Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Stories have essentials that must be kept. In this story, the essentials include Sarah, develop-
ment, taunting, and Sarah's desire to belong. Everything else can be swapped out. It is easy
enough to change the peers to a single friend or better yet to a sibling. Likewise, the loca-
tion can be moved from the school playground to almost anywhere else—maybe the dressing
room in a department store. Unfortunately, this is still better for live action than animation.
The set-up lacks appeal.
Don't abandon the idea yet. Instead, start to generate options. Look at character, genre,
time period, place, and point of view. Any of these might spark a new set-up that is more
entertaining.
Character
What do we already know about Sarah? She is an adolescent girl. She develops. Could
Sarah be something else that develops in a more interesting and visual way? What if she
is an egg that hatches? What if she is a caterpillar that cocoons into a butterfl y? What if
she is an insect or a toy machine—a transformer? Write “what if's” until you fi nd lots of
creative options . . . maybe a tadpole.
Genre
Sometimes situation and confl ict gain more interest when played through a different genre.
What happens to this story if, instead of an after school special, it becomes a sci-fi fi lm?
Other genres include:
• Documentary
• Action adventure
• Coming of age
• Horror
• Comedy
• Sports
• Western
• Musical
• War
• Fantasy
Playing your idea through each genre should give you additional ideas. Sports:
What if Sarah has always been a competitive athlete and is so good that she
qualifi es for boys' teams. What implication does her development have on her ability to
compete?
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