Theses/Dissertations - Film and Digital Media

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2104/11161

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Browsing Theses/Dissertations - Film and Digital Media by Author "Shafer, Daniel Mark, 1978-"

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    Lovable lamps and sad umbrellas : empathizing with inanimate objects in animated films.
    (2021-04-22) Edwards, Alyssa D., 1996-; Shafer, Daniel Mark, 1978-
    Why do people empathize with movie characters who aren’t human beings? What causes viewers to perceive inanimate objects as people, such as the hopping lamp in Pixar’s Luxo Jr.? These questions are under-researched in scholarly literature. Thus, this study used an original, animated video as a stimulus to explore the relationship between anthropomorphism and empathy and to investigate how participants labeled characters’ limbs. Because definitions vary greatly, this paper first defines “anthropomorphism” and “empathy.” The study found that the presence of appendages significantly increased both empathy and the use of anthropomorphic language when compared to the limbless character, regardless of the type of appendage or whether participants labeled it with human anatomy terms. Additionally, participants’ use of anthropomorphic language was significantly linked to empathy. Thus, anthropomorphism and empathy are connected when viewing animated characters, but an explanation of all factors behind these processes is yet to be discovered.
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    The catalysts, standards, and diffusions of virtual production technologies and workflows : perspectives from key stakeholders.
    (2022-04-22) Jobin, Rachel E., 1998-; Shafer, Daniel Mark, 1978-
    Propelled into the spotlight by The Mandalorian in 2019, the filmmaking technique commonly referred to as virtual production, which uses gaming engines to display VFX content on LED volumes in real-time to allow for in-camera final-pixel capture, is often heralded as the future of digital filmmaking. While information about virtual production and its specific application in the entertainment industry is increasing exponentially, no formal study has sought to examine the adoption patterns of virtual production using the theoretical foundations of innovation theory. Through in-depth interviews with key virtual production stakeholders, this thesis identifies the aspects of virtual production technology that might accelerate or impede its adoption. External drivers at the level of industry and culture are also explored, followed by a series of recommendations based on diffusion of innovation theory and innovation management intended to further the adoption of virtual production.