Media convergence in animation : an analysis of aesthetic uniformity
Author
Gündeş, Feridun
Advisor
Treske, Andreas
Date
2017-02Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
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Abstract
This thesis analyzes the uniformity in animation aesthetics within the framework of
convergence theory. The sources of aesthetic diversity in animation art are demonstrated
along with the process though which these became precarious over time as realism
became an end in itself. It is suggested that the diversity is due to the independent use of
such elements of the screen image as the line and the form, and such elements related to
movement as the motion and the time. When these elements are harnessed to create a
realistic image and movement, the diversity is lost, and there occurs uniformity. This has
been aggravated with the emerging computer technology which made it possible to create
highly indexical photorealistic images and videorealistic movement.
This process can be interpreted as a special case of digital and technological media
convergence, which brought together previously separate design activities, and merged
their aesthetic principles. The result is an hybrid aesthetics prevalent over separate
domains, including animation. Due to industry related reasons, this realism based
aesthetic approach became so dominant that it pushed all the others to obscurity, causing
a decrease in diversity and increase in uniformity in animation aesthetics.