Where the Ideas Take Shape
Across the workshops, the participants have been diving into every part of the creative process — from first sparks of an idea to shaping characters and refining their stories.
Here’s a glimpse into what they’ve been up to, shared by Programme Manager Wilma Smith:
“Participants in Wee Wonders Scotland have spent the past few months developing their storytelling skills through a series of in-person workshops at Summerlee Photomedia Studio. Sessions included story development with Visible Fictions’ Artistic Director Dougie, production and story consultancy with Paula Poveda-Urrutia, character development with Aardman’s Jim Parkyn, drama facilitated by actor Kirsty Stewart, as well as life drawing workshops that focused on performance, weight, and posture for live-action reference. The programme has been a highly supportive period, with participants sharing and receiving feedback on their work in progress.”
Story at the Heart of the Programme
Visible Fictions’ Artistic Director Dougie Irvine reflects on a process where ideas grow, shift, and deepen over time.
“The story development sessions have been a really rewarding experience and have been designed to help the Wee Wonders cohort get under the skin of ‘what stories are and how they’re structured’. They’ve aimed to help our six animators shape and inform the stories they want to create/write. Using practical activities, structured talks, discussions, and the analysis of the individuals’ own story outlines, many elements of story have been dissected and discussed – including plot, climax and character arcs.
Other elements have been explored too – tone, symbol, rhythm and theme – all contributing factors that combine and go towards the making of dynamic and motivated storytelling. Experiencing the animators and their stories grow, evolve and become richer and deeper over the sessions has been very gratifying – in both group and one-to-one meetings.
One moment in particular was especially pleasing, when I could see a familiar expression on the face of one of the animators. “What have you realised?” I asked. The animator replied, “Now I see why things I’ve made by myself in the past haven’t felt driven at all. Stories are really straightforward yet also really complicated huh?” I nodded affirmatively — and what a brilliant reminder for all of us who make and enjoy experiencing story-driven work.”
Watch This Space…
With ideas taking shape and stories growing richer by the day, the next stage of the Wee Wonders Scotland journey is well underway. We can’t wait to share more as these bold, imaginative projects continue to evolve.
