These examples and notes are to aid degree students working on the “Non-Fiction” element of a Module in Yr 2 of their Animation BA(Hons) Degree at HSAD.
Students are asked to propose a non-fiction animation of their own to work on over a semester, they can use any media and any style. All that is asked is that it is appropriate, and based upon a solid research phase.
Non-fiction may cover:
Documentary: A movie, television, web or other sequential visual media based program that provides a factual record or report.
Includes lectures, travalogues, historical reconstructions, scientific/academic explanations, news etc.
Drive (the truth about what motivates us) – RSA Animate
The Sinking of The Lucitania – Windsor McKay – 1918, Windsor McKay – Animated News film
Mr DNA from Jurassic Park – Documentary within a Film.
Walking with Dinosaurs – Digital – Nature Program
Propaganda:
Propaganda is an interesting genre, here we have (potentially) lies or half truths dressed as truth – This could be an interesting area for reflection – Does propaganda count as Non-Fiction.
Animated Soviet Propaganda – via the excellent brianpickings.org
Disney – propaganda production – mimicked in this fake propaganda video from the film The Rocketeer.
Biography:
Charles Skip Pitts (biography of a bluesman) – Loaded Pictures
Autobiography:
Tales of Mere Existence – Stuff – Lev Yilman
“Waltz with Bashir” – Creative Non-fiction/docudrama/Autobiography
“I Met The Walrus” – John Lenon interviewed by the then 14 yr old Jerry Levitan in 1969, animated in 2007 (38 years later), Emmy winning, Oscar Nominated. Created by Jerry Levitan, Josh Raskin and illustrators James Braithwaite & Alex Kurina
Trailers:
This animated trailer for Attenborough’s documentary series – Natural Curiosities – by Red Bee Media (for UKTV’s Eden Channel) is a fanciful and beautiful animation, rooted in Attenborough’s idiosyncratic narration.
Title Sequences: –
Finding Your Roots – TV – by Oakes
Delicatessen – Film – Jeunett & Caro
Zombieland – Movie – Ben Conrad & Logan
Stings:
TV Adverts:
Talk Talk TV – 2D and Mixed Media
Goverment/Agency/Public Service Announcements:
“REDD” – Animated Environmental Message from the Shroom Studio project. – Micro Short – 1 minute.
“Our Friend The Atom” – Part 3 – the animation starts about 3 minutes in…
… if you can find it, “The Story of Menstruation” – 10 minute Film, 1946, Kimberly-Clark/Kotex/Disney, Docudrama.
“TV Tropes” have a whole list of various Public Service announcements > HERE <.
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If non-fiction is something you are interested in you might wish yourself to seek out and take a news report, lecture, tutorial/how-to guide, political/“issues” based speech or infomercial (TV, Radio, Internet PodCast – historical or contemporary) and analyse and animate to the soundtrack.
Be clear – Creative juxtaposition of imagery against your factual soundtrack is encouraged only if appropriate; parody and visual gags that do not enhance or help illustrate the point with more clarity are not. You have an ethical and social responsibility when putting something in front of the public which you claim to be non-fiction. You need to check your facts (research), you also need to make sure your research has been ethical (BERA standards).
A proposal for an non-fiction animation should consist of either a selected soundtrack with key points highlighted or noted, and a visual style sheet (and choice of medium) or minimal story board. Or, a plan of action regarding the creation, acquisition or documentary style gathering of an original soundtrack/story/lecture/speech, again supported by a visual style sheet (and choice of medium) or minimal story board.
If you are looking at animating an public announcement, advert or a sting etc. you may wish to consider those which you think DO NOT work or are inappropriate, and how you may improve them.
Consider what it is to be a creative/designer, what is your moral remit with regards making things work better?
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