Toy Story 3: Mistakes Made, Lessons Learned

I put this lecture together in 2011, just before I left Pixar. It looks at all the mistakes we made while writing Toy Story 3, and the lessons learned in correcting those mistakes. 72 minutes.

[thesoundofcoolness]

Your videos are better than 90% on screenwriting advice online combined. Perfect level of clear, applicable templates without being weirdly specific ("on page 5 the character has to save their uncle from a tsunami"). Please keep it up.

[Tutoriala]

Well, guess I have a new "refer back to this every six months" resource. Absolutely brilliant breakdown, Michael! The way you put even more meaning into the film by breaking down the details that are really going on under the surface is the sort of intimate mastery over your own work and the intense layers of meaning it contains that I dream of achieving some day. And seeing the problem-solving process first hand, being walked step by step through it, is the sort of "training by doing" that is so hard to get in any other place than the School of Hard Knocks. Thank you so much for sharing this!

[petermiao]

That moment when you realize that Toy Story 3 shares so many elements with The Brave Little Toaster, and all the points discussed about creating a strong inciting incident to move into the 1st act break applies so well to both films.

[kaustubhchavan]

The most I have ever cried after a movie is after watching toy story 3 and now I know the reason why.
The storytelling is pure genius. Thanks Michael and all the Pixar team for this experience. Films like these inspire you to write your own stories and create your own magic. And this breakdown is like pixie dust for that.

[tedsowards]

You can't stop making these! I would take a semester where you dissect a different movie each class.

[theseanwardshow]

What we really need is a video like this, 1 hour+, about the process of writing The Force Awakens. I would so love to hear about the challenges of creating the story out of all the multiple and parallel demands & expectations put on such a project

[illinoismotionpicturestudi]

As an aspiring screenwriter, I enjoyed your breakdown and the many pains of trying to craft to story. I especially liked the storybook reels, it was fascinating to see how those ideas were incredibly similar to the final product, but with small differences that made a big impact (Such as Woodys speech about what being a Toy is all about to Lotso). It's much more interesting when Woody doesn't have any answer.

Plotting backwards is something I often find myself doing a lot. I'll have a specific scenario of what I want to happen, and typically have no idea how my characters will get there. I'm glad to see that even professional storytellers do this, as like you said, sometimes it's better to 'drive knowing where the destination is' than not having a goal in mind at all. I've written many of my own films this way, it's a relief that others have a similar system.

My biggest take away from the video, and the thing that resonated with me the most, was when you said 'Not all stories have to follow this process' which was a huge breath of fresh air from most Video Essays. Typically people will say 'My way is the only way' and stuff along those lines, but I'm glad you said, 'These are just my recommendations, not set in stone rules'.

[flintfoster]

I love whoever voiced the reels, nice impressions 😂

[TeodorKuhn]

this is the best video lecture on screenwriting i have ever seen. congrats and thank you mister.

[daplace]

I have watched these movies several times (watched them all again last week). The moment when they are all sitting in the refuse on the conveyor belt & heading over the edge to the Flame never fails to make me cry (even a little now after all the viewings). All the Toys are struggling & when Buzz reaches out to Jesse & takes her hand with that Loving & Final look ... I was flabbergasted the 1st time I saw it. I have NEVER seen an animation achieve the Level of emotion or that Depth of feeling. A phenomenal meeting of writing, animation & "acting". Just Phenomenal.

[zhoujo]

Strong contender for the best video on youtube

[freddyfranchise]

Michael, this was just beautiful. I couldn't imagine a better story on storytelling. The hard lessons shared, the clear, visual aids that were used. Loved the "night mode" a lot (the white on black). The focus on philosophical stakes made it SO valuable since the message of a story is the utmost important part. Thank you so much for sharing the insights of your professional life as a writer. I am humbled and inspired by this deep, soulful and transparent journey through a milestone film project of one of the biggest studios on the planet. I meticulously wrote everything down and will use it to make my screenplays stronger with this new knowledge and perspective. You made me feel better about myself, my tools as a writer and my chances in this brutal market. You are like an unexpected mentor in the first act of my journey, giving me these beautiful gifts. I can't thank you enough. *Cheers, Thank you & deep bow* - Freddy

[Felixman]

The Toy Story movies are some of my all time favorites. The effort you and the team put in to get 3 as right as possible can't go unappreciated. It's awesome that you chose to share your journey with such a well made video. That earns a sub and a half I think

[DanielGoldhorn]

"Once you've learned to not be selfish, and you've learned to, you know, accept your own mortality, you're pretty much done right? Like, what else is there to learn?" ~Michael Arndt

FANTASTIC video! You actually gave me a whole new angle on not just the movie, but also on writing in general. Thank you so much for sharing this, I'm going to reference this in a future video of mine!

[qowyhrr]

19:46 I got your point on the problems with the scene (although I still don't think it was "bad") but Idk how Woody was being "whiny." That's an interesting critique considering how they handled him in Toy Story 4 but ok. Also, I always thought it was weird that Buzz has zero reaction to Andy literally choosing Woody over him. It's out of character for him to do what he did in the original idea, sure, but Buzz being hurt by it is understandable. To me, it makes more sense for him to at least react. Him dwelling on it the whole movie would obviously be a bit much but if someone you love chooses someone else over you you're not just gonna act like it didn't happen.

[ryansulak]

god this was such a well made video! the animations, graphs, explanation, everything! especially the midpoint section detailing the 6 story beats. the visuals helps articulate your point so well

[braelen]

Stumbled upon your content a couple weeks ago. Was hitting my head against a script I'm working on for Uni and was completely stuck around page 45. This video and the video about Endings was like a plunger for my brain, revealing to me all of the honest shortcomings of my outline. I have since restructured it, and for the first time in two years, I feel great about my story.

All of the literature I've consumed about screenwriting was about how to write (from a syntax POV), what screenplay structure is about, and extrapolating knowledge from completed works. No other content I've engaged with has so thoroughly described the problems with writing a first draft and shown examples of "bad" drafts. For this, I can't thank you enough. I appreciate this a lot. Beyond helpful.

[jhcrema]

Amazing masterclass, Michael! Thank you for your talent, knowledge and generosity.

[MarcusKatzAuthor]

Thank you Michael (and everyone involved) for not only Toy Story 3, which is simply astonishing story telling, but for this breakdown, which is one of the most rich, experienced, useful and informational videos I've ever seen on Youtube. Brilliant, thank you! I'm writing my first fiction at the moment, and this was invaluable and inspiring.

[Nextbigching]

Came here after seeing Michael Arndt do a lecture on making a strong act 1 at the Austin Film Fest Screenwriters conference, which was the best panel I attended by far.

Absolutely loved this! I think this is the single best explanation of 3 act structure, told in such an entertaining way. The 70 mins just flew by. I hope Michael eventually uploads the act 1 lecture that he did in Austin, because that too was fantastic.