Animation Analysis

Student activity
A black background with purple leaves and a white triangle
Task No. 1

Sequencing

View the short film by Jake Duczynski which appeared on the State Library Facebook page on 5 August 2020.

Print the downloadable PDF, cut out the six still frames, then sequence the images into the correct order. Glue the six images in the correct order on a sheet of paper (A3 or larger). These sequenced images will be used again in Task 3. 

After completing the sequencing task, view the film a second time and check your responses.

Task No. 2

Discussing purpose

Discuss the following:

  • Where did this short film appear?
  • What was the aim or purpose of the short film?
  • Do you think that this short film achieves what it sets out to do?
  • The exhibition, which marks the 250th anniversary of Cook’s arrival at Kamay (Botany Bay), shows a different perspective of the arrival of the Endeavour. Listen to the narration. Which words indicate that this exhibition takes a different approach?
Task No. 3

Analysing the visual techniques

Note for teachers: Please see the ‘background notes for teachers’ for an analysis of each still frame.

Use your correctly sequenced still frames, glued on A3 paper, for this task.

Complete a jigsaw/expert group activity. Form six ‘expert’ groups of equal size. Each group is assigned one still frame from the short film. Each group is to analyse and annotate their still frame, analysing how the Gweagal people of Kamay, and James Cook and the Endeavour have been represented. Individuals within the groups will become experts on their still frame.

Consider the following:

  • colour
  • angles/framing
  • symbolism
  • movement
  • narrative/voiceover
  • music/sound.

Form a new group with six members, one from each of the previous groups. Each ‘expert’ will take turns to explain to their new group members the techniques used in their still frame to create a representation of the Gweagal people of Kamay (Botany Bay). This discussion and reciprocal teaching should look at each still frame in the chronological order as the still frames are seen in the film.

By the end of this activity, all students will have annotations and notes made about each of the six still frames from the film.