Ideas for short pieces.

[Frinsklen]

Hi.

Interesting question, and hard to answer...

I think your problem is very common. I don't believe there's a list of exercises as you say, all you have to do is picture your character into a scene and make him do what you like, as long as it makes sense. Maybe you could give your character an object and think of what he or she would do with it. But no matter how short your animation is, make sure you're telling something, make sure it has some sort of ending.
Watch some cartoons, movies, comics, and why not, go in front of a mirror and when no-one's watching, pick a light box and try to give the illusion of weight (hey, actually I did that :D)

I'm also trying to come up witg a 20-30 sec animation and I simply can't. I know I haven't answered your question, but I don't believe there's a way to come up with an idea from scratch.
Just sit down and think. All begins with an idea.


:beer:

[chepe297]

Well... this is my way of coming up with stories...

I just don't start to think of story when I am planning to make a short film. I think up of stories all the time 24 7. When I have an idea, I jot them down in my note book. Then I develop them whenever I get a chance such as during family talks during dinner, with friends and brothers while going to the gym, etc. That way, I never have to sit in front of the computer, pondering about ideas since I've already have enough in my note book to keep me busy.

Talk to other people and develop the story is my way of getting a funny generalized story which is not only a story of my own, but from other people as well. In addition, it prevents you from going into tangents (i.e. out of hand which ruins the story).

This is not a technique but it does help me coming up with ideas...

"Keep a note pad beside your bed. When I can't fall asleep at night, I think and develop the story currently at hand (this is better than counting sheeps). In addition, you might dream something really good which you often forget next day. That's when the notepad comes handy! :thumbsup: "

well... that's my way of doing it. Hope it helps and best of luck with story making! :scream:

[dmcgrath]

the best resources list:

1) here, you came here, so you already know that one.

2) comic strips, the little three panel short ones in your local newspaper. Who cares if you rip off someone else's idea. the most important thing is, "can you do it well?"

3) your friends, like someone else mentioned, talk to them and get some input from there as well. usually your friends are your friends because they like you, an dwant to help you.


My advice, to both you and to Frinkelstien, think smaller. Do 5 sec. of good animation and then say "what happens next?" or "can I continue this story?" believe me, you start making your mind wander when you are aniamating for long periods, stories might just start popping up that way.

[d4rk]

I agree with writing down your ideas. Keep a small notebook (how many times have you heard this?) handy. I don't do it but I am often at work and bored and end up emailing myself all sorts of ideas. Anyway... like the previous post said just start with small animations (I need to do this too). Back a few years ago when I was learning LW (and now I'm re-learning it) I had invisioned these really elaborate animations, but at the time I didn't have the skill to pull them off (though I had the ambition). A good way to get started is to just make some small animations with your character and build up some experience animating him/her/it. Sometimes when you get busy doing this sort of exercise a really good idea will come to you when you least expect it. I know that's how it works when I'm doing web design or other art related stuff. Plus it never hurts to flex you animation muscles while you are waiting for a good idea to come out. I've seen a few animations that were really cool, and the person said that at the time it didn't really seem like it was going to go anywhere, untill he was done and started getting alot of feedback from people... so you never know!

:)

[scotttygett]

What I overheard at Corman's studio: get the characters out front and interacting as soon as possible. There is a temptation to create a solitary character, but the two films I've finished are both character interactions.

Shakespeare's sonnets are like 20 second films. And you notice the last line tends to be like a punch line. But Shakespeare is also believed by some to have put more energy into them than into his plays.


What is funny? Do you rekindle an unpleasant association between two things, and then redirect the association to a third thing that reduces the bad association by making it absurd or otherwise powerless?

[webfox]

Check out Spicy Cricket (http://www.spicycricket.com). She has set up info for burgeoning animators.

In particular... (http://www.spicycricket.com/SCA/SCA_study_exercises.html)

Have at it!

:bounce:

[tsarita]

Thanks for all the comments and tips guys. Extremingly helpful!:) :) :) :)

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