Towards a strategy for innovative styles in animation : a look at UPA and modern art

• Main Author: Zu, Orzu
• Other Authors: Hans-Martin Rall
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2017
• Subjects: DRNTU::Visual arts and music::Animation
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/70253
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The structure of this paper is built upon the theoretical, analytical, and practical studies of the production processes and visual development of the United Productions of America (UPA), a studio that was active during the post-war period of the 1950s in the United States. Works from the UPA were unique to their time, and the artists sought to bring a more contemporary flavour to their films by introducing modern art aesthetic and ideology into their production process. The thesis looks into the relationship between UPA’s innovative mode of production and their influence from modern art, which was one of their main sources for stylistic inspiration. The studio was celebrated for producing animated films that reflect an effective and modern stylisation through the studio’s use of minimalistic and simplified design, limited animation techniques, story adaptations, and unconventional narratives. This research follows the approaches, influences, and inspiration that led to the studio’s stylistic achievements and modern ideology. Following the theoretical framework, the research exercises an analytical and practical examination, which is achieved through the analysis of a selection of UPA films and modern art masters that relate to the studio’s own sources of stylistic inspiration. With the combination of theory, analysis, and practice, the research aims to provide a strategy for style development in animation art. The working strategy proposed in this paper could potentially be an area of interest for researchers and practitioners who are looking into the development of visuals in animation creation.