COLLECTION NAME:
Graduate Thesis Collection
Record
Title:
The Edge of the Seat: A Case for Suspense across Multiple Narrative Genres and its History with Animated Horror
Creator:
Gay, Kylie
Subject:
Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Animation
Subject:
Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Animation
Rights:
Copyright is retained by the authors or artists of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Abstract:
"Horror is a genre seldom touched by the animation industry in its history in American
commercial film. After researching the theoretical probabilities and explanations for this, this thesis posits
that a narrative element most often subscribed to horror is often underappreciated: suspense. Suspense is
the structural characteristics of an unfolding dramatic narrative and the resulting psychological reaction.
Most research conducted on suspense categorizes it as though it is specifically for 'darker' genres, such
as horror. When attempting to search for suspense as an application into 'lighter' genres, such as comedy,
the research trickles away. This paper will break down the structure of suspense and analyze it can be
applied to increase its unique appeal. It will then end with a question of why the horror genre is still
largely left out, despite the powerful nature of its strong ties with suspense."
commercial film. After researching the theoretical probabilities and explanations for this, this thesis posits
that a narrative element most often subscribed to horror is often underappreciated: suspense. Suspense is
the structural characteristics of an unfolding dramatic narrative and the resulting psychological reaction.
Most research conducted on suspense categorizes it as though it is specifically for 'darker' genres, such
as horror. When attempting to search for suspense as an application into 'lighter' genres, such as comedy,
the research trickles away. This paper will break down the structure of suspense and analyze it can be
applied to increase its unique appeal. It will then end with a question of why the horror genre is still
largely left out, despite the powerful nature of its strong ties with suspense."
Abstract:
Includes author's animated short film "WYD"
Abstract:
Keywords: animation, perception, narrative genre, storytelling, suspense, horror, comedy
Publisher:
Savannah, Georgia : Savannah College of Art and Design
Date:
2018-08
Format:
1 text file (thesis) : PDF, 33 pages, color illustrations + 1 animated film (4 min.) : WMV, sound, color