To Ground Herself

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master_Guardia_Mendieta_Grethel_2025.pdf (3.71 MB)

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School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
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Date

2025-05-26

Department

Major/Subject

Animation

Mcode

Degree programme

Master's Programme in Re:Anima

Language

en

Pages

50

Series

Abstract

This thesis explores the creation of an animated short film that aesthetically represents bipolar type one disorder, specifically manic episodes, while responding to the creator’s cultural heritage. The project integrates elements of psychological horror and first-person narrative to immerse viewers in the protagonist’s subjective experience, fostering empathy and personal impact through interactive storytelling. By blending Latin American pop art and expressionist techniques, the animation visually mirrors the duality of manic episodes—oscillating between euphoria and dysfunction—and critiques cultural and religious influences on mental health perceptions. The research addresses three core questions: 1. How can animation visually depict manic episodes and cultural identity? 2. How does psychological horror enhance the portrayal of mental health in a first-person narrative? 3. How does interactivity deepen viewer engagement and emotional resonance? The production process involved overcoming budgetary and technical constraints, employing AI ethically for automation while preserving artistic integrity. The final film merges 2D and 3D mediums, symbolic color scripts, and branching narratives to reflect the protagonist’s fractured reality. Through this work, the project not only serves as a cathartic exploration of the creator’s lived experience but also challenges stigmatized portrayals of bipolar disorder, offering a nuanced perspective grounded in authenticity and cultural reflection.

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Supervisor

Bastamow, Tanja

Keywords

bipolar disorder, animation, psychological horror, interactive film, cultural heritage, latin american art

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202506184949

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[master] Taiteiden ja suunnittelun korkeakoulu / ARTS