Uncanny place, narrative space: the architectural imagination of animation

In this chapter Suzanne Buchan describes some examples of animation film's particular "bending" or manipulation of architectural space and contrast this to our experience of space in architectural set design in live-action cinema. The second part considers the architectural process and how this relates to the use of architectural fantasy in animation film. This is followed by a brief overview of what defines cinematic set design and a discussion about how animation films subvert this. The author then investigates how the space takes an active role in determining the narrative. The final part of the essay considers Anthony Vidler's concept of the architectural uncanny.