FILM STUDIES & CINEMATOGRAPHY ✿ PROJECT 1: STORY DEVELOPMENT ✿
FILM STUDIES & CINEMATOGRAPHY ✿ PROJECT 1 ✿
22.04.24 - 10.06.24
week 1 - week 7
✿ TAN JIA JIA 0350577 ✿
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
✿ LECTURE ✿
Week 1
In the initial week of our module, Mr. Kamal took the time to thoroughly brief
us on the module's objectives and intricacies, ensuring we had a solid
understanding of what lay ahead. Alongside this, he delved into the specifics
of the assignment, elucidating its requirements and expectations in detail. To
aid our comprehension further, Mr. Kamal generously provided us with several
illustrative examples, allowing us to grasp the nuances of the task at hand
more effectively. This comprehensive approach not only clarified any potential
confusion but also instilled in us a sense of confidence as we embarked on our
academic journey together.
Week 2
--Labour Day--
Week 3
In the third week, Mr. Kamal introduced us to five elements of story:
character, conflict, setting, plot, and theme.
Character: Who the story is about.
Conflict: The central problem or struggle.
Setting: Where and when the story takes place.
Plot: The sequence of events.
Theme: The underlying message or idea.
Figure 1.1 The Art of Storytelling
Mr. Kamal also briefed us about Project 1, which involves researching and
proposing an original short animation story. This project requires creating
both a compelling narrative and animating it.
Week 4
Figure 1.2 Presentation
Figure 1.3 Character
Character development: Crafting characters who feel real and relatable.
Making audiences care involves putting characters in tough situations to evoke
empathy and emotional investment.
External: External character development involves changes or
transformations that are visible or tangible to others within the story
world. These changes can include alterations in a character's physical
appearance, behavior, actions, or circumstances due to external events or
influences. For example, a character may undergo external development by
acquiring new skills, facing challenges, or experiencing changes in their
environment or relationships.
Internal: Internal character development, on the other hand, focuses
on changes or transformations that occur within the character's mind,
emotions, beliefs, or values. These changes may not be immediately apparent
to others but are significant for the character's personal growth and
evolution. Internal development often involves shifts in mindset, emotional
responses, moral dilemmas, or self-awareness. For instance, a character may
experience internal development by overcoming fears, confronting inner
conflicts, or undergoing a change in perspective.
Want: This refers to what the character desires or strives for in the
story. It can be a goal, ambition, or something they believe will bring them
satisfaction or fulfillment. Wants are often external and can be tangible,
such as acquiring wealth or achieving recognition, or emotional, such as
finding love or belonging. Wants are typically what characters pursue
actively throughout the story.
Needs: Needs are deeper, often unconscious desires that characters
require for personal growth or fulfillment. Unlike wants, needs are internal
and relate to the character's emotional or psychological well-being. Needs
address what the character truly requires to overcome internal conflicts,
achieve self-awareness, or find inner peace. Fulfilling these needs is often
essential for the character's transformation and arc throughout the story.
Obstacles: Challenges or difficulties that characters face on their
journey toward achieving their goals or desires. These hurdles can come in
various forms, such as physical barriers, opposing forces, or inner conflicts.
Overcoming obstacles is a central part of storytelling, as it creates tension,
drives the plot forward, and allows characters to grow and develop.
Character arcs can take different forms:
- Positive arc: In a positive character arc, the character starts off with flaws, weaknesses, or limitations and undergoes growth or development to overcome these challenges. By the end of the story, the character has evolved into a better version of themselves, having learned valuable lessons or achieved personal growth.
- Negative arc: Conversely, a negative character arc involves a character who starts off in a relatively positive state but experiences a decline or deterioration in their beliefs, morals, or circumstances as the story progresses. Negative arcs often depict characters descending into darkness or making morally questionable choices, leading to their downfall or demise.
- Flat arc: In a flat character arc, the character remains largely unchanged throughout the story. Instead of undergoing personal growth or transformation themselves, the character serves as a catalyst for change in others or for the world around them. Flat arcs are common in stories where the protagonist's steadfastness or unwavering beliefs inspire change in others.
Stakes: Represent what's at risk for the characters in a story.
They're what the characters have to gain or lose based on the outcome of
the plot. Stakes create tension and urgency, making the audience invested
in the characters' journey.
Week 5
-- Weak Day --
Week 6
Story Structure: The organized sequence of events (Introduction,
Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution).
Story Spine: A simplified outline (Once upon a time, Every day, Until
one day, Because of that, Until finally, And ever since that day).
Theme: The central message or underlying idea (e.g., the power of
imagination and facing fears).
Week 7
In week 7, Mr. Kamal provided us with a detailed lesson on how to write a
script properly. He walked us through the various elements of scriptwriting,
such as formatting, dialogue, and scene structure. He emphasized the
importance of clear and concise writing, and shared tips and techniques for
creating compelling narratives and believable characters. This session gave
us a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of scriptwriting,
equipping us with the skills needed to craft our own stories effectively.
Week 8
-- Independent Learning Week --
Week 9
In week 9, Mr. Kamal briefed us on Project 2, where we need to create a pitch bible for our animation. He also demonstrated how to effectively write a pitch bible, providing us with essential guidelines and tips for crafting a compelling presentation.
Week 10
In week 10, Mr. Kamal provided feedback on our storyboard thumbnails. I hadn't drawn mine yet, so I started working on it in class. After completing my storyboard, I asked for his feedback. He suggested some changes to improve my animation, which I implemented to enhance the overall quality of the project.
Week 11
-- No Class --
Week 12
This week is consultation week for Final Project.
✿ INSTRUCTION ✿
Figure 2.1 MIB of Film Studies & Cinematography
✿ PROJECT 1: STORY DEVELOPMENT ✿
1. This project requires us to develop a 30 second - 1 minute short story that
is going to be a 2D animation as the final output.
2. Develop the story from each week activities progressively:
- Story Ideas - get ideas on various techniques such as write what you know, what if statement and character & world.
- Character Development - from your ideas, develop your main character by giving his or her obstacles (external & internal), goal, want vs need, character arcs.
- Setting - putting the character into the right setting such as era, world
- Story Arcs and Theme - inciting incident, 3 acts structure, log line
3. Deliverables:
- Write a report in word document which consist of:
- Story Title
- Logline
- Synopsis
- Theme
- Character Description
- World Description
- Script
- Export as pdf
- Update all the progress in e-portfolio
4. Deadline for submission is by Week 6
1.0 RESEARCH
Before we start creating our story, I've thought about the story theme and
setting that I want to explore.
I wanted to do a horror story for Project 1. My idea centers around a little
girl who finds herself trapped in a nightmare, with the entire story unfolding
within her dream. This concept will allow for a blend of eerie and surreal
elements, creating a suspenseful and visually compelling narrative. By
focusing on the girl's experiences in her dream world, I aim to explore themes
of fear and the power of the subconscious mind.
Figure 3.1 Example on Internet
I also researched the game "Little Nightmares" to gather inspiration and
insights. The game's atmosphere, visual style, and narrative techniques
provide valuable ideas for crafting a similarly chilling and immersive
experience in my story. The way "Little Nightmares" uses its setting and
characters to evoke a sense of dread and tension will help inform the
development of my own project, ensuring it effectively captures the essence of
a true horror story.
Figure 3.2 Character in Little Nightmare
2.0 DIGITALIZATION
Before embarking on the design process for my main character, I find it
imperative to meticulously draft the intricate details of my story. This
preliminary step allows me to construct a comprehensive framework,
encompassing the overarching plot, the development of secondary characters,
the establishment of the setting's ambiance, and the exploration of underlying
themes. By delving into the intricacies of the narrative beforehand, I ensure
that my main character seamlessly integrates into the rich tapestry of the
story, enhancing its depth and resonance.
Figure 4.1 The Story
In my initial endeavor, I diligently documented the title, main character,
theme, and storyline for my Project 1. This meticulous approach allowed me to
establish a strong foundation from which to develop my project further.
Figure 4.2 The World of the Story
I wrote down the description of the scenes in my story so that I can have a clear direction to draw out my story scenes.
Figure 4.3 Attempt 2
In the second attempt, I expanded upon my initial efforts by incorporating
details regarding the external and internal characteristics of the characters,
as well as delving deeper into the setting. This comprehensive approach not
only enriched the narrative but also provided a more nuanced understanding of
the story's dynamics and atmosphere.
Figure 4.4 Attempt 3
In the third iteration, I took the refinement a step further by structuring
the narrative into Act 1, Act 2, and Act 3. Additionally, I introduced a
visual element by color-coding the neutral perspective, kid's perspective, and
imagined scenes with distinct colors. This strategic segmentation not only
enhances readability but also adds depth to the storytelling, immersing the
audience into different layers of the narrative experience.
Figure 4.5 Plot
In the plot, I've incorporated a multi-faceted approach by categorizing
different elements:
Description (Orange),
Action (Blue),
Imagination (Purple), and
Climax (Red). This strategic
color-coding not only enhances the visual appeal of the narrative but also
provides a structured framework for effectively conveying the story's
progression and intensity.
Figure 4.6 Final
In the final stage, I utilized the website,
Celts
provided by Mr. Kamal to craft the script for Project 1. This platform
offered a user-friendly interface and convenient tools that facilitated the
writing process, allowing me to seamlessly translate my creative vision into
a polished script. With the assistance of this resource, I was able to
refine and finalize the narrative, ensuring that every detail was
meticulously captured and presented in a professional format.
After completing the script, I proceeded to embark on the creation of my
main character for the story. Drawing inspiration from the narrative I had
meticulously crafted, I sought to design a character whose appearance,
personality, and backstory would seamlessly align with the overarching
themes and plot elements of the script. Utilizing various artistic
techniques and mediums, I endeavored to bring this character to life,
imbuing them with depth, complexity, and a visual identity that would
resonate with audiences and enhance the overall storytelling experience.
Figure 4.7 Character Turnaround Sheet
Having drawn the character turnaround sheet for my protagonist, a 6-year-old
little girl, I meticulously crafted each angle to capture her essence and
personality. From her innocent gaze to her playful demeanor, every detail was
thoughtfully considered to ensure authenticity and resonance with the
narrative. Through this visual representation, I aimed to breathe life into
the character, allowing her to leap off the page and immerse audiences in the
captivating world of the story.
Figure 4.8 Character Turnaround Sheet, Expression, Actions
3.0 FINAL OUTCOME
Figure 5.1 Final Script
Figure 5.2 Character in JPG
Figure 5.3 Character in PDF
✿ REFLECTION ✿
Project 1 was a journey of creative exploration and skill development.
Crafting a horror narrative set within a little girl's nightmare pushed me
to think critically about storytelling elements such as plot structure,
character development, and thematic depth. Through scriptwriting and
character design, I honed my ability to convey complex emotions and
concepts, while also learning to utilize visual elements to enhance the
narrative's impact. Overall, this project provided me with valuable insights
and experiences that will undoubtedly shape my future endeavors in
storytelling, allowing me to continue growing and evolving as a writer and
creator.
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