«Organized creative energy»: Ural animation. Towards the problem of identifying the phenomenon of the school

Abstract

Ural animation is considered through the use of the category school. Criteria typical for art (animation) schools are analyzed, including place and time of origin, the role of a particular master or group of masters, common artistic traditions, and technological and stylistic techniques. Connections between the Ural animators and the teaching staff of the Higher Courses of Screenwriters and Directors (F. Khitruk, Y. Norstein) are noted. Judgments and opinions of artists and film critics are given. It is suggested that Ural animation has a number of characteristics of a school, but at the same time differs from traditional schools in stylistic diversity, independence and desire for experimentation.