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CHAPTER 7 Basic Animation Writing Structure 111 Differences in Story Structure Structure exists to help you write a better story ...

Occasionally a TV animation script will be written in just two acts, but even with only two acts, the basic three-act structure ...

going at the end of Act I, spinning the action around in another direction. Now there’s no turning back for the hero. In Act II ...

add to the story, giving it more dimension. The subplot should start after the main plot, inter- weave, and wrap up close to the ...

Story Theme The theme is the lesson that the protagonist learns, the central message or values of the story. We just touched bri ...

Exercises Make a diagram of basic animation structure so that you can see it and better under- stand it. Be sure your diagram s ...

CHAPTER 8 The Premise 117 Getting Started Whether you’re writing a premise or treatment for your own work or trying to sell a pr ...

How many characters are in a typical episode? How many locations are used in each? Analyze the structure. Who wants what? Time e ...

and end. Center the story on the star. (Sometimes it’s okay to center the story around one of the other major characters instead ...

Characters may have to repair property damages. There are worries about substance abuse, and occasionally there are concerns abo ...

Premise Checklist The title—is it catchy? (“Sir Barks Alot Ruffs It Up” works better than “The School Guard Dog.”) Is your idea ...

122 Animation Writing and Development JACKIE CHAN ADVENTURES “Queen of the Shadowkhan” (Premise #206) When JADE’s friend/rival M ...

The Premise 123 evil; who knows what catastrophic effects this tattoo could bring? These “catastrophic effects” quickly become a ...

sends the ninjas in to kick Enforcer butt. They criticize Shendu/Valmont for losing control over his private army: what will the ...

of Section 13, indicating their surveillance monitors; but Shadowkhan, like vampires, do not photograph). Shendu/Valmont (having ...

The Shadowkhan release Jackie and attack Shendu/Valmont, who tries to counter-control the ninjas in a battle of wills with Jade; ...

Exercises Watch at least five episodes of an animated series that you would like to use for your sample script. Take notes on c ...

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CHAPTER 9 The Outline 129 What Is an Animation Outline? It’s a plan. The premise is expanded so that the structure will be compl ...