3/31 - Class Discussion

Elements to Consider

• Length
• Complexity
• Strength of narrative
• Visual style
• Goal
• Tone
• Number of characters
• Character relationships to others, story, etc
• Dialogue
• Relationships to tone/music
• Genre

Another Story Spline - (from Ken Adam)

• Once upon a time...
• Every day...
• But one day...
• Because of that...
• Because of that...
• Until finally...
• Ever since then...
• The moral is...

Guidelines from "Inspired 3D Short Film Production"
(by Jeremy Cantor & Pepe Valencia)

• Narrative over production
• Scope and plan ahead
• Originality
• Personal investment
  
• Trust your instincts
• Back up your work!
  

Genres

• Drama
• Comedy
• Suspense
• SciFi
• Fantasy
• Dark comedy
• Crime, police, courtroom
• Mystery
• Action adventure
• Spots
• Tragedy
• Bio
• Musical

Storytypes

• the gag
• the booty
• the moral
• the villain
• the pickle
• the parody
• the rescue
• the journey
• I wish…

Discussion

• Simplicity: think about conveying story as haiku; think about children's books
• What elements are most important?
• What is most memorable?

Story Generalization

• Search for meaning. <---> Escape from reality. (Patrick Kriwanek)
  
• Somebody/something comes to town. <---> Somebody leaves/dies.
  

Pieces

• Theme - simple way to think about the story ("10 sec elevator pitch")
  
• Plot - flow of events (sequence)
• >> Event-driven story
• >> Character-driven story
  
• Characters - who?
  
• Setting - where? when?
• Conflict - characters play a large role: why is this important? how do they deal with this?