Society for Animation Studies
The Society for Animation Studies is an international scholarly organization that was founded in the fall of 1987. It is dedicated to the study of animation in all its forms and has members all around the world. The Society supports animation scholarship in a variety of ways, including an annual conference, special exhibits and a newsletter.
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13th Annual SAS Conference
14th SAS Annual Conference
Glendale, California
Thursday, September 26 - Sunday, September 29, 20022002 marks the 15th anniversary of the Society For Animation Studies. Drawing historians, scholars and filmmakers from around the globe, the Society will celebrate this achievement with its 14th annual conference in Glendale, California, September 26-29, 2002. Taking place in the recital hall of the landmark Brand Library & Art Center, this year's conference will focus on a wide range of topics, including: Anime; Technology; Culture, Gender and Identity; Childhood; Theory and Criticism; Feature Film Production; and Disney (in honor of Walt Disney's 100th birthday).
In addition to the conference proper, Cartoon Network Studios, in nearby Burbank, will throw open its doors for a special opening reception on Thursday September 26th, at 5:30 p.m. (Only those that pre-register may be able to attend this event). The Glendale Arts and Culture Commission will also host a reception the following evening at the landmark Doctor's House, in Brand Park, next to the Brand Library & Art Center. On Saturday, there will be a picnic lunch in the Japanese Tea House, also in Brand Park. Brand Library & Art Center. On Friday and Saturday, there will be a picnic lunch in the Japanese Teahouse, also in Brand Park. (The cost of these lunches is not included in your registration fee and is extra.)
Finally, historian and author Donald Crafton will give the First Annual Society for Animation Studies Address, "Performance in and of Animation" on Saturday night, at the DreamWorks Animation Studio, in Glendale. DreamWorks is also sponsoring the event. (Check here for addresses, phone numbers and Web sites for locations of conference venues and hotels.)
Keynote Address
"Performance in and of Animation," by Donald Crafton
This talk will ask the provocative question: Is animation a performance art? We have naturally come to think of animation as graphics, as a musical form, as emotional expression, and as a storytelling medium, all sharing the common element of cinematic motion. But the element of performance has been relatively unexplored. Crafton's discussion of performance in animation will present the case for looking at films as representations of human performance, focusing mainly on the 1930s, his current area of study. Some performances were derived from vaudeville and theater traditions, while others were created as exploits of fantastic beings. Performance of animation refers to the larger issue of whether it is really the animator (even in the industrialized studio system of the 30s) who was the performer. This view would see the film itself as the performance, not unlike a musical composition that is performed each time it is played. The talk will be illustrated with clips.
Donald Crafton is a Professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he chairs the department of Film, Television, and Theatre. He was named Academy Scholar by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2001. He is the author of three books on film history, The Talkies: American Cinema's Transition to Sound, 1926-1931; Emile Cohl, Caricature and Film; and Before Mickey: the Animated Film, 1898-1928, now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
© 2002 SAS/Animation World Network