Hi everyone , I’m Charmane, a writer and screenwriter new to this corner of Stage 32. Most of my work lives in live-action storytelling, but I’ve recently fallen in love with animation’s creative freedom and wanted to join the discussion here.
I originally wrote The Great Casino Turkey Chase as a short live-action Christmas comedy, but after the reaction it’s had (and a few friends insisting they’re the butcher in the raincoat), I’m now exploring an animated version.
The story:
It’s Christmas Eve at the dazzling Gold Fortune Casino. A runaway turkey bursts through the doors, sending feathers flying, slot machines spinning, and gamblers cheering as chaos unfolds. When the turkey lands on a roulette wheel and wins the jackpot, the bird becomes a Christmas legend—cocktail in wing, Santa hat slightly tilted.
I’m envisioning something madcap and festive, maybe in the visual spirit of Zootopia meets The Lego Movie—bright, fast, absurd, but with real heart.
I’d love to hear your thoughts:
• Would this premise work best in 2D, 3D, or stop-motion?
• What animation techniques capture comedic timing and chaos best?
• Any short films or studios that balance slapstick with heart like this?
Thanks in advance for any insights. I’m gathering ideas for a proof-of-concept teaser—and who knows, maybe this turkey will actually fly.
— Charmane Wedderburn
2 people like this
Hi, Charmane Wedderburn. I think The Great Casino Turkey Chase would be great as an animated short! I think the premise could work in 2D, 3D, or stop-motion, but I think it would look best in 3D. Check out The Mitchells vs. the Machines and Free Birds, and maybe search for animated shorts on YouTube.
4 people like this
Hi Charmane Wedderburn - welcome to this side of stage 32, glad to have you. You're animation sound intriguing. I agree with Maurice Vaughan I think either medium could work but I personally would like to see stop motion for this project. My studio is currently working on a short animation for a Christmas release so thought it was cool and aligning how we both are working on a holiday animation.
3 people like this
Charmane, you know I am looking forward to seeing this one. I know it will be a very tasty turkey treat.
3 people like this
Appreciate that, Cyrus! Stop-motion definitely has that timeless soul I love — every frame feels alive. Congrats on your Christmas short! Sounds beautiful. Would love to see how you bring it to life when it drops.
2 people like this
Maurice Vaughan and @Cyrus Sales — thank you both so much for the thoughtful feedback!I love the stop-motion idea, Cyrus — that tactile, handcrafted feel could be magic for this story. And Maurice, 3D might just make those feathers fly, I agree!. I’m rewatching The Mitchells vs. The Machines tonight for inspiration — that balance of chaos and heart is exactly the tone I’m chasing. Really appreciate you both taking the time.
3 people like this
Haha thank you, Wyman! I promise this turkey’s coming out golden, spicy, and a little chaotic — just how I like my stories. Can’t wait to share it soon!
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Charmane Wedderburn. I can't wait to watch The Great Casino Turkey Chase!
2 people like this
That sounds like something I'd definitely watch.......especially with my kids
2 people like this
That is such a great title, I want to watch it without evening knowing what it's about.
2 people like this
Thank you, Wyman. You always know how to make a story feel like an event before it even hits the screen. I promise this one will be worth the wait — with just the right mix of trouble, feathers, and flavor.
2 people like this
Appreciate that, Rakim! It’s built for the kids to laugh first — and for the parents to realize halfway through that the turkey might be the smartest one in the casino.
2 people like this
Thank you, Kevin! I wanted a title that struts in feathers first and asks questions later.
2 people like this
Thanks, Maurice! You might just have to grab popcorn when it drops — feathers and all.
1 person likes this
You're welcome, Charmane Wedderburn. Love that!
2 people like this
Haha! I love it. Great producer-brain on that one, with the thanksgiving-Christmas double-punch. I don't know if you're turkey hero has enough of a dragon to slay in this story tho! Sounds like it'll end up being a fun watch
3 people like this
Appreciate that, Langley! You’re right — every turkey needs a dragon. Let’s just say this one’s about to find his in the kitchen… and it’s wearing an apron.
2 people like this
Charmane Wedderburn Every turkey does need a dragon XD!~ Sounds like you've got it figured out. Can I suggest then that you work on your logline? Opinions vary, but I'm of the firm opinion that a logline should tell the "whole" story. The audience never sees them, loglines are just for filmmakers to communicate to each other and to other business in shorthand - just bc we have to talk about sooo many stories all the time. I think loglines need to clearly spell out the A to B journey your character is going to go on, that way another filmmaker knows if they want to come along.
3 people like this
Appreciate that, Langley — great point about clarity in loglines. I wanted to keep this one tight since it’s a short concept, but I see what you mean about charting that A-to-B journey more clearly. I’ll experiment with that in the expanded version — maybe “every turkey needs a dragon,” right? Thanks again for the insight!
2 people like this
G'day, Charmane Wedderburn - your concept sounds like a ton of fun!!! I'm taking my animation through 2D. Since it's drawn that way, I can't imagine it in 3D... but anything's possible with passion at the wheel.
3 people like this
“Thanks so much, Marina! I love that — 2D really does have a certain heartbeat, doesn’t it? There’s something about the hand-drawn energy that gives comedy extra charm. I’ll take a look at your project too — sounds like we’re both cooking up something animated with passion at the wheel!”