The Persistence of Animation

SAS conferences have often featured workshops dealing with rather practical matters of special interest to its membership. These have included teaching both animation production and animation history. We are delighted to report that this year’s conference will feature workshops on both topics.

On Friday morning, Harvey Deneroff will moderate an open discussion on Teaching Animation History in a Cinema Studies World, right after Andrew Darley’s keynote address; and first thing Saturday morning, Tom Knott will oversee a panel discussion he calls Push/Pull: The Student, The Education and The Industry.

If you have any ideas about what might be included in either of these events, please let us know.

Workshop Moderator: Teaching Animation History in a Cinema Studies World

This workshop will provide an open forum for a discussion of problems and approaches involved in teaching animation history. It is expected to include, but not be limited to such topics as: To what extent should it be taught in the context of film and TV history? How can it be integrated into classes in cinema and media history? Are current textbooks in the field adequate? Do cinema history textbooks adequately deal with animation history? How does one deal with motion graphics, visual effects animation and game animation? And what are the advantages of teaching animation history from nonchronological and/or theoretical approaches?

Biographical Statement: Harvey Deneroff, a Professor of Animation at SCAD-Atlanta, has a special interest in the American animation industry, especially the history of animation unions. He was the first editor of Animation Magazine and Animation World Magazine, and his writings have appeared in Film History, The Hollywood Reporter, Animatoon and Sight and Sound, as well as several books. He is the author of The Art of Anastasia (1997) and helped Fred Ladd write Astro Boy and Anime Come to the Americas (2008). He served as Festival Director of the Week With the Masters Animation Celebration, in India, organized the Ojai Animation Conference, and in 1987 founded SAS, subsequently serving as its first president.

Workshop: Push/Pull: The Student, The Education and The Industry (Moderator)

With the animation industry constantly evolving and with its tentacles in so much of the media world how does an animation program best prepare its students? It can be a push-pull, tug of war — addressing student wants and industry needs preparing the student not just for their first job but also for a long successful career and the many directions a career can take. This conversation will workshop ways and ideas of working together.

Biographical Statement: For the past 14 years Tom Knott has recruited and built animation teams for such studios as Warner Bros (The Iron Giant) and Laika (Coraline), among others. He has also worked on the production side for Warner Bros. (Looney Tunes: Back In Action) and Acme Filmworks (The Drew Carry Green Screen Show). From 1988 to 1995 he was a Director of the Ottawa International Animation Festival as well as assisting and providing direction for the Los Angeles International Animation Celebration. He occasionally writes about animation (Animation Art, Flame Tree Publishing, 2004); lectures and teaches; programs retrospectives; and was part of the planning committee for the 1990 Ottawa and 2002 Glendale Society for Animation Studies Conferences.