ANIMAFEST PRO | ANIMAFEST SCANNER XII | PANEL 1: EXPLORING ANIMATION IN EPHEMERAL FILMS

Animation in Title Sequences of Austrian Broadcasting Productions from 1960 to 1989 - KRISTINA SCHMIEDL

PANEL 1 - EXPLORING ANIMATION IN EPHEMERAL FILMS
03/06 TUE 10:50-11:20 KIC

Intro sequences, referred to as signations by the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (Österreichischer Rundfunk, ORF) for their television programs, played a crucial role in shaping the audience expectations and defining Austrian television’s visual identity. Despite their cultural significance, little is known about their production, aesthetics, and the technology employed. A ‘signation’ describes a title sequence or intro at the beginning of a television program, series, or movie (Kauz & Weibel, 2021), serving to prepare the viewers for the upcoming program, and enhancing recognition value (Putz, 2023). Many signations include animation. This study examines various animations in ORF signations from 1960 to 1989, identifies key animators and their influences and role models, documents technical equipment such as the Grass camera rostrum and the Quantel Paintbox, and explores analog and digital production methods used by the ORF graphics department. A corpus analysis and individual case studies of ORF signations shed light on the intros’ production process, style and aesthetics of the signations, and animation techniques such as limited cel or cutout animation. Additionally, a literature review and a qualitative interview with two former ORF graphics department members provided valuable insights into the available technology, production process, and the challenges of adopting new technologies and aesthetics. Addressing a previously unexplored research gap, this study falls within the field of animation research in ephemeral film and investigates the aesthetics and creation processes of animation in ORF signations. Furthermore, it situates these intros within a broader context by analyzing their aesthetic influences and comparing the technology used with global advancements in animation production. Kauz, M., & Weibel, B. (2021). Assoziative Filmsprache: Unsagbares in Bild und Ton erzählen. Herbert von Halem Verlag. Putz, P. (2023, October 15). Revisiting ORF – Besuch in meiner früheren Arbeitsstätte. Das Ewige Archiv - The Eternal Archives. https://ewigesarchiv.at/revisiting-orf-besuch-in-meiner-frueheren-arbeitsstaette/

Kristina Schmiedl Dipl. Ing., BSc (born 2001), is a Junior Researcher at the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, Austria. She studied Animation and Visual Effects at the same university and researches animation studies and historical ephemeral film. Her work focuses on animation in Austrian ephemeral films and title sequences of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (Österreichischer Rundfunk, ORF). She is developing publications in her field and is part of the collaborative research project ‘AniVision’ [I 5592-G] between the University of Applied Sciences St. Pölten, Austria, and the University of Tübingen, Germany, which examines animations in ephemeral films from Austria, East Germany, and West Germany between 1945 and 1989.