The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar

xg4bx · 07-12-2012, 07:05 AM

"On Twitter, Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats has compiled nuggets of narrative wisdom she's received working for the animation studio over the years. It's some sage stuff, although there's nothing here about defending yourself from your childhood toys when they inevitably come to life with murder in their hearts. A truly glaring omission.

#1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.

#2: You gotta keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different.

#3: Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite."

http://io9.com/5916970/the-22-rules-...ag=free-advice

kennyc · 07-12-2012, 08:11 AM

Didn't we do this already ??

I swear there was a thread, I may have even started it....

Oh well, good stuff nevertheless!

Echase · 07-12-2012, 07:57 PM

some good tips here for the most part.

KindleOdyssey · 07-13-2012, 02:34 AM

Good article. Thanks for sharing.

At the very least, I would take heed to what Pixar says. They seem to know a thing a two about storytelling, IMO.

That 'Up' meme comes to mind: "Pixar created a better love story in 8 minutes than Twilight did in 4 books."

Sad, but true.

kennyc · 07-13-2012, 08:16 AM

I must have seen this on another forum I guess, not finding it here. There are good tips and yes Pixar knows how to tell a story.

07-13-2012, 08:16 AM	#5
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,933 Karma: 37216234 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	I must have seen this on another forum I guess, not finding it here. There are good tips and yes Pixar knows how to tell a story. __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama

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07-12-2012, 07:05 AM	#1
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,447 Karma: 21908184 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: kindle 3	The 22 rules of storytelling, according to Pixar "On Twitter, Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats has compiled nuggets of narrative wisdom she's received working for the animation studio over the years. It's some sage stuff, although there's nothing here about defending yourself from your childhood toys when they inevitably come to life with murder in their hearts. A truly glaring omission. #1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes. #2: You gotta keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do as a writer. They can be v. different. #3: Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite." http://io9.com/5916970/the-22-rules-...ag=free-advice __________________ "As long as you're in my house, you'll do what I do, and believe what I believe. So butter your bacon... and bacon up that sausage, boy."

07-12-2012, 08:11 AM	#2
kennyc Priorities! Priorties! Posts: 29,933 Karma: 37216234 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Galaxy SIII; Xoom; Kindle Fire	Didn't we do this already ?? I swear there was a thread, I may have even started it.... Oh well, good stuff nevertheless! __________________ Kenny A. Chaffin Art Gallery - Print Gallery - Writing&Poetry "Strive on with Awareness" - Siddhartha Gautama

07-12-2012, 07:57 PM	#3
Echase Connoisseur Posts: 85 Karma: 738414 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: kindle	some good tips here for the most part.

07-13-2012, 02:34 AM	#4
KindleOdyssey Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 265504 Join Date: Jul 2012 Device: Kindle	Good article. Thanks for sharing. At the very least, I would take heed to what Pixar says. They seem to know a thing a two about storytelling, IMO. That 'Up' meme comes to mind: "Pixar created a better love story in 8 minutes than Twilight did in 4 books." Sad, but true.


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