How PIXAR Tells a Story: The Story Spine!

Summary

In this insightful video, screenwriter Pietro Schito reveals Pixar's effective 'story spine' technique for crafting engaging narratives. This simple structure consists of introducing characters, presenting a significant change, and exploring the chain of consequences through repeated 'because of that' statements. Schito emphasizes the technique's flexibility, allowing for creative improvisation and the integration of complexities later. He encourages viewers to apply the story spine to their favorite animated films as a fun exercise. Additionally, he promotes the Story Xperiential course, where aspiring writers can learn more about storytelling from industry professionals.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pixar utilizes a simple storytelling formula called the 'story spine' to craft engaging plots.
• 📚 The story spine helps writers identify the essential events in a narrative, making it easier to build a story's structure.
• 🔑 The basic structure of the story spine includes: 'Once upon a time, there was [character], who every day [routine], until one day [inciting incident].'
• 🔄 The formula allows for multiple iterations of events, using the phrase 'because of that' to connect actions and consequences.
• 💡 This technique promotes creativity by encouraging writers to alternate between positive and negative outcomes.
• ✍️ Writers can start with a simple outline and later refine it, adding complexity and detail as needed.
• 🎥 Analyzing favorite animated films using the story spine can enhance understanding of effective storytelling.
• 🌟 The story spine is taught in Pixar's Story Xperiential course, which provides in-depth insights into story development.
• 🔍 Writers should look for clues in their previous writing if they feel stuck, as these can inform their narrative direction.
• 🚀 The simplicity of the story spine makes it an accessible tool for both novice and experienced writers to improve their storytelling skills.

Q & A

What is the Story Spine technique?

The Story Spine technique is a simple, reductive framework used by Pixar to help writers structure their stories by identifying key events and character responses.

Who introduced the Story Spine technique in the video?

The Story Spine technique was introduced by screenwriter Pietro Schito in the video.

What are the basic components of the Story Spine?

The basic components of the Story Spine include: 'Once upon a time...,' 'Every day...,' 'Until one day...,' 'And because of that...,' 'Finally...,' and 'Ever since that day...'.

How does the Story Spine help in storytelling?

The Story Spine helps in storytelling by providing a clear structure to identify the beginning, middle, and end of a story, allowing writers to focus on essential plot points before adding details.

Can you give an example of a Story Spine?

An example of a Story Spine is about a worker ant who works daily to gather food until a disaster strikes, leading him to seek help from circus bugs, ultimately saving his colony.

What is meant by 'because of that' in the Story Spine?

'Because of that' refers to the cause-and-effect relationship in the story, where one event leads to another, driving the narrative forward.

How can the Story Spine be used in the writing process?

The Story Spine can be used to simplify complex stories, helping writers outline their plot, identify character motivations, and establish a moral or theme before refining and expanding their narrative.

What does Pietro Schito suggest doing if you get stuck while writing?

If you get stuck while writing, Schito suggests taking a step back and reviewing your previous writing, as it may provide clues to help you move forward.

What additional resources does the video promote for learning about storytelling?

The video promotes the Story Xperiential course, where participants can learn storytelling techniques directly from professional Pixar artists.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of simplicity in storytelling?

The speaker emphasizes simplicity in storytelling because it allows writers to focus on the core elements of their narrative, making it easier to construct a compelling and clear story.