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FIL-10021 - Module Specification
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

FIL-10021 - Animating the Screen
Coordinator: Neil Archer Tel: +44 1782 7 33202
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Animating the Screen illuminates the histories, theories and practices of film animation in its various forms, across an international context. You’ll explore the evolving principles and techniques shaping animated film, from Disney to anime to Aardman, as well as the uses of animation in videogames and cinematic visual effects. Your production of a case study, storyboard, or short animated film will showcase your discoveries, and provide a critical and creative platform for later work in film theory or film practice.

Aims
This module takes an analytical and historical approach to film animation. It will provide an overview of animation history, looking at different technological and production contexts throughout the ages. While exploring American animation from Pinocchio to Pixar, the module looks at
different cultural producers of animation, including examples of European and Asian film traditions, and looks at diverse forms, from hand-drawn animation, to stop-motion and uses of CGI. Students overall will develop an historical sense of animation as a form, and an understanding of the key theoretical ideas around such films; as well as be able to explore these ideas across a range of assessment opportunities.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Describe the historical development of animated film across diverse international contexts: 1,2
Identify how different technological factors impact on and inform animated film across contexts: 1,2
Discuss the ways that animated film differs from and dialogues with other forms, such as live-action film, comics and fine arts: 1,2
Discuss and analyse a range of animated films showing awareness of film genre history and theory: 1,2
Apply understanding and knowledge across a varied range of potential assessment types.: 1,2

Study hours

22x2-hour seminars
4 hours tutor consultation
9x2-hour individual film viewings, including tutor introduction
44 hours reading and preparation for seminars
First assessment: 30 hours reading and selection of materials; 40 hours preparation of output
Second assessment: 50 hours reading and selection of materials; 70 hours preparation of output

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Creative Brief weighted 40%
Scene Analysis
Students undertake an analysis of a chosen sequence of animation from a film of their choice. Their analysis will focus on the particular techniques at work in the sequence, considering them within the contexts of the film's production and history. The analysis can take the form of EITHER a) a 1500 word written piece, accompanied by 10 screen grabs from the sequence in question, plus other relevant images (eg. production images or images from other films) OR b) A video, using the sequence in question, annotated with text and/or spoken commentary. The video in full should be approximately 4 minutes long Students must complete the video essay option in at least one of their assessments, but may do this option for both if desired. Technical guidance for the production of the video essay will be provided during the module.

2: Essay weighted 60%
Visual Essay
Students will complete an essay drawing on the films and themes discussed across the module, based on one from a series of questions provided by the tutor(s). The essay can take the form of EITHER a) a 2000 word written case-study, including 10 or more relevant screen images to support the argument OR b) a 6-minute video essay, comprising clips and/or images, that support their chosen argument. The video should contain a commentary in the form of annotations and/or spoken text. or c) Preparation of or completion of a storyboard for a short animated film (6 mins) or actual film (6 mins), designed to showcase theoretical understanding in practice. The storyboard/film will contain annotations in the form of spoken or written text. Students must complete the video essay option in at least one of their assessments, but may do this option for both if desired. Technical guidance for the production of the video essay will be provided during the module.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025