Workshop 2: Story Editing, Storytelling, and Shot Choice!

The following post is a recap of what we have done today in class! We had a "half solo, half collaborative" workshop that we used to improve your stories and refine your decision making skills as an animator!  If you were absent, I expect you to preform this exercise on your own, and find a couple classmates to share your ideas with.  Everyone is documenting their process in a sketchbook or notebook. I expect you to do the same.

I would like everyone to be at the same place on Wednesday, ready to move on to the next step! It is up to you to get the information you have missed! Always remember that!

STORY EDITING FOR ANIMATION:

In your story: 

Find a portion of the story you know works well.

• write down: Why does ________ work? / Why do “I” like _______?
• mark them with a star!

Next, write down this question (or a question like it): What qualities do I have in panel/sequence “______” that is missing in my other panels?

• can refer to anything
• story devices, cinematography, art, characterization, audience reaction, anything.

In about 4 minutes: make a list of every change you would make to your story to make every panel share the same level of quality.
Select the two brainstormed ideas you think will be most successful.

• underline them, highlight them, put a star next to them, try anything.

Using two index cards, (or a number of them for future projects), make a change to two sections of your story to improve the whole film.

• use the two brainstormed ideas you underlined in your notes!
• use one card for each idea!
• make two changes to your film, and then review the whole story!
• Draw a new panel for that shot. Replace the old one. Don’t worry if the film is not 100% better. We’re looking for INCREMENTAL growth! Great works of art and cinema are built over time, not all at once!

Take 15-25 minutes to improve your stories!

• This should help you better flesh out your stories, and start to develop a sense of which ones you really like, and which ones you want to change.

Next: Split into two groups of 2!

• Person A: Give a brief synopsis of the story. Pitch! Be active in your speech and acting!
• Mention the biggest problem you currently face with the story (what is working the least?) Ask Person B about possible solutions!
• Person B: Offer solutions first. Then, make note of anything that is currently working well in each story, and any other constructive comments you may have.
• Switch!

Next step: Take 3-4 minutes to brainstorm some ideas you have about “DEVELOPING THE VISUALS” of your film?

• Designs you would like to try?
• Shot choices you are unsure about.
• Drawing skills you would like to develop.
• Drawing skills you would like to refine.
• Things about the design you think are missing from your film!

Share ideas with each other about strategies to apply to your stories!

• Include any websites or references, other films or sequences to look at, etc.

After everyone has shared visuals, share any other thoughts you have about your film ideas and your stories!

• The point of this class is to develop a process to direct yourself and figure out solutions to your own problems.  The biggest hang-up any film-maker has during the movie-making process is making decisions! The better you can make decisions, the easier it is to improve as an artist, animator, and film-maker! =D