Shaping visual narratives

: camera structure in animation

Abstract

This dissertation delves into the role and impact of camera structure in animated films, exploring elements such as camera effects, lens choices, depth of field, lighting, and animation techniques. Employing a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach, the study analyzes existing literature and case studies to understand how camera structure influences the meaning and visual style of animated narratives. The key findings highlight the significance of camera structure: it defines a film’s unique visual identity, shaping aesthetics and visual style, conveys emotions, enhances audience engagement, serves as storytelling devices, guides attention, and conveys essential information, impacting the level of realism or fantasy, adding layers of meaning and symbolism to elevate storytelling, and establishing a unified visual language for enhanced audience immersion and narrative comprehension. The dissertation concludes by emphasizing the transformative convergence of animation and live-action cinematography, transcending traditional boundaries. This paradigm shift underscores the importance of cinematic language, where techniques become instruments for narrative expression, offering new horizons for storytelling and artistic exploration.

Date of Award	11 Dec 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Sahra Kunz (Supervisor)