LIGHTING DESIGN AS A DRAMATIC NARRATIVE TOOL IN STOP-MOTION ANIMATION: AN ANALYSIS THROUGH THE FILM ANOMALISA

Abstract

In stop-motion animation, lighting design is considered a significant tool for creating the atmosphere of the story and expressing the emotional states of the characters, drawing parallels with stage lighting principles in theater. However, for each frame of stop-motion animation, light sources and directions must be redefined. Adjusting light directions in every frame, taking into account the changing camera angles and shifts in setting, is one of the defining actions of this technique. In this context, lighting design is regarded as an element that supports the narrative and directs the emotional responses of the audience. Anomalisa, a film created using stop-motion technique, serves as an impressive example of how lighting design is utilized to enhance the emotional depth of the characters and the atmosphere of the story. This study examines the effects of lighting design on dramatic storytelling in stop-motion animation, taking the 2015 film Anomalisa as a case study, and focuses on the elements that enrich dramatic storytelling. As a result of the research, lighting design in the Anomalisa film has gone beyond illuminating the physical environment of the characters and has become a tool for describing their psychological world and emotional states. The lighting design techniques and color compositions used contribute to the dramatic narrative of the film and include the audience in the mental journey of the characters.