Cinematic Storytelling 101

1: Review these Sites on Scriptwriting:

1. The 3 Main Elements of a Script:
• http://www.bloopanimation.com/writing-a-script/
• REMEMBER: MOST IMPORATNT PARTS OF SCRIPT:  Location, Action, Dialogue.
2. Jeffrey Scott's Website (super amazing writer for cartoons)
• http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/Scripts.htm (tons of example scripts for download; also a lesson on excellent website design)
• http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/
3. A great resource for color selection and color thoery:
• http://kuler.adobe.com

2.  Review the formula for a movie's "Three Act Structure" at these links:

 http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ThreeActStructure

http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/pruter/film/threeact.htm

http://scripteach.com/?page_id=223

3.  Find one short animated film (no longer than 10 minutes) online that inspires you to create great cartoons and movies.  Watch the film, then break down the story into each act, and each major segment.  Make an outline - by ACT - of what those major plot points are. 

Within that outline, be sure to point out these major sections of questioning:

ACT 1: (25% of your film's runtime)

1. Who is(are) the protagonist(s)?
2. What is the setting of the film?
3. How does the film begin?
4. What is the inciting incident? (What triggers the main plot of the story?  What is the protagonist looking for?)
5. What is the major first plot point that moves the story into act II?

ACT 2: (50% of your film's runtime)

1. What setbacks does the protagonist face in Act II?
2. How does the protagonist deal with those major plot points?
3. What is the second major plot point that finally kicks the protagonist's butt in gear? What is the jumping off point for Act 3?

ACT 3: (25% of your film's runtime)

1. What is the climax of the film? Does the protagonist get what is wanted, what is needed, or something else entirely?
2. In the Denouement, how does the film relax itself back to a state of equilibrium? How is everything resolved?
3. How does the film end?