Von der Illusion zur Realität: Hybridanimation als Mittel zur Verstärkung narrativer Kontraste

Abstract

This thesis examines the use of hybrid animation techniques in animated film with a focus on their narrative function. At its core, it explores how hybrid animation can be used to visualize different layers of reality and to structure narrative disruptions. Hybrid animation is not considered merely an aesthetic choice, but rather a central tool for depicting subjective perception, memory, illusion, and internal states. The theoretical foundation of the study is based on three key areas: the definition and historical development of hybrid animation, the narrative potential of animated film in comparison to live-action film, and the film semiotic analysis of visual signs. The combination of these perspectives allows for a differentiated understanding of animation as a complex system of signs that generates meaning not only through language but through visual design. Methodologically, the research is based on a qualitative, interpretative film analysis supported by an expanded semiotic model. Visual elements are examined according to technical, symbolic, and narrative codes in order to assess the function of hybrid stylistic devices in their respective contexts. The analysis focuses on selected scenes from three works: the self-produced short film Behind The Scenes, the animated series Arcane, and the short film Les Abeilles d’eau douce. In each case, the scenes reveal how shifts in animation technique correspond to transitions between layers of reality. The analytical section begins with an examination of Behind The Scenes, where emphasis is placed on the variation of a consistent visual schema that is intentionally disrupted through changes in composition. This is followed by individual analyses of Arcane, which employs abrupt stylistic shifts, and Les Abeilles d’eau douce, which creates contrast through soft transitions between watercolor imagery and live-action-based memory sequences. A comparative analysis of all three works concludes the study, identifying similarities and differences in their use of hybrid animation. The findings show that hybrid animation does not merely generate visual contrast, but functions as a narrative strategy to visually encode emotional and psychological processes. Stylistic shifts serve not only aesthetic differentiation but also significantly contribute to narrative complexity. Thus, hybrid animation becomes a central expressive device for making transitions between reality and subjective experience visually perceptible and narratively meaningful.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	German (Austria)
Supervisor	Alexander Wilhelm (Supervisor)