Batman’s theories and attitudes: ‘Re-positioning’ practice as research

Abstract

This article addresses ‘practice as research’ in animation, arguing that practictioners often find it problematic to ‘theorize’ and write about their work in conventional academic language and contexts, and that new strategies are required to enable practitioners to undertake this task. Using Batman: The Animated Series as a touchstone, the discussion suggests that new ‘languages’ should evolve from within practice, drawing upon ‘poli-vocal’ and ‘multi-register’ models of inclusive views and concepts, the definition of ‘micro-narratives’, and working as part of transdisciplinary applications.