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Indeterminate and Intermediate or Animated Nonfiction: Why Now?

In this chapter Nea Ehrlich proposes that the contemporary fascination with animated documentary stems from animated non-fiction’s challenging of traditionally perceived differences between animation and photography as seminal modern and postmodern visual media. In tandem with the huge proliferation of animated documentaries since 2008, there has also been a significant rise in the creative practice, academic study, and distribution of this medium. This chapter explains why this shift in visual culture is occurring now, and how it shapes viewership. Ehrlich advances a case for understanding animated documentary’s increasing contemporary usage and perceived credibility by exploring the wider context of animation’s use within news media. These range from daily news broadcasts made by the Taiwanese broadcaster Next Media Animation through to investigative short films produced by the UK’s Guardian newspaper. Ehrlich reflects upon different modes of representation that many deem “more real” and believable as legitimate documentation than traditionally privileged photographic and journalistic tools and strategies.