Full reference list for the work.

Reference List 

Articles and Books

1. Bravo, A. (2022). ‘A Content Analysis of LGBTQIA+ Representation in Anime & American Animation’.
2. Brown, A. (2019). ‘Asexual Representation in Fiction’.
3. Franke, J. (2023). ‘Identity and Perception Among Aspec Consumers of Mass Media’. Theses and Dissertations-Communication, 123.
4. Gray, M. E. (2024). ‘A SOCIAL CONVERSATION ON ASEXUALITY: QUEER SPACES AND MEDIA REPRESENTATION’.
5. Hernandez, J. (2021). ‘Asexual Protagonists: What Their Patterns Reveal About the Representation of Asexuality in Current Literature’.
6. Yin, R. K. (2003). ‘Case study research: design and methods’.

Animated series 

1. Bojack Horseman (2014). Directed by R. Bob-Waksberg. Netflix 
2. Hazbin hotel (2019). Directed by V. Medrano. Amazon Prime Video
3. The Owl House (2020) Directed by D. Terrace. Disney Channel  

Outlined limitations and methodology for the research.

 Limitations

The primary limitation of this work is that there exist a small number of articles and statistics about aromantic characters which complicates research. Thus, there appeared the lack of the evidence base to completely eliminate bias from the conclusions and evaluations while studying the topic. 

Methodology

In terms of methods, case study was used in this work. According to Yin (2003), case study is an “inquiry that copes with the technically distinctive situation in which there will be many more variables of interest than data points, and as one result relies on multiple sources of evidence …, and as another result benefits from the prior development of theoretical propositions to guide data collection and analysis”. In this research paper, in case study three characters were used as an example of representation which became a base for argumentation. 

Reference used: Yin, R. K. (2003). ‘Case study research: design and methods’.

Why do we need literature review? It can provide:

1. justification
2. context
3. credibility for new studies
4. recognizes strengths that you want to replicate
5. Identify limitations/ gaps that need to be addressed and overcome.
6. put new research topics into perspective by giving them context within the wider area of related research
7. demonstrate understanding of the topic at hand, giving new findings credibility and supporting evidence

We can use both primary and secondary sources to develop litreview 

Primary source (nobody analyzed before):

– Statistics

– Statistics provided by every international organisations (not commercial organization) at least at economic field

– Interviews, events => governmental sites

– Witnesses (bias)

Secondary resources (opinions, comments):

– Books

– Articles

In choosing the topic consider the following:

• Does the topic motivate you to research and discover?

• How might the research impact future studies?

• Will you be able to fulfill and evidence the outcomes outlined in the assignment?

The next step is to identify a research gap. On the basis of research gap generate a research question(s):

1. How and why questions are preferred
2. Causal question: how A impacts B
3. Exploratory questions are ok if the field is understudied
4. The research aims to address proposed question
5. Questions should be researchable 
6. Operationalization

After that, you can start thinking about what kind of research is the most suitable for the chosen topic. 

There exist different types of research – explore, explain, describe.

Exploratory: when topic is not yet well-studied or you do not know about the topic well enough yet.

Descriptive: to describe or define particular phenomenon (e.g., Policies, marketing, relevance part/context).

Explanatory: why questions, cause-effect, testing hypothesis with pre-existing theory.

Research Activity 1: Snow White

Settings & Props

The setting for this scene is in the lair. In center we can see the pot in which she creates the poisoned apple. The most significant prop is the poisoned apple itself, which becomes black and after unnaturally red.

Costume, Hair & Make Up

The witch wears a tattered black cloak that enhances her menacing presence. Her hair is gray and disheveled. Her face is appears to be old but extremely expressive, with exaggerated features that evoke fear. In contrast to her we see Snow White: young, beatiful, in light dress with constant smile on the face.

Facial Expressions & Body Language

The facial expressions of the witch are crucial in conveying her evil intentions and representing her personality. Her eyes are very wide and her smile is wide and omnious when she creates the poison. She seems confident in her abilities, representing a classic villain. Her body language is exaggerated: she moves with a clear of purpose that reflects her determination to kill Snow White. In contrast, when Snow White appears in the scene, her expressions are innocent and naive.

Lighting and Colour

The lighting in this scene plays a significant role in establishing mood. The lair is poorly lit, with a lot of shadows, creating an atmosphere of suspense. The use of darker colors (blacks, deep green) dominates in the scene. The poisoned apple stands out in bright red, symbolizing danger and temptation.

Positioning of characters/objects within the frame

The positioning of characters within the frame emphasizes their weight and power dynamics. The witch is often centered in the frame, focusing viewers’ attention as she casts her dark magic. Snow White’s eventual appearance is framed to show her vulnerability as she approaches the witch unknowingly. The framing uses close-ups on key moments, for example, when the apple is presented.

Research Activity 2: Anomalisa

Can you describe the mise-en-scene in this picture? How are the characters placed in the frame?

The positioning of characters within the frame emphasizes their emotional bond. They are both lying on the bad close to each other. The frame focuses on them showing the scene from top view. They are positioned together, suggesting a moment of connection. The framing utilizes empty space to emphasize separartion from the rest of the world.

Research Activity 3: Rebecca

Can you describe the relationship between the characters?

We can see a beutiful women in dress who seems to be a mistress of the house and another strictly dressed women who is a servant.

How do we know what the relationship is?

First women wears expensive dress and sits while the diolog while another women is standing during the conversation. What is more, she is wearing a classic uniform.

Can you describe how the mise-en-scene works together to tell us what the relationship is?

We can understand that mistress seems to be afraid of the servant. While talking she moves uncomfortably and cannot take any decisions without checking it with the maid.

Research Activity 4

Can you describe the mise-en-scene in this picture?

We see a woman wearing a hijub in the center. The street in the background is crowded. Discomfort and uncertainty, maybe even fear, are visible on her face.

What type of shot is it?

Medium close-up shot.

What is the camera angle?

Eye – level camera angle.

Where is the character located in the frame?

She is located in the center of the frame.

What is she wearing?

She is wearing rasberry pink hijab and a green dress.

What is the depth-of-field?

The focus is on her but background is still visible quite clear.

Describe the colour palette?

Colors are warm but not very bright, closer to cream shades.

Describe the lighting?

The warm light of rhe sun meets with shadows in the center of the frame.

‘Chicago 10’ (2007) directed by Brett Morgen

It is an animated documentary that focuses on the events surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The film can be categorized into several relevant themes.

Politics/Government: The film directly addresses political situation in USA, as it explores the protests against the Vietnam War and the political climate of the late 1960s. It highlights the tensions between the government and citizens, particularly in relation to free speech and the right to protest.

Community/Social Issues/Social Justice: ‘Chicago 10’ deals rises social justice themes by examining the rights of protesters and the societal response to the politics during a tumultuous period in American history.

Equality/Human Rights: The documentary explores human rights issues, particularly regarding the treatment of protesters by law enforcement and the judicial system. It raises concerns about civil rights, which are fundamental aspects of human rights.

Experimental Fim Study

Norman McLaren’s ‘Dots’ (1940) is a seminal work in experimental film.

Categorisation: ‘Dots’ is an experimental animated short film. It merges elements of abstractions with animation, creating a visual experience which does not have a direct narrative structure. The film is set in a minimalist space defined by blue dots of various forms and sizes that interact in a rhythmic manner against a red background. ‘Dots’ explores themes of movement, rhythm, and visualization of that phenomena. It comments on the nature of animation itself, challenging viewers to consider the relationship between sound and image.

Form and Function: In this film we can see a non-linear format that challenges traditional rules of storytelling. The absence of a plot allows for a broader exploration of visual rhythm and harmony, where the movement of dots can evoke emotions.

Process: ‘Dots’ uses hand-drawn animation techniques, with McLaren directly manipulating materials on film stock. The use of stop-motion and frame-by-frame animation which allows for better control over the movement of dots.

Formal Elements: Movement is central to ‘Dots’ with each dot’s trajectory carefully choreographed to create a sense of rhythm. The pacing varies throughout the film creating a dynamic viewing experience. The transitions between different movements and formations of dots are synchronized with the accompanying music.

In order to create good film, one should implement the principles of editing:

• Editing merges a chain of shots and scenes into a complete film
• Each edit ends one shot and begins another.
• This usually applies after the film has been completed.

Editing helps to place one shot next to another, create narrative progression, provide additional detail, provide the best possible view of action. 

Also, there exist 3 Golden Rules of editing:

1. Editing should remain invisible to the eye of the viewer 
2. The storyteller should never let the audience guess what happens next
3. The audience has to be a participant, not just a spectator