SIGGRAPH 2023 - Course Notes What We Talk About, When We Talk About Story
Article No.: 22, Pages 1 - 15
Abstract
Today's digital media is defined by not only the latest, greatest technical innovations but also how original story solutions are adapting to these new technological changes. No longer are the story/narrative solutions the exclusive responsibility of directors and writers but increasingly fall on the shoulders of technical directors, software engineers, animators, VFX creators, and game/XR designers whose work is essential in making "the content" come to life.
Understanding story is particularly useful when communicating with screenwriters, directors, and producers. This course answers the question, "What is Story?" (and you don't even have to take a course in screenwriting). Knowing the basics of story enables the crew to become collaborators with the producer and director. As a director talks about their story goals; and the crew will know what specific story benchmarks they are trying to meet. This information is more than a story being "a sequence of events (acts) to a "dramatic" story that that builds from Setup through Resolution.
Having an understanding of story structure allows one to understand a story's elements in context (i.e., theme, character, setting, conflict etc.) and their relationship to classic story structure (i.e., setup, inciting incident, rising action, climax, resolution, etc.). This information is for all whose work makes the story better, but their job is not creating the story. The following course notes have been adapted from Story Structure and Development: A Guide for Animators, VFX Artists, Game Designers, and Virtual Reality Creators. CRC Publishers, a division of Taylor and Francis.
References
[1]
E. M. Forester, Aspects of the Novel, 1927.
[2]
R. McKee, Story, Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting (New York, Harper- Collins Publisher, 1997), 19.
[3]
J. Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces (New York, New World Library, 2008).
[4]
Ibid., 129.
[5]
L. Seger, How to Make a Good Script Great (Hollywood, California, Samuel French Trade, 1987), 101.
[6]
A. Hitchcock, Quotes about Hitchcock, http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/728496-there-is-a-distinct-difference-between-suspense-and-surprise-and
[7]
R. McKee, Audio CD on Story. Plot section.
[8]
D. Trottier, Screenwriter's Bible, 6th edition (New York, Silman-James Press, 2014), 14.
[9]
B. Snyder, Save the Cat (Chelsea, Michigan, Michael Wiese Productions, 2005), 24.
[10]
M. Hauge, Writing Screenplays that Sell, the Complete Guide to Turning Story Concepts into Movie and Television Deals (New York, Harper Collins Publisher, 1988), 34.
[11]
"Story," Gladiator directed by Ridley Scott (DreamWorks Video, 2000), Gladiator Signature Selection (Two-Disc Collector's Edition), 2nd Disc.
[12]
A. K. Aristotle, Poetics (London, Oxford University Press, 2013), 25.
[13]
C. Nolan, https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3044804.Christopher_J_Nolan
[14]
Aristotle, Poetics, 24.
[15]
C. Vogler, The Writer's Journey (Ann Arbor, Michigan, Michael Wiese Productions, 1992), 26.
[16]
N. Watts, Write a Novel and Get It Published (New York, Teach Yourself Publisher, 2012).
[17]
J. Truby, The Anatomy of Story (New York, Faber and Faber, Inc., 2007).
[18]
V. Propp, The Russian Folktale (Detroit, Michigan, Wayne State University Press, 2012).
[19]
Watts, Write a Novel, 55. http://www.writersfriend.com/post/30580376166/how-to-structure-a-story-nigel-watts
[20]
K. Sullivan, Ideas for the Animated Short (Boston, Massachusetts, Focal Press, 2008), 24
[21]
J. Campbell, Hero with a Thousand Faces (New York, New World Library, 2008).
[22]
Vogler, The Writer's Journey.
[23]
Truby, Anatomy of Story.
[24]
Aristotle, Poetics, 14.
[25]
S. Field, Screenplay---The Foundations of Screen- writing (New York, Delta Publisher, 2005).
[26]
M. Hauge, Writing Screenplays that Sell (New York, Harper-Collins, 1991).
[27]
R. McKee, Story.
[28]
L. Seger, How to Make a Good Script Great.
[29]
E. Catmull, Creativity, Inc. (New York, 2010)
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Published: 24 July 2023
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SIGGRAPH '23: Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques Conference
August 6 - 10, 2023
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