Conflict = Drama = Story
A story begins with a character’s expectation or desire.
They face reality / obstacles, which generates internal and external conflict.
Key concepts using the SWBST model:
Somebody: Who is the protagonist driving the story?
Wanted: What is the character’s goal or motivation?
But: What conflict or obstacle do they encounter?
So: What action do they take to overcome it?
Then: How is the story resolved? What changes in the character or world?
Assignment:
Work in pairs to create a 30–45 second cinematic Previs scene with the theme “Hunter to Prey.”
Use two or more characters to depict a dramatic power shift.
Our Group’s Concept:
The short, fat character (the drunk) starts as the prey.
The tall, thin monster is the hunter, trying to catch the drunk.
Twist: The drunk suddenly grows in size and defeats the monster, reversing the power dynamic.
Summary
The first two weeks helped us:
Camera Language: Learn to use focus, movement, and framing to guide the viewer’s eye and enhance storytelling.
Story Structure: Understand character motivation, conflict, and power dynamics using SWBST.
Assignment Practice: Transform storyboards into Maya camera animations and use cinematic techniques to convey dramatic shifts.
