Damon Bannister - School of Digital Arts (SODA) – Manchester Metropolitan University

I am a Lecturer in Animation at the School of Digital Arts (SODA). My background is in 3D animation, compositing and visual effects, with a focus on filmmaking and cinematography.

My personal work explores the use of stationary objects for sequential storytelling, and ergodic narratives within audio/visual contexts.

Current research projects includeDead Already, a multidisciplinary arts and storytelling project in collaboration with SODA colleagues, and Metahuman to Stop Motion, in which I am investigating how Epic Games’ Metahumans can be used to allow for motion captured performances to be utilised within stop-motion animation.

Research

Exhibitions

Lloyd, J., England, M., Bannister, D., 2025. Dead Already - UK House, SXSW 2025, Palm Door on Sixth, Austin, TX, 8/3/2025 - 11/3/2025.

Bannister, D., 2024. Images of Research 2024, Winner of the People's Choice Award - A Single Frame, Damon Bannister, School of Digital Arts, 24/11/2024 - 5/12/2024.

Presentations

Bannister, D., England, M., Lloyd, J., 2025. 'Dead Already - Thrash Metal and Trans Media Narratives', Haunted Modernities, Present Pasts and Spectral Futures.

Bannister, D., Marshall, K., 2025. 'Group for Learning in Art and Design in Higher Education - 'Where Art School Leads Symposium 2025 - Empire, Colonialism and Identities through the Stories and Memories of Ordinary People', Nottingham School of Art & Design.

Cain, A., MacDonald, L., Bannister, D., 2024. 'Group for Learning in Art and Design in Higher Education - Gathering Pace Conference 2024 - Future Spaces: a pilot for collaboration with GenAI in transdisciplinary teaching contexts', Ulster University, Belfast.

Cain, A., Bannister, D., MacDonald, L., 2024. 'The Centre for Learning Enhancement and Educational Development (LEED) Teaching and Learning Conference - Future Spaces - Introduction to Digital Visuals and Sound (Collaborating with AI)', Manchester Metropolitan University.