There are many things we can learn from the wonderful Pixar piece Inside Out (IMDB here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/?ref_=nv_sr_1). It is a story about growing up, discovering yourself and navigating life’s many ups and downs. As writers, many of us struggle to find the heart or the theme of our story, what makes the story resonate with audiences and readers everywhere.
You’ve heard the old saying “Write What You Know”, haven’t you? Maybe that advice isn’t for everyone. In fact, Lessons From the Screenplay suggests trying just the opposite: write what you WANT to know. This will be much more interesting for you while you are writing your story as you are also looking for an answer, searching for meaning as you begin to write.
Hearing or telling a story is a journey and it is a journey that you, as a writer, should go on as well when you are discovering and telling your tale. Start with a question and use your story to go find the answer.
This video describes Pete Docter (the director of Inside Out) and his experience of coming up with a question so intriguing that he knew that he HAD to find the answer. That question: What happened to joy?
Recent Comments