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beat outline This is a more detailed telling of the story than the premise, breaking it

down into numbered scenes (beats). It is less detailed and shorter than the final script.

This is a narrative description of the action, scene by scene, with many of the gags, a few

of the camera angles, and a sprinkling of dialogue indicated. It’s a plan or blueprint of the

script.

beats (A) A breakdown of the scenes in a script. (B) A breakdown of the major action

points of an individual scene. (C) Short pauses. Indicates timing in a script.

behavioral tags Repeated actions that are specific to a character, like repeatedly twirling

a lock of hair.

BG (or b.g.) Background.

bible An animation bible includes most of the information about a series. There are two

kinds of bibles. The first is a presentation bible, a sales tool, that includes a brief description

of the show and its universe, format, the main characters and their relationships, and some

very brief episode springboards, plus artwork showing characters and typical scenes from

the show. A writer’s bible is a more complete description of the show, designed to cover all

the details for the show’s writers. It includes a complete backstory of the series with myths

or legends, detailed rules of the series universe, and descriptions of the main locations. Each

character is described thoroughly. Usually, there’s a drawing of each. If episodes have already

been aired, a brief description of each episode may also be included.

B-plot A secondary or subplot that must eventually tie into the main plot. This may be a

plot revolving around the villain or another character. This plot may be character-driven, as

opposed to action-driven.

breakdowns (A) Animation is broken down by the animators, who do the key or most

important drawings first. (B) Scripts are broken down into elements.

button The laugh line that ends a typical cartoon scene.

capper The gag that ends a sequence of related gags. It’s the funniest gag and often includes

a twist.

catalyst The person or thing from the outside that starts the story going. It’s the reason for

the rest of the story. It’s the inciting incident.

cels Transparent sheets of cellulose acetate or similar plastic. Animated drawings were tra-

ditionally inked or photocopied onto cels during the animation process. These cels were then

painted on the reverse side before being photographed by the camera.

central question This is the question that will be raised in our minds in the opening setup

and answered at the climax. Will the Scooby gang solve the mystery?

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