CSE 456 - Story for Digital Animation

Assignment #2: Story Pitching

DUE: Wednesday, 7/8 by 8:30 AM

This week you will be provided with a specific story (7 steps and armature) to develop with the goal of improving on it and putting your own spin on the details. You will have received one of the stories below.

Story A

Armature: What is most truly valuable is often underrated.

  1. Once upon a time there was an apprentice to a baker who sold bread.
  2. And every day the apprentice would day dream about more exciting jobs (like being a firefighter making daring rescues or a doctor saving lives), while secretly studying in the hopes she might get one someday.
  3. Until one day she came to work but the baker wasn’t there.
  4. And because of this the apprentice didn’t open the shop and spent the day studying in the back instead.
  5. And because of this a child knocked on the bakery door and asked why there was no bread.
  6. Until finally, seeing how hungry the child was, the apprentice gave up her day of studying and baked some bread.
  7. And ever since that day the apprentice thinks baking bread might be an okay job after all.

Story B

Armature: What is most truly valuable is often underrated.

  1. Once upon a time there was a ghost who was determined to rid the house of its occupant.
  2. And every day she would haunt the human, trying to get the human to leave.
  3. Until one day the human did.
  4. And because of this the ghost was finally alone, having succeeded in driving the human away.
  5. And because of this the ghost was lonely and bored without the human to haunt.
  6. Until finally the human returned from her vacation.
  7. And ever since that day the ghost would assist the human instead of haunting her.

Unlike your first set of three stories, you will gradually develop this same story throughout the rest of the quarter. Each week you will pitch it to the staff, receive feedback, and improve on it. The end product will be a fully developed animatic.

Your first pitch will be next week. You will need to prepare a few things to help us understand and visualize your version of the story. The first thing you should do is modify and improve upon the seven steps and give the story a title. Remember to include the armature as well. Note that whatever details you modify, the same story restrictions sans one from the first assignment apply here as well:

  • No more than three total characters, with at least one. No extras or crowds.
  • All characters must be human. (This restriction is waived.)
  • The story must take place in one indoor set.
  • Exaggerate in ways that make your story more appropriate for animation.

Once you are confident that the steps are complete, you will create a beatsheet. The beatsheet will be used to describe the specific actions for your story in chronological order.

You will then translate the visual aspects of your story and beatsheet into one page of thumbnail drawings. Be sure to number your thumbnails and start from the upper left and create the drawings from left to right down the page. You should have exactly 20 thumbnails on your single page. Your audience should be able to  “read” and understand your story one image at a time. Prioritize clarity over detail.

Here's a list of resources to help you out with thumbnail composition:

In addition to the thumbnails, you will also be providing us with reference (images found online, photographs, scans, etc.) and/or concept art for how your characters and set might look. Note that concept art, as opposed to reference, are designs drawn by you. You must provide at least one image for each character, and at the very least a site plan (basically a blueprint) of your set.

We will be looking at how the story is presented visually and provide feedback on anything that looks out of place. Is your armature clear and have you proven it? Are any of the 7 steps missing or out of place? Is there a lack of clarity? Are you  specifying too much in parts of the story to the detriment of the other story beats?  We will also focus on pacing concerns, acting and action, and ways to convey your story visually in a way that will engage your audience.

Limit the story pitch to one and a half minutes and time yourself. Use the following checklist to help you prepare for your pitch, and to also evaluate and improve your story.

Checklist for your story pitch:

  • Prepare an outline.
  • Relax.  
  • Practice your pitch ahead of time. Find people to listen and provide feedback who haven't heard your story pitch. 
  • Practice more than you need to. You will improve dramatically. Work with the colleagues in your class to help improve your story.
  • Get as much feedback as you can and address it appropriately 
  • Use props and/or include other people in your pitch. 
  • Act out your story when appropriate. Be the characters. It will help you understand them. 
  • Use active language and avoid "internal" descriptions. (Don't say "realizes".)
  • Address your pacing. Edit out unnecessary description or add in steps to help clarify beats so as not to confuse or lose your audience. 
  • Do whatever you need to in order to bring the audience into the story experience. 
  • Present a story best told using 3D animation and use the strengths of animation as part of your pitch.
  • Look at your audience and make every effort to engage them during your pitch.
  • Be creative and try to have fun!

Checklist of what is due:

  • Story Title
  • 7 Steps and Armature
  • Completed Beatsheet 
  • One sheet of Thumbnails (Template with 20 blank thumbnails)
  • At least one piece of reference and/or concept art for each character
  • A site plan of your set, and any additional reference/concept art

All work for this project should be submitted to the Catalyst Dropbox by Wednesday July 8th, at 8:30 AM. Additionally, please print out and staple together five packets of your story materials for the staff to review. Be sure to include all of the items listed above in each packet. There is a printer in 329 you may use, but do not wait until the last minute!