Unit Review (Term 3)
Defining my Research Question
When it comes to my thesis proposal, this term I focused on narrowing down my research question and adapting the key authors for my literature review. Even though I knew which topic I wanted to explore (Tim Burton’s characters and filmography), the question I submitted last term was too broad.
Old Question (Term 2): To what extent do film semiotics play an essential role in world building and characterization within the horror genre?
New Question (Term 3): How does Tim Burton balance horror and empathy in the characters of his movies to create an emotional impact on the audience?
Editing my Literature Review
After I established my new research question, I had to expand my bibliography with authors that focus on the concept of emotional engagement and identification. Since they all had different points of view, I can approach my research question from different perspectives.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that my authors come from different fields such as semiotics, animation and psychology. In this sense, I was able to combine different areas of interest and apply them into the field of animation.
Exploring Different Fields of Interest
Working on an animation-oriented thesis has enabled me to explore several fields of interest. Not only do I have the opportunity to analyze the artwork of my favorite director Tim Burton, but also conduct my study from different approaches.
Attending Feedback Sessions
Receiving feedback from Nigel was crucial, as he helped me to polish my research question and establish the golden thread of my paper. This enabled me to organize my ideas and have a clear understanding of my workflow.
Preparing for my FMP
Since for my FMP I would like to create an animation which is influenced by the grotesque style, my thesis will help me to create the theoretical background for my short film. In this sense, I would like to focus first on developing my research and then apply all my findings into my FMP animation.