What a Character!

In this elective we will work to develop a complex character by recreating it in a variety of media.

Getting Started - Create your character!

To start out, we need to get to know the character we are creating.  In this class, the focus is on really exploring one character by creating that character through many different modalities. However, a character is hard to disconnect from the world they inhabit so we need to consider that too.

Some of the most compelling characters in modern storytelling are created by Pixar. We are going to use some exercises they use to help us create characters who we, the audience, can feel emotional connection to. 

All Pixar movies begin with a "What if" statement.

Think about your 3 all-time favorite movies, the ones you can watch again and again, write each of those movie title on a separate Post-It.  Beneath the title, write the name of the main character.

What is the "What if" statement for each of your favorite movies? Right it on a separate Post-It and stick it below the title and main character.

Activity 1

Activity 2

Some final thoughts on creating a character.

Sketch an initial design for your character. Consider both elements of appearance and personality. Who do you imagine this character is? Use the planning page to help you.

Use Tinkercad to build a 3D figurine of your character. May not exceed 4" in any direction.

Use SCRATCH or an other digital animation format to create an animated intro for your character. We should get a sense of who they are and the world they inhabit. Should last between 10 seconds and 1 minute.

Use a format of your choice to make either a short video starring your character (must have a focus - advertisement, PSA, story, etc) or a short graphic story featuring your character. 

This is a final project and needs to be an example of the best work you can do and show that you are using all the work time available to you. You are expected to be enhancing and improving your work until the last class. Be ambitious. Try something that pushes your skills and creativity.