Story Refinement

Idea 1:  Opening a small gift on April fools day - Nervous

1. Inciting Incident / First plot point: A character notices a random present on the table.  First are relaxed until they see the present, next they show confusion / puzzled scratching there head thinking (it's not my birthday). 
2. They then notice the calendar that reads April 1st and react in surprise 
3. Second Plot point: After that they begin to nervously to open the present in caution. when lid is off it reveals a smaller present inside.
4. character squints when the they pick up the small present and open more nervous and frightened.
5. Finale and payoff: finally it turns out was a nice gift and they are happy but still a little freaked out unanswered question, how did the present get there in the first place.

Idea variations

At the end something bad could happen after they think everything is OK e.g. a creature jumps out of the smaller box or the gift turns into something scary or just a practical joke. Maybe the present comes to life and starts moving.

Maybe it doesn’t have to convey it is April fools maybe leave that out or leave it till the end of the animation

reference for gestures and subtleties: using films and media

when  they first see the present


confused and puzzled scratching head thinking (Its not my birthday)


eyes look towards calender

reaction to seeing it is April fools day

freaked out







Idea 2: Hiding from parents after stealing a snack from the fridge - proud excited

1. Inciting incident / First plot point: Starts out as an explorer discovering hidden tomb. The chamber is opened revealing a treasure. Then it changes to reality showing it was the kids imagination. A domestic kitchen with the kid below a giant open fridge. kid is curious
2. The kid steals the snack with a cheeky proud gesture. 
3. They then go back to there secret den to hide from parents this could lead them back into there fantasy the den could be like a cave or spy headquarters. 
4. Finale and payoff: the parent discovers the hiding place leaving the kid in shock

The problem with this concept is it is more complicated and would have to be simplified in order to work.  

I decided to go with excited opening a present.