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Story Artist Foundations

SECTION 1: Character & Comedy

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.

 

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"
  • COMMUNITY CAMPUS


SAF1 | SECTION 1: Character & Comedy

  1. Week 0 | 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. QUIZ | Pre-Flight Checklist
    9. REFERENCE | Orientation

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. Week 3 | Cinematography

    1. Cinematography Overview
    2. Cinema & Cinematography
    3. Visual Storytelling
    4. QUIZ | Cinematic Storytelling
    5. Visual Structure
    6. Camera & 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

  5. Week 4 | Narrative & Pacing

    1. Narrative & Time 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

  6. Week 5 | Audience & Pitching

    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 & Pitching

  7. SECTION 1 | Complete

    1. Comedy Section Feedback
    2. NEXT | Section 2: Drama & Conflict

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.“