The release of Toy Story, Pixar’s first feature, in 1995 was a milestone not only in animation but in cinema as a whole. Pixar has gone on to change what we think a “kid’s movie” can be and how a movie can be made. To try to decide on the best Pixar movies in the studio’s storied career is a thankless task bound to offend anyone who grew up watching the studio’s films. So let’s get started. And let's begin with a video essay on one of the best Pixar movies of all time, WALL-E — And how a…
When looking at some of cinema and literature’s most iconic characters, it's easy to find ones that are non-human. Animals, androids, and other non-human characters, however, have somehow won our hearts over in countless tales. This is largely due to the fact that these non-human characters are given human traits, otherwise known as anthropomorphism. What is anthropomorphism used for? Let’s define anthropomorphism and its function in the world of storytelling. Continue reading What is Anthropomorphism — Definition, Examples & Uses
The Academy Award for Best Animated Feature has been presented annually since 2002, recognizing outstanding achievements in animated cinema. Over the years, the award has gone to some of the most beloved and groundbreaking animated films of all time. Whether you're a die-hard animation fan or simply curious about the genre, this is the ultimate guide to the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film.Continue reading Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film — Full List
What does every story have in common? They all have a beginning, middle, and end. Obviously, writing and storytelling is more complex than simply laying out a beginning, middle and end. But simplifying those plot structures into clear stages can help with brainstorming and organizing your ideas as a writer. This visual guide of plot points is usually called a story mountain.Continue reading What is a Story Mountain — How to Tackle Story Structure
What is a dynamic character? An essential player in storytelling, a dynamic character might learn a lesson, go from good to bad, or bad to good. These are some of our favorite protagonists, from Walter White in Breaking Bad to Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz to Ebeneezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. There can be more than one dynamic character in a story, and how they play off of one another is part of what helps them develop. In order to write compelling dynamic characters, you need to know what they are and what they aren’t. Let’s dig…
It’s well established that most modern Hollywood movies are made up of three acts. Often, however, the second of those three acts can be divided into two — before the midpoint, and after. A midpoint is a major plot point that happens around the middle of a film which has big ramifications for the protagonist and the story arc. Sounds pretty vague, right? That’s because a midpoint can take many forms– bringing the protagonist closer to their goal, or away from it, or something else entirely. In other words, you know a midpoint when you see one. In this post, we’ll…
You finally started writing that great screenplay idea and put words to paper. But all of a sudden you realize that you may have the foundation of your story, but not the details. This is not an uncommon problem. So we decided to address this uncommon problem and lay out tips that will help you learn how to develop a movie script and write a better story. Let’s dive in. Continue reading How to Develop a Movie Script — Characters, Structure & Goals
When you think of the most iconic films in cinema, odds are there is a well-rounded, memorable, maybe even complex character attached to it. However, you may be surprised that many of these great films also use simple characters that lack complexity. These are flat characters. What is a flat character arc? In this article, we’ll take a look at the flat character definition, how they differ from round characters, and why writers intentionally use these characters in their stories. Continue reading What is a Flat Character — Types of Character Arcs Explained
Many people thought the last time they would see Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of Andy’s toys would be in 2010’s Toy Story 3. However, those beloved toys got one final send-off (for now) with Toy Story 4, released in 2019. To come back after a successful trilogy was no easy feat, but as the Toy Story 4 script proves, Pixar had a strong story they needed to tell. With tons of new characters and great quotes (as well as a tear-jerking ending), some franchises are meant to be tetralogies.Continue reading Toy Story 4 Script PDF Download: Characters, Quotes…
Disney Pixar has created some of the greatest cinematic stories of all time. Writer-director and animator Pete Docter is a huge proponent of this legacy. In 2009, Docter and his crew made Up—one of those unique and heartwarming films that the studio is now best known for. Let’s take a look at the story structure from the Up script to understand why it’s so moving.Continue reading Up Script: Scenes, Analysis, and Screenplay PDF Download
