The Soul of Good Character Design
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 2. 06. 2024
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In this video we examine two fundamental elements of character design-want and need. Pixar's film Soul puts these aspects of story structure right on the surface, and demonstrates why they're so critical to creating a compelling, emotional character arc.
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What's your favorite Pixar film? Let us know below!đ And check out our latest Story Mode, exploring how Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order turns character backstory into gameplay! đczcams.com/video/AoT1KNKKeRw/video.html
Wall-E or Inside out is my favourite Pixar movie
Inside Out for capturing depression and family love so perfectly. Docter is one of my favourite directors.
Ratatouille, hands down. The first two Toy Storyâs, The Incredibles, and Wall-E are runner ups
Inside Out, Coco. (oh I forgot Soul yikes) :) and oh. Love your Story Mode video essay also.
Love to hear your insights about:
- Celeste
- Hollow Knight
- Last of Us Part 2
- Detroit: Become Human
- Trial of Chicago 7
- One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
- Thinking of Ending Things
- More!!!!!!!!!! :D
(P.S this vid lit up my fuse to finish my second video essay on my other account)
dang! hopefully I could keep up with you in the future. hehehe.
I used to think it was Up, but then I realized I was only in love with the first half of the movie. So I would say my actual favorite is Ratatouille.
When I watched the movie, I was amazed that they did that flip, that they gave Joe what he wanted, just for him to realize it was not going to change everything. I couldn't stop crying when he understands that your spark it's something more than just pursuing a goal, it's about living. Such a beautiful movie. Pixar did it again!
it's a common story beat. It's called disillusionment.
e.g. Prince Zuko in ATLA, Ralph in Wreck-it-ralph, Squidward in the Squidville episode of Spongebob, etc. can't think of any live-action examples right now
@@sohndustin Casablanca, perhaps. Rick has the letters of transit, he has the girl he's been brooding over for years. Then he decides to give them both up to rejoin the fight, stating that he's done a lot of thinking and the wants of two people don't amount to a hill of beans in this world. The film doesn't dwell on his process of revelation, so it's not quite in the same vein as Soul, but that twist is present.
The Bridge On The River Kwai might be more clear an example. Col. Nicholson has the bridge, which he sees as being his legacy, and he has restored the morale of his company. Then amidst the chaos of an Allied attack on the bridge he suddenly comes to his senses and utters, "What have I done?"
This movie speaks directly to my heart as i am now still in the lost souls land. All my life i seek purpose for my living up until now, and i do appreciate the little things in life, in fact I am anti-social because I am surrounded by people who donât appreciate them, but by doing that, I sacrifice my happiness, honestly until now I donât feel anything about everything.
Pixar is great at capturing that emotion
The barber found his calling even though it wasn't his dream. Some barbershops provide a welcoming space for men who need that sometimes. Barbers can be someone who listens to people who want someone to talk to. This movie was so good at reminding us that what we already have isn't as bad as it sometimes seems.
âThe price of getting what you want is getting what you once wanted.â
- Neil Gaiman
oof, that cuts deep.
The Sandman đ
Who is Neil Gaiman?
@@remi0e A guy who has sold a lot of modern (or post-modern?) fantasy stories. Some ripping good yarns. He was the main author for a DC Vertigo comic called The Sandman back in the 1990s that is still very much beloved and won some awards. Novels? Neverwhere. Stardust. American Gods. The Ocean at the End of the Lane. just to name a few.
I donât get it. Sorry
And then something quite frustrating happens, he dies.
It's just the most annoying thing.
I hate when that happens :/
It's the most frustrating thing
@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay You should watch The Dolls from Kitano. Death is on its most annoying in that film.
the lucky bastard
Pixar does such an amazing job at visualizing abstract concepts. Inside Out was just the tip of the iceberg in this aspect, seeing visuals for being "in the zone" and the after life is honestly breathtaking. In some ways, I feel like that's what movies are all about. Pixar just knows how to use the "visual" aspect of "visual storytelling" more than a lot of other films.
I agree-they use all the tools in the toolbox to evoke emotion and tell their story, it's so impressive.
I agree so much!! When the scene for for lost souls came up, I immediately thought they represented people who were suffering from depression.
It's the "beforelife" actually.
Yes yes
absolutely
Monsters Inc, Up, Inside Out, and now Soul.
Pete Doctor. The MVP of Pixar.
He always knows how to make me cathartic-therapy-cry.
@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay ORORORORO!!! I spend half of my day sleeping! ORORORO!!! Then I sometimes get up and tell you that I am a famous content creatorORORORORO!!! Please don't sleep while driving, dear less
Too bad he's stepping away from directing :(
@@austinn290 well
We probably will see him directing again . But we need to wait . And Pete Say "Now its the younger people at pixar to take the lead (aka directing)" . Si we probably will not seen a Pete Docter Movie for a long time but atleast he will still working as executive producer in most of upcoming pixar film .
He probably wants to get out before they force him out Lasseter style.
This movie encapsulates what I realized after getting out of high school. All my life I been telling myself my life would start once I get out of this place. But it didn't, because it had already started years ago when I was born. I'm not gonna postpone the act of living any further. It's a real coincidence this movie came out the same year I realized this.
and what is the act of living? isnt everything you did until now living as well?
@@davidg7639 yes it is, the difference is to actually appreciate what's happening right now instead of constantly banking on the future
Hmm I have started to realise that
"not gonna postpone the act of living" damn. that got me. If you dont mind, I recomend you to watch "lady bird" if you havent already, its on the same line of thinking but instead of life, is more about home. idk, just saying cuz it was the first thing I thought of when i read your comment lol. tell me what u think
@vbing265 the carpe diem! change the world, you smart young people, you! - type bullshit they feed you at school dont work in the real world. its about the little things it really is. and the ones who know the real, well fuck they are out there in the real, living it. its up to us to find jesus, the man not the god, because he could be right next to us and we're to blind to see. im not an atheist or a christian but i believe heaven is right here if we see it. not saying that the world is perfect and it probably wont be ever lmao. im afraid "one day the lord will come " isnt quite accurate, the lord already came and we celebrated by creating a hollywood biopic. đ humans, man
The only legitimate criticism (if you could even call it that) I've been able to hear about this film is that younger audiences may not get the message and frankly I'm ok with that. Films like Inside Out and now Soul shows Pixar growing into a new level of maturity which I really hope they follow. If any animated film could win an Oscar for best picture for the first time ever, it would be Pixar if they keep heading in this direction.
Yeah that's how I feel too! I honestly think Pixar, when they really try, can nail mature stories
Should younger audiences really be exposed to the image of a man lying face down unconscious in a street though? This movie would have given me nightmares as a kid.
@@esotericdrawing5856 what about Snow white? Dumbo? Pinocchio? They were really sad and scary sometimes and we watched them when we were kids. I personally think that as a kid I didn't pay attention to those stuff or didn't even fully understand what was happening. Now I see them again and I get horrified! But that's because I understand more. Try to watch now as an adult and see how you feel. I think the difference is how we interpret those stories
I'm pretty sure everyone can get find joy in everything. Kids are smart.
@@esotericdrawing5856 Yes, they should. They'll already see the dead body of a lion, another lion be killed by hyenas, the shadowman getting dragged off and killed by his friends, multiple villains fall to their deaths, and more from _earlier_ Disney films. Then there's other Disney properties such as Star Wars (seriously-- Clone Wars) and Marvel movies.
Kids aren't fragile, they'll be fine when an animated character is shown to die. They have an idea of what death is.
I saw this in my notifications and thought âYES Iâm ready to simultaneously learn and cryâ
haha
So True!đ€Ł
literally
totally!
@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay l
Reminds me of a quote from Princess & The Frog "My dad never did get what he wanted, but he had what he needed."
This movie made me bawl. All my life, I've been pursuing goals, only to feel empty and think 'what's next' minutes after finally achieving it. It's good to be reminded that enjoying life and the little things is the ultimate goal.
Yes goal is endless , Happy for you
Same here. I had to cry out loud especially at the scene where he realized that achieving what he wants doesnât or will not give you a permanent happiness. Itâs fleeting like everytjing else. Achieving a singular goal can bring us a short or temporary happiness but after getting what we want, itâs just as it is. Love this movie! đđđ
As an achievement-oriented person, I really feel like I need to rewatch Soul (or at least this video!) every couple of months just to remember to enjoy all the in between moments. The taste of that amazing food. The joy of helping a stranger. The pride felt in making a friend laugh. The little moments matter so much. As always, great video and I continue to love what this team creates!
May I ask if it is true that it is only available to watch in Disney+?
Thanks
My mom and I watched this movie before she passed away! It was beautiful realizing that she had lived fully!
She passed away on January 29th due to COVID19
So sorry for your loss. I am happy you were able to understand that she had lived a full life.
I am sorry about your loss. I am glad that you recognised the full richness of her life and I wish the same for you and every one here. And SOUL is one remarkable film that I will always revisit whenever I need clarity. Shoutout to @Lessons from the Screenplay for this beautiful video.
I am so sorry for your loss sending loveee
You will get to see her again Dennise, she is waiting to hang out while you are 'disconnected' as a human.
Soul was one of few movies that made me feel inspired and what made me think about what I really wanted.
When I was young (like junior high), lots of people around me said I was talented with arts and drawing and some where saying that I should really learn this more professionally to make it as my job. But to be honest I didn't really like to draw, as a small hobby I guess it was good, but I already knew that world was big and there are many others who are better than me. Most of the koreans I know (I am korean), they set their goal or what they want to become since the late elementary or early junior but I spent most of my junior times going aimlessly with no interest no other talents other than art drawings which I don't enjoy. And this made me nervous thinking that I have nothing that I love to do and I don't knoe what to do about it. After my junior time ended, I found out that I am interested in filmmaking so I wanted take this as my main thing and went to the high school that specializes in media, film, and designs. But by the time I found out about my interest, there was only little time left until I left out to the world and I literally knew nothing about filmmaking, angles, and storytelling. And everyone who was in my high school already started when they were even younger which made me scared and nervous thinking is it even a right choice for me to come here. But later I saw this movie "Soul" which made me think about my current situation. The part where it talks about "enjoy every single minute of your life" it really came hard on me. I was too obsessed with future which was breaking me slowly without me noticing. Now I am one month away till my 2nd year of high school and I made myself up to enjoy what I learn, what I do, and appreciate every lil bits of my life and don't be scared.
As a student interested in filmmaking, scenarios and stuff, I really am thankful to you for making this kind of video. I learn new things every time I see videos from this channel. Thank you.
Also sorry for this really long comment with confusing english.
Every day and every experience will help you as you create films, or whatever you do. Laser focus sometimes gets you to a goal more quickly, but a broader appreciation of life will provide you with more interesting ways of expressing your thoughts. Your art expertise will undoubtedly help as you move into a different visual based medium.
This part of film is hard for me too, because I am feeling frustration about my meaning of life till 14 year old) Sometimes you can have so many interests or hobbyes, but have no big talents, what can lead you through life, like guiding star. This is most frustrating things in my life! Choosing your hobby as job it isn't the best choice sometimes. I'm always wanted to be a writer, but I don't want to be a copywriter and generate tons of words every day - even my friends thinks I have some talent in it. Sometimes creativity dies from too close contact with reality... I wish you to find your way, listen to your heart and don't rush to make important choiŃes in life. Good luck, bro!
Sorry for my english, too:)
ììŽ ì€ë „ 짱ìŽë€ì
@@smtucker0419 Thank you for the word. I do feel so much better after appreciating the stuffs around me. One time (after I watched Soul) I got a project to make a visual poem and the poem I chose was Road Not Taken by Robert Frost which is very famous, but I chose this not because it was famous but because that poem reminded of myself. I have been going an easy way for a long time, it was fun but I didn't want that to be my life. After I chose to go to the high school that specializes in film and media, I was scared but at the same time I was excited what will come in front of me. And appreciating every day made me notice beautiful stuff around me and I was able to film that and also edited. After the work I got an A on that project which made me really happy. đ
@@PyramidCat_ Thank you for your encouragement.đ
That's exactly how I felt, even I like to do art and drawing I didn't wanted that to be my job but only as a hobby. Now I found what I want to learn and be my job as, which is related to cinematography. As I research more in to it there was so many suff that made me interested in not just the one only with the big name but even in the smaller parts. By the way your english is totally fine! You would be amazed how bad I did on my English exam lol.
When I watched the movie i literally screenshotted the scene where he had the pizza crust, donut, reel spool, ticket laid out on the piano and put it as my desktop and phone wallpaper.. it was the most powerful scene ive ever seen, that helped me stop being suicidal - literally pure magic
The first time i watched soul i was tripping alone lmao i started crying so hard when joe realized his âneedâ, i actually felt like i was having an epiphany, and honestly i feel like it changed the way i percieve my everyday life. Everything is so much more beautiful now, even the rough parts of life
Well said! Iâve seen a lot of movies kinda similar to Soul. But, this movie made a total difference in the way I live my life now.
facts
I'm impressed on how Pixar makes us engage to Joe's character arc. I mean, usually most films when the characters get what they want, we feel as happy as they are, because that's the point of the film.
But this film is different, and it want to show us that it's the character's needs that matter.
But we were used to feel happy to the character's want. So how did Pixar makes us understand the way this film is?
Watch the scene where Joe finishes his gig. Everybody stand up. Giving them/him standing applause. But before we allow the feeling of a joy from appreciation fill us, the scene suddenly cuts and the tone changes.
We then feel what Joe felt.
"I thought it'd be different."
Pixar
@@depresion9587 my bad. I'll edit that. Thanks btw
its a really well done character movie ! that manages to elevate the idea and the message above the marketable disney "mickey mouse" run of the mill hollywood hero lmao. this movie resonated with me even after watching it but i fucking hated it while watching it on the plane (it hit way to close to homeđ and i just wanted to see some badass real charlie parker action đ) like fuck me i thought this was schmaltzy and maudlin. i guess thats just how it is and no fault of joe's. but its like a catchy song that "changes your life" without you realizing. a real sleeper hit. like the big lebowski or other "wacky" movie, you dont really appreciate it unless you loosen up and drop the "high and might" act lmao. like many, i live school a lie too and the american dream does not satisfy. you cant buy a thrill.
Your comment fully encapsulates what I felt while watching it
This reminded me of something that's been on my mind lately:
"what comes after happiness?"
Death. Death comes after everything. (And fyi it's impossible to know if there is taste or touch or smell in nonexistence lmao I thought that was the biggest stretch disney has done in a while)
Did you find the answer for that đ
Growth
Peace
Life
I think it was Jim Carry who said "I wish everyone achieves their dreams to see that it's not the answer" => the problem with over achieving is that societal metrics of success are all external, but the real success in life has to be internal. Beautiful video analysis. I enjoy your channel a lot. Thank you â€ïžâ€ïžâ€ïž
this is inaccurate, he did not say dreams he said fame and fortune. Dreams are quite different from fame and fortune.
@@Larindarr đ€Źđđđđđđ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đ€đđđđđ
The meaning of life is to live.
we die because we were alive. how ironic, isn't it?
We see everything with the help of light but never seen the light itself.
"I don't want to survive! I want to live!" - Captain McCrea, WALL-E
"It doesn't matter what we did in the past, or how weâll be remembered. The only thing that matters is this moment, this one spectacular moment we are sharing together." - BoJack Horseman
I hope you do a video on this amazing show
agreed
That's Too Much, Man!
Hey, aren't you the horse from ... Horsin around??
Just my opinion, bojack is 10x better than this racist disney garbage. And that quote was meant to be a look into bojacks delusional version of reality. Do you remember that sarah Lynn dies after he says that? That quote is supposed to be something you dont agree with. Life isnt about "enjoy it to the fullest", its about reducing the suffering of all living beings. "Soul" teaches people to live selfishly.
@@esotericdrawing5856 I know a troll when I see one, and you are definitely a troll.
"Attaching your purpose in life to a goal will not bring you permanent happiness even if you achieve it and in the meantime you'll miss out on all the life happening around you."
Wow.
This made me sob
This reminds me of Kung Fu Panda's "believing something is special makes it special". In Soul, Joe is waiting for an external circumstance (playing on stage with the greats) to validate that he can feel the magic although he is already experiencing the magic. It is like his attachment to external validation makes his life anti-special.
The most interesting character in Soul is Terry imo. When she said, âYou cheated,â my blood ran cold. I wish we spent more time with her.
Couldn't agree more!!
Terry feels like the most "adult" character of them all.
Kind of annoying how most people misunderstand Terry and by calling them a "villain" when Terry's just an "antagonist" doing her job.
Your comment blew my mind because I had no idea Terry was a she
@@robbydailey1894 It's just their voice actor that's a "she", I think it makes more sense that none of the workers of the great before/beyond have a gender. Not even the little souls have genders.
@@l.josino That makes sense too. I had assumed at first they would all be they/thems.
I thought Terry was the one with the male Australian accent. All the other ones are named Jerry.
Pixar: The best psychological therapies for everyone. đ
âWhen one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.â
This movie was so resounding for me. I weeped when we "learned the lesson". A lesser movie would've ended around the time he got to play his gig, giving the audience that typical happy ending you always expect. But giving him exactly what he wanted, and having him realize that nothing has changed, really put life into perspective for me and kind of changed how I look at and do things now. During that whole sequence of flashbacks and zooming out of the galaxy I couldn't stop crying, because my whole life I've been told that I need to succeed and get rich to be happy. Life itself, in essence, is meaningless. We are on this rock, that miraculously gave birth to life, careening through space for an incredibly small amount of time. You have to find what gives it meaning to you, and only then may you find true happiness.
Your comment is so beautifully put.
I need to watch The Tree of Life again
This movie is so deep about teaching the key to appreciating the little things in life and that the big one your chasing might not be all you want.
Yes too bad that character couldnt afford to go to veterinary school, so sad. Capitalism wage slave life is worth it for those little moments.
đđ»đ€đ
@@esotericdrawing5856 this is also what I realized. As a music student, I barely had time to even eat or sleep. For what? I could not even talk to family who is away from me countries across. Even as members passed away and teachers being conveniently disconnected from this. Eventually, I was severely burned out. for what? hyper-performance flex toxic culture society in music academia? with barely any frikking time to process anything? which will in turn be counterintuitive to creativity. it was bad. The book that tipped the glass was "work won't love you back" by Sarah Jaffee. It is brutal. But ut confirmed what I needed and a lesson a very harsh lesson I had forgotten. And let capitalism swallow me under the fallacy of "labour of love"... đ€ŠđŒââïž And I was so triggered because I had been confined before even before this pandemic (being sick will isolate you by default and force you to appreciate the little things in life actually called life) so being tied and forced to live in an unrealistic bubble was disturbing when we already had restrictions of the little time and joys we had left. Esp for me. Not here and now but drowning in assignments notes scales eurocentric music theory that invalidates any all other ethnical musicality as high art. I appreciate every moment. I grounds me it regulates me it is living here and now. And I came to the realization: it is not, the music itself it is the way it is taught and practiced because of society today. It was not so before. And that I can pursue it on my terms. But yippey Capitalism still demands me to slave away at something else and here I am battling... on what to spend that time wisely on so that it can give me the time to take in life and pursue my inner need to process and express that to remind myself that yes I am here now alive. Because that is what music is for me. The danger with this film is that it is absolutist, one or the other or neither instead of opting for complex creative balance. And how to feel about this, but culture is not ready for this.
@@Larindarr thank you for sharing đ€ sending good vibes! It can be painful to be awake in a world asleep.
This is like a positive version of the ending of The Graduate. Happily ever after... and then what?
That's a genius association, love it!
so true, great comparison
"Check out or video on the graduate" - Michael probably
That thought came to me as well during the movie. I think I sort of expected how its ending should be like. You know, follow your heart and do what you love. But it was in the middle of the movie that I sensed I might have guessed wrong. I felt betrayed and unhappy all of sudden... telling my self that you should be stuck with who you are, and no miracle for you. And I asked myself: why do I still have anger inside me? Do you need more of gratitude shits? This is when I realized that I needed to make up my mind; either acknowledge my weakness(gosh.. it's painful.) and move forward or dream about who I should be in the future and my possibility. I knew the answer already and realized that I was on the move already.
I think I just wanted to stop criticizing myself and telling me what to do be "the one." Maybe I eventually got so tired of doing that to me. I'm more that "the one," and I don't want to live smart; fully embrace and enjoy each moment of my life and continue my journey at the same time.
Jocelyn! Great connection! Loved the excitement of the bride running away with her true love, but they had no plans and they looked somehow defeated at the end. It really was a very short happily ever after because now they had to face the real day to day problems of married life. I think it's that way when people finally get that certificate or diploma. Now what?
Here I am, on the bus waiting for my dreams to come true.
This video will stay with me forever, thanks for this great content.
I needed this for my heart and life, I need to watch this video another time to learn.
I have to watch soul on this weekend.
I will not wait for my 40's and 60's to be happy and to enjoy life.
I can always walk slowly and reach the home of my dreams.
This video alone is a strong argument for why Soul is one of the best (and most needed) movies of 2020.
I need a Dorothea Williams to tell me exactly what I need in life.
Be the Dorothea Williams you wish to see in the world.
@@wwaxwork be the god you always wanted, be the billionaire you always wanted to be, aint simple as said, your words are kinda sugary though
You're missing the point.....the point is to ENJOY your life every minute
I think everyone knows what they need is less, what they want is more đđ
I just want a Pixar film I can watch without being destroyed. I lost my father a few months before Onward came out, and I had to give up my dream of being a musician a long time ago. TS3 even came out when I was 20 and going through the same shit as Andy. Why must every movie they make be timed perfectly to destroy me?
Damn. That is rough, I'm sorry. I can empathize with you-I selected the final shot of the video for reason, that's the moment that felt like it was aimed specifically at me with the intention of destroying me.
I'm sorry for your loss by that I mean all of your loss, loss of your father, loss of your dream, and anything else you've lost. I know from my own experiences that such hurt and pain runs deep. You say these were perfectly timed to destroy you. I hope they also helped you in your grieving. I'm an American living in Belgium, just about any of Pixar's films about family hit me especially hard now.
If you see what youâve lost as what you have, life becomes much easier.
Maybe the film destroyed the version of you that did not need to survive.
Try Luca !!! It looks to an amazing coming of age film.
I remember watching this movie the night it came out on Disney+. After it finished I sat alone for a good two hours, just blown away by it. Probably the deepest and most certainly most philosophical film Pixar has made to this point.
You should enjoy the little detours in life to the fullest. Because that's where you'll find the things more important than what you want.
-Yoshihiro Togashi
one of the key lessons about Soul is that it's important to find joy and meaning in life, not just through a single passion or purpose, but by appreciating the little moments, connections with others, and the beauty of existence itself.
It's a good day when you arrive home to Lesson from the Screenplay.đ
Welcome home! đĄ
âI got what I needed instead of what I wanted and that's just about the best kind of luck you can have.â
â Cormac McCarthy, The Sunset Limited
Most of us donât have a good grasp of what we need. We move from want to want expecting it to be the destination, not realizing that the journey can be as important as the outcome.
i remember this movie so badly because of how me and my friends watched it and at the end of the movie we all sobbed and cried like dumbasses. it was like an impact for all of us and it was amazing.
Before my fiance was my fiance, she had asked me like twice, what are my goals and what do i see myself in like 10 years, or 20 years.
And both times, I responded ..... i don't have a "goal" in like 10 years or 20 years. I just live the life and enjoy what it has to offer.
Well done Lessons from the screenplay
For the Round Table It'd be great to see: Every Frame a Painting, Film Joy, Lindsay Ellis, Ladyknight the Brave, Sideways. And honestly, anything those folks (plus you) would get together to talk about I would watch happily!
Add Nerdwriter and Filmento to your list and I'm in.
Exactly!!
also accented cinema, nerdstalgic, patrick h willems, what's so great about that?, now you see it, 24 frames of nick, and schaffrillas productions
sorry for the long additionn
A beautiful movie with a beautiful message. This is the best possible use of art: teaching us how to live a better life.
The main point of the story hits me deeply. I was literally thinking about how nice it would be to have a group of close friends with a strong bond. I felt left out after I saw my friend posted about it. But then, this video makes me realize that I have everything I ever wanted. The fish story analogy in the movie really is a wake up call for me. I just need to enjoy every bit of my life without attaching it to a single goal. Btw, good job with the video as always!
This film gave me hope for humanity. A little light in these dark times.
For the roundtable: Lindsay Ellis, Jenny Nicholson, kaptainkristian, Every Frame A Painting, Just Write, HBomberguy, BREADSWORD, Patrick H. Willems
Those are good. Also Thomas Flight, the closer look, and sideways
can we also get Hello Future Me and Overly Sarcastic Productions in there?
Ohman, if you could get kapteinkristian I would sub to nebula just for that video
And James Somerton!!
Nerdwriter would also be great to see on there
I think Soul is going to be one of those movies that just gets better with time. Joe is a character that is super easy to identify with. We're all so damn busy, we miss a thousand little moments each day. Stop and smell the roses â„ïž
I started piano lessons at my 30s and i loved it, but after just 1 year i got fibromialgia in my arms, its been 3 years and i still cant practice without pain. Its realy frustraiting, as i somehow attach a lot of hope for my happiness into this idea of learning to speak with this instrument. Its possible i wont be able to play again. I realy understand the importance of not fixating yourself in just one goal, just one magic fix for life, i understand it rationaly, but its realy hard to understand it by heart.
Agreed, easier said than done đŻ
The whole theme of cherishing the small moments in life seems to be a recurring motif for Pete Docter's films, like how in Up Carl got so wrapped up in fulfilling his promise to take Ellie to Paradise Falls, that he didn't realise that the life he'd shared with her was already such a wonderful adventure. Inside Out tackles this theme to a somewhat lesser extent too, but I think Soul covered it in such a beautiful and moving way, that I think it might be my favourite of the three
Two-parter: Soul is an absolutely REMARKABLE film. I can't imagine the animators n such seeing such an abstract film and having to turn all of these (dare I say) metaphysical ideas into a concrete piece of visual art. Daunting task to say the least.
Secondly, THIS video about THAT film is masterfully done! Outstanding job to all involved in making this vid. Thank you.
This movie absolutely destroyed me in the best way. As a musician, I connected with it in a way that surprised me so much and left me in tears.
Amazing video as always. You put into words the feelings this movie gave me.
This movie open up my eyes and enforce what i have experienced lately. Accomplished something only makes you excited at that moment and it passed quickly. What is more important is too look and live life every day and appreciate little things in life.
When a movie makes you face something you didn't even allow yourself to think about, & reminds you of hope & how beautiful these small interactions are... Dang.
I am a music teacher in New York City - when I was in music school, the music education students seemed to share a common feeling - âIf I were really good, then Iâd go for performance. Thatâs where the real fun is, but I guess Iâll settle for teachingâ. Getting my first music teaching job (which took several years) was one of the best days of my life. This movie (and video analysis) connected with me in a very personal way - thank you for your thoughtful look at a subject that is important.
Hi! I'm an aspiring screenwriter from Zamboanga city, Philippines. I just wanna say that the lessons you share on this channel are both inspiring and enlightening at the same time. Your insights on different subject matter regarding screenwriting have helped me a lot in my own writing. I hope you keep up the good work as we beginners rely on your knowledge to improve our respective craft. Again I just wanna say thank you and keep on creating valuable contents.
The Reznor/Ross score "Epiphany" amplifies this concept in the movie. A beautifully simple piece of music that is so full of emotion.
I have instinctively known this to be true all my life. We get so hurt and negative when things don't work out the way we want them to. We get fired and we think I'm a failure, who the hell am I if not (fill in the blank). A relationship ends and we think that's a reflection on us 'if this person doesn't want me then that means I don't deserve love' When someone dies we think 'oh they were so young, if only they lived longer they could have ......' Instead of celebrating their life and being grateful that we knew them. Basically we attach ourselves too much to the outcome not understanding that the experience and what you learn from the experience is the real treasure. And that whatever happens in the end you will always be you. Trust the process. Enjoy the process. Forget about the results.
What we want and crucially what we need, seems to be such a universal part of the human experience. You just made me realize how well the movie portrays this duality. Thank you for your thought provoking videos!
Oscar Wilde says "I put all my genius into my life; I put only my talent into my works.
" He lived a miserable life but I think the reason behind the quote is solid and valid. It also perfectly summarizes the message of this movie.
This film made me cry and rethink my life purpose at least four times.
Soul found me at the nadir of my mental state and it helped change the way I think about my self worth. When Joe is sitting at the piano and reminiscing about his life and his relationship with his father, if Iâm not ugly crying Iâm tearing up and if Iâm not tearing up Iâm getting choked up. Soul is a masterpiece in my book and it never fails to pick me up when Iâve fallen.
Oof dude as a musician, this really does hit home. Super valuable lesson, live the every day, not waiting for the day to live for. Superb
This precisely summarises the Hedonic Treadmill, a concept I've been trying to understand lately. Perfectly put, Lessons from the Screenplay.
I'm surely gonna watch Soul coz it relates to me.
I saw the film with my 15 year old son. And around the middle he wondered about why was this happening. And I explained him most of what the video develops. Not because the story structure or anything but by sharing my life experience and how I saw much of me in Joe... I wanted to make movies in my youth but I ended teaching about something I deeply love training kids to dream far beyond I could and thats good... thank you Michael.
More like Dez then right? Who wanted to become a vet but ended up being a barber
Someone mentioned Every Frame a Painting, which would be awesome, but I would also love to see you work with Like Stories of Old and potentially break down some of the most interesting/nuanced characters portrayed in film and what makes them or their journey unique from the standard archetypes they're most closely related to.
That would be cool! Tom is awesome, would be fun to find a way to collab and certainly to chat with him.
@@LessonsfromtheScreenplay Iâm down :)
@@LikeStoriesofOld You have some of the most amazing videos - I've been following you since the start and always amazed by the production quality. Please keep what doing what you're doing, this is the epitome of quality video essays.
@@LikeStoriesofOld super excited!
I didn't know today that when I woke up I'd want a video essay about this beautiful and stunning movie, but it arrived right when I needed it.
Soul happens to be my favourite movie of 2020. To see you make a video analysis of its character design so soon after its release is chicken soup for my soul.
Thanks a lot and keep up the excellent work!
The way you tell a story about a story, to teach story telling, is phenomenal.
This is why i love this movie, when i saw this in the recommended i was debating like hmm should i watch it? until i did and man it hit hard, it made reflect on my feelings in life and how my life is and even made me appreciate the life i have and not think its some sort of joke. it was like an eye opener for me. I even had my parents watch this and they cried too.
I love this video. It sums up why I loved the film and felt it was original. I grew up with a lot of films and Disney films about pursuing your dreams. It took me a while to realise that dreams change and that you can't keep chasing for one thing ignoring everything else.
Man, that fish story is going to follow me for the rest of my life. I've been pursuing this vague idea of "fame and adoration" since I was like 12 or so. I could never define why (hell, I still can't, XD) but it's been this looming goal for almost 2 decades now. Out comes this Pixar movie where the main character finally gets what they want, the same vague idea I've been chasing forever and I see his confusion and I feel it too. "Why is there still so much movie left, he did the thing!"
Enter the wizened musician talking about this fish, and it's at that moment that, just like Joe, I realize how wrong I've been the entire time. I literally paused the movie to collect myself, it was that profound. Eventually I hit play and watch the rest of the movie, but more so than any other movie I've ever seen, Soul presented me with *myself*. A person that's dream chasing and tells me what'll happen if I ever do succeed and become... whatever it is I think I need. I'll forget a lot about Soul, human memory is funny like that. I'll grow old and forget plenty. But that fish, that ocean-chasing fish, that'll stick with me for the rest of my life.
The message reminds me of a Bojack Horseman quote, " It doesn't matter what we did in the past, or how weâll be remembered. The only thing that matters is this moment, this one spectacular moment we are sharing together."
And then he waits 15 spectacular moments before calling an ambulance. This is a flawed and self centered morality.
As a musician, I have to come back here a few times later. Simply loved it
Just wanted to let you know that the movie nearly made me cry, and your beautiful analysis, particularly of the resolution/end message, did make me cry. Thank you for this video.
So far I always thought that the message of the movie was pretty muddled at the end. Thanks to you guys I did not only get an interesting insight into film theory (as usual) but more so a valuable and satisfying take on the theme of the film. I think now I can appreciate it more.
01-02-2021 the highway was icey and as i was driving my tire lost traction and i fell in a ditch. I sat their for 20 minutes thinking did I accomplish everything in life. A Police Officer came and a tow truck took my out of the ditch. I drove back to my apartment. I began to get really sad because i almost died. Then I turn on the movie SOUL. I began to realize been a Middle school Teacher, fighting for criminal justice reform, eating barbecue ribs, and falling in love with my fiancé was a gift it self. SOUL help me see my life is beautiful!! SOUL truly is a beautiful movie!!
Nothing like a brush with death to put focus on what life is. I'm glad you survived and were able to draw the important lesson from the experience
@@smtucker0419 thank you!! Glad to be here. I hope the movie helped you
I find journaling what your grateful for at the end of each day, makes you think of the positive moments in life and really make you live your life
Loved this, man. Excellently-spoken and presented. Reminds me of a quote from a guy I heard speak a long while back, "Don't live your life on contingencies." And I've never forgotten that/try to remind myself that often.
Iâm going through a lot right now and that part at the end really got me cause Iâve been focusing on a goal not living. Thank you for this
i read somewhere that kinda meant "we already live in the best life that we want". it kept me thinking for a while, but yeah we subconsciously choose the life that we are living today because it somehow made us feel safe and familiar, the life that we'd be happy in it. it doesn't mean we cannot change it if it's not healthy or happy, since we still get to use our rational thinking to direct our behaviors and choices. love what you delivered in the video!
I really like the fish story and how there was a double entender spoken by the guy on the subway ... the guy he bumps says "amen" vs. "ah man", which confirmed the validity of the message in the story
You are by far the most consistent youtuber when it comes to bring out quality and instructive content.
As always a pleasure to watch - keep it up !
its kinda like that Bruce Lee qoute "It's like a finger pointing at the moon. Don't concentrate on the finger or you will miss all that heavenly glory" but the context is a bit different
totally off topic, but the protagonist of soul really reminded me of my ninth grade band teacher. he was so devoted and dedicated in spite of us being a title 1 school in lol--inner city New York (essentially)..man literally got his bachelor's at Juilliard. he was always super passionate about making the most out of the situation. and I just love Pixar for that nuanced storytelling. the brief light they shine on inner city schools in the US is appreciated. I haven't talked to that band teacher in years but I hope he saw soul, and I hope he felt recognized.
You made me cry with this one. Never seen Soul but now I really want to. I love your channel.
Bittersweet endings in movies always feel a lil more satisfying for me.
Always get excited when I get a notification for LFTS đ
I LOVE this essay. Saying "I'll be happy when..." is a trap I didn't realize I've been in for several years. I love the idea that you can be happy and accept yourself instead of attributing yourself worth to a goal or accomplishment or even a behavior. Love it! Thank you!
You are the purest storyteller I had ever seen, and this is about narrative analytics. Thanks, Mike!
You should do another video talking about Dez in the barbershop. He's the character I most related with because he never did get to fulfill his dream, but is happy with his life and what he's doing. Dez shows us there's more to life then just a career goal and that wants and needs change over time. He seems much more mature then Joe.
Wow man CZcams recommended this to me and I was brought to tears. What fantastic content. I really needed to hear this actually, been a bit distracted recently. Thanks for making it. Got yourself a new subscriber đ
The first few minutes of this video had me hitting the subscription button. I have watched Soul over 5 times already but this video made me understand the messages I missed. The story is a message to me to learn to live and enjoy the seemingly little things of life. I am a go-getter and most times, I get drowned in the Àchievement bubble".
You know the film is good when you cry watching an analysis of the film.
Amazing story.
This film moves me every time I see it. Basically sobbing at the moment he realizes his need. Even seeing his relentless desire to achieve his goal while 22 just notices the beauty of life. Sobbing. Pixar still captures my heart â€ïž
I'm a writer who wants to be recognized. This movie scared the shit out of me. Forced me to look back and reassess my life...
Like how?
@@nishasiyer269 like who am I really doing this for?
Listened to your podcast the other day on Soul, such an intelligent and insightful conversation. Thank you Michael and team!!
This was the first movie I saw after the pandemic. It was Dec. 25, 2020, 1:00 P.M. And I'm convinced that I'm the only one in the theater. I came knowing nothing about the film (I didn't even know that this existed if it wasn't for the "Now Showing" section of my theater). I haven't also watched any trailer or tv spots. I just know that I have about 25 bucks to spare and I don't want to go home without spending anything with my wad. And my God was it a great place to contemplate life. This was eye opening. It's mature, raw, and heartbreaking especially if you're like Joe who's been living for a singular goal. And that scene in his room, where he laid out all of the simple things 22 had pocketed while in Joe's body is just surreal. It's amazing. This is, without a shadow of a doubt, my favorite animated movie of all time--tied with Into the Spider-Verse.
I think Up too is an awesome example of Wants and Need. Carl got what he wanted bringing his house to paradise falls. But when he got there he realized the need of saving Russell. :D
The content quality of your videos (and podcast) is just always incredibly high. I am amazed that you (and your team) can keep it up. Never a waste of time!
Thank you!
This movie got me really thinking after watching it
My list of video essay channels I like and would like to see in the round table:
-Entertaining the Elk
-Every frame a painting
-Just Write
-Lessons from the screenplay (of course)
-Lindsay Ellis
-Nerdwriter1
-Now you see it
-Overly Sarcastic Productions (not sure if this fits but I'm including it anyway)
-Quinn Curio
-Savage Books
-The Unusual Suspect
-Wisecrack