Share a Story

Find out how to create a great idea for your animation right here!

What you’ll need:

1. A “1 sentence” story

For this competition you have to share a story that you can tell in just 1 minute and describe in just 1 sentence. To make your story interesting think of one or two characters, and one unexpected or exciting thing that could happen to them. The story you share could come from your imagination or be a true story.

For example, your story could be about a girl who finds treasure at the bottom of her garden or about the day you won a race on Sports Day!

On the competition form you’ll find this sentence starter:

THE STORY I WANT TO SHARE IS ABOUT……..

Complete the sentence by telling us who your story is about and what happens to them.

Helpful hints:

Have no more than three characters in your animation.

Put your characters into an interesting setting. With animation you can set your story anywhere – a fantasy setting like space or a scary setting like a haunted castle.

If you decide to set your story in a familiar place like your school make something unexpected happen – perhaps the furniture in your classroom could come to life…

Think about exciting things that have happened to you. Would they make an interesting true life animation?

If you can’t describe your story in 1 sentence it is too complicated, make it simpler.

Did you know?

All screenwriters have to think of 1 sentence that sums up their story, they call this a premise.

2. A Beginning, Middle and End

Next you have to write down what will happen in your story.

Beginning – Here you need to introduce your characters and start them off on their adventure.

Middle – Tell us what happens that is exciting or unexpected.

End – Finish your story with a happy, sad, funny, surprising or thrilling ending!

Did you know?

Screenwriters have to write a passage that explains what happens in their story, this is called a treatment.

3. A Storyboard

Films and animations tell stories with moving images instead of words like books do. It is important that you draw a storyboard to show us what your characters and setting will look like, and how you will tell your story with moving images.

See examples of completed storyboards in the Image Gallery above

Helpful hints:

Keep your drawings simple.

There is some space under each box for you to write down what the characters are saying or to write notes to explain what is in your drawings. Keep speech short.

You can do your sketches in pencil or use some colour. Choose colours that will show the audience what your characters and setting are like.

What is First Light?

First Light is a charity that helps children and young people make their own films. Why don’t you watch some films made by children aged 12 and under?

Glossary

Storyboard – A storyboard helps you to plan each scene, what it should look like and where the camera should be.

Character – someone or something that appears in your story. The character gets involved in all the action and be nice or nasty. There can be more than one character in your story.

Setting – The setting of a film is where it takes place. It can give us lots of information about what a film is all about.

Animation – Animation is made of many pictures moving quickly. There are many techniques for making animation including 2D drawn animation, 3D puppet, clay or digital animation.

Treatment – is a short description of the film explaining the story, the characters and the setting as well as how the film will look.

Good Luck!

See below for films to inspire you.

Movies

• 

  Bubbletown

  First Light Movies Awards 2007 Nominated for Best Film by 12s & Under

  It’s the year 3006 and mankind has made a serious mess of planet Earth. Spacekid Sam decides to do something about it. He flies to Saturn and meets the people of Bubbletown. They take him to see the Bubble Wizard who has just the answer.
  Length 03’ 15”
  Aged 7

• 

  Jimmy Saves The Olympics

  An Activison First Light Movies Award 2009 Nominee for Best Animation

  The greatest race in history is on and Jimmy’s the man to run it. This short 2D animated film follows Jimmy’s adventures as he carries the Olympic torch from Athens, fighting aliens as he goes through Germany, Japan and Paris finishing flame in hand in the Olympic Stadium.
  Length 02’ 26”
  Aged 12-13

• 

  The Magic Rockpool

  An Activison First Light Movies Award 2009 Nominee for Best Fantasy Adventure

  This delightful claymation tells the story of Jake and Emily who ignore their Grandad’s warnings about the rock pool on the French beach where they are holidaying……luckily a seagull, a snail and Grandma save the day!
  Length 06’ 11”
  Aged 8-10