Material for this page comes from:
Ideas for the Animated Short: Finding and Building Stories, by Karen Sullivan, Gary Schumer and Kate Alexander. See Sources link below for more info.
What is the basic structure of a story?
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The Universal Story
At the beginning of a story, a hero will be introduced. She will have some flaw that makes her human--just like us. Something unexpected will happen that throws her world into chaos. Then for awhile, our hero will go through a series of trials, aided by friends and challenged by foes, trying to restore order to her world. Finally, our hero will be crushed, only to rally for one final showdown against her challenger. She succeeds or fails--usually succeeds. We all celebrate.
This is the basic universal story. Where did it come from?
This is the basic universal story. Where did it come from?
What are the essential elements of story?
The Hero's Journey
In the hero's journey (as discovered by Joseph Campbell, the mythology professor), there are universal images and characters that are shared by all cultures through all time periods. This is called the monomyth. It's stages can be summarized briefly:
~Introduce the hero - in an ordinary day in her ordinary world
~The hero has a flaw - so the audience can empathize, the hero is not perfect. Her error (pride, passion, etc.) will lead to her downfall or success.
~Unexpected event - something happens to change the hero's ordinary world.
~Call to adventure - the hero needs a goal (save a prince, retrieve a treasure, etc.). Often the hero is reluctant to answer the call. At this stage, she meets with mentor, friends and allies who encourage her.
~The quest - the hero leaves her world in pursuit of the goal. She faces tests, trials, temptations, enemies, and challenges until she achieves her goal.
~The return - the hero returns expecting rewards.
~The crisis - something is wrong. The hero is at her lowest moment.
~The showdown - the hero must face one last challenge, life or death. She must use all she has learned on her quest to succeed.
~The resolution - in movies, this is usually a happy ending. The hero succeeds and we all celebrate.
~Introduce the hero - in an ordinary day in her ordinary world
~The hero has a flaw - so the audience can empathize, the hero is not perfect. Her error (pride, passion, etc.) will lead to her downfall or success.
~Unexpected event - something happens to change the hero's ordinary world.
~Call to adventure - the hero needs a goal (save a prince, retrieve a treasure, etc.). Often the hero is reluctant to answer the call. At this stage, she meets with mentor, friends and allies who encourage her.
~The quest - the hero leaves her world in pursuit of the goal. She faces tests, trials, temptations, enemies, and challenges until she achieves her goal.
~The return - the hero returns expecting rewards.
~The crisis - something is wrong. The hero is at her lowest moment.
~The showdown - the hero must face one last challenge, life or death. She must use all she has learned on her quest to succeed.
~The resolution - in movies, this is usually a happy ending. The hero succeeds and we all celebrate.
Iconic moments in storytelling
Don't just write. Draw. We make images.
As an animator, you need to consider not only what the character does, but the extremes of the character's action, to communicate believably the emotional content of the character through pantomime.
How are you going to employ the unique characteristics of animation in your piece?
When someone asks you why your are using animation to create a film--there needs to be a good reason. Something in the design and the storyline of your piece that requires animation.
This could be exaggeration, caricature, or process. Sometimes animation is a better medium to use because of the content you wish to convey.
Using anthropomorphic animals allows us to look at our human characteristics, our failings and shortcomings that otherwise would be difficult to watch.
How are you going to employ the unique characteristics of animation in your piece?
When someone asks you why your are using animation to create a film--there needs to be a good reason. Something in the design and the storyline of your piece that requires animation.
This could be exaggeration, caricature, or process. Sometimes animation is a better medium to use because of the content you wish to convey.
Using anthropomorphic animals allows us to look at our human characteristics, our failings and shortcomings that otherwise would be difficult to watch.