CSE 456 - Story for Digital Animation

Assignment #3: Story Pitching

DUE: Wednesday, 7/06 by 8:30 AM

This week you will be iterating on your title, seven steps, creating a beatsheet, finding reference for your characters and set and producing some concept art for your characters and sets.

Your first pitch will be next week. For this assignment, your group can either work together to improve one set of seven steps and thumbnails, or the group can split into two groups (there must be at least 2 people per group and only a maximum of 2 groups) and work to improve two sets of seven steps and thumbnails.

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!

Remember to also come up with 3 adjectives for each of your characters as a way to help you better understand the character's personality.

Start your assignment using your most current thumbnail sheet. Before moving into drawing, print out a copy of your thumbnail sheet and make edits to fix beats that aren't working as well as they could be. Jot notes in on the side, sketch improvements over existing drawings, or create completely new thumbnails. Just be sure to indicate where any new drawings fit into the story. You will be required to scan and turn in these notes/improvements.

In addition to revising your thumbnails, you will also be providing us with reference (images found online, photographs, scans, etc.) and 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 3 pieces of reference for each of your characters and sets, as well as 2 pieces of concept art for each of your characters and set. In addition we would also like a bird's eye view drawing of your set.

You will also be putting together a beatsheet, which is used to describe the specific actions for your story in chronological order.

Keep things simple and clear! Only include elements important to telling your story.

Checklist of what is due:

  • Story Title (revised)
  • 7 Steps and Armature (revised)
  • Completed Beatsheet 
  • 3 pieces of reference each for characters and set
  • 2 pieces of concept each for characters and set
  • 3 adjectives to describe your characters (3 for each character)
  • A bird's eye view drawing of the set
  • A scan of the notes/improvements you've made to your thumbnails

All work for this project should be submitted to the Catalyst Dropbox by Wednesday July 6th, at 8:30 AM. Additionally, please print out and staple together five packets of your story materials for the staff to review in class. 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!

NOTE: You must have some of the assignment completed for the following Monday's lab to receive feedback and credit.