TED talk: Story

     So this post is going a little different of a route than usual.  We were assigned in my EBMS (Entertainment Business Masters) class to find a TED talk presentation that related to us and our industry.  Mine obviously being film, I searched a good bit to find a presenter with a speech on film.  What I realized, however, was that I shouldn't be looking for a speech to inspire me or move me about film...I love film!  But story, I'm such an avid believer in story.  I was taught, and still believe to this day, that your first point is a good story.  If you don't have a good story, you cannot move from there.  Once the story is finished and good, you can begin production.
     Many films, however, don't follow this simple rule.  Putting it blatantly, if it's shit, don't shoot it.  But for some reason we are bombarded with films that have lackluster character development, worse dialogue, and an underwhelming story arch.  If films simply took the time to make sure their stories were solid, they'd save themselves a lot of money.
   The TED talk I found was given by writer/director Andrew Stanton (Toy Story, Wall-E) whom I've actually had the pleasure in knowing.  He discussed different aspects of story telling and why we love stories.  He first mentioned how we as humans love stories because that is how we connect.  We tell our stories to people and we listen to theirs.  Storytelling is engaging.  It's a wonderful thing, and that is why I get so disappointed with stories, when they forget that.  The character development is poop.  When they don't properly develop the characters, we have no one to care about, and no one to follow.  making the movie...boring.
     The next major point Mr. Stanton made was that as people, we have an "itch that can't be scratched."  It's our nature to always want something, a goal worth living towards.  Science has even shown that a body with no motivation, dies quicker.  He referred to many of the characters in his films. That Woody always wanted to please his child, Marlin always wanted to protect his son.  A character needs to have a driving itch that can never be satisfied, even when the goal is met.  It's our natural tick, we all have one.  Mine is the incessant need to protect everyone...even if they don't deserve it.  It's just the inner calling I have.  And a character needs this, it's so imperative!  When a character lacks a drive, we are watching nothing.  The story isn't engaging, and it becomes incredibly disappointing.
     As mentioned before, story is a beautiful thing.  Stories connect us, they teach us, they inspire us, and they engage us.  It is how we learn about each other.  It's amazing that these simple rules, are often forgotten, and great opportunities (for a great movie) are missed.  That is my hope, however, that I can bring a change, of some sort.  Take it back to basics and focus on the important aspects of filmmaking: story, frame, and art.