Overview
We’re delighted for you to join us at AUB – we can’t wait to see what you’ll create.
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MA Animation Production Welcome Guide
We're delighted that you've chosen to join our creative community at Arts University Bournemouth. We can't wait to see what you'll create.
This welcome pack is designed to give you an idea of what to expect during the first weeks of your course. Please take the time to read it carefully and take particular note of the pre-course preparation. We hope that you'll enjoy a happy and productive time with us.
Congratulations on securing a place on the MA Animation Production course at Arts University Bournemouth. The advanced study of Animation, linking your practice with theory, history and a developed understanding of what it means to be a professional in the field, is our ultimate aim.
Through lectures, screenings, seminars, group discussions and readings you'll explore animation and what it means to you.
Your practical specialist interests are what drive the course forward and you should see your specialism as ‘framing’ your intellectual activity on the MA. Some of you may be interested in particular types of animation production – 2D drawn, CG, stop motion – or you might be more interested in pre-production such as concept work, storyboarding or character design. Whatever your specific interests or specialism, the idea is to explore it through the intellectual and practical structure of the MA.
We're proud of our community of Animation students at AUB and as an MA student you'll engage with and work alongside our vibrant BA (Hons) Animation Production students in the exciting studio context.
– Paul Ward, Course Leader
The Library here at AUB is extremely well-resourced and includes all key texts that you'll need, but it's important to come prepared. In preparation for your period of Postgraduate study and as a means to introducing you to approaches for research at this level, we suggest that you read the following general introductions to research methodology and qualitative research:
More specifically on Animation, the following volumes offer an overview of important aspects of the scholarship in the field:
More generally about media production culture (i.e. not specifically about animation, but still invaluable):
There are many more excellent books on animation in all its forms, and your specific reading will depend on your own specialism. It's worth looking at two notable series of books:
During the MA you'll be directed to engage with specific readings, and your research specialism will lead you to others. The best way to discover what research is already out there is to look at the journals in the field. The main ones are:
As the idea of animation practice as a form of research is so central to the MA, it's well worth viewing the recordings of the talks given at the Animation Practice as Research Symposium (held in April 2021).
A notepad and pen and your enthusiasm!
This course uses both Apple and Windows computers.
You're encouraged to bring their own laptop and mobile device to AUB to support online learning, collaboration and communication while at university.