---
title: "Start with Words"
canonical: "https://rmanwiki-27.pixar.com/space/RU/568787000/Start%20with%20Words"
format: markdown
---
*Author: Eugene Riecansky*
### **W**henever I start a new piece of work, whether it’s an animation or still image, and before I’ve even created a single pixel, I’ll always try to spend a moment writing up the idea.
With the Art Challenge, artists are given a ‘theme’, a brief overview of the theme, and a set of starter models. This is, in effect, a brief of what we are looking for and a set of guidelines for the artist to work within. Outside of that, the artist is free to interpret the theme however they wish, and this is where starting with words (and drawings) is an essential first step.
It allows you, the artist, to spend time thinking about the image, the message, and story you’re trying to tell, the emotion in the picture, and the feeling you want the viewer to experience.
Here are a few topic headers you could use when starting to develop your image
---
### Synopsis
A synopsis is a short and precise description of your image.
Written in a single paragraph or a few words, it will inform anyone of the story and its action. It shouldn’t be overly descriptive of every single detailed piece of action, but just a quick elevator pitch of your idea.
For instance, try reading your synopsis to someone who knows nothing about your image and see what they say. If they understand it, you’re off to a good start. If they look confused, then you might need to refine your synopsis further.
For my piece, The Hunted, my synopsis reads like this:
> *”Night sets across the land as the UFO-hunting van is out in the wilderness, looking and searching for his ultimate prize … to finally spot a UFO. What started out like every other night takes an unexpected turn … the UFO hunter becomes the hunted as an unseen UFO appears out of the darkness and snaps him up in its tractor beam.”*
By writing this short synopsis of the image, I have already made some decisions on the piece I want to create.
I’ve decided the time of day is night.
I’ve let the reader know he’s driving in the wilderness, and I’ve decided to turn the tables on the hunting van. He’s out hunting for UFOs, but he, instead, has become the hunted. I’ve also decided that we won’t see the UFO itself, leaving its appearance and shape to the viewer's imagination.
I’m setting the scene but leaving several questions for the viewer to decide.
This synopsis also helps me start thinking about what assets I’ll need to create.
I know I’ll need a van. I know it’ll be out in the wilderness, so I’ll need some trees and a landscape. I also understand that the van is the main character and that the tractor beam from the unseen UFO is also essential. It allows me to focus my thinking (and learning) in specific directions. I’ll need to model the UFO van, some trees, etc., but I’ll also need to figure out how to create the tractor beam's light in a visually interesting way.
Lastly, I know I don’t need to think (or worry) about the UFO's appearance. We don’t see it.
So, I hope you can see why the synopsis is an essential first step.
The next set of questions I need to answer, and these can / will be different depending on the image you want to create, are:
---
**Emotion**
What emotion are you trying to convey to the audience?
What is the mood of the piece?
Do you want them to feel scared, empathy, on edge, or calmed?
---
**Location**
Where does the action take place?
Is it an interior or exterior shot?
Inside a UFO hangar, nestled in the middle of a busy city, or a deserted, treelined road?
---
**Main Character**
Who or what is the main character?
---
**Character Age / Gender**
How old are they? Is it a young child or an older person?
How does the age of the character enhance the story overall?
---
**Character Backstory**
Who are they? What did they do before this action happened?
How much of their personality/backstory do you need to tell to help the story?
Even if you think it’s not useful, write it down anyway. Perhaps it’ll spark another personality trait that you can add to the image. A hint of their past/current life.
---
**Clothing / Props**
Clothing is important (if it’s a human or alien character). Clothes define a lot about themselves and their backstory. Are they coming home from work? Is it a child who loves Rock n Roll? Is it a female who aspires to be an archaeologist?
Props are also handy for developing a character. Jewelry can tell a lot about a character. Hair style, makeup too. Boots or fancy shoes? Glasses convey someone who’s perhaps intellectual? Bags imply someone from work, school, or has a lot of stuff to carry. Open bag or closed bag?
Badges and patches on clothes help reinforce the character, too.
---
**Time of Day**
Night or day? Sunny or overcast. Alien or on Earth?
---
**Weather**
Weather can also enhance the emotional impact of the image. Rain adds to anxiety, whilst the sun provides hope. Is it a mixture of both? Dark clouds overhead, broken with beams of hopeful sunlight.
---
**Lighting **
Lighting is always crucial and a huge factor in telling a story. Try to describe your image with words. Is it bright and hopeful?. A dark single beam or an incredible glowing vista of color and brightness.
What is the primary source of light? What other sources of light can be used to help the story along?
---
**Color palette**
Again, very important. Whilst this isn’t a passage on color theory, it’s essential to have a starting point for the color palette you want to aim for. Bright and colorful, full of hope and wonder? Dark green or blue night tones? Black and white Noir or inspired by the cool-toned palette from a film?
As Mike Cacciamani mentions in [another lesson](https://rmanwiki-27.pixar.com/space/RU/568754187), value and hue play an essential role.
> *I firmly believe that light & color can make or break an image. Strong shading and textures define the reality of the entire image. Directed light and shadow lead the viewer's eye. And rendering brings all your choices to life.*
---
You may also find that you can add to this list of questions. It’s by no means the only question you’ll need to ask yourself, but it’s a good starting point. Feel free to add your own.
It’s important to mention that you don’t have to 100% stick to these decisions as you work.
New ideas will always come into your mind as you create, but you will find it helpful to at least set out some initial thoughts before you begin making anything.
The scene will/may evolve. Don’t be afraid to rewrite parts as you think. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of this process.
In the breakdowns for my piece, The Hunted, you’ll see how I used this process to develop my image from Story through to the final render. [You can find that breakdown here ](https://rmanwiki-27.pixar.com/space/RU/562823215)
---
