Pixar and the Craft of Storytelling
I am excited to reprise this 1-week Screenwriting Master Class course as it has given me the opportunity to dig into the films and creative culture of Pixar. As anyone who has visited this blog for even a few months knows, I am fascinated by Pixar. 14 movies, 14 #1 hits. Unprecedented. But it’s more than just their success with critics and at the box office, it’s about their absolute commitment to the craft of storytelling.
So I have been going through years of articles, research and notes, screened all their movies one more time, and discerned six key dynamics present in almost all of their films that contribute directly to the success of their stories.
And here’s the thing: Whether you write for children, teens, or adults, screenplays, plays, or novels, you can use these same dynamics in developing and crafting your own stories.
The 1-week online course is called Pixar and the Craft of Storytelling and it begins January 20, 2014. It’s one of my most popular classes and for good reason.
I honestly believe film historians will look back at the period between 1995 and today as the “Pixar decades” because no filmmakers have ever done what they will have accomplished in their films during that period of time.
This course is a great way to learn from the master storytellers at Pixar.
Here are some nice comments about this class from folks who’ve taken the class:
“I was lucky enough to be able to take Scott’s Pixar and the Craft of Storytelling class. It was my first class and a wonderful experience. I learned a ton and now have some important utensils that will help make all my stories better. Scott’s a great teacher and it was a pleasure learning from him!” — Valencia Stokes
“This course is awesome. I refer to these notes and lessons all the time.” — Traci Nell Peterson
“A course on Pixar movies? Apart from legitimately letting out my inner child and renting Up ‘for research purposes, I learnt about the ethos of the Pixar Brain Trust and the essential elements contained in all of their movies. Scott took us on an all-inclusive week long journey into why Pixar are so successful and how to practically apply this to your own script.” — Camilla Castree
“I recommend this course wholeheartedly. Plus you get to watch Pixar films as homework.” — TheQuietAct
“Scott Myers is a brilliant teacher and unites his knowledge and experience, insight and depth of thought in his lectures as well as he is providing help and support to his students. I highly recommend the class.” — Eva Brandstätter
A few words about the online format: I’ve been teaching online since 2002, worked with over 1000 writers in that context, and honestly believe it is superior to the onsite class environment in many ways:
* You can do virtually everything on your own time: Download lectures, read forum conversations, add your own comments, upload writing exercises and assignments. In your pajamas. In bed. Drinking coffee. However you want to access online course content, you can do it.
* As opposed to listening to a teacher present lectures verbally, you get to download lectures and read them. Again at your leisure, but even more importantly, instead of feverishly trying to jot down notes from a verbal presentation, here you get everything laid out for you. I take great pride in my lectures, as they not only provide great content, they also have a narrative flow to them.Yes, they tell a little story.
* Feedback and conversations online tend to be much more thoughtful and therefore beneficial than onsite settings. Why? Because instead of off-the-cuff, random comments, participants online tend to spend more time and reflection in composing posts for online.
Finally I’m constantly amazed at how much of a community emerges in online class environments. Writers from all around the world and somehow we bind together into remarkably vibrant learning communities, time and time again.
So if you’ve never tried an online screenwriting class, come on in! The virtual water’s fine!
Give yourself a Christmas present! For more information on Pixar and the Craft of Storytelling, go here. And if you really want to treat yourself well, consider The Craft Package.
I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
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