Last time, I explained how the every Disney animated film runs on a formula, and how to make your own! We got through how to choose your non-unique story and what characters to choose, now it's time to write the story!
The Plot
The Beginning/Opening Song
Let's set the stage! Where are we? Who's the main character? Why are they idiots at this point? The opening song can tell us all this in an upbeat, time smashing fashion. ("Belle" Beauty and the Beast, "Long Ago" Hercules)
My Choice: "No One Smarter (Than Dante)"
- Sample Lyrics: He's the smartest guy in Italy/ If you aren't dead than you can see/
Better than Aristotle/ Better than Plato
Put 'em in a ring together, Dante'd get the KO
Expostition, Part I
Solidify your main characters' stupidity. Have them wonder around in joyous ignorance. Hercules breaks crap, and Simba waltzes out of the Pride Land (what the hell was he thinking, anyway? When has "Elephant Graveyard" ever sounded like a cool place to chill out?). Cinderella cries and moans because her step-mom's a bitch. Anything to make it unbearably obvious that your character doesn't have a clue.
My choice: Dante decides to enter a riddle contest and gloats about winning saying that he's better than "Virgil and Jesus combined".
The Downturn/The First Villain Confrontation/ The Sidekick Arrives
It's at this point that something bad happens to the main character and, often, this is where they or we first meet the villain. This is where their stupidity hits its peak and they get a good dose of just desserts. (Ariel turns into a person, but loses her voice, Alladin meets Jafar and almost gets trapped in the Cave of Wonders). You character has to get a nice slap on the wrist and start their journey towards "learning".
This is also where we learn what the film will be all about. We must know at this point, what trouble the character gets in, and what they will do to get themselves out.
Lastly, and maybe most important, this is also where we will meet the lovable sidekick. They come along to aid the character in their time of need, and from there on out, it's showtime.
My Choice: Dante's arrogance costs him, and a demon drags him into hell. On the first level of Hell, he meets Virgil who saves him from being judged and sent to one of the other circles. He then cracks wise about Dante's mama.
The Sidekick's Song
A very important part of the Disney soundtrack is the sidekick's song. Here's half your budget at work. Who is this guy and what can he offer the main character? This must be a jazzy, showy, upbeat tune that will count as one of the movie's most popular songs. ("Friend Like Me" Aladdin, "Be Our Guest" Beauty and the Beast).
My Choice: "Poets Know It"
Sample Lyrics:
From Homer to Frost/ You know who's the boss/
We got the right words/ to turn your brain to curds/
So listen up and I'll go Shakespeare on you/
Poets, we know it/ You know that it's true
The Villain's Song
Just as the hero is saved from utter despair, the villain comes along and turns things down dark a bit. This will invariably be the coolest song on the track list, and the one that takes actual writers to make memorable. No matter who voices the villain, they can't have a professional singer double for them. I have no idea why, but the villain will always sing their own song.
My Choice: Brendan Fraiser sings "Ninth Circle Blues"
Sample Lyrics:
Down here on level nine/ I'm all alone most times/
This frozen lake/my soul to take/
I can't help but want to fly!
Read again to find out how to finish your Disney tale!
No comments:
Post a Comment