Educational Media Reviews Online

Animated Minds is a collection of 8 micro-documentaries which help the audience understand the sensations and perceptions of individuals experiencing these psychological states: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, agoraphobia, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, Asperger’s syndrome, and self-harm.

The collection as a whole is an exceptional example of animation’s ability to express, even share, internal psychological states. Each film is narrated by a young person who has experienced the condition, in his or her own words, and each film’s visual style reflects the subject matter in its pace, color scheme, and medium. The visual metaphors used to communicate their distress, coping mechanisms, and their view of the world outside themselves are especially effective.

The 3-6 minute films would be a valuable addition to psychology courses at any level. Becoming Invisible, about living with eating disorders, would also be an excellent prompt for discussions of body image in women’s studies courses. Beyond academic courses, the collection would be a useful tool for clinical training.

Awards

• BAFTA, 2010
• RTS Award, 2010
• Mental Health Media Award, Young People’s Media, 2010
• City of Basel Prize, 2010
• Best Education Film, Holland Animation Festival, 2010
• Best Animation, Scottish Mental Health Arts & Film Festival, 2009