Reading: Ideas for the Animated Short - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Building Better Content
This chapter builds on the first chapter but focused more on what works for short stories specifically. It categorises short stories made by one person as being around 1-2 minutes, however I thought that my own story would be around 5-7 minutes long.

The rules of the playground

1. Story is king

2. Keep it simple

• simple single situations
• one conflict that intensifies
• a single memorable moment
• slices of life
• demonstrations of personality

What doesn't work:

• hero's journey
• epic tales
• uncharted territories/complicated concepts
• little known facts

This section made me question whether my story would be too complicated for a short story. However since my story will be a little longer than what Schumer and Sullivan conceptualised it might be okay. Still, I will try to simplify my story as much as possible.

3. Know your concept, theme, or meaning

4. Avoid cliches

5. Create a memorable character

6. Emotion drives action

7. Show, don't tell
Many short stories tend to use little or no dialogue. Therefore its integral to make actions obvious to the audience, so that the story is still communicated coherently.

8. Create conflict (only 3 types):

• Character vs character
• Character vs environment
• Character vs self

The conflict in my story will surround the idea of character vs environment.

9. Know your ending

10. Entertain audience

11. Use humour
I had imagined my story to be more of a dramatic piece, therefore I'm not sure if using humour will be relevant.

12. Do something you like
I have had a lot of doubts with my story, but I am still enthusiastic about my concept, therefore I'm determined to make it work.