Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling – Rule 1

Hey there!

You’ve no doubt heard me prattle on about storytelling, and how important it is to your VO career to develop and hone your storytelling skills.

It’s essential.

So, every so often, I like to roll out items from this list from Emma Coats, who used to work at Pixar as a story artist, and who serially tweeted Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling.

I’m going to give you one of these rules every so often as we move through the next several months, along with how you can apply the rule to your VO artistry.

Today, Rule 1…

You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.

In all forms of voice work, from commercial to animation, you have to fall in love with your character, and the journey they take in the copy.

Yes, even if you’re the helpful Honda guy.

Your character in commercial work, in narration work, in audiobooks, in animation – is your baby. And storytelling thrives on the attempt, not the success.

We root for characters that are dedicated and resourceful, whether they actually succeed at what they’re doing or not.

Whatever your character, voice them from a position of joy for their existence and their quest. If you’re a salesperson for a big box store, then your character’s journey includes saving people money, giving them great advice and a lot more.

If you’re a character in an animation piece or video game, then chances are your character is on a bigger journey than 30 or 60 seconds. And if you’re voicing an audiobook, then apply this to all of your characters and their quests.

Next rule?

It’s all about the audience.

I’ll share that with you next time.