Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
7. Make an Adaptation of Another Story
You don't want to illustrate another story, but use it as inspiration or reference. What is the
essence or concept of the story? What are parallel situations and confl icts? How can you
translate it into your own form? What if you tell the same story from another viewpoint? Tell
Little Red Riding Hood from the viewpoint of the wolf or the basket or the path. Don't be afraid
to steal the essence of another story. Remember that there are really just a limited number of
stories recreated in new forms. Without Cinderella, we wouldn't have Pretty Woman.
8. Parody a Current Story or Event
A parody is a humorous imitation that makes fun of or mocks someone, or something, like
an event. It is closely related to satire. Satire is more biting than parody. It plays in the world
of irony, sarcasm, and sometimes ridicule. Political fi gures are frequently the subject of
parody and satire.
9. Create a Competition, Play with Status
In confl ict, we talked about characters that have opposing goals. Sometimes, in stories of
competition, characters have the same goal and are pitted against each other to reach it.
These stories often use status relationships (who has power) and status often transfers from
character to character as they meet with confl ict.
10. Combine Unlike Things Together
What if elephants could breathe under the water? What if pigs could fl y? What if Danny
Devito took a growth potion? What if's and unusual combinations sometime result in unique
ideas for story.
“There's no use trying,” said Alice. “One can't believe impossible things.”
“I dare say you haven't much practice,” said the Queen. “When I was your age, I always
did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things
before breakfast.”—Lewis Carroll,
Through
the
Looking
Glass
and
Alice
in
Wonderland
.
Getting ideas takes practice. Can you get six ideas today?
Pursuing Ideas
“Trust yourself. If it moves you, give it a chance. Don't hold back.
Monty
Python
had a great
working principle. They went with any idea one of them had, even if others didn't like it.
They gave anything a chance to live on. Sometimes this resulted in a failed skit, but other
times the results were completely unexpected and fantastic. If they had held back during
early conceptualizing, they wouldn't have reached the unusual peaks they reached.”—Larry
Weinberg [6]
In short, you are searching for the
best
way to tell your story. Planning your animation takes
as much time, rigor, and engagement (fun and frustration) as it takes to animate it. Progress
