Pixar’s Secret Storytelling Formula For Making Perfect Films Every Time!

Pixar has managed to create an entirely new medium for storytelling in just 24 years. Pixar films have become a staple of our pop culture, consistently creating generation-defining works that have come to define what good animation looks and feels like.

Pixar movies are not just pure technological marvels; they are a perfect blend of technology and storytelling. In this article, we will explore how Pixar gets its story right and what makes its films so special.

The Structure of a Pixar Story

All Pixar movies are generally formatted the same way. We are first introduced to the characters and watch them in their routine life until the safety of that routine is shattered by an unexpected change. The rest of the film follows the characters’ struggle against this change until they reach a lesson from the experience. This way, the stories of Pixar are always about changes.

In Toy Story, it was the arrival of a new toy. In Inside Out, they move to a new city. In Up, the death of a loved one. The film tells the story of characters who are struggling to accept or adapt to the changes around them. In a world created by Pixar, changes are also opportunities to grow and learn from. They are just not aware of it yet. This conflict is so clear to us as viewers because Pixar takes its time in helping us understand who they are.

The Magic Lies in the Characters

The majority of Pixar’s magic lies in its characters. They always feel real and complex because the writers give each of them an opinion. These opinions don’t necessarily have to be agreeable or likeable, as long as they are understandable. Giving characters real opinions matter because they, in time, incite real emotions. It’s these emotions that Pixar uses to breathe life into its characters.

Joy in Inside Out is oblivious to the importance of negative emotions. Woody in Toy Story grows jealous of the attention a new toy receives and just wants things to go back to how they were. These are ideas and emotions that are universal, that anyone can relate to, kids or adults. They aren’t good emotions, but they are honest. And this honesty helps us to relate to them.

Use of Coincidences

Pixar has no problem using coincidences a lot. Sometimes it’s indirectly set off by the characters, and others are just pure coincidences. But it’s how they use them that’s different. Whereas bad writing uses coincidences to get characters out of a tough situation, Pixar uses coincidences to get them into one. These coincidences put characters in situations where they’re forced to confront and adapt to the changes. But none serve as an easy way out, so the characters have to get themselves out. This makes the stakes higher and every problem a bit more personal. And even an occasion where it might seem like a deus ex machina, it’s a payoff and also a chance for a great character moment.

The Supporting Characters

Villains often make a great tool for understanding a protagonist because quite often, they embody their polar opposites. Pixar uses villains for the same reason, but more often than not, these opposites are introduced as supporting characters. It’s no secret that Pixar movies are heavily inspired by the buddy film genre, a genre almost as long as the history of film itself. But it’s a rather perfect format for Pixar films, as it allows the writers to explore the dynamics between characters in a more nuanced way.

Finish With a Bang!

Pixar films are known for their emotional and satisfying endings. And that’s no accident. Pixar writers make sure that their stories build up to a climax that is both satisfying and surprising.

In the film “Up,” the climax occurs when Carl finally realizes that he needs to let go of his past and move on. In “Toy Story 3,” it’s the scene where Andy gives his beloved toys to Bonnie, passing them on to a new generation. And in “Inside Out,” it’s the moment when Joy realizes that sadness is just as important as happiness, and that the two emotions can work together to create a more balanced life.

What sets Pixar apart from other studios is that they don’t rely on cheap tricks or gimmicks to create emotional impact. They simply tell great stories with well-developed characters and surprising plot twists.

A few closing words…

Pixar has revolutionized the world of animation and storytelling. Their films have become pop culture staples, loved by audiences of all ages around the globe.

What makes Pixar movies so great is their focus on storytelling. Pixar writers follow a set of rules that allow them to create characters that are complex, relatable, and emotionally resonant. They also know how to structure their stories in a way that builds tension and creates satisfying conclusions.

So, the next time you watch a Pixar movie, pay attention to the way the story unfolds. Notice how the characters are introduced, how the conflict builds, and how the climax resolves. And most importantly, allow yourself to be moved by the emotional journey that Pixar has crafted for you.