Pixar Storytelling: Rules for Effective Storytelling Based on Pixar’s Greatest Films

But for them to compel an audience, you must also endow them with a deep passion for something…anything. We care because they care.

It’s not enough to know only what a character wants. As storytellers, we must also know (and convey) why they want it.

The first layer of a character is easy to create but fades quickly. The third layer requires more details and originality, as well as more patience from your audience, but is more rewarding and creates a stronger bond with viewers. The second layer lies somewhere in between. You can coast on it for a long time, but without the substantial third lay

Don’t Abuse Structure This structure, and probably any other one, can easily be abused. A blunt and technical insertion of an element into your story will only make your script worse. This isn’t a to-do list where you must check off items. These are useful elements to be implemented with care. Don’t force a “bonding process” into your script if it

In storytelling, the most powerful instance of construction is personal, when a protagonist must change something deep within themselves to achieve their goal.

opinions are fuel for conflict. Once a character cares deeply about something, you can create powerful, emotional conflict surrounding that emotion.

Most good stories revolve around watching a character struggle outside of his or her comfort zone. Pixar continually figures out what a protagonist wants most—and then throws the exact opposite at them.

Pixar goes a step further by creating an inner world and existing flaw for these characters. Russel is lonely and feels estranged from and rejected by his father. Dory can’t remember anything for more than a minute or so, which causes her to live a lonely life. Let’s not forget that Pixar also makes both characters incredibly funny.