The Art of Storytelling

Introduction

• Storytelling as Joke Telling
  • Example of a humorous story about a Scottish man (MacGregor) who built various structures but is remembered for a scandal.
  • Storytelling involves leading to a singular goal, confirming truths about human nature.

Importance of Stories

• Stories affirm who we are and offer meaning to our lives.
• Stories can transcend time and cultural barriers.
• Mr. Rogers' quote: "There isn't anyone you couldn't learn to love once you've heard their story."
• The greatest commandment of storytelling: "Make me care."

Storytelling Techniques

• Starting with the Ending: The speaker shared their journey in storytelling, starting from how it led them to TED.
• Promises in Stories: Good stories make a promise that they will be worth the audience's time.
  • Example from "John Carter" movie and Edgar Rice Burroughs' narration.

Cinematic Storytelling

• Storytelling without Dialogue: Engages the audience by making them "work for their meal" unknowingly.
• Theory of Two Plus Two: Make the audience piece the story together without giving everything away.

Character Development

• Insight from acting teacher Judith Weston: Characters have a "spine" or dominant goal that drives their actions.
  • Examples: Michael Corleone's drive to please his father, Wall-E's pursuit of beauty.
• Spines can lead to both good and bad choices.

Learning from Pixar

• Anticipation and Uncertainty: Key elements in creating drama and engaging storytelling.
  • Example from "Finding Nemo" with short-term and long-term tensions.
• Story Guidelines (not rules): Early Pixar avoided conventional tropes like songs or villains in animation.

Main Character Liking

• Balancing character flaws with likability (Example: Woody in "Toy Story").

Thematic Elements in Stories

• Theme Awareness: Strong themes run through well-told stories.
  • Example: "Who are you?" theme in "Lawrence of Arabia."

Invoking Wonder

• Wonder as a Magic Ingredient: Honest and innocent wonder captivates audiences.
• Artists inspire others by invoking wonder, creating a cycle of inspiration.

Personal Story

• Early Life Influence: The speaker's premature birth and survival is a formative experience.
• Using Personal Experience: Capture truths from personal life to enrich storytelling.

Conclusion

• Enduring lesson: Use personal experiences to tell authentic stories.
• The speaker's journey and insights into storytelling culminated in the TEDTalk presentation.