Construction of cinematographic elements in super sema: a Kenyan animated series
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Date
2023-09
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
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. The study used Super Sema (2021) animated series as a case study. The following objectives guided the study: To determine the cinematographic elements in Super Sema, To analyse the nexus between the narrative and cinematographic elements in Super Sema and to establish the communicative value of the cinematographic elements in Super Sema. This study was qualitative in nature and exploratory design. Random sampling was employed to select the sample of the eight (8) episodes of the Supa 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 data was collected from the existing literary works. Content analysis was used to analyse the data collected. After conducting a content analysis through a close reading of the selected episodes, it was found that the Super Sema animated series used diverse cinematographic elements. It was found that there is a connection between the narrative and the cinematographic elements, where the narrative purpose determines which cinematographic element to be employed in a particular scene to help the viewer connect and understand what they are watching. 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
A research thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree masters of Arts film studies in the school of law, arts and social sciences
September, 2023supervisors:
Prof: John Mugubi
Dr. Oliver Mbayi