FILM STUDIES & CINEMATOGRAPHY / PROJECT 1 - STORY DEVELOPMENT
01/09/2023 - 01/12/2023 / Week 1- Week 14
Chew Zhi Ern / 0358995
Film Studies & Cinematography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1 / Story Development
Chew Zhi Ern / 0358995
Film Studies & Cinematography / Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media / Taylor's University
Project 1 / Story Development
INSTRUCTIONS
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PROJECT
Project 1: Story Development
Progression 1: Story Ideas
- Choose any Pixar short for inspiration.
- Analyse how this story become a great story from emotional connection and personal experiences. Make your own version.
- Create your “What If” statement to spark you ideas.
- Think of the main characters and world that can inspire your story.
LIST OF PIXAR SHORTS:
Pixar Shorts Chosen: 'Bao'
Analysis:
The film begins with a woman who is feeling lonely and empty nest syndrome after her son moves out to start his own life. One day, while preparing dumplings for dinner, she is surprised when one of the dumplings comes to life. She raises the dumpling as if it were her own child, and it grows quickly from an infant to a toddler.
As the dumpling grows, the mother's bond with it deepens. They share meals, and experience the ups and downs of life together. However, as the dumpling becomes a teenager, it begins to assert its independence, leading to conflicts between the two.
Without giving away too much, the film takes a poignant and emotional turn as it explores the mother's struggle to let go and allow her "child" to follow its own path. Ultimately, "Bao" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story that celebrates the complexities of family, the challenges of parenting, and the power of love and acceptance.
Own Version:
Once upon a time in a bustling city, there lived a young boy named Kai. Kai was unlike any other child in his neighborhood. Growing up in an overprotective and doting family, he was known far and wide as a "mama's boy", and he had no independent opinion or aspirations of his own. His mother was too controlling and he would never make a decision without consulting his mother, Mei. He clung to his mother's side like a shadow, relying on her for every decision and direction in life.
Kai's life was marked by the teasing and taunts of his peers, who saw him as weak and incapable of standing up for himself. Day after day, their words stung. Simultaneously, He also felt suffocated by his mother's control. Kai longed for a way to break free from his mother's control, not out of a desire to worry Mei, but to prove to himself and others that he could be his own person. He yearned for independence and the freedom to make his own choices. The constant teasing and ridicule from his peers, labeling him a "mama's boy," had taken its toll. He knew he needed to break free from his mother's grip and discover who he truly was.
One clear starry night, Kai looked up at the sky and made a wish upon a shooting star. His wish was simple but profound: he hoped to find the strength to detach from his mother's control and discover his own path in life. Little did he know that his wish would soon be answered.
Time marched on, and then, one fateful day, something extraordinary happened. Kai stumbled upon a vibrant lion dance performance in the heart of the city. The rhythm of the drums, the intricate movements, and the colorful lion costumes captured his attention like nothing before. For the first time in his life, Kai felt a spark of curiosity and excitement.
As he watched the dancers, something awakened within him. He realized that this could be his perfect ticket to freedom. He decided to participate in the lion dance group with one burning motivation - to break away from his mother's controlling grasp. Kai knew that this was his chance to be himself and discover his own path in life. He was tired of living in the shadow of his mother's decisions and wanted to carve out his own identity.
However, when Kai informed Mei of his decision to join the lion dance group, she was vehemently against it. They had a heated conflict as Kai insisted on pursuing his newfound passion, while Mei couldn't bear the thought of her son venturing out on his own. Yet, Kai was determined to break free from his mother's control and follow his heart. Strained relations between them.
Despite their disagreements, Kai remained determined to follow his own path. He practiced tirelessly, honing his lion dance skills, and found support and encouragement from his newfound friends within the lion dance community. As the years passed, Kai's talent and dedication to lion dancing grew, and he began performing in various events and competitions.
One day, Mei received an unexpected invitation to a lion dance performance. Intrigued, she decided to attend secretly, hoping to catch a glimpse of her son's performance. Tears welled up in Mei's eyes as she saw her son's performance. She realized that her son found his own path, and in doing so, Kai had not only become a talented and self-assured young man but had also found the independence and self-assuredness he had longed for. From that day forward, Kai's relationship with his mother began to mend. Mei recognized that her son's independence was not a rejection of her love but a necessary step in his personal growth. She became his biggest supporter.
The story of Kai and Mei became a testament to the power of following one's dreams and the importance of letting go when the time is right. It showed that even in the face of conflict and adversity, a child's journey to self-discovery could ultimately lead to growth, independence, and a stronger bond between parent and child.
'What If' Statement:
- What If Mei Had Resisted Kai's Pursuit of Lion Dance?
- What If Mei Never Learned to Let Go?
- What if the lion dance group faced a major competition or challenge that tested Kai's dedication and skills, forcing him to confront his fears and doubts about his independence?
- What if Mei initially keep an eye on Kai when he joined the lion dance group, only to discover that her interference was pushing him further away, causing her to reconsider her actions?
Character Development:
- Explore Kai's internal struggle with his dependence on his mother and his longing for independence. Highlight his inner turmoil and dissatisfaction with his current life.
- Explore Mei's character more. Why is she so controlling? What are her fears and insecurities? Show her growth and transformation as she comes to terms with Kai's independence.
Conflict and Challenges:
- Introduce external challenges that Kai faces within the lion dance group. Perhaps he encounters a rival or faces a particularly difficult performance that tests his resolve and skills.
- Create a subplot where Kai faces a personal setback or injury during his training, forcing him to question his commitment to the lion dance. This would be a critical turning point where he has to overcome adversity.
- Create more intense conflicts between Kai and Mei. Their relationship shouldn't mend too easily. Show how they both struggle to adapt to the changing dynamics and how it strains their bond even further.
Transformation:
- As Kai grows more confident, showcase his character transformation in vivid detail. Describe how he undergoes physical and emotional changes, becoming more assertive and independent.
Twist of Fate:
- Add an unexpected twist where Mei's health takes a sudden turn for the worse. Kai is faced with a difficult decision: continue pursuing his dream or put it on hold to care for his mother. This twist will test his dedication and priorities.
- Kai's initial performances not go as well as expected. This would add an element of suspense and make his eventual success more satisfying.
Progression 2: Character Development
Develop character from the story ideas that you have generated from previous progression (Story Ideas) to character description statement.
- Give character a name.
- Develop his/her personality traits, use ‘elevator test’ as a scenario.
- Develop his/her internal and external features.
- Develop his/her internal and external obstacles.
- Develop character’s wants and needs.
- Develop character’s change as a result from overcoming obstacles.
Name of the Character: Kai
Personality Traits:
- Initially timid and overly dependent on his mother
- Kai's upbringing as a "mama's boy" has made him hesitant to make decisions on his own.
- Resilient
- Despite the teasing and taunting from his peers, he remains determined to break free from his mother's control.
- Curious and passionate
- Kai's encounter with lion dance sparks a newfound curiosity and passion within him.
- Determined
- He is unwavering in his pursuit of independence and self-discovery.
Internal Features:
- Deep-seated desire for independence.
- A longing to discover his own identity.
- Frustration with being labeled a "mama's boy."
External Features:
- Physical appearance: Kai has a lean build and a youthful appearance.
- Always seen with his mother, Mei, until he decides to pursue lion dancing.
- Begins wearing traditional lion dance costumes and accessories.
Internal Obstacles:
- Lack of self-belief and confidence.
- Limited exposure to the outside world and different experiences.
External Obstacles:
- His mother's overprotectiveness and strong opposition to his pursuit of lion dancing.
- Teasing and ridicule from peers, which makes it difficult for him to break free from the "mama's boy" label.
Character's Wants and Needs:
- Wants:
- To break free from his mother's controlling grasp.
- Independence to make his own choices and decisions.
- To be recognized as his own person, not just a "mama's boy."
- To pursue his passion for lion dancing.
- Needs:
- Support and encouragement from his mother.
- To prove to himself and others that he can be self-reliant.
- To build self-confidence and assertiveness.
- To find a sense of identity and purpose.
Character's Change as a Result of Overcoming Obstacles:
- Increased Confidence
- Kai's confidence grows as he hones his skills in lion dance. He becomes more assertive and self-assured, no longer relying solely on his mother's guidance.
- Independence
- He learns to make decisions for himself and assert his own desires and opinions. He no longer clings to his mother and seeks her approval for everything.
- Self-Discovery
- Kai discovers his passion for lion dance, which provides him with a sense of purpose and identity separate from his mother's expectations.
- Strengthened Relationship
- Kai's relationship with his mother, Mei, evolves positively. She learns to support his dreams rather than control his life, leading to a more balanced and loving relationship between them.
As Kai overcomes the obstacles and pursues his passion for lion dancing, he undergoes a significant transformation. He evolves from a timid and indecisive young boy into a confident and self-assured young man. This transformation is a result of his determination to break free from his mother's control, his pursuit of his passion, and the support he receives from his newfound friends in the lion dance community.
Figure 1. Story Development - PDF Format
Figure 2. Script Writing - PDF Format
FEEDBACKS
Week 3: That's a good conflict, but it's not strong enough in terms of what I want. Most likely, consider and develop a motive for the main character's leaving. Take inspiration from the Bao, which cleverly condensed the bun version from kids to adult. While it could be a little challenging to implement in the same way for my version, it might be possible to make it simple. Most likely simply one scenario that inspires the character to venture outside. Try experimenting with various worlds, settings, and characters. Determine some 'what if' situations that I want to convey to the character and that can further expand the story and setting.
Week 5: Determine the appropriate age of the characters in the story. The narrative is progressing smoothly overall. Conflict needs to be longer and stronger so that to make it more interesting. Mr. Kamal also gave me some ideas that I hadn’t thought of, allowing me to rethink and improve the story.
REFLECTIONS
Experience:
It was an exciting experience full of imagination and creativity to begin the Story Development project. From the beginning of brainstorming for story ideas was both exciting and daunting. However, as I delved deeper into the process, I found myself immersed in a world of possibilities. From developing engaging loglines to fleshing out thorough synopses, each stage provided new insights and inspiration. Having feeback sessions with Mr. Kamal during brainstorming stages provided valuable ideas and different perspectives, enriching the narrative process.
Observations:
Throughout the project, I observed the importance of thorough character and world descriptions in shaping a cohesive narrative. By meticulously constructing the traits, motivations, and backgrounds of the main character, I found myself forging stronger connections with their journeys. Additionally, detailing the world in which the story unfolds added depth and authenticity to the narrative. Reflecting on the story arc, I realised the significance of balancing tension, conflict, and resolution to engage the audience effectively. Moreover, identifying and exploring underlying themes lent depth and resonance to the storyline, elevating it beyond mere entertainment.
Furthermore, as I progressed to screenplay writing, I noticed the intricacies involved in translating the narrative from paper to screen. Adhering to the prescribed format while maintaining the essence of the story presented its own set of challenges. However, these challenges also provided valuable learning opportunities, honing my skills in storytelling and scriptwriting.
Findings:
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