Communicative Value of Cinematographic Elements in Super Sema Animated Series
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Date
2023
Authors
Gichuki, Atenya
Mugubi, John
Mbayi, Oliver
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Emerging Issues
Abstract
Background: The study explored the construction of cinematographic elements in Super Sema, a
Kenyan animation film. The study intended to reconnoitre how cinematographic elements
conveyed certain communicative values, which was done by investigating how the
cinematographic elements were used to convey particular communicative values. Animation films
use visual elements to convey various messages to the audience, and Cinematography is one of the
most influential factors in communicating ideas to the audience visually. Cinematography is
incredibly important in films, and a filmmaker has to understand different cinematographic
methods and how to use them to tell a narrative effectively visually. This research aimed to
determine whether Super Sema series animators employed cinematographic elements as visual
metaphors with visual semantics to convey various communicative values.
Methodology: The study used Super Sema (2021) animated series as a case study. The following
objective guided the study: To establish the communicative value of the cinematographic elements
in Super Sema. This study was qualitative in nature. Random sampling was employed to select the
sample of the eight (8) episodes of the Super Sema animated series. The study used Semiotic theory
to explain the study's variables, relationships, and findings. The primary data was collected via
observations-close reading, and secondary Super data was collected from the existing literary
works. Content analysis was used to analyse the data collected.
Conclusion: After conducting a content analysis through a close reading of the selected episodes,
the study found five communicative values associated with cinematographic elements to signify
thematic aspects, emotions, power dynamics, guiding the viewer and revealing visual narrative
information (VNI).
Description
Article
Keywords
Cinematographic elements, Communicative value, Narrative
Citation
Gichuki, A., Mugubi, J., & Mbayi, O. (2023). Communicative Value of Cinematographic Elements in Super Sema Animated Series. African Journal of Emerging Issues, 5(3), 21-47.