Monday, July 12, 2010

What I Learned from Toy Story 3


Went to see Toy Story 3 this weekend and I knew I would love it - I just didn't know that it would be educational. Yes, it was hilarious in places (Mr. Tortilla Head anyone?) and touching (totally cried when Andy went off to college) but it was the roller coaster ending that gave me a big 'aha' moment.

I'm not going to give any spoilers away, but lets just say the motto at Pixar is 'more, more, more'. Think that nothing else bad can happen to Buzz and Woody? Wrong, there's more. Think that they will finally be rescued? Nope, there's more. Maybe the enemy will finally realize the error of their ways and help the gang? Uh uh, just more badness. There's a scene right near the end where all of the characters are holding hands (and there is rampant sniffling in the audience) and there seems to be no way out. That's it, show's over. Gang is done for. Then of course, things turn around at the very last second.

I think these are valuable things to look for in your own writing. It's definitely something that I need to hear. Is there enough 'more' in your manuscript? Can you do something else that will make things even worse before it can get better at the very end? I'm making a last pass through my new manuscript and you can bet I'll be thinking 'more' the whole time.

On this date: In 1979 disco died via the Chicago White Sox Disco Demolition.

5 comments:

Julie_c said...

I KNOW!

I was watching that super-amped up danger scene and thinking 'What more could they possibly do to these characters!" It was intense!

Then, of course, there was the tear-jerking never-ending end and I'm thinking, "You guys just like to torture me. You're all sick you Pixar folk!." ;)

What a great movie! I loved it!

Robin Mellom said...

Yes! I had the exact same reaction! I was like, okay, surely THIS is where they get rescued. Nope. Okay now. Nope. Now? Nope.

It was a great lesson. And fun! And sad!

I loved Ken and Barbie's relationship...so real. :-)

CJ Omololu said...

Yep - totally loved it. Ken and Barbie = awesome!

Jordyn said...

I LOVED IT.

Went to see it with my mom (the second time seeing it) and during the hand-holding scene she turned to me and whispered, "No! They can't die!"

Pixar wins.

CJ Omololu said...

OMG, the hand holding scene nearly did me in! Pixar does win.