Pedagogical benefits of discontinued animation methodology

Within the history of animation production, there is a continuing growth and development of methodology that is as turbulent today as it has been since the birth of this creative art form. Past methods used in Animation production are quickly forgotten as new, adapted variants take hold, adding efficiency and higher profit in an industrial setting. But what of those lost methods? Was their only potential for efficiency? For the last two years, Melvyn Ternan has brought back 'Shooting Blind', the only method that his L4 students are allowed to use for the first 6 weeks of their learning in Stop Motion Animation. 'Shooting Blind' does not permit the animator any reference of how much they have moved a puppet when animating, compared to todays 'Onion skinning' method where animators can see precisely how much they have moved the puppet. Shooting blind is deemed impossible, difficult, unwieldily and defunct. But what of it's pedagogical properties? The focus required to use such a method, where all physical tools fall away only to be replaced by a rampant focus of the mind to fully portray the illusion of movement? Let alone the ignorance set around even the existence of the shooting blind method, it's difficulty is greatly misconceived and its benefits, within Animation development seem crucial at least as used in this L4 module. if not a method to be used in industry, then a method to properly illuminate the actual benefit of onion skinning for animation students. This presentation will contain a live demonstration of both methods, for the audience to understand and comments from students on the Animation course who have spent 6 weeks shooting blind and the benefits that experience has brought them.