This document outlines the assignments for a 3rd year story lab course. It includes 4 assignments: 1) Story/content experiments exploring 2 story concepts, 2) A team research project investigating an animated project, 3) Developing a concept package for a 4th year thesis project, and 4) A portfolio presentation and self-assessment of work from the course. The assignments involve written, visual, and presentation components and aim to develop storytelling, research, collaboration, and preparation skills for animation careers.

1. ANIM30261 3rd
Year Story Lab Winter 2015
The easiest way to display and submit your assignment is to place it in the Hand_In folder prior
to lab time and show it from there.
Assignment #1: Story/Content Experiments 30%(half per experiment)
Project Brief:
Experiment with two (2) story concepts that could be your 4th
year thesis project. The story must
be able to be told in 1 minute. (This is the maximum currently allowed for the 4th
year project.) If
you feel this limits your creativity, please prepare a 1-minute section of a longer piece.
Please use these ideas to express your personal vision while trying different types of story.
Like with life drawing, you generate a number of drawings and select from the best of them.
Think of story ideas in the same way. Try different approaches to tell a story visually. The best
way to have a great idea is to have lots of ideas.
Consider these ways/styles to tell stories: PSAs: (public service announcement,) documentaries,
personal stories, storybook apps, title sequences/ motion graphics, mobile apps, casual games,
console games, etc. Please feel free to add to any of these types of stories.
Keep a sketchbook or journal to archive your development of ideas. Many artists develop ideas
over a number of years. Give yourself a place to reference and retrieve your work.
Think hard about what story you want to tell and who your audience is. Is it personal? Do the
visuals tell the story without the written?
Written: 10% (1 page maximum)
Prepare a logline (one (1) sentence) and a synopsis (two (2) paragraphs maximum) that tell your
story proposal succinctly. You may cite any appropriate web research sites.
Is there a beginning, middle, and end? What’s the point of view? Is there a theme?
Visual: 10%
Use whatever you’d like to communicate your idea clearly. Concept sketches, rough boards, etc.
Include any visual reference (photos, clips, web reference, etc.) you are considering.
Presentation: 10% (5 minutes maximum)
Present your concept during the lab period. Please be prepared to give feedback in lab to your
peers on their presentations.
Project Goal:
This is to practice your storytelling, visual development, and presentation skills.
Deliverables:
DUE IN LAB Period WEEK 3 (#1) and 6 (#2)
One (1) digital PDF in hand in folder per experiment.
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2. ANIM30261 3rd
Year Story Lab Winter 2015
Assignment ##2: Team Research Project 30%
Project Brief:
In your separate labs, organize into four (4) groups. Select a project -something the entire group
is interested in -and research it. Find projects that you can easily access information on. (No
project older than 5 years.) For example: (Angry Birds, Rio, Archer.) Points will be awarded for
innovative project selection.
In Lab Week 2: Identify your groups and the project you plan to investigate.
THERE WILL BE NO DUPLICATION OF PROJECTS AMONG CLASSES OR GROUPS.
A random selection process will be implemented.
Brainstorm all aspects of the project. Ask these and other questions:
What’s the timeline: How long did it take to be developed, to be “greenlit,”
executed, and distributed? What is the development process? Are there
transmedia aspects? Is there merchandizing? What’s the business model?
How is it funded? Who pays for development? How many animators, layout,
storyboard artists, compositors to complete the project? What’s the workflow
(software used?)? Is/was it successful? Place it in time: What was going on
technically? What’s/who’s the competition?
Fire up and build your network. Interview someone working or who had worked on the project.
Get a sense of what their work life is like? Ask a 4th
Year about their coop to gather names and
intelligence.
Written: Research Report 15%
Two (2) pages (500 words) with citations, quotes and web references.
(Add a page as to who did what on the project. i.e. written: ___, research: ___, presentation
format: ___, etc.)
Visual: Research Presentation 15%
Twenty (20) slides and ten (10) minutes (including time for plus questions.) To be presented
during the second half of semester lectures. Use as many pages in the report of visual reference
you feel will tell the story.
Please be prepared to give feedback in lab to your peers on their presentations.
Project Goal:
It is critical to understand how the industry you are going into works, how to research for job
searches, and how to work quickly and collaboratively.
Deliverables:
DUE IN LAB WEEK 9
One (1) hard copy (written only.)
One (1) digital PDF in hand in folder. (Separate PDFs for paper and presentation.)
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3. ANIM30261 3rd
Year Story Lab Winter 2015
Assignment #3: 4th
Year Project Development 30%
Project Brief:
Produce a concept package or pitch book for your 4th
year thesis project.
Please design your package professionally: headings, subheading, page numbers, etc.
Format as a portfolio submission.
The package should include:
Written: (maximum 5 pages.) 10%
A logline (one sentence) and a synopsis (2 paragraph max.)
A brief outline of a script.
Character descriptions.
World descriptions: setting, locations.
Audience Research: state clearly the intended audience and support it with examples of similar
projects for this audience.
Theme: (artist’s statement) What story are you telling? What’s the point of view?
Also include a proposed style, workflow and techniques you plan to use.
Visual: (maximum: 10 pages) 15%
Tell your story visually. Include in your bible: story sketches, preliminary character designs,
concept work, location designs, technique explorations, etc. Include any research material you
deem necessary. A timed rough board is required. (lecia if you’d like but it will change.)
The visual and written should be integrated into one package: formatted and designed for
clear presentation and readability.
Presentation: 5 minutes (maximum: 10 slides) 5%
Presentation in lab weeks 11 and 12.
Please be prepared to give feedback to give feedback in lab to your peers on their presentations.
Project Goals:
This project is the culmination of your two semesters in 3rd
year Story. The concept of the
program is that every semester leads to the next. This project leads directly into your 4th
year
final thesis project. You are applying all of the information you’ve learned in 3rd
year to prepare
a concept package for your thesis production. You will need a rough storyboard by the 3rd
week
of the 4th
year in this program and will use this package to present to your 4th
year mentor group
in the 1st week.
Deliverables:
DUE IN LAB Period WEEK 11
One (1) digital PDF in hand in folder. (Separate PDFs for bible and presentation.)
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4. ANIM30261 3rd
Year Story Lab Winter 2015
Assignment #4 “What’s Your Story So Far?” Portfolio Assessment 10%
Project Brief:
Gather, format and present your work this term and self assess your progress in story. Please
include your concept experiments, rough boards, beat boards, sketch journal, personal
experiences, written work, etc. from your work in Anim 30261. Include any work you believe
tells your story. Format and design your portfolio presentation professionally.
This will be a personal interview with the instructor to review and assess your contribution and
progress in the course. The concept is to simulate a 5 min. portfolio review with a prospective
client.
Project Goal:
This is to allow you the opportunity to honestly assess of your progress and effort in Anim 30261
this term and to simulate an interview process.
Deliverables:
DUE IN LAB Period WEEK 13 &14 (Schedule to be posted)
One (1) digital PDF in hand in folder.
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