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Story Artist Foundations

FULL COURSE

Instructor: Jed Diffenderfer

 

Before the stories, characters, and worldbuilding narratives of feature animated films become household names across the globe, who creates those? Where do they come from? What's the difference between that and the stories you make yourself?!

I wondered the same things before making a story career of doing it the past couple decades in key creative and leadership roles on projects from KPOP Demon Hunters to Kung-Fu Panda, and everything in-between. Now, I want to show you how too, through my course "Story Artist Foundations".

This first section of the course focuses on Character & Comedy. The ability to create authentic characters who can not only sustain disbelief in an audience, but entertain them in memorable ways that make them want to come back again and again is a major pillar of how we tell stories. Knowing how comedy is then applied to the tenets of good storytelling is the other baseline skill we cover in this course - all of it as a foundation to continue building on.

The second section of the course moves on to Drama & Conflict. There, we build on everything learned about building great characters and stories, then apply it to building great relatonships as well. Simply throwing two great characters together does not guarantee a great story, and so we'll dive into what makes for great chemistry, good conflict vs bad conflict, and control over the elements of stakes, tone, theme, and worldbuilding needed to set and amplify those emotionally narrative scenes.

The third and final section of the course focuses on Action & Narrative. Utilizing everything learned in the first two sections is essential as we dive into weaving powerful cinematic narratives, fully harnessing the power of the medium to tell stories that grab audiences by the heart through their eyeballs and never let go! Here we will delve into some of the most advanced, and challenging concepts of the course - all of which are designed to finalize your story artist foundations, and set you up for success in the long term of your creative career.

Every section of the course is designed around you creating, writing, storyboarding, and finally pitching a tentpole sequence encompassing everything covered, all to ensure you're learning by doing, and gaining the foundational range needed of a professional story artist.

Enrolling also gets you access to the Story Arts Academy "Community Campus", a private social site where you can share work and feedback with other class peers as you study. 

Whether you're an aspiring story artist, or any kind of storyteller looking to build out their cinematic storytelling skills, this course is like nothing else you'll find out there. This comprehensive course was built from 25 years of direct experience doing it all in story departments across the industry (Sony, Pixar, Illumination, Disney, Dreamworks, and more).

Enrolling in this course you get:

  • STORY ARTIST FOUNDATIONS: Section 1 "Character & Comedy"
  • STORY ARTIST FOUNDATIONS: Section 2 "Drama & Conflict"
  • STORY ARTIST FOUNDATIONS: Section 3 "Action & Narrative"
  • COMMUNITY CAMPUS 

STORY ARTIST FOUNDATIONS - Full Course

  1. SAF | ORIENTATION

    1. Meet the Instructor
    2. Story Artist Foundations
    3. EXERCISE | Mini-Storyboard
    4. Studio Needs
    5. QUIZ | Story Artist 101
    6. Community Campus
    7. ASSIGNMENT | Tell a "You" Story
    8. REFERENCE | Orientation
    9. Pre-class Checklist

  2. SAF | SECTION 1: Character & Comedy

    1. Week 1 - CHARACTER & PERSONAS

      1. Story & Character
      2. What IS Character?
      3. QUIZ | Character for Story
      4. Character Driven Choices
      5. Character Motor - Part One
      6. Character Motor - Part Two
      7. QUIZ | Character Breakdown
      8. Undraw
      9. Acting Clarity
      10. EXERCISE | Character Sheets
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Character Development
      12. REFERENCE | Character & Personas

    2. Week 2 - STRUCTURE & ARCS

      1. Structure & Arcs Overview
      2. What IS Story?
      3. Story Structures
      4. Story Anatomy
      5. QUIZ | Story Structure Essentials
      6. Writing Scene Outlines
      7. Comedic Structure
      8. QUIZ | Writing Scenes
      9. EXERCISE | Comedy Pass
      10. ASSIGNMENT | Beat Board Auditions
      11. REFERENCE | Structure & Arcs

    3. Week 3 - CINEMATOGRAPHY

      1. Cinematography Overview
      2. Cinema & Cinematography
      3. Visual Storytelling
      4. QUIZ | Cinematic Storytelling
      5. Visual Structure
      6. Cameras & Composition - Part One
      7. Cameras & Composition - Part Two
      8. QUIZ | Visual Control
      9. Story Thumbnailing
      10. EXERCISE | Re-Composing Shots
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Comedy Scene: Thumbnail Outline
      12. REFERENCE | Cinematography

    4. Week 4 - NARRATIVE & PACING

      1. Narrative & Pacing Overview
      2. Narrative & Storytelling: Part One
      3. Narrative & Storytelling: Part Two
      4. QUIZ | Narrative POV's
      5. Sequential Imagery
      6. Time as Canvas
      7. QUIZ | Story & Time
      8. From Thumbs to Boards
      9. Storyboard Formatting
      10. EXERCISE | Editorial Fixes
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Comedy Scene: Rough Pass
      12. REFERENCE | Narrative & Time

    5. Week 5 - AUDIENCE & PITCHES

      1. Audience & Pitching Overview
      2. Know your Audience
      3. Stages & Venues
      4. Audial Storytelling
      5. QUIZ | Audience & Audio
      6. Story Pitching
      7. Storyboard "Final" Pass
      8. Package & Delivery
      9. QUIZ | Finishing Scenes
      10. EXERCISE | Audio Pitches
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Comedy Scene: Final Pass
      12. REFERENCE | Audience & Pitches

    6. SECTION 1 | Complete!

      1. Comedy Section Feedback
      2. Community Campus

  3. SAF | SECTION 2: Drama & Conflict

    1. Week 6 - CONFLICT & CHEMISTRY

      1. Conflict & Chemistry Overview
      2. Conflict & Antagonism: Part One
      3. Conflict & Antagonism: Part Two
      4. Stakes & Tension
      5. QUIZ | Voices of Antagonism
      6. Character Chemistry: Part One
      7. Character Chemistry: Part Two
      8. Relationship Design
      9. QUIZ | Good Conflict, Bad Conflict
      10. EXERCISE | Why Them?
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Relationship Beat Boards
      12. REFERENCE | Conflict & Chemistry

    2. Week 7 - SUBTEXT & DIALOGUE

      1. Subtext & Dialogue Overview
      2. Dramatic Elements
      3. Dramatic Structure
      4. QUIZ | Shapes of Drama
      5. Writing Scenes
      6. Subtext
      7. QUIZ | Say vs Do
      8. Screenwriting Formats
      9. EXERCISE | Script Breakdown
      10. ASSIGNMENT | Drama Scene: Rough Draft
      11. REFERENCE | Subtext & Dialogue

    3. Week 8 - SHOTS & SETUPS

      1. Shots & Setups Overview
      2. Choosing Shots
      3. Camera Setups
      4. QUIZ | Camera One, Camera Two
      5. Compositional Arcs: Part One
      6. Compositional Arcs: Part Two
      7. Complex Continuity
      8. QUIZ | Camera Continuity
      9. Common Setups
      10. EXERCISE | Camera Dissection
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Drama Scene: Thumbnail Pass
      12. REFERENCE | Shots & Setups

    4. Week 9 - TONE & LIGHTING

      1. Tone & Lighting Overview
      2. Story & Tone
      3. Tone Control: Part One
      4. Tone Control: Part Two
      5. QUIZ | tone Tone TONE T-O-N-E
      6. Cinematic Lighting: Part One
      7. Cinematic Lighting: Part Two
      8. QUIZ | LIghting for Tone
      9. Lighting for Storyboards
      10. EXERCISE | Lighting Study
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Drama Scene: Rough Pass
      12. REFERENCE | Tone & Lighting

    5. Week 10 - WORLD & GENRE

      1. World & Genre Overview
      2. World Themes
      3. Living Worlds
      4. Production Design & Story: Part One
      5. Production Design & Story: Part Two
      6. QUIZ | Narrative Worlds
      7. Genre & Expectations
      8. A Tome of Tropes
      9. QUIZ | Story Genre
      10. EXERCISE | WORLD BREAKER
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Drama Scene: Final Pass
      12. REFERENCE | World & Genre

    6. SECTION 2 | Complete!

      1. Drama Section Feedback
      2. Share your work

  4. SAF | SECTION 3: Action & Narrative

    1. Week 11 - CINEMATIC SPECTACLE

      1. Cinematic Spectacle Overview
      2. Action Story
      3. Action Types
      4. Character Action
      5. QUIZ | Actions vs Words
      6. Action Narrative
      7. Story & Spectacle
      8. QUIZ | Action Storytelling
      9. Writing Action
      10. EXERCISE | Memorable Moments
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Action Scene: Concept & Story Beats
      12. REFERENCE | Cinematic Spectacle

    2. Week 12 - CHOREOGRAPHY & BLOCKING

      1. Choreography & Blocking Overview
      2. Concept Choreography
      3. Location Exploration
      4. Action Beats
      5. QUIZ | Plan of Action
      6. Action Posing
      7. Choreo & Composition
      8. QUIZ | Visual Action
      9. Action Thumbnails
      10. EXERCISE | Actionalysis
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Action Scene: Thumbnails
      12. REFERENCE | Choreography & Blocking

    3. Week 13 - MOTION & MOVING CAMERAS

      1. Motion & Moving Cameras Overview
      2. Camera Moves
      3. Moving Cameras
      4. QUIZ | Of Moves & Movies
      5. Moving Environments
      6. Compositions in Motion
      7. QUIZ | The Order in Chaos
      8. Kinetic Sketching
      9. EXERCISE | Action Frames
      10. ASSIGNMENT | Action Scene: Rough Pass
      11. REFERENCE | Motion & Moving Cameras

    4. Week 14 - CINEMA & SOUND

      1. Cinema & Sound Overview
      2. Recording V.O. & Foley
      3. Score & Soundtrack
      4. QUIZ | The Sound of Story
      5. EXERCISE | Alternate Soundtrack
      6. Music & Story
      7. Boards, Reels, & Animatics
      8. QUIZ | Cinema-Sync
      9. Story Screenings
      10. EXERCISE | Story Karaoke
      11. ASSIGNMENT | Action Scene: Final Pass
      12. REFERENCE | Cinema & Sound

    5. Week 15 - CRAFT & CAREER

      1. Craft & Career Overview
      2. Foundation of Growth
      3. The Arts & Business
      4. Story Work
      5. QUIZ | Story for Sale
      6. Professional Relationships
      7. Portfolios & Presentations
      8. QUIZ | Career Health
      9. ASSIGNMENT | FINAL FOLIO

    6. SECTION 3 | Complete!

      1. Action Section & Final Course Feedback
      2. FINAL | Portfolio Review

  5. SAF | COURSE COMPLETE

    1. Certification
    2. Next Steps
    3. Alumni

Testimonials

 

Peter Ramsey

Writer, Director, Story Artist
Into the Spiderverse; The Mandalorian; Ahsoka

"Jed is teaching a class?  Do yourself a huge favor and take it.  Jed is one of the most inventive, adept, and thoughtful animation folks I’ve ever worked with, and elevates or deepens everything he touches.  Getting a glimpse into the way he thinks about story is something you shouldn’t miss!“

 

Daniel Chong

Creator, Director, Story Artist
Hoppers, We Bare Bears, Bolt

"Jed’s resume is so STACKED, it boggles the mind. Probably makes sense he’s one of the most versatile story artists in the industry. He’s incredibly funny, and the comic tone in his work is a rare skill that you don’t find much- and is in high demand for big animated feature films. He’s a patient and understanding leader, and one of the most generous people I’ve ever known and worked with. If you’re looking for a teacher, you can’t do much better than Jed."

 

Trevor Jimenez

Writer, Director, Story Artist
Win or Lose, Weekends, Soul

"Jed has a wealth of story knowledge and experience from his many years at major studios, as well as an undying creative spirit that is truly infectious. Take his class, learn, and get inspired by one of the bright lights in the animation industry."

 

Leo Matsuda

Writer, Director, Story Artist
Hello Kitty, Inner Workings, Big Hero 6, Wreck-It Ralph

“Jed is one of the greatest visionaries in the Animation and Film Industry as a whole. Not only is Jed a master of his craft, his remarkable intuition, sense of humor and deep passion were undeniable factors for the success of many feature animated films he collaborated with. Jed's meticulous approach to camera, choreography, character and tone brings specificity that elevates any story from familiarity to brilliance.“

 

Michael Yates

Writer, Director, Story Artist
Win or Lose, Soul, Toy Story 4

"If you are looking to sharpen your storyboarding sword, look no further than Jed. A story telling master with years of experience! It’s never too late to strengthen your storytelling foundation! Learn from the best!"

 

Jony Chandra

Head of Story, Story Artist
Nimona, Peanuts Movie

"It always amazes me how creative and original Jed’s storytelling instincts are. He has a remarkable ability to develop characters and narratives from a solid foundation into something rich in nuance, emotional depth, and, most importantly, entertainment. And yes, he’s also brilliant at visualizing them. Learning from Jed isn't just inspiring, it's an absolute blast!"

 

Jessie Wong

Writer, Story Artist

Centaurworld, KPOP Demon Hunters, Minecraft

"Jed is a true powerhouse in the animation industry. Drama, comedy, action- whatever genre you can think of, he's a master of it all."

 

Kurt Nellis

Senior Cinematic Designer
Destiny 1-2; Halo 3-Reach

"Not only does Jed know his stuff but he knows how to teach it. As a bonus, his enthusiasm for the craft is energizing."

 

Scott Watanabe

Character Designer, Art Director, Visual Development
KPOP Demon Hunters, Raya and the Last Dragon, Zootopia

“Don’t hesitate to take a class with Jed. His storytelling is truly one of a kind, he effortlessly weaves heart and humor together in every frame. If you’re looking to go beyond surface level story and dive into what a scene really needs, Jed class is a rare chance.“