Ideas for the Animated Short

Ideas for the Animated Short is a practical and analytical guide to finding and building stories for animated short films. This digital PDF edition is available for instant download after purchase.

Written by Karen Sullivan, Gary Schumer, and Kate Alexander, the book follows the creative process from the purpose of storytelling through storyboarding and staging.

It combines chapters, interviews with animation professionals, a glossary, an index, and an appendix describing the accompanying DVD.

Book Overview

Ideas for the Animated Short: Finding and Building Stories focuses on the ideas and craft decisions that shape an animated short film. Its coverage includes story theory, content, acting, visual design, character and location development, story, dialogue, pitching, storyboarding, and staging.

The book includes a foreword by John Tarnoff of DreamWorks Animation and a preface by Karen Sullivan. Interviews feature professionals associated with DreamWorks Animation, Pixar Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Blue Sky Animation Studios, Walt Disney Feature Animation, and other animation organizations.

This design and animation reference is intended for readers studying or developing animated short films.

What You’ll Discover Inside

• The purpose of storytelling, including an analysis of Dag and the Dinosaur.
• Story background and theory, followed by methods for building stronger content.
• Acting, visual design, character design, and location development.
• Story construction, humor, and the purpose of dialogue.
• Pitching stories and presenting animated short film ideas.
• Storyboarding and staging, with interviews from animation professionals.
• A glossary, index, and appendix describing the accompanying DVD.

Why This Book Matters

Animated shorts distill an idea into a limited running time while combining visual design, cinematic structure, and storytelling. This book addresses those connected disciplines as part of the process of developing an animated film.

Its interviews and examples connect the discussion to professional animation studios and production roles. The result is a focused reference for readers interested in the artistic and production foundations of animated short filmmaking.

Book Details

Device Compatibility

This is a digital download with no physical shipping. Access is available after purchase.

The PDF works with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and compatible reading apps. Device features may vary by application.

FAQ

When can I access the book?
Access is available after purchase, with instant download of the digital PDF.

Will I receive a physical copy?
No. This product is a digital download, and no physical copy is shipped.

Which devices support the file?
The PDF can be opened with appropriate Kindle apps, tablets, desktop computers, mobile devices, and reading apps.

Download this digital edition to read the book’s structured guide to animated short film development and production.

Verified Bibliographic Details