At Trove Studios, our goal is to help you tell your story – we say as much on our home page. Even if you’re not quite sure what it is, we want to help you find it. When creating a video, thinking about what it should say is very important – and one company that does this incredibly well is Pixar Studios. Responsible for funny, emotional, captivating stories, we think they could teach all of us a thing or two about their narrative process. Read on for some of our favorite storytelling tips shared by Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats:
"Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard; get yours working up front."
Stephen Covey is famous for his adage, “Begin with the end in mind.” When you know what you want your video to do, say, or convey, the rest of the video is easier to conceive. Do you want your video to inspire action from the viewer? Inspire them? Make them laugh? Once you know the answer to this question, the rest of the project will become clearer.
"You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. They can be very different."
As we set out to tell your story together, think about how your story could play to those not in your industry, social circle, or clientele. How can you tell a story that plays to as many people as possible, regardless of knowledge base? Consideration for this question will expand the appeal of your final product beyond a niche group.
"Putting it on paper lets you start fixing it. If it stays in your head, a perfect idea, you’ll never share it with anyone."
Hold nothing back when you’re looking to formulate your project. We love being collaborative, and that means trusting us with your ideas. Even if it’s not fully formed or perfect, it should be out in the world so it can be refined, added to, and – hopefully – executed. So, as we seek to film and shape your vision, share ideas liberally. They’re essential to a captivating final product!
"Why must you tell THIS story? What’s the belief burning within you that your story feeds off of? That’s the heart of it."
This might be the most important tip of all. Pixar films are notorious for their heart and the emotion that they evoke, and, while you may not be seeking to bring on the tears in a manner similar to Up or Finding Nemo, successful films do move people. We want to help you move people, and that starts with a story that has the power to do so.
Even if your video isn’t destined for the big screen, we want to give your story the attention and care of a blockbuster. The tips above will bring you closer to a final product that wows the audience, Pixar style.
For more examples of what a great story can lead us to, check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube.