Midterm Breakdown

Story:
A girl wakes up in a strange forest. Her bed is surrounded by trees and it's nightfall. As she sits up and gets her barrings, a skeletal squirrel jumps on the bed covers, startling her. The squirrel tells her that it isn't safe for humans here and that she should try to get back to wherever it is she came from. As she tries to get up and away from the squirrel, more animals start appearing. They tell her that the reason it is unsafe for her to be there is that the spirit deer that rule these woods are committing mass murders amongst the animal population. She asks why they are doing such a terrible thing and they tell her it is because they are missing their ancient totem that helps the water follow in the woods (they are currently in a drought). She asks them animals why they don't try to help the deer, but the animals refuse to see the deer's side. She decides to find the deer and help them, even though the animals are pulling on her clothes and trying to get her to stay.

She wanders through the forest, following the north star to find her way to the where the deer are. Soon she is surrounded by them and they demand to know why she seems to have knowingly walked into their territory. She tells them that she wants to help them retrieve their totem and restore peace back to the forest, despite how menacing the deer act toward her. Before the deer shake off her help and tell her that they will eat her flesh, the elder deer (differentiated by grand antlers) interrupts them. He accepts her help and tells her where to find the totem. He also explains how only the hands of a human can move the totem,
and also explains that the totem was moved many moons ago by a mischievous child who visited their realm.

She begins to make her way to the center of the forest, the last place the totem was seen. One of the younger deer was told to follow her and protect her. Once they arrive upon a clearing with the totem placed in the middle, they witness lightening striking a tree and creating a fire. The young deer tells her that the totem has the restorative power of water and that they need to turn the tap. After fending off the fire the best they can, they are able to turn the tap and the water spews out of each of the totems three mouths, calming the fire.

They return the totem to the deer, and when place into a hollowed tree trunk, the grass and trees rejuvenate and became supple and lush once more. The animals also fatten up again and look like emaciated and freaky. The girl is happy for them, but is so tired from pushing the totem back to the deer's lair that she collapses on the ground and falls asleep. She then wakes up in her room at home, and sees the young deer outside her window.

Characters:
Girl (Madeleine) - She helps the deer return the state of the forest. Even though she is thrown into this weird world, she is very headstrong and impulsive. She also wants to prove herself by saving something and returning order. Her one flaw would be that she is very sassy and talks back often.

Young Deer (Fiona) - She accompanies Madeleine on her journey to retrieve. She reflects the more passionate and human-like side of the deer and also works as character that Madeleine can relate to (similar age).

The Spirit Deer- This race of deer protect the forest and maintain the totem that gives the forest water. While antagonistic and aggressive, they are really just scared for the forest and can only find solace through performing violence.

The Forest Animals - They fear the deer because of their killing spree. Alternatively, they give the deer no credit for maintaining the forest thus far and just remain ignorant and scared instead of actually helping.

Story Diagram:

Storyboard: