The Anatomy of Animation Films in Kenya

Abstract

This study dissects animation films in Kenya mainly in terms of manner. The study focuses on the substance of animation films and communicative strategies employed in 2D and 3Danimation films in Kenya. The study examines the techniques employed by selected Kenyan animators and the nexus between technique and message. Films selected for this study are: The legends of Ngong hills film (Bunitv 2011), films sampled from Tinga Tinga tales series: why lion roars, why chicken pecks the ground and why lizard hides under the rocks (Homeboyz Animation- first episode 2011), Greedy lords of the Jungle, Africa’s next top poet, Shadowboxing, Driving test, Miss match, Lunchtime woes, Savannah drama, Two olds (RECON-Digital 2009-2012), and Wageuzi Battle 2012 (Afrikana Digital 2011). The study employed a qualitative study design that comprised: library research, thematic content analysis of selected films, focus group discussions and interviews with various respondents. The triangulation approach guided data collection for focus group discussions, interviews as well as content analysis of the selected films. Three theoretical perspectives employed include: Social Cognitive Theory, the Conventionalist theory of pictorial representation, and the Neo-representation theory that guided the analysis of this study