280 Animation Writing and Development
Figure 16.2
The Wild Thornberrys, Copyright © 2002 by Paramount Pictures and Viacom International, Inc. All
rights reserved. Nickelodeon, The Wild Thornberrys and all related titles, logo and characters are trade-
marks of Viacom International, Inc.
Animated features have a theme—frequently about coming of age (Miyazaki’s Spirited
Away). There is action, drama, and tears. There’s humor, often smart, edgy, and sophisticated.
Many recent features have included pop-culture-related gags and smart dialogue, including
double entendres. There’s innocence as well. Often there’s a love story. Love stories provide
something special to relationships by sending sparks flying.
The structure must be well written and almost as complex as that of a live-action feature;
however, there must be some room in the plot for the elaboration that will be done by the
storyboard artists. There will be an A-plot and a B-plot, and maybe a C-plot. The B-plot is
often the love story. A minor story point may be set up early in the story, only to be paid
off much later in the script. This may relate to theme, action, or character as well as humor.
The older viewers in the audience will remember and “get” it. Scenes are usually shorter. A
short cartoon can hold our interest with a simple plot that’s merely a string of events leading
to a climax, but a feature needs a tight interwoven structure to keep our interest. A feature