Sometimes the best ideas appear when you stop planning and simply start creating.

This weekend the SiP crew is running a small, spontaneous workshop around our ongoing Cinderella project. No long preparation, no complex rules — just a simple creative exercise built around a single character and a short visual story.

Each participant begins with a protagonist: a minifigure from the latest LEGO Minifigure Series (or any other animal mini figure), complete with a name, a backstory, and a mug shot. From there the challenge is to transform that character into a three-image narrative around the theme “Spring is in the air.”

Some stories will be poetic, some literal, some absurd.

That’s exactly the point.

The mission brief below outlines the framework we’re using for the workshop and for anyone in the community who wants to join in and create along with us during the weekend.

Let’s see where the characters take us.

🎭 Mission Brief

Spring Is In The Air

For this weekend’s spontaneous creative workshop, we move from character to story.

Participants have already selected their protagonist:

a minifigure from the latest official LEGO Minifigure Series
a name
a backstory
a mug shot

Now it is time to turn that character into a visual narrative.

📷 The Assignment

Create a story told in three images around the theme:

“Spring is in the air.”

Interpret the theme however you like.

It can be:

literal
poetic
humorous
absurd
emotional
cinematic

In some languages spring means jump, in others it suggests running, smelling flowers, rebirth, or things suddenly appearing.
Feel free to interpret the theme through your own language or culture.

🎬 The Story Rule

Your three images should form a clear narrative sequence.
Think of it as a tiny film told in three frames.

A useful structure:

Setup – introduce the situation
Change – something unexpected happens
Outcome – show the consequence

A good test is the “because of that” rule:

Image 1 → Something happens
Image 2 → Because of that, something changes
Image 3 → Because of that, we see the result

If that chain works, your story usually works too.

👥 Individual or Collaboration

You can complete the mission:

individually, or
as a team of two

✏️ Quick Storyboard (Recommended)

Before shooting, sketch a simple storyboard.
Draw three small boxes, and use stick figures.

Focus on:

where the character is
what changes
how the story ends

If the sketches already feel like a story, the photos usually will too.

🎥 Visual Storytelling Tips

A few simple techniques can make your sequence feel more cinematic.

Change the Camera

Try using a different framing in each image.

Example:

Wide shot – establish the scene
Medium shot – the action begins
Close-up or dramatic angle – the key moment or outcome

Changing perspective helps the viewer feel that the story moves forward.

Move the World, Not Just the Character

In toy photography, storytelling often comes from the environment.

Think about what changes in the scene:

wind
falling objects
flying petals
shifting light
shadows
props
another character

Let the world react to your character.

🌱 Inspiration Sparks

If you need an idea to get started, try one of these prompts.

The First Sign
Your character discovers the first sign of spring.

Something Takes Off
Something suddenly goes into the air.

A New Beginning
Something starts — a friendship, an adventure, or a surprising opportunity.

Participants are encouraged to share their work:

On Discord, as the story develops
On Instagram, during the weekend and if you want a hashtag we even have that #sip_springisintheair

When posting on Instagram, publish the three images as a carousel so the story unfolds as viewers swipe and feel free to invite us @stuckinplastic and tag with #sip_springisintheair

Tip: make the first image intriguing enough that people want to see what happens next.

⏳ Timing

The mission begins now.
Let the stories unfold throughout the weekend.

No pressure.
No overthinking.
Just follow the character and see where the story goes.

stuckinplastic

Stuck In Plastic.

The creative collective of toy photographers.

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