Summary
- Examines Pixar’s storytelling techniques to uncover the techniques and mechanisms which make them so successful
Key Takeaways
- Emotionally committed when characters get out of their comfort zone which forces them to grow and change. Best do this by exploiting existing flaw or problem
- Great characters deeply care about something, anything. We care because they care. Strong opinions about things and past experiences amplify the drama
- 3 liking levels – external / superficial, deeper, empathy (where their wins equal your wins and the character serves as your proxy for success and emotions)
- Put the character in harm’s way and let them fight their way out of it and never give up (unless they have tried absolutely everything!)
- Conflict evolves out of something the character stands to lose
- ‘Construction’ necessary – character changes some deep part of themselves which helps them achieve their goal
- Change is the measuring unit of conflict
- No such thing as small characters
- Never choose anything over honesty
- All villains have a value system that makes them believe their actions are right
- Avoid consequences when storytelling
What I got out of it
- Quick read with good examples from actual Pixar movies to bring it to life