This story board/short film was designed to take you on an emotional journey with an unlikely character searching for his place in the world.

I hope you enjoy watching it, as I have enjoyed making it.

-Jonathan Berner
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The Night Child (2022)
Author: Jonathan Berner

Logline: The Night Child, a discarded rag doll brought to life by forest spirits, eagerly searches for belonging in a strange new world.

Act 1:

One upon an autumn night, a rag doll was accidentally dropped into a forest. -crow sitting on tree branch in front of moon
-second crow lands with rag doll
-doll drops
-falling through branches
-lands on forest floor
This was not a normal forest, for it was enchanted by magical beings called wisps.
-wisps introduced in opening title
-wisps re-emerge when rag doll hits ground

The forest was normally quiet, until the fateful night this foreign object dropped into their domain, disrupting the status quo.

Because of that, 3 curious wisps decided to investigate the rag doll. Confused by its lack of movement, they decided to give it life. They created a mask for it to wear, bringing it to life right there in the forest.

Because of that, the rag doll was thrust into existence. He became “The Night Child” Slowly coming to terms with his new found sensory perception, he quickly sought to find his purpose in the world.
Act 2:

Because of that, TNC attempted to be part of the Wisps, and chased to be with them.
Swipes at one
Jumps to get it
Misses and lands on knees

Because of that the wisps panicked and flew away from TNC, leading him out of the forest. TNC, focused squarely on the wisps, doesn’t notice his environment change. Suddenly finding himself on a sidewalk in a neighborhood, he crashes into a little boy who is also wearing a mask.

Because of that, they became friends and played hide & seek in the forest. Their friendship grows and the little boy wants to see the face of his new friend, but TNC, knowing he is different, is hesitant to reveal his rag doll face.

Because of that, the friend is sad, and feels rejected.

Because of that, TNC relents and let’s the boy peek under his mask, careful not to fully remove it and take away his new found life.

Because of that, the new friend, who is normally very brave and friendly, is scared. He’s so scared he runs away, ending their new found friendship and taking refuge back in his neighborhood.

Act 3:

Because of that, TNC is confused and sad. He looks at his reflection in a pond, and his lifeless blank face stares back at him.

Because of that, TNC feels as if his existence is a mistake. He’s more self aware than the wisps ever imagined he would be. He recognizes that he will never be accepted by others. The thought of a loveless and isolated existence is too much for him to bear.

Because of that, he decides a lonesome isolated existence is not worth the pain, and he throws off his mask, returning back to a lifeless rag doll once again.

Because of that, the wisps recognize that they may have overstepped the boundaries of their power.

Finally, the wisps understand what they must do to make this right. They all band together to bring TNC to life, sacrificing themselves to infuse him with their life force.

Ever since then, TNC has not only been granted life without the help of a mask, but has become a real human boy. His life is now truly beginning, as he sees a fantastic journey ahead where he will finally belong.


Moral of the story:

We do not need to be defined by the masks we wear for others.