pixar – The Story Department

[Video]: Inside Pixar

Jamie Wynen — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 02:36:12 +0000

‘What if we could somehow take these feelings – fear, sadness, disgust, joy… and make them into characters? If we do this right, it could be like our version of the Seven Dwarves… Each of them has a very distinct, definite, and very caricatured way of approaching the world…‘

Pixar’s Pete Docter discusses Pixar and Disney’s latest film, Inside Out – what is a high concept film, and how do you successfully execute it? How do you set an entire film in a twelve-year-old’s mind without making it totally saccharine or dark? What on earth do twelve year olds even think about?

If you liked this, check out more videos about screenwriting or filmmaking. And if you know of a great video on Screenwriting, let us know in the comments. Thanks!

Oh, and if you have some more time, and would like to learn more about Pete Docter, check out this one hour video!

Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso: The Truth About A Conflicted Hero

Karel FG Segers — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 01:35:44 +0000

Film buffs may claim the greatest Japanese director who ever lived was Kurosawa. In my books the greatest – and at the time of writing, still living – Japanese filmmaker is surely Hayao Miyazaki. My absolute favourite from his oeuvre, is PORCO ROSSO.

Miyazaki created the animation masterpieces MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO, SPIRITED AWAY, GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES and HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE. When he announced his retirement for the sixth time at the end of 2013, it seems the 72-year old was serious. Within the year, his Studio Ghibli announced a major downsizing, effectively closing down Japan’s most successful animation studio.

The Ghibli films won major prizes at festivals worldwide, and after the phenomenally successful SPIRITED AWAY ($275m worldwide), all of his work received international theatrical releases. This has always been exceptional for Japanese cinema.

I went through a Studio Ghibli marathon with my son, when he was 9. During HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE, he exclaimed “This is the best movie I’ve ever seen!”

Pixar Praise For Miyazaki

Miyazaki’s feature animations impress with freshness and depth. They sparkle with originality, yet they feel strangely familiar. They feel like a fairytale you vaguely remember from childhood.

In SPIRITED AWAY, a girl sees her parents transformed into pigs when the family is trapped in a mysterious world with ghosts, witches and monsters. The young woman in HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE falls under a curse that gives her an old body. A handsome wizard in a flying castle must help her. PONYO tells the story of a young boy who falls for a fish with a human face, an omen that predicts a tsunami…

No wonder the Pixar brain trust are huge fans of Miyazaki’s animation. When SPIRITED AWAY was released in North America (2003), John Lasseter personally escorted Miyazaki around the country to support it. As a thank you, Studio Ghibli sent him a 155mins video letter titled Lasseter San, Arigato (Thank you, Mr Lasseter).

Porcine Pilot

On IMDb.com, PORCO ROSSO ranks only 7.8, lower than some of Miyazaki’s best known films. Still, I believe it is not only one of his best; it’s one of cinema’s unsung master pieces.

The porcine pilot from the title is a WW1 veteran who spends his days as a reclusive bounty hunter on a secluded beach. Can you see the ‘isolated’ theme here? If he is not fighting pirates, he is fending off his American arch nemesis Curtis. The wannabe actor’s inflated ego sits at the opposite end of the scale from Porco’s.

In the middle between the two stands Gina. She runs a restaurant, and keeps her heart for Porco. For a long time, she has been awaiting the moment when he will be ready for her. Finally, there’s Fio, a young girl who is in awe of Porco. She is the granddaughter of Piccolo, the plane repair man, and a damn fine engineer herself! She will facilitate Porco’s transformation,

Porco Rosso’s Backstory

At the story’s Ordeal stage, at the end of Act Two, Porco tells a story to Fio. We learn about his emotional wound; how he lost his best friend… and how he became a pig.

Thematically, the scene reminds of another classic war monologue in the movies, when Quint (Robert Shaw) tells the US Indianapolis story in JAWS. Both are stories about survivor guilt.

An important difference, however, is that during Porco’s monologue we flash back to join in a WW1 dogfight. The following sequence is one of my absolute favourite moments in cinema history.

It never fails to send chills down my spine. We’re looking at what initially looks like a vapour trail in a clear blue sky. Then, we’re blown away… A pure cinematic moment, mysterious and beautiful. Intensely moving.

This scene alone earns PORCO ROSSO its status of cinema classic.

[vimeo 103790469 w=1000 h=538]

Have you watched this movie? Let us know in the comments below what you think of this sequence. And what is your favourite Miyazaki?

-Karel Segers

Karel FG Segers

Karel Segers wrote his first produced screenplay at age 17. Today he is a story analyst with experience in acquisition, development and production. He has trained students worldwide, and worked with half a dozen Academy Award nominees. Karel speaks more European languages than he has fingers on his left hand, which he is still trying to find a use for in his hometown of Sydney, Australia. The languages, not the fingers.

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Best of the Web 4 May

Jamie Campbell — Sat, 03 May 2014 23:33:21 +0000

Story & Structure

:: Screenplay Review – Maleficent
:: 10 Screenwriting Tips from One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
:: Going From Rough Draft to ‘Draft Day’
:: Screenplay Review – The Lobster

Script Perfection

:: Purging Your Writing Fear
:: That One Good Thing

Pitching & Selling

:: Should Writers Ever Give Up?
:: The Secret To Pixar’s Success: Failure

Best of the Rest

:: A Former Writers’ Assistant Tells Stories of Horrible Bosses
_______________________________

With thanks to Cameron Pattison.

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

Best of the Web 8 Dec

Jamie Campbell — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 22:33:02 +0000

Story & Structure

:: Pixar’s 22 Rules of Story, Analyzed as a PDF eBook
:: The 10 Key Rules of Writing for TV
:: Great Scene: “Sunset Blvd”
:: Screenplay Review – Townies (Neighbors)
:: Trilogy Building Part III: The Star Wars and Halo Sagas

Script Perfection

:: ‘Rush’ Screenwriter Peter Morgan’s 10-Year Rule for Biopics
:: 10 Screenwriting Tips from Walter Hill’s “The Warriors!!!”
:: 30 Things About Screenwriting
:: Confessions of a Failed Screenwriter
:: My Confessions to the Confessions of a Failed Screenwriter Article
:: “The Best Way To Have a Good Idea…”

Best of the Rest

:: Quote of the Day: Samuel Johnson
:: 14 Screenwriters Writing
:: What’s in a Name?
:: A Conversation with Jeff Nichols
:: Top 10 TV Shows
:: Top 10 TV Episodes
:: Prisoners’ Aaron Guzikowski

_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie Campbell.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

Best of the Web 16 Jun

Jamie Campbell — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:26:21 +0000

Story & Structure

:: Opening Scene: Rocky 7
:: The Importance of Prep-Writing
:: Advanced Writing Tools: The Pixar Way
:: Amateur Week Smackdown – In Lieu Of Flowers
:: 30 Days of Screenplays – Day 9: The Matrix
:: 30 Days of Screenplays – Day 11: “Memento”

Script Perfection

:: Screenwriting Tip #1220
:: One Habit all Pro Screenwriters Share
:: The 13 Rules for Creating a Prestige TV Drama
:: Ten Stupid Writer Tricks (That Might Actually Work)
:: Transcript of Scriptnotes, Ep. 92
:: Scriptnotes, Ep. 93: Let’s Talk About Nikki Finke
:: It’s Time to Finish the Book!
:: End of Watch – Stray Thoughts
:: Full Uncensored Drama Showrunner Emmy Roundtable

Pitching & Selling

:: How Hit Movies Become Flops

Best of the Rest

:: Rod Serling’s Final Interview
:: Why the World Needs Superman Returns
:: Who Deserves the Best Drama Emmy?
:: Post-Apocalypse Cinema: Abandoned Earths and Disturbing Doppelgangers
:: ‘Man of Steel’ Director Zack Snyder on Making Big Movies
_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie Campbell.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

Best of the Web 25 Nov

Jamie Campbell — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:19:33 +0000

Story & Structure

:: Screenplay Review – Somnia
:: Twit-Pitch Review – Ring Of Liar
:: Daily Dialogue ‘Breaking the 4th Wall’
:: Jury Duty & the Screenwriter
:: Back to the Future Beat Sheet
:: ARGO’s Effective Use of Creative License

Script Perfection

:: Learning from the Three Page Challenge
:: Take Sound into Account in Your Script
:: And You Call Yourself a Writer?
:: Knowing When to Give Up on a Script
:: Writing Groups for Screenwriters
:: How Long to Write a Script?
:: Have a Driving Reason to Write
:: Great Character: Rod Tidwell (“Jerry Maguire”)

Pitching & Selling

:: Get A Hollywood Studio To Green Light Your Picture, In 29 Easy Steps
:: 2012 Spec Market Scorecard

Best of the Rest

:: Watch P.T.Anderson’s Work Through 5 Stedicam Shots
:: 20 Brilliant Filmmakers on Why They Make Movies
:: Who Pays For Stunt Casting and Other Answers
:: Lee Unkrich Discusses How PIXAR Became So Awesome
:: Adapting Yann Martel’s Life of Pi
:: The Wachowskis & Tom Tykwer About Their Work as Directors
:: Do You Remember Mr Blobby? On The Big Fat Quiz of the 90s
:: Black Friday Discounts at The Writer’s Store
:: Part of Something Larger Than Ourselves
:: Toys R Us Franchise Now Gender Neutral. Will Kids Shows Follow Next?
_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie Campbell and Brooke Trezise.

Enjoy!

Karel

Jamie Campbell

Jamie Campbell is an author, screenwriter, and television addict.

Jamie is proud to be an Editor for The Story Department.

Her latest series Project Integrate is out now.

jamiecampbell.com.au

Best of the Web 26 Aug

Brooke Trezise — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 04:52:51 +0000

Story & Structure

:: Without a successful movie under your belt, DON’T attempt to write multi-protag.
:: Why write a movie?
:: Dispatch from The Quest: Ben Odgren on subtext use in ‘Jaws’
:: TGB Breakdown Ep 7: Lynch’s Mulholland Dr. (Guest: Film Crit Hulk)
:: No stakes and no surprises, please
:: Tony Scott on Directing: Artistic Style, Concept, Casting Choices, and Story Decisions
:: Charlie Kaufman’s 70-Minute Screenwriting Lecture Podcast

Script Perfection

:: “Where dialogue is concerned, sometimes what you don’t say is just as important as what you do” ::
:: Screenwriting Tip #1080 – Don’t let your characters off easy
:: Clarity, The Most Overlooked Mistake In Screenwriting
:: How to Tell from a Pilot if a TV Show is Going to be Any Good
:: Screenplay Review – Trouble With The Curve [Worth the read]
:: Video interview between Quint and JAWS screenwriter Carl Gottlieb!

Pitching & Selling

:: Watch: Orson Welles’ ‘Original’ Studio Pitch Meeting for ‘Citizen Kane’
:: Scriptcat’s 20 Steps to Follow After You Type: FADE OUT – THE END…

Best of the Rest

:: Director Tony Scott commits suicide from Vincent Thomas Bridge
:: The 6 Most Certifiably Insane Acts of Writing
:: New Plot Details for Monsters University (Pixar)
:: ‘Ruin’ Director Wes Ball Lands ‘The Maze Runner’ Directing Gig at Fox
:: The Avengers deleted scene featuring a post-Hulk Bruce Banner
:: Your favourite character was almost this actor – 8 Actors Who Almost Played Famous Roles
:: To Kill A Mockingbird: Behind the scenes
:: New Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera Footage Hits the Net
_______________________________

With thanks to Jamie Campbell and Brooke Trezise.

Enjoy!

Karel

Sex At Sixty In Wall-E [Robot Sex In Space]

Karel FG Segers — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 02:41:12 +0000

1) I watched it again with my son today, 2) Jamie our regular video guy is out of town and 3) this little article was scheduled for June 22, 2022 (WTF?).

So I thought let’s run it tonight in stead.

by Karel Segers

My unconditional love for Pixar kicked in when I realised I had made the unforgivable mistake of missing The Incredibles in the cinema. My commitment to the gang of Emeryville was complete a few years later with Wall-E.

Ironically, that film ruined the chances of an animated short film I had produced in the years leading up to the release of Wall-E. (Our film features a lonely ‘Pupp-E’ on an abandoned hot and rusty planet. Then a shiny, aggressive droid lands – and they ultimately become friends… Sounds familiar?)

ANIMATION IS NOT A GENRE

Have you ever wondered what Wall-E‘s genre is? If you answered ‘animation’, please don’t repeat this in the presence of the Pixar guys. Animation is an art form, not a genre. To me, Wall-E is Chaplin-esque romantic comedy. Its main character’s goal: to hold Eve’s hand as seen on TV.

Wall-E is Chaplin-esque romantic comedy

Wall-E is teeming with wonderful moments but my favourite is the Mid Point. In a great movie, you’ll always have a great Mid Point. Aspects that characterise the mid point are often an unusual setting, a change in the main character’s approach and in the movie’s energy. Sometimes the film takes a different direction altogether, which is surely the case here. You could almost say that the second half of Wall-E is a different film.

SEX AT SIXTY

Where the latter half of the movie is all about the return to Earth, the first half of Wall-E completes the storyline that brings the little green plant to the mother ship.

Wall-E has saved the plant but is blasted into space. When he drifts off, risking to lose connection with the mother ship, Eve goes to his rescue. When they meet, Wall-E hands her the shoe with the little plant inside that will allow for Earth to be re-vegetated. Eve responds with a hug and between the two robots we see a brief spark – the kiss. This is the obligatory ‘sex at sixty’ moment, reminiscing the days when screenplays were around 120 pages. Still, each romantic movie has a kiss or love-making scene around the halfway point.

This is the obligatory ‘sex at sixty’ moment

And here is our movie moment. The kiss is followed by a delightful scene of pure cinema, with Wall-E and Eve dancing through space and touching the hearts of the people on board of the mother ship. When the captain sees them, he asks: “Computer, define ‘dancing’!”

At the end of three minutes of spell-binding beauty, we are introduced to “Burn-E”. He is the little hero in the short film that accompanied Wall-E in cinemas and now on the retail disk. Burn-E is stuck out on the ledge behind a closed door when Wall-E and Eve return to the mother ship. If you haven’t seen the short film, check it out. You want to know why he is there… and what he’ll do next.

This is another little masterpiece and testimony to Pixar’s insane storytelling talent.