Narrative without dialogue?

[Oggy-cheese]

Hi, i had an idea for a really simple style flash animation, simply made of basic shapes with thick outlines, of all one colour. I started making it and i though, wow, this actually looks cool! However, i don't want to use dialogue because i feel it would spoil the atmosphere. So, how can i make a good story that's entertaining and funny, without dialogue? It needs to be something simple, but good. Basically, what i'm asking is not for you to write me a story, that would be cheating, just some hints, maybe some inspiration? Maybe a thought provoking starter? :D any help? here's the toon btw.

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/190508/6 5242_the_one_with_that_man_in_it.php

[Bobby444]

Thats awesome. You should make the little guy get a sword and he fights evil creatures.

[salted-tator-tot]

I would recommend leaving it without dialogue, and I wouldn't use gradients, it ruins the style.

[Greensinge]

Really, really nice! Definitely leave dialogue out of it. That music is kinda creepy, but it's good! :)

[PyroflameGames]

You could use face expressions along with body movements.

[Oggy-cheese]

At 5/19/08 04:32 PM, salted-tator-tot wrote: I would recommend leaving it without dialogue, and I wouldn't use gradients, it ruins the style.

Agreed, gradients are out.

You could use face expressions along with body movements.

I will do, just not got round to it yet.

Thats awesome. You should make the little guy get a sword and he fights evil creatures.

I don't think that's the sort of story i'm looking for to be honest :P i need something unique, simple and enjoyable. thanks for the help though. Glad you all like it so far :D

[Oggy-cheese]

Sorry for double post, but i thought i would post the updated version to show some character interaction. See what you think. http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/200508/5 2018_the_one_with_that_man_in_it.php

my plan is to have them get into a car and go to the city. Then? Not a clue :S

[Oggy-cheese]

bump :3

[IzaacBarratt]

WOW awsome flash man keep up the good work^-^

[IzaacBarratt]

oh forgot to mention

love the colour usage ^-^

[Oggy-cheese]

hehe thanks :D

http://spamtheweb.com/ul/upload/210508/3 2238_the_one_with_that_man_in_it.php

there's the updated version btw

[Oggy-cheese]

how about chasing after a lost balloon to try and recover it?

[MayorFatality]

This looks like some weird Intro to a Honda Commercial to me. Or something along those lines. I like it but It feels and looks to me like its incomplete missing something but I don't know what. I'll let you figure that out.

Anyways Good flash. This is some trippy stuff man.

[Oggy-cheese]

Yea, it also feels like it's missing something to me too, probably a story :D

[Oggy-cheese]

okay, i've had plenty of thinking time, how's this, there is an evil blob man thing, who is trying to get rid of the colour or change the colour somethings maybe, and to stop him, the little rectangle man goes to find a sort of 'colour core' that looks really awesome, probably something like this. And releases colour back into the world,

[Gatling]

At 6/1/08 04:13 AM, Oggy-cheese wrote: okay, i've had plenty of thinking time, how's this, there is an evil blob man thing, who is trying to get rid of the colour or change the colour somethings maybe, and to stop him, the little rectangle man goes to find a sort of 'colour core' that looks really awesome, probably something like this. And releases colour back into the world,

That sounds like a really complicated story and I don't know how you're going to fit it in in what you've already made. For some reason I like the lost balloon better. Simple style, simple story.

[Oggy-cheese]

ok, thanks. I'm just not sure a square chasing a balloon would be that entertaining :D maybe that idea can be episode 2 if it is successful :D

[Oggy-cheese]

ok, guy chases a balloon is what i'm doing now. Just not sure how to fit the other guy in.

[Deathcon7]

Sound bites. Just a pitched sound that can be interpreted as a primary emotion, yet depending on the pitch can also ensinuate dialogue.

[Oggy-cheese]

hmm, not a bad idea, i don't really want to add any more sound though.

[RobTheNerd]

why dont you have the balloon float up and he chase it up a tree but run into black and white chasing his balloon, then as he falls the entire world is like it ?

this styles awesome btw.

[Oggy-cheese]

I was just thinking maybe he touches it and it turns everything grey, so he chases it again, touches it again and it makes it multi coloured, like blue sky, green hills etc.

[Oggy-cheese]

Just in case you haven't seen yet, the finished thing is out!

http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/45 1084

i added a few of you to the thanks if you made good suggestions and CC :D thanks guys.