PROBLEM AND RESOLUTION
Script writing an animation is similar to scripting a live action - you're trying to tell a story with interesting characters.
First of all find the characters. Ask yourself about them: what are they like, what do they think about the world, how do they feel about themselves.
This might sound weird if you are writing about a Teddy Bear Gangster, but no matter what your story world, the best stories are natural unfolding of interesting characters wrestling with difficult problems.
With a good character, now give them a problem.
A problem: John's wife leaves him for a dog.
A resolution: John changes who he is and his wife realises she loves him: they get back together.
That's a hero story.
A tragic version is:
Problem: John's wife leaves him for a dog.
Resolution: John, in a rage, tracks down the dog, kills it, then his wife, and in a blind rage, himself.
Not subtle by any means, but that's okay at this stage.
The point is to know the story that you're writing. Is it a tragedy, a hero's story, or somewhere in between, a tragi-comedy.
When it comes to development you often lose the cliche problem/resolution structure you started with, in favour of something more subtle, realistic and believeable. But problem/resolution is a great place to start with to get the engine going.
Some resources:
Scripts and other stuff, especially animation.
http://www.jeffreyscott.tv/
Some great stuff here on writing for animation. Real keep it simple stuff. Avoiding common mistakes. This guy did Ren and Stimpy, so he knows his stuff. There's loads of brilliant stuff on writing, continuity, all from the horses mouth.
http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2007/03/writing-for-animation-keep-it-simple.html
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