I put this lecture together in 2011, just before I left Pixar. It looks at all the mistakes we made while writing Toy Story 3, and the lessons learned in correcting those mistakes. 72 minutes.
Your videos are better than 90% on screenwriting advice online combined. Perfect level of clear, applicable templates without being weirdly specific ("on page 5 the character has to save their uncle from a tsunami"). Please keep it up.
Well, guess I have a new "refer back to this every six months" resource. Absolutely brilliant breakdown, Michael! The way you put even more meaning into the film by breaking down the details that are really going on under the surface is the sort of intimate mastery over your own work and the intense layers of meaning it contains that I dream of achieving some day. And seeing the problem-solving process first hand, being walked step by step through it, is the sort of "training by doing" that is so hard to get in any other place than the School of Hard Knocks. Thank you so much for sharing this!
The most I have ever cried after a movie is after watching toy story 3 and now I know the reason why. The storytelling is pure genius. Thanks Michael and all the Pixar team for this experience. Films like these inspire you to write your own stories and create your own magic. And this breakdown is like pixie dust for that.
What we really need is a video like this, 1 hour+, about the process of writing The Force Awakens. I would so love to hear about the challenges of creating the story out of all the multiple and parallel demands & expectations put on such a project
I think Michael Arndt had a less active role in TFA than he did in TS3. For TS3, he seems to have been the head writer for both the drafts and the screenplay, whereas for TFA, Arndt is only credited for having written the screenplay. Although George Lucas trusted Arndt to write drafts for the entire Star Wars sequel trilogy, I think once JJ Abrams came on board and teamed up with Larry Kasdan to use (or disregard) Arndt's treatments in order to piece together a new draft of TFA, the draft must have been so vastly different from Michael Arndt's treatments that Arndt could hardly be credited any longer as a writer for the movie, and perhaps only as a screenwriter for the movie as a courtesy. I mean, it's well known that the decision to let Poe live was made mid-production (btw mid-production rewrites are more common than you probably know), but it's also known that most of the changes to Arndt's treatments were actually made in the second and third acts, so if first act rewrites like a character surviving are considered minor in comparison to the second and third act rewrites, that should put into perspective how drastic those rewrites really were.
That moment when you realize that Toy Story 3 shares so many elements with The Brave Little Toaster, and all the points discussed about creating a strong inciting incident to move into the 1st act break applies so well to both films.
As an aspiring screenwriter, I enjoyed your breakdown and the many pains of trying to craft to story. I especially liked the storybook reels, it was fascinating to see how those ideas were incredibly similar to the final product, but with small differences that made a big impact (Such as Woodys speech about what being a Toy is all about to Lotso). It's much more interesting when Woody doesn't have any answer. Plotting backwards is something I often find myself doing a lot. I'll have a specific scenario of what I want to happen, and typically have no idea how my characters will get there. I'm glad to see that even professional storytellers do this, as like you said, sometimes it's better to 'drive knowing where the destination is' than not having a goal in mind at all. I've written many of my own films this way, it's a relief that others have a similar system. My biggest take away from the video, and the thing that resonated with me the most, was when you said 'Not all stories have to follow this process' which was a huge breath of fresh air from most Video Essays. Typically people will say 'My way is the only way' and stuff along those lines, but I'm glad you said, 'These are just my recommendations, not set in stone rules'.
I have watched these movies several times (watched them all again last week). The moment when they are all sitting in the refuse on the conveyor belt & heading over the edge to the Flame never fails to make me cry (even a little now after all the viewings). All the Toys are struggling & when Buzz reaches out to Jesse & takes her hand with that Loving & Final look ... I was flabbergasted the 1st time I saw it. I have NEVER seen an animation achieve the Level of emotion or that Depth of feeling. A phenomenal meeting of writing, animation & "acting". Just Phenomenal.
The Toy Story movies are some of my all time favorites. The effort you and the team put in to get 3 as right as possible can't go unappreciated. It's awesome that you chose to share your journey with such a well made video. That earns a sub and a half I think
"Once you've learned to not be selfish, and you've learned to, you know, accept your own mortality, you're pretty much done right? Like, what else is there to learn?" ~Michael Arndt FANTASTIC video! You actually gave me a whole new angle on not just the movie, but also on writing in general. Thank you so much for sharing this, I'm going to reference this in a future video of mine!
19:46 I got your point on the problems with the scene (although I still don't think it was "bad") but Idk how Woody was being "whiny." That's an interesting critique considering how they handled him in Toy Story 4 but ok. Also, I always thought it was weird that Buzz has zero reaction to Andy literally choosing Woody over him. It's out of character for him to do what he did in the original idea, sure, but Buzz being hurt by it is understandable. To me, it makes more sense for him to at least react. Him dwelling on it the whole movie would obviously be a bit much but if someone you love chooses someone else over you you're not just gonna act like it didn't happen.
Thank you Michael (and everyone involved) for not only Toy Story 3, which is simply astonishing story telling, but for this breakdown, which is one of the most rich, experienced, useful and informational videos I've ever seen on RU-vid. Brilliant, thank you! I'm writing my first fiction at the moment, and this was invaluable and inspiring.
Michael, this was just beautiful. I couldn't imagine a better story on storytelling. The hard lessons shared, the clear, visual aids that were used. Loved the "night mode" a lot (the white on black). The focus on philosophical stakes made it SO valuable since the message of a story is the utmost important part. Thank you so much for sharing the insights of your professional life as a writer. I am humbled and inspired by this deep, soulful and transparent journey through a milestone film project of one of the biggest studios on the planet. I meticulously wrote everything down and will use it to make my screenplays stronger with this new knowledge and perspective. You made me feel better about myself, my tools as a writer and my chances in this brutal market. You are like an unexpected mentor in the first act of my journey, giving me these beautiful gifts. I can't thank you enough. *Cheers, Thank you & deep bow* - Freddy
Stumbled upon your content a couple weeks ago. Was hitting my head against a script I'm working on for Uni and was completely stuck around page 45. This video and the video about Endings was like a plunger for my brain, revealing to me all of the honest shortcomings of my outline. I have since restructured it, and for the first time in two years, I feel great about my story. All of the literature I've consumed about screenwriting was about how to write (from a syntax POV), what screenplay structure is about, and extrapolating knowledge from completed works. No other content I've engaged with has so thoroughly described the problems with writing a first draft and shown examples of "bad" drafts. For this, I can't thank you enough. I appreciate this a lot. Beyond helpful.
Came here after seeing Michael Arndt do a lecture on making a strong act 1 at the Austin Film Fest Screenwriters conference, which was the best panel I attended by far. Absolutely loved this! I think this is the single best explanation of 3 act structure, told in such an entertaining way. The 70 mins just flew by. I hope Michael eventually uploads the act 1 lecture that he did in Austin, because that too was fantastic.
I guess this is a bit old now in RU-vid years, but thank you for this. I write cheesy westerns and scifi, and this, plus your other lecture, were very, very helpful. Thank you. Really, Thank you. This was a very generous thing to give the writing world. From the cheap seats, thank you.
I'm beyond grateful for you taking the time to do this. I was literally stuck on my sci-fi script for a few months... getting "help" was costly. Couldn't do it. You just unstuck me. I cried about it. Seriously. Whew. Perfection. And thanks for not charging a struggling writer/single Mom for this invaluable breakdown.
god this was such a well made video! the animations, graphs, explanation, everything! especially the midpoint section detailing the 6 story beats. the visuals helps articulate your point so well
Thank you so so much for this inside scoop! This gives me so much interest into screenwriting structure and how to visually represent stakes, turns, peaks, and valleys in a story.
Man, how does this video not have millions of likes and views! I watched the whole video, the quality is so good! Good education. Thank you for making my childhood with this movie, truly thankful. You changed my life with this movie.
OMG, thank you for sharing this. I've been banging my head against the floor on my latest project, and this couldn't have come at a better time. Much obliged.
This is such a great video. In face all of your videos are SO helpful, some of my favourite writing resources. Thank you! If you want to make more I would encourage it. :D
This is interesting, insightful and entertaining. Having just completed a first draft that has been well-received by my producer, this video has found its way into my life at just the right time. Scratching my head to make the 2nd draft even better, Mr Arndt has shone a torch on the way forward. Thank you!
I just found this out of pure luck, this is very underrated and I will show this to my students sense is extremely similar to what I teach in my storyboard class, thank you!
This is incredibly helpful. I'm actually working on a screenplay right now, and I kept getting hung up on how or why things happen. Making up a scenario and then plotting backwards sounds pretty smart to me. Thank you so much for sharing!
my storyboarding professor just showed this to us during a class and its super insightful, even though im not a writer a lot of this still really helpful and interesting, especially liked the bit about facing any inherent dark truths your story has
Thank you for sharing all this. Been stumbling around and not feeling any of my story choices were worth it. Had many scenes and ideas I could write, but none of them making me feel hey had to be written. Maybe these will benchmarks and ways of thinking will help. Onward. Scared. Onward.
i just stumbled on your channel and it's really a goldmine thank you alot for sharing your knowledge i have a couple of questions regarding little miss sunshine which is one of my favourite movies . how did the process of rewriting the ending of the movie since i've seen multiple alternate endings . and was there any scenes for sheryl tony colette's character that did not make it to the shooting script or final edit and one last thing how was the pre production process of little miss sunshine from selling the script to collaborating with joanathan and valerie . thank you alot
Most important question. Was that the score from Aliens they used a temp track for the 1st act break? 29:49. BTW- Thanks for these videos. They're great.
what were you thinking when you made the bear exactly as the prospector - good then bad.. and abandoned by the owner just as jessie was in the 2nd movie?
I loved toy story 3 . I believe you that was the process for how toy story 3 was made but I can believe they used the same process for toy story 4. so much from beginning to end made no sense or went against everything already established in the previous movies. Anyway thanks for this best wishes to you and yours.
46:54 Wait, Optimus Prime was originally gonna be in Toy Story 3?! Come on, why wasn’t he in any of the Toy Story movies! I mean it’s not like Hasbro wouldn’t allow Transformers to be in it, they allowed Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head to be in every Toy Story movie, not to mention they allows Battleship Operation Game of Life & Mr. Mike to be in the 1st movie, so why wasn’t there a Transformers character in the Toy Story movies? Pixar could’ve had Peter Cullen to voice Optimus in the Toy Story films, or maybe hire a different actor to play him, like they did to Barbie & Ken. Edit: 47:00 wait the one on the left & right looks like… Darth Vader & He-Man?! We could’ve had Toy Story versions of Darth Vader & He-Man! I mean for Darth Vader’s case, it makes sense, considering that the Toy Story series likes to make Star Wars references, so it could’ve worked. Not sure why He-Man would join Lotso’s side. 47:20 OMG It really is He-Man.
Thank you Michael for sharing your arduous and rewarding journey. My son who has autism, is an aspiring illustrator and storyteller, was sooo excited to share your video with me! So excited, that my wife and I were talking on the phone with each other while I was away on business and he grabbed the phone out of my wife's hand and said, "Dad, you gotta watch this video! I sent you the RU-vid link!" He was talking so fast and was so excited he was running out of breath! I just finished watching...not gonna lie...couple of tears during the epiphany scenes but I muscled through it. Sent my son an encouraging message regarding his pursuit in writing. His reply made me...well, verklempft Thanks for making my son excited about the craft of storytelling...Bravo! Continued success, -Jesse's dad
This is an awesome video, but I just realized that Up and Toy Story 3 have their epiphany moments at different times. Toy Story 3 put it at the climax, right in the heart of act 3. But Up has the epiphany moment at the second act break, with 23 minutes still remaining in the movie. Obviously both still work. But it deems like this shows the epiphany moment CAN come earlier than the climax. Now to go watch the best films of all time and see if their epiphanies typically occur at the second act break or the climax. Hmm 🤔
It isn't bad. It's just not ideal for Pixar. The point of the story meetings is to tighten and streamline the story so that at least the majority of general audiences can be hooked. A scene like this is great for, say, an indie drama. But for a family comedy adventure, it does drag.
See this scene according to him would work if the entire movie was about the toys *hammering out their differences with each other* and then deciding to finally agree on their expectations _within andy's room_ but doing it this way they would need a different inciting incident, second act and third act and you wouldnt have the story with lotso. this intro already expects you to be far too invested in the characters at the start and doesnt set up why it really matters that much when they can just spend their time idling in the room.
One of my favorite movies I can't believe I get the oppritunity to take such a close look at the process. You are a LEGEND. When I make my series I will absolutely have you to thank
I really did not like the last 2 toy story movies, both endings felt really sad while the first 2 had great endings where everyone had all that nice years ahead. The first 2 felt like early teens and 20s and the last 2 felt like late 50s early 60s in a persons life...
I hope you answer questions You said on the 2nd act break that Woody had to lose the argument of the whole Child/toy love isnt real, but what about what he said to Lotso about his kid's love being real? Where does that come in? Isn't he essentially still having this grand speech? What am I missing here?
He makes it clear later Woody is unable to answer what happens when a kid doesn't want you no more. Though, it's weird he never addresses that Woody convinces the other toys to get rid of Lotso
