Pixar’s 22 Rules of Storytelling – Rule 2

Hey there!

I love talking about 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 giving 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 2…

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.

Replace the word “writer” with “voice” and you’re in like Flynn.

It may be fun to do a wacky voice, or to imitate that DJ you grew up admiring.

Believe me, I made that mistake a lot when I started in radio.

But when you’re telling the story, always have that audience of one in mind – and what they want from the story. Think about what benefits them, makes them think, gets them engaged.

Not what makes you giggle when you perform.

Placing entertainment of the audience before personal vocal satisfaction will lead to being more satisfied with all your work.

—-

Next rule?

The end justifies the means.

I’ll share that with you next time.