[student names withheld]
Featured cliché: Deus Ex Machina
This is a plot device where an unexpected event or character come in at the last moment to solve the conflict and save the day.
Breaking the cliché
The point of the Deus ex machina cliché is that someone unexpected comes in at the last second to save the day. If our story leaned into that cliché, it would be expected that the bird (unexpected savior) would be able to push the button that will save the world from the asteroid collision. However, in our version, the bird manages to push the button, but unfortunately, the button is faulty and the world ends up exploding anyways.
Storyboard
“Oh no!” A man discovers an asteroid that is on a direct collision course with Earth. A bird also sees the asteroid.
“I can stop it with some help from you guys.” The man comes up with a plan to destroy the asteroid before it impacts Earth. The bird watches and listens to the presentation.
“Just gotta keep the missile straight.” The man is ready to deploy the button that will destroy the asteroid and save the Earth.
“AHHH my heart!” The man begins to feel a pain in his chest due to the stress of the situation.
The man dies of a heart attack and the missile starts to go off course!
The bird flies in to save the day and hit the button! All hope is not lost!
Unfortunately the button is faulty and thus the bird cannot use it.
The last-ditch effort fails and the earth explodes.
Credits
Student A: Choice of cliche, writing, final image.
Student B: Storyboard images made with P5js.