Constructed childhoods: A study of selected animated television programmes for children with particular reference to the Portuguese case

Leitao, Ema Sofia Amaral 2005. Constructed childhoods: A study of selected animated television programmes for children with particular reference to the Portuguese case. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.

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Abstract

This thesis addresses the broad question: To what extent is children's animation culturally specific? Despite the criticism and concerns about the lack of quality imprinted by globalisation and commercialism, children's animation is still a relatively marginal subject of analysis. Thus, the need to perceive what characterises a programme aiming both at home and international markets; the mechanisms underlying the globalisation of the genre; and its implications on cultural identity. The research is based on a triangular model that considers three levels of communication: production, message and reception. It makes use of semiotics, interviews and task-oriented techniques to analyse different moments in the communication process. The aim is to understand how animation professionals construct child audiences, and how such constructions are reflected in the media texts they produce and/or broadcast; while, at the same time, assessing how a group of Portuguese children 'use' animation. The results suggest that creatives of children's animation are aware of the importance of cultural relevant products, but may lack an informed knowledge of the child audiences. As a consequence, children do not always decode cartoon messages accordingly - particularly signifiers of 'cultural specificity'. In relation to the globalisation of children's animation, the data shows that market oriented productions can be made relevant for local audiences, and that their contents are often re-invented by children. The study calls for further research into animation contents and for a greater inclusion of young audiences both in academic studies and in programme production.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Journalism, Media and Culture
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1990 Broadcasting
ISBN:	9781303163388
Funders:	Foundation for Science and Technology, Portugal
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2017 15:27
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/55543

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