• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

Recently, animation contents has become extensively available along with the development of cultural industry. In this paper, we propose a method to analyze a face of animation character and extract 3D rotational information of the face. The suggested method first generates a dominant color model of a face by learning the face image of animation character. Our system then detects the face and its components with the model, and establishes two coordinate systems: base coordinate system and target coordinate system. Our system estimates three dimensional rotational information of the animation character face using the geometric relationship of the two coordinate systems. Finally, in order to visually represent the extracted 3D information, a 3D face model in which the rotation information is reflected is displayed. In experiments, we show that our method can extract 3D rotation information of a character face reasonably.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.26
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• pp.1-30
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• 2012

The purpose of animation is to give interesting stories to an audience through motion. To achieve the purpose, over the past century since its inception, animation has adopted many kinds of technologies, and thus developed diverse narrative methods and visual expression techniques. In addition, with the advancement of expression techniques, all elements making up animation have gradually been systemized, and at the same time, have helped express the worlds beyond the reality. As a result, people have faced the era when an audience can watch everything imaginated by an animation director on a big screen. These days, more efforts have been made in order for the audience to feel much more than enjoy pictures moving in a frame. In other words, the purpose of the animation is changing from the passive viewing of animation to feeling and sensing stuffs through the animation. In the center of the changing process is 3D technology which gives new interesting to an audience. Sometime ago, a 3D animation movie was produced in Korea. But it did not bring out box-office profits, for it failed to give satisfaction to an audience who expected high perfection and beauty being able to be rivalled to those of international 3D animation movies. The failure is attributable to the fact that the domestic 3D animation production industry is merely in the early stage, and has not sufficient human resources, technology, and experiences in producing 3D animation films. Moreover, the problem is that most studies on 3D focus on the technologies related to reenactment, but that few studies on the images, which an audience directly faces, have been conducted. Under the domestic circumstance, the study on stereoscopic image screen of , a 3D stereoscopic animation film which was released in 2010 and has been seen as the best successful 3D stereoscopic animation, is worthwhile. Thus this thesis conducted theoretical consideration and case analysis focusing on the visual direction that creates the pictures to deliver abundant three dimensional effect so that it can be used as a basic data when producing high quality-domestic 3D animation and training professional labor forces. In the result, it was found that the 3D animation was not a new area, but the area which has been expanded and changed by applying the characteristics of 3D image based on the principles of the existing media aesthetics. This study might be helpful to establish the foundation of the theoretical studies necessary for producing 3D animation contents for realizing the sense of reality.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.20
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• pp.1-14
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• 2010

The success of a three-dimensional blockbuster movie, AVARTA, brought an public attention on the expansion of three-dimensional computer applications, and it allows experts predict further hardware technology developments to support the such applications. Futhermore, an internet based infra structure and three-dimensional structure, third generation network community, advanced computer networks have influenced advancement in computer technology within the 3D game industry and the spread of 2D computer animation technologies. This advancement of computer technologies allow the industry to overcome a limitation of generating cultural design contexts existed within 2D network community. However, despite of the expansion of 2D and 3D computer technologies, a limitation of analysing designers' intentions on morphology of digital contents and user interface still exists. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze (1) present conditions of the 3D industry and (2) protocols of designers' cognitive design processes based on their design communication, contents, and tools. Analysis was conducted based on literature reviews and case precedent analyses. For the analysis, a 2D Avarta sketch character was designed and then applied into a 3D game system. Observations how designers solve cultural problem within the structure via Avarta were conducted. Outcomes were then coded for further analysis.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.36
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• pp.121-145
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• 2014

Operating under the principle of user-benefit maximization and democratic user-control, cooperatives are being spot-lighted as a business model satisfying the various social, financial needs. In Korea, the Law of Cooperative was enacted as of December 2012, which has enabled the establishment of cooperatives in variety of industry fields. This study is to discuss the expected effect and validity of marketing cooperative as a solution for insufficient sales revenue in international distribution of Korean animation. The interviews with Korean animation studios found out the key problems of overseas distribution, which are; 1) lack of marketing expertise and weak organization, 2) lack of ancillary rights exploitation due to the deals based upon all rights package with the broadcasters who are not interested in ancillary business, 3) lack of localized marketing support in each territory. The solution for these problems takes large and long-term marketing investment and it is far beyond the capabilities of small Korean animation studios. Marketing cooperative can provide services not available otherwise such as in-depth market research which will help the improvement of international marketing expertise. Also. as the cooperative carries enough volume of animation catalogue, it can increase negotiation power satisfying the various needs of buyers. Also, it can provide the precise marketing support for each territory by integrating every process of value chain, from TV broadcasting, merchandising, and digital media platform. Above all, a clear benefit of marketing cooperative is that, because of its user-benefit and user-control principle, the principal-agent problem can be minimized while it maximizes the profit for member studios.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.42
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• pp.53-79
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• 2016

The public interest and popularity of animation has already forecasted the value of animation as the leader of pop culture and cultural industry. The trend in animation changed from 2D to 3D animation, a new genre that appeared in the 1990s with the development of computer technology and innovative changes in media, and 3D animation secured its position in the 2000s. Researches on 3D animation are conducted in various ways. Integrating the area it shares with film and the area it shares with design, it is produced and consumed. This study focused on 'formativeness(design)', the basis of character design, and tried to find out how it is recognized by the audience, who actually watch and feel it. Also, it approached basic theory and tried to deduce logic that is easy to understand and can analyze design or formativeness which keeps changing. Lastly, this study regards the parts that viewers are not satisfied with as problems, and tries to find out a developmental direction. Among the animations for theaters that were big hits in 2015, this study focused on the characters of and . It reviewed errors and what was lacking in the previous studies, collected experts' opinions and made adjustment. Using the frame prepared through this process, it conducted a survey on study participants, the viewers, to see how it is perceived by them. Finally, it tried to find out the reasons why the audience felt that way through theoretical reviews and applications.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.16
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• pp.223-243
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• 2009

Computer graphic where the most useful and effective production methods are used for animation or films has expanded into actors' performance beyond object expression, background expression and special effect. Unlike 2D drawing software focusing on user's sense, 3D mainly depends on hardware performance and software functions. Therefore, for 3D users, learning 3D functions is directly related to new expression, and quick learning and effective representation are keys to productivity growth in animation industry. In line with industrial needs, basic 3D animation software training is provided in school. Unfortunately, however, many problems such as lack of professional instructors, time allocation and education environment prevent various 3D animation software from being taught. Moreover, functional use does not live up to industrial rapid trends. In order to improve effects of software functional education in restricted education fields, this research aims to find out what functions of 3D animation software are used in industries, what are those function used for, and how schools provide 3D animation software training.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.45
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• pp.367-396
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• 2016

As an animation educator at Mahidol University International College, Bangkok, for eight years I have been in a privileged position to be educating a small section of a new generation of Thai animators. Thailand has had little animation experimentation of their own and pre-internet had limited access to such diversity so I have attempted to bring some of the wealth of animation history, in particular British and European, as this is my background, into the classroom. In particular my teaching aim has been to introduce various possibilities to the choices of medium, styles and textual narratives that early (and current) experimental and independent animators have explored. Since the release of the first commercial feature film, Khun Kluay 2006, the Thai animation industry has gone through various highs and lows in the commercial sector, building a skilled workforce, many of whom trained and worked abroad then returned. Now there is strong evidence of an independent animation starting to emerge. In a continuation to my research on Thai Animation this paper will analyze selected independent works in more detail, exploring the themes, style and technology used. Whilst also acknowledging the possible mis- interpretation as that this is coming from the perspective of an outsider whose cultural language and interpretation may transcend the creators' given experiences and add alternative interpretation. The aim will be to contextualize the content, ideas and cultural perspective and bring more Thai works into the gaze of animation studies academics

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.43
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• pp.285-320
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• 2016

Cartoons and Animation are convergent arts created with a composite application of language arts described in the form of literary texts and sounds, plastic arts visualized in the form of artistic paintings, and film arts produced in the form of moving pictures. An academic university major in cartoons and animation studies established in late 20th century however, did not satisfactorily meet the needs in academic research and development and the free expression of artistic creation was limited. In order to systematize the major in cartoons and animation studies, an convergent approach to establish and clarify following are in demand : the terms and definitions, the historical developments, the research areas and methods, the major education and related jobs and start-ups. New culture and arts industries including cartoons, animation, moving images, and games contents are not yet listed in the industries listing service jointly provided online by the portal site Naver.com and Hyung-Seol publishing company. Above all, cartoons and animation are inseparably related to each other that even if one uses the term separately and independently, the meaning may not be complete. So a new combined term "Animatoon" can be established for the major in cartoons and animation studies and also used for its degree with concentrations of cartoons, animation, moving images, games, and etc. In the Introduction, a new combined term Animatoon is defined and explained the use of this term as the name of the major and degree in cartoons and animation studies. In the body, first, the Historical Developments classified Animatoon in the ancient times, the medieval times, and the modern times and they are analyzed with the help of esthetics and arts using examples of mural frescos, animal painting, religion cartoons, caricatures, cartoons, satire cartoons, comics, animation, 2 or 3 dimensional webtoons, and K-toons. Second, the Research Areas of Animatoon reviewed the theories, genres, artworks, and artists and the Research Methods of Animatoon presented the curriculum that integrated the courses in humanities, science technologies, culture and arts, and etc. Third, the Major Education considered Animatoon education in children, young adults, students of the major and the Related Jobs and Start-Ups explored various jobs relating to personal creation of artwork and collective production of business-oriented artwork. In the Conclusion, the current challenges of Animatoon considered personalization of the artists, specialization of the contents, diversification of the types, and liberalization of the art creation. And the direction of improvement advocated Animatoon to be an academic field of study, to be an art, to be a culture, and to be an industry. The importance of cartoons and animation along with videos and games rose in the 21st century. In order for cartoons and animation to take a leading role, make efforts in studying Animatoon academically and also in developing Animatoon as good contents in the cultural industries.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.36
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• pp.147-165
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• 2014

Around the turn of 21st century, there has been a major technological shift in the animation industry. With development of reality-based computer graphics, major American animation studios replaced hand-drawn method with the new 3D computer graphics. Traditional animation was known for its simplified shapes such as circles and triangle that makes characters' movements distinctive from non-animated feature films. Computer-generated animation has largely replaced it, but is under continuous criticism that automated movements and reality-like graphics devaluate the aesthetics of animation. Although hand-drawn animation is still produced, 3D computer graphics have taken commercial lead and there has been many changes to acting of animated characters, which calls for detailed investigation. Firstly, the changes in acting of 3D characters can be traced from looking at human-like rigging method that mimics humanistic moving mechanism. Also, if hair and clothing was part of hand-drawn characters' acting, it has now been hidden inside mathematical simulation of 3D graphics, leaving only the body to be used in acting. Secondly, looking at "Stretch and Squash" method, which represents the distinctive movements of animation, through the lens of media, a paradox arises. Hand-drawn animation are produced frame-by-frame, and a subtle change would make animated frames shiver. This slight shivering acts as an aesthetic distinction of animated feature films, but can also require exaggerated movements to hide the shivering. On the contrary, acting of 3D animation make use of calculated movements that may seem exaggerated compared to human acting, but seem much more moderate and static compared to hand-drawn acting. Moreover, 3D computer graphics add the third dimension that allows more intuitive movements - maybe animators no longer need fine drawing skills; what they now need is directing skills to animate characters in 3D space intuitively. On the assumption that technological advancement and change of artistic expressionism are inseparable, this paper compares acting of 3D animation studio Pixar and classical drawing studio Disney to investigate character acting style and movements.

• Cartoon and Animation Studies
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• s.10
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• pp.91-106
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• 2006

The article concerns the cultural diversity as a policy value for the cultural industry policy in Korea. in the evolution of the cultural industry policy since the end of the 1990s, the primary values of the public policy has focused on the establishment of the cultural identity and the improvement of the competitiveness of the cultural industries. It Is likely that cultural diversify has been considered as a defensive value against the cultural globalization. Meanwhile, as the UNESCO indicates, the improvement of the cultural diversify should be established as a key policy value in terms of the cultural rights, cultural welfare and social inclusion. In this respect, the article analyzes the policy values of the cultural industry policy in terms of the cultural diversity. In addition, the policy alternatives for the improvement of the cultural diversity will be recommended. In particular, the article studies the case on the comic industry policy.