PIXAR'S 20 RULES OF STORYTELLING

Graphic Credit: Beau Chevassus

Since it was formed in 1979, the Pixar Company changed hands a couple of times, nearly failed more often than that, and on the verge of being sold by Steve Jobs when Disney agreed to distribute a children's film, Toy Story. That film went on to earn over $350 million worldwide. As of February 2012, Pixar films have earned twenty-six Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and three Grammies. They have made over $7 billion worldwide, with an average gross of $602 million. No other film company comes even close to that average.

So, can we agree that Pixar may know a few things about great storytelling?

A couple of weeks ago, Pixar storyboard artist, Emma Coats (@lawnrocket) began tweeting some of the "rules" she has gleaned from her years of working for the studio. The rules were turned into the poster I show above.

I've tried to pick a favorite, but they're all great for different reasons, and at different stages in the process. So I'll ask you, do you have a favorite, and why?