Animation and comics conference

[Funt Solo]

â??The Aesthetics of Trashâ?  :  Reassessing Animation and the Comic

An International Conference

 28th â?? 29th August 2007

Manchester Metropolitan University


Call for Papers



This interdisciplinary conference will address issues surrounding the achievements, cultural status and thematic concerns of animation and comics. Until comparatively recently the fields of animation and comics have received little serious critical attention in the English speaking world. Both have been regarded as second class media which were â??below critical radarâ??. Since the 1980s writings and research on animation (Crafton, Cannemaker, Bendazzi, Wells) and the comic (Barker, Sabin, Gravett) have begun to recuperate the reputation of these media, both through a thorough examination of their history, and a critical assessment of their aesthetic and cultural value.
There is still a vast amount of work to be done in these areas (and also on the relationship between both media and the live action film). This two day conference will bring together current research in these areas and indicate directions that future research might take.
 
Papers are invited on a wide range of topics, including:

Comics/animation & Genre                                                      
The Language of Comics
How have new media affected the comic?
What has been the influence of Japan on Western comics and/or animation?
What is the future of animation?
Comics fans
Comics/animation and gender issues
American Animation Studios
The Animator as Auteur
Animation & the Net
Has the superhero comic been superseded by the superhero film?
Comics & New Media
Comics/animation and censorship
Film Adaptations
Animation ; art vs industry
 How does the construction of the cartoon star relate to live action stardom?
Experimental Animation
The Comic Strip
Underground and Alternative comics
Comics/animation and nationalism/nationality

Papers will be considered on related themes


300 word abstracts should be submitted by June 25th  2007 to the organising joint chairs:

Dr David Huxley
d.huxley@mmu.ac.uk

Dr Joan Ormrod
j.ormrod@mmu.ac.uk

[Misanthrope]

No cosplay, then?

[Queen Firey-Bou]

this sounds brilliant ! like something i could sit in a corner feeling really stupid at.... fascinating stimulating, we'll see.. dare say we'll be too busy making comics & animation films.

[Funt Solo]

Aye, I've no plans to participate, but it's one of those things gets sent around to all the Unis, so I figured - at last - something on topic I can post.