PIXAR’S 20 RULES OF STORYTELLING Jennifer Nielsen June 20, 2012

PIXAR’S 20 RULES OF STORYTELLING

Graphic Credit: Beau Chevassus

Since it was formed in 1979, the Pixar Company changed hands a couple of times, nearly failed more often than that, and on the verge of being sold by Steve Jobs when Disney agreed to distribute a children’s film, Toy Story. That film went on to earn over $350 million worldwide. As of February 2012, Pixar films have earned twenty-six Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and three Grammies. They have made over $7 billion worldwide, with an average gross of $602 million. No other film company comes even close to that average.

So, can we agree that Pixar may know a few things about great storytelling?

A couple of weeks ago, Pixar storyboard artist, Emma Coats (@lawnrocket) began tweeting some of the “rules” she has gleaned from her years of working for the studio. The rules were turned into the poster I show above.

I’ve tried to pick a favorite, but they’re all great for different reasons, and at different stages in the process. So I’ll ask you, do you have a favorite, and why?

12 Comments
  • Reply
    June 21, 2012, 1:49 pm

    I agree with you that all of them are great and its hard to pick the favorite one.But,for instance I think no.8 because it clearly says that “You must not give-up” Even the story that you made is not that perfect and doesn’t captivate the hearts of the readers you can still improve the way of your writing a story because success cannot be achieve without hardwork and perseverance.

  • Reply
    June 21, 2012, 1:52 pm

    I totally agree on the importance of this rule, Lemuel. Not everything we write is publishable, or even all that good. So sometimes we need to set a project aside and move on. But we must move on. Giving up is the only way to guarantee failure. Great thoughts – thank you for sharing!

    • Reply
      February 18, 2019, 9:07 pm

      I’m a little confused about #8. Is it telling me to

      1. Finish my story even if it’s terrible?

      or

      2. Abandon the bad stories I write?

      Which one is it telling me to do? Could somebody please clarify this for me?

      Thanks a lot in advance.

      • Reply
        February 19, 2019, 12:12 am

        Hi Clara – yes, finish the stories you begin, even if they’re terrible. That’s part of the process in learning how to write a better story the next time. This also means sometimes you have to accept that writing is art and art, by definition, will never be perfect. It will always be flawed, and there will always be a way to make it better. So at some point, you have to accept that and then write the next thing.

        • Reply
          March 9, 2019, 3:19 pm

          Thank you so much for answering my question Mrs. Nielsen!

          *still can’t believe the author of the intriguing, awesome, exciting Ascendance Trilogy took time to talk to her*

  • Reply
    June 22, 2012, 3:57 am

    I love this list and recently saw it posted on FB. So much encouragement and wisdom!

  • Reply
    June 27, 2012, 2:41 pm

    Rule number 7. Because ending matter a LOT to me. An ending is what sales me on how I rate a book- was it a boog read or a bad one? I have read too many books where the ending is rushed- pitiful! My sister says it is all about the story that leads up to it, but I argue that the ending completes it! The ending is such a vital part of a story! It has become so bad in this day in age that I have to flip to the end and see if it is worth beans. (And aka- should have done that with Twilight). I don’t mean to put pressure on all authors, but I am. By the way, when is the next book to The Ascendance Trilogy coming out? I cannot wait to read it!

  • Reply
    June 28, 2012, 4:20 am

    AJ – I tend to agree with you. The ending is a really big deal to me too. I hate a big buildup throughout the story that sort of peters out to a boring ending.

    The next book in the trilogy is called THE RUNAWAY KING. It’ll be out next spring, and I hope will have an ending worth your wait!

  • Reply
    July 11, 2012, 6:30 pm

    # 19 is my favorite. I hate it when something ‘just happens’ to get the hero/heroine out of a pickle. Usually so unbelievable.

    BTW – thanks for posting the list. I’m sharing it (linked to your blog) at my blog.

  • Reply
    July 11, 2012, 6:35 pm

    Thanks Sharron. “Coincidences” bother me too. It’s one of the things I loved about the Inkheart books, because every time a coincidence could have happened to help the heroes, it failed. That was fantastic!

  • Reply
    October 26, 2012, 4:28 pm

    Hello… I can’t seem to open the link for your email.. sorry, no other place to comment haha. 🙂 do you think that you could post your email adress instead?

  • Reply
    October 26, 2012, 4:29 pm

    Sorry anonymous – it’s jen@jennielsen.com

    Feel free to contact me directly if you’d like!

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