Script & Illustrated StoryWriters

The first step in producing a quicksand scene is the development of some sort of plan for what is to happen. This might be as simple as a brief scenario and list of wardrobe and/or props, or it might be a more detailed script. Some producers prefer the simple scenario and other the script. More complex ideas have a greater need for a script, but this also introduces the need for performers to have time to study their script and memorize lines. The script is also an interesting format for story-telling, aside from issues of getting it produced.

The manager of Studio 588 has written quite a number of scripts for quicksand scenes, along with short stories, mock advertisements, and a full-length movie. A few of these have actually been produced at Studio 588. Although no promises can be made regarding getting anything produced, all interested writers in the quicksand-scene genre are invited to try writing in the script format, and the Studio manager will be happy to provide suggestions or criticism if asked.

Think of an illustrated story as a simple story told using pictures and very brief narrative and/or dialogue. For an example, see "The Bet" under Psychic World in the Saturday Morning Theater section. An illustrated story can be an effective way to develop skills for video story writing, as it forces the writer to deal with dialogue, camera angles, some blocking, and other details the short story writer does not have to deal with. It can also be a product by itself. That is, a story can be produced in the form of a series of illustrations accompanied by written narrative and/or dialogue. Illustrations for this kind of product can be still photos, composite photos, photos of miniatures, photographic backgrounds behind computer generated images (Poser or Maya images), or almost anything. This affords much greater flexibility in the situations that might be portrayed, provided one can deal with the technicalities involved. 

Studio 588 can be used to shoot a variety of miniature and/or green screen type images for use in illustrated stories. A few examples are provided below.

Some small rocks and a bit of sand, photographed against a blue backdrop on a tabletop.

 

A background image of some woods at Studio588.

 

The blue backdrop in the first photo erased and the remained pasted onto the background. The result is not entirely convincing but might be more so with some action.

 

Here's the same sort of thing, but with a different rock, some different lighting, and a Poser figure added. Still far from perfect, but with animation it might not be too bad.

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