Why ‘Toy Story’ Still Works After 30 Years | WSJ

Key Concepts

• Arrested Development: A creative mindset maintained by Andrew Stanton to preserve an immature, playful perspective necessary for animation.
• Analog Storyboarding: The early, manual process of writing dialogue directly beneath hand-drawn storyboards.
• The "Toy Story" Philosophy: Treating film sequels like television seasons—landing the plane at the end of each installment while leaving room for potential continuation.
• Embracing Time: The narrative strategy of allowing characters and their owners to age, which served as the "epiphany" for transitioning from the Andy years to the Bonnie years.
• Iterative Development: The practice of writing "bad first drafts" to test concepts before committing to a full production cycle.

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1. Evolution of Pixar’s Storytelling

Andrew Stanton, who joined Pixar in 1990 as its second animator, notes a significant shift in the studio’s tone over the decades. While early films were defined by humor and heart, the release of Finding Nemo introduced a darker, more intense emotional depth that became a hallmark of the studio’s ability to evoke strong audience reactions. Stanton emphasizes that the success of the Toy Story franchise was not a result of long-term corporate planning, but rather a "day-to-day" focus on making each individual film as strong as possible.

2. The Creative Process and Methodology

• Collaborative Environment: Stanton describes the early days of Pixar as being "stuck in a room together like jury duty," fostering a unique camaraderie and "gallows humor" that fueled creativity.
• Writing for Characters: Stanton often wrote for Woody, infusing the character with his own personality, including his "outer sarcasm" and hidden vulnerability.
• The "Three-and-a-Half-Year" Framework: For Toy Story 5, the team accelerated their typical 5–6 year production cycle to 3.5 years. Stanton attributes this to lessons learned from television production, noting that animation allows for rapid decision-making where creators can afford to be wrong on half their choices as long as they have the means to correct them.
• The "Bad First Draft" Strategy: To overcome the pressure of a sequel, Stanton begins by writing a "bad first draft" as a fan. He evaluates whether the idea is compelling enough to sustain his own interest over several years of production.

3. Key Ingredients for Toy Story 5

Stanton identified three specific narrative pillars for the latest installment:

1. Jesse’s Arc: Recognizing untapped potential in the character.
2. Technological Relevance: Addressing the shift in how children interact with technology, noting that "Bonnie needs help from someone at least from the same century."
3. The "Impish" Concept: The introduction of 50 Buzz Lightyear toys, providing a fresh, fun, and chaotic element to the story.

4. Perspectives on Pressure and Legacy

• The Steve Jobs Influence: When asked about the pressure of the current theatrical market, Stanton recalls advice from Steve Jobs: "Just make a great movie." He argues that pressure has been a constant factor since the studio's inception.
• Honesty in Childhood: Stanton asserts that the core goal of the franchise is to capture the "truth of childhood." He argues that childhood is inherently messy, sometimes dark, and occasionally controversial, and that the films must remain respectful and honest to those realities.
• The "Landing the Plane" Metaphor: Stanton views each sequel as a potential series finale. He ensures each film feels complete and satisfying, yet leaves the door open for future stories, much like a successful television show awaiting a renewal.

5. Notable Quotes

• "We were so young and stupid. We didn't know you couldn't do it. It was like the guys that put the man on the moon. They were too young and hungry to understand... it wasn't possible, but they looked past it." — Andrew Stanton on the production of the original Toy Story.
• "I treat these more like good television or good seasons... you want to land the plane but you want to leave it so that if it does get picked up, it feels worthy of continuing." — Andrew Stanton on his approach to sequels.

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Synthesis

The success of the Toy Story franchise is rooted in a balance between rigorous, iterative creative processes and a willingness to embrace the passage of time. By treating each film as a standalone "season" and maintaining an honest, sometimes dark, perspective on the realities of childhood, Stanton and his team have managed to keep the franchise relevant for over three decades. The transition from analog, manual storyboarding to modern, high-speed production cycles reflects a studio that has matured in its technical efficiency while remaining committed to the "immature" curiosity that sparked its initial success.