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The Persistence of Animation: 21st Society for Animation Studies Conference

The Society for Animation Studies invites submissions of proposals for individual papers and panels for presentations at its 21st Annual Conference at the Atlanta campus of the Savannah College of Art and Design, July 10-12, 2009.

Andrew Darley, the acclaimed author of VISUAL DIGITAL CULTURE: SURFACE PLAY AND SPECTACLE IN NEW MEDIA GENRES (Routledge, 2000), a book that has helped shape contemporary cultural theory, will deliver the keynote address at the Persistence of Animation Conference, being held in Atlanta, Georgia from July 10-12, 2009. He will give an address on the inner meanings of the conference's title, offering considered reflections and thoughts on its possible significance and implications.

The core of Darley's research interests are in the fields of new media technologies and visual culture and film and animation studies. He has published on the history of digital imaging, animation and digital aesthetics, and animation and education. His book, VISUAL DIGITAL CULTURE, examines digital imaging techniques across a range of contemporary media, investigating the relationship between evolving digital technologies and existing media and considering the effect of these new image forms on the experience of visual culture. His recent research explores questions surrounding the popular representation of new technology and science.

He is currently researching and writing a book on cybernetics and the cinema. Darley's current academic role is that of Reader in Animation and New Media and Research Degrees Leader at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), formerly known as the Surrey Institute o Art and Design, based in Farnham, Surrey, U.K.

Founded in 1987, the society is an international membership organization that supports and encourages animation scholarship through various means, including its annual conferences. This year's event will include both conference and paper presentations, workshops, screenings and keynote addresses. In addition, there will be an exhibit of animation art and documents from the Don Bluth Collection from SCAD's Jen Library in Savannah.

The theme of this year's conference is "The Persistence of Animation," with the aim of encouraging proposals that offer insight into the ways animation permeates our film and television culture, as well as society as a whole. However, papers and preconstituted panels on all aspects of animation history, theory and criticism are also welcome.

Proposals are also invited for papers in the following areas:

--Definitions of animation. --Case studies of specific animation artists, styles or movements. --The relationship between live-action and animation filmmaking, --Animation in visual effects, broadcast design/motion graphics and video games. --The integration of animated images into social and cultural practices. --Cross-generational perceptions of animation. --Animation and cyber space. --Animation and pedagogy. --Technology and animation. --Critical and theoretical approaches to animation history. --Animation and sequential art (comic strips, graphic novels, etc.).

Each submission must include the following information:

--Title and abstract of no more than 250 words, with a shorter 100 word abstract for publication. --A biographical statement, up to 100 words, indicating how the proposed paper fits into your overall research agenda and experience. --A photo of yourself suitable for publication. --Complete contact information, including name, institutional affiliation (if any), postal address, e-mail address(es) and telephone number(s).

Alternatively, panel proposals of 3-4 speakers each are also encouraged. The chair of the proposed panel is expected to submit abstracts and contact information for all the panelists. Include the following information:

--Overall panel title/theme. --Name and contact information for the panel chair (clearly identified). --Titles and abstracts for each paper as noted above. --Contact information for each presenter (mail, email, phone). --Photo of each presenter suitable for publication.

Proposals will be blind reviewed by a panel of SAS members, and acceptance will be announced by February 6, 2009. Be aware that spaces for paper presentations are limited. Late proposals will not be considered until all other proposals have been read.

Proposals must be submitted as an email attachment, in MS Word or RTF formats to Harvey Deneroff at sasc@scad.edu by 9 January 9, 2009.

Membership in the Society for Animation Studies is required if your proposal is accepted for presentation at the conference. (For more information on the society, go to its webpage at http://gertie.animationstudies.org.) Financial aid for travel will be available on a limited basis; details will be forthcoming.

The conference is being put on by the SCAD's Animation Department (located in both Atlanta and Savannah) and its Cinema Studies Department in Savannah. SCAD-Atlanta is located in the city's Midtown area, convenient to the Woodruff Arts Center (which includes the High Museum of Art), Center for Puppetry Arts and the historic Fox Theater. In addition to Animation and Cinema Studies, SCAD offers programs in such animation-related areas as Broadcast Design and Motion Graphics, Sequential Art (including Storyboarding), Visual Effects, and Interactive Design and Game Development, as well as Film and Television.

For further information, check out: http://blog.scad.edu/sasc/.

Dates 
Friday, July 10, 2009 - 11:00am to Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 7:00pm
Submission Deadline 
Friday, January 9, 2009 - 12:00pm
Location 
Atlanta
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