6. Second Act Break -- Toy Story 3: Mistakes Made, Lessons Learned

Summary

The script discusses the development of Toy Story 3, focusing on the pivotal second act break. Initially, the story had Woody succeeding in his argument with Lotso, but it felt unsatisfying. Pixar’s team realized Woody needed to lose the argument to create tension and depth. The script also explores Lotso as a dark reflection of Woody's fears, emphasizing the existential crisis toys face as children outgrow them. By addressing external, internal, and philosophical stakes, the team refined the story to make it emotionally challenging and engaging for the audience.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The second act break in a story should force a crisis in external, internal, and philosophical stakes, making it a key turning point.
• 🏫 In *Toy Story 3*, the initial second act break had the toys escaping Sunnyside but being caught by Lotso, which didn't feel satisfying in the early version.
• 🗣️ Pixar's early 'storybook' version uses sketches and narration to test story flow before completing animation and dialogue.
• 🧩 The problem with the initial second act break was that Woody's victory in the argument against Lotso felt unearned, and the audience didn’t feel challenged.
• 📉 For a stronger story, Woody needed to lose the philosophical argument to Lotso to deepen his character and the stakes of the story.
• 🎭 Lotso represents Woody’s dark doppelganger, embodying the fear that the love between toys and children is temporary and fragile.
• 🔑 The philosophical conflict is at the heart of *Toy Story 3*: Is the bond between toys and children real, or is it fleeting, as Lotso suggests?
• 💔 Lotso's belief that toys are inherently disposable challenges Woody's core values and forces him to question his purpose as Andy grows up.
• 🧐 Pixar's story process emphasizes facing the 'ugly truth' in a narrative; in *Toy Story 3*, the uncomfortable truth is that all toys are eventually abandoned.
• 📈 A well-executed second act break sets up a crisis across all stakes, leaving the hero and the audience unsure how to resolve it, making the story more engaging and challenging.

Q & A

What is the significance of the second act break in 'Toy Story 3'?

The second act break in 'Toy Story 3' is significant because it's the moment where the stakes of the story are forced to escalate, creating a crisis in the external, internal, and philosophical stakes of the story.

What was the initial midpoint goal for the toys in 'Toy Story 3'?

The initial midpoint goal for the toys was to escape from Sunnyside Daycare, which they discovered was like a prison, and get back to Andy.

What is a storybook version of the reels in Pixar's process?

A storybook version of the reels at Pixar is a very early stage of storytelling where there's no recorded dialogue, just sketches of the movie with a narrator explaining what happens.

What was the problem with the initial version of the second act break in 'Toy Story 3'?

The problem was that Woody's heroic speech convincing the daycare toys that Lotso is bad didn't ring true, as they should already be aware of his nature, making the whole sequence unsatisfying.

What does Andrew Stanton believe about the second act break in storytelling?

Andrew Stanton believes that in the second act break, there should be a crisis that affects all three sets of stakes in the story: external, internal, and philosophical.

What was the external setback for the toys in the revised second act break of 'Toy Story 3'?

The external setback was that the toys ended up in the garbage dump, which was a significant setback to their goal of escaping Sunnyside Daycare.

How does the philosophical argument between Woody and Lotso evolve in the second act break?

Woody initially argues that the love between a child and a toy is real, but Lotso counters by suggesting that toys are inherently tragic figures because they are always left behind, creating doubt in Woody's mind.

What is the 'ugly truth' that Andrew Stanton felt needed to be addressed in 'Toy Story 3'?

The 'ugly truth' is that toys are essentially disposable and that everyone outgrows their toys, eventually leaving them behind.

Why does Lotso represent Woody's dark side in the story?

Lotso represents Woody's dark side because he embodies the fear and insecurity that Woody has about being left behind by Andy, which is a core part of Woody's character.

What is the role of the villain in illuminating the hero's character?

The villain serves to illuminate the hero's deepest fears and insecurities, often acting as a dark doppelganger that challenges the hero's beliefs and values.

How does the second act break create a crisis for the hero?

The second act break creates a crisis for the hero by having them fail externally, internally, and philosophically, leaving them and the audience with no clear way out of the crises.