Pixar Storytelling Rules #3: Character Empathy

Summary

The video explores the concept of empathy in storytelling, particularly in Pixar films. It explains how audiences connect with characters through shared desires and motives, making them relatable and emotionally engaging. Examples from movies like 'WALL-E' and 'The Incredibles' demonstrate how characters' desires and actions evoke empathy, even for those with negative traits. The video emphasizes that while traits like attractiveness or humor can make characters likable, true empathy stems from understanding and sharing their emotions and struggles. Ultimately, the key to compelling storytelling is making audiences care about the characters' quests and challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pixar characters are relatable because we empathize with them, often through shared desires and emotions.
• 😀 Empathy in storytelling is achieved when we connect with characters' wants, motives, and actions.
• 😀 Desire is a key component in creating empathy, as we connect with characters trying to achieve something.
• 😀 Even villains, like Syndrome from 'The Incredibles', can be empathized with if their motives are relatable.
• 😀 Success in storytelling is not just about the character winning, but about their struggle and effort toward their goals.
• 😀 We are drawn to characters who fight hard to find love, friendship, and fulfillment, much like us in real life.
• 😀 Character likability comes from traits such as being attractive, funny, and talented, but empathy comes from understanding their emotions.
• 😀 Empathy is the feeling of understanding and sharing someone else's emotions, which is essential for enjoying a story.
• 😀 The opening of 'Up' demonstrates empathy as we connect with Carl and Ellie's shared desire for adventure and unfulfilled dreams.
• 😀 To make an audience care about characters and their quests, the story must invoke empathy through desire, motive, and action.

Q & A

Why do we easily empathize with certain characters in stories?

We tend to empathize with characters who are like us or those we wish we could be like. These characters usually possess traits such as confidence, success, or attractiveness, making it easier for us to relate to them.

How did Pixar create empathy with unconventional characters like Wally?

Pixar managed to create empathy with unusual characters, such as Wally, by focusing on universal emotions like desire. Wally, for example, desires love and companionship, which is something we can all relate to, making his story emotionally compelling.

What role does desire play in creating empathy for characters?

Desire is crucial in creating empathy because we automatically relate to characters who want something. Whether it's love, success, or belonging, we empathize with their drive to achieve their goals, as we often share similar desires.

Can we empathize with villains? If so, how?

Yes, we can empathize with villains if they have relatable motives. For instance, Syndrome in 'The Incredibles' is driven by a desire to belong and be recognized, a feeling many of us can relate to, even if we don't agree with his actions.

Why do we enjoy seeing characters try, even if they don't succeed immediately?

We enjoy seeing characters try because, like us, they face challenges and setbacks. Their efforts resonate with our own experiences of striving to achieve something, and it makes their eventual success more satisfying and relatable.

What makes a character likable, according to the script?

While there are tricks to make characters attractive, funny, or talented, empathy is the key to likability. We connect with characters when we understand and share in their emotions and experiences.

What is the core of empathy in storytelling?

Empathy in storytelling is about understanding and sharing the emotions and experiences of the characters. It involves relating to their desires, motives, and actions, allowing us to feel their journey alongside them.

How does the opening of 'Up' use empathy to engage the audience?

The opening of 'Up' uses empathy by showing Carl and Ellie's unfulfilled desire for adventure. The audience connects with their love and shared dreams, making Carl's quest to Paradise Falls emotionally powerful and relatable.

What is the formula for creating empathy in characters, as stated in the script?

The formula for creating empathy is: Desire + Motive + Action. We empathize with characters who want something for human emotional reasons, who have clear motives behind their desires, and who take action toward achieving their goals.

Why is empathy essential in storytelling?

Empathy is essential in storytelling because it makes the audience care about the characters and their quests. Without empathy, we wouldn't emotionally invest in the story or understand the characters' motivations, leaving us indifferent to their experiences.