteur"

Come prepared to answer the following questions:

1) According to the author, to what degree is the role of the auteur in animation influenced
by corporate identity?

2) What time period is considered Disney's "Golden Era"?

3) What are the author's views on Walt Disney's auteurial status?

4) Who is Ray Harryhausen?

5) According to the author, does Caroline Leaf fit the model of the auteur?