Design for Animation, Narrative Structures & Film Language
In our Week 1 session on “Design for Animation, Narrative Structures & Film Language,” we were taught the fundamental aspects of developing a critical report. Here’s a summary of what we learned:
Choosing a Research Topic
- We were told that when choosing a research topic, it’s essential to pick something that truly motivates us to explore and discover. We were encouraged to think about how our inquiry might connect to established research and how our findings could potentially impact current or future theories and practices.
- We learned to consider the relevance of our research in the context of the field of study and how it can inform an audience. Our topic should have a clear purpose, fulfilling the outcomes outlined in our assignment brief.
Relevance to Our Practice
- The lecture prompted us to reflect on our career goals and which areas of production we want to focus on after graduation. We were asked to think about the skills we need to develop to reach vocational standards and how we will showcase our work in the final shows.
- We discussed the importance of connecting our thesis research directly to our practical work or exploring an area of research that might not be related to the practical element.
Potential Research Objectives
- The session emphasised the importance of extending our knowledge of a subject area that we are passionate about and exploring areas that will inform our practice.
- We learned that developing a critical and analytical approach is key to interpreting and evolving our work while understanding its context within historical and contemporary practices.
Developing the Critical Report
- We were advised to establish a clear theme or topic for our report, which may evolve during the research process.
- We discussed the significance of writing a strong introduction, using appropriate methodologies, critically reviewing relevant literature, and presenting a balanced argument in the main body of the text.
- The session also highlighted the importance of drawing conclusions and making recommendations based on our findings.
Structuring the Report
- The critical report is to be organised into several key sections:
- Introduction (around 200 words): A clear statement about the issue being investigated and the purpose of the report.
- Critical Review of Literature (approximately 250 words): A thorough appraisal of the research conducted and how sources were used to achieve the objectives or answer the questions.
- Main Body (about 800 words): A detailed investigation of options based on evidence, including the main discussion, findings, and citations. We were encouraged to use sub-headings to organize our content.
- Conclusion (250 words): Summarizing findings and providing recommendations to the audience based on those findings.
- References: We were instructed to use the Harvard referencing system and include at least five academically recognized sources.
Starting to Think About Ideas
- As we discussed the structure and purpose of the report, I started to think about possible topics that I could explore. The idea of how narrative structures in animation influence audience perception immediately caught my attention.
- The emphasis on linking theoretical research to practical applications made me think about how I could connect my findings directly to my own work or future projects in animation.
Audio-Visual Presentation Component
- We were briefed on the objective of creating a 5-minute audio-visual presentation to effectively communicate our research topic.
- Our presentation should focus on key points from our written report, highlighting the objectives, processes, and results of our research without simply reciting the entire report or using lengthy text passages.
- We were encouraged to make the presentation as visually engaging as possible, aiming to provide a clear, concise, and illustrative representation of our research findings.
Structure and Content
- The guidelines suggested presenting a brief outline of the intention behind our research and outlining the main sources of information that informed our study.
- We were advised to select key areas of investigation that led to our findings, briefly state our conclusions, and discuss how the research might apply to further knowledge in theory or practice.
- The presentation is also an opportunity to identify personal objectives, reflect on future projects, and evaluate our research approaches.
This introduction to the Critical Report in Week 1 has set a clear direction for how I should approach my research, and it has already sparked a few potential ideas for topics to explore further.