Artistic strategy and influencing the audience in animated documentary filmmaking

Abstract

The artistic approach of animated documentary film provides a framework for mixing artistic strategy with individual expression, giving the filmmaker an influence of the subjective meaning in each frame. This paper will examine three types of artistic choices: color, image design, and medium, and how each of these creative choices derives an alternative and complementary understanding of the filmmaker or subject. I will then analyze these creative choices more deeply in three animated films, 'Waltz with Bashir', 'Flee' and my student film 'Lucid', and show how the creative techniques used in each of these films helped the filmmaker form an alternative and emotional layer of connection with the audience.