Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
What types of stories don't work for the short?
Hero's Journeys
Epic Tales
Uncharted Territories or Complicated Concepts
You will spend all of your time in exposition, explaining where we are or how it
works.
Little-Known Facts
You may know that penguins rub oil from a gland to make their feathers waterproof
and windproof, but if your story confl ict is that a penguin has run out of oil, most
people will never get it.
Rule #3: Know Your Concept, Theme, or Meaning
Remember that stories have meaning. The concept is the basic overriding theme or
meaning of your piece. It is not the premise or plot of the piece. It is the broader idea
underneath the piece. For any concept, there could be many different narratives that com-
municate it.
Let's look at some possible examples:
1.
The
Animator
and
the
Seat
Concept: There are no breaks during crunch time.
Premise: A tired animator attempts to take a break when he is stopped by an unexpected
authority.
2.
The
Kite
Concept: Learn to let go.
Premise: A small creature wants to fl y a kite, only the kite fl ies him.
3.
Eureka!
Concept: Inspiration comes from unexpected places.
Premise: What happens when your usual method of getting ideas doesn't work? A genius
discovers an unconventional way to get ideas.
The concept statement is one sentence. For the short, that sentence needs to be simple and
clear. It needs to have a viewpoint. There is little time in the short to present an unbiased
and balanced commentary.
The concept statement is the one non-negotiable element of your story. Everything else is
swappable—characters, locations, plots. However, what you want to say, your theme, is
your foundation. Write it down. Print it out. Read it.
Rule #4: Avoid Cliché
A cliché is a concept, character, symbol, or plot device that has been so overused that it
has lost its originality.
