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Every story needs to flow from a place of joy, passion, love, or yearning within the storyteller, or it certainly will not be fun to write, or to read.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.101+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "0b391484-53d9-4518-86c4-368c10e9f875", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.085, "w": 0.714, "x": 0.143, "y": 0.225 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This may seem like strange advice at first blush. If something is interesting to you as an audience, shouldn't it also be fun to write? Seriously; I'm not being flip. 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Many writers completely enjoy writing action, concise description, and external, subtextual dialog.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.101+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "591331ef-efd1-47c0-8c63-0ff4127d79a6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.714, "x": 0.143, "y": 0.695 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you are writing a spec that you're hoping will sell or get you a job, don't do any of those \"writerly\" things like write novelistic description or rely on internal monologues to carry the story (or, at least, use them very sparingly).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.101+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "761acbad-501f-4ce4-8a21-e8b5b1ded38e", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.085, "w": 0.714, "x": 0.143, "y": 0.425 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The premise of the statement really stems from the common notion that writers in particular naturally enjoy writing internal monologue, evocatively meandering descriptions, abstraction, and other things that \"shouldn't\" be in a screenplay.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.101+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9aa78c47-23d7-4048-9848-942c2399988d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.055, "w": 0.714, "x": 0.143, "y": 0.625 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But what should be in a script depends on the target audience of the screenplay - meaning the audience who will read the script, not who will see the finished film.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.101+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d4a5ff0c-80e1-415d-95c0-44ff2abb189f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.714, "x": 0.143, "y": 0.138 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Keep in mind what's interesting to you as an audience, not what's fun to do as a writer. 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If you're writing for yourself, you can too. (Though generally it gets taken out of drafts that go to actors.)", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "05c35004-c5b1-489d-8c55-a5bf6db60180", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.32 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "A look can only say so much, so you'll need to limit what you try to say with it to things actors can actually convey in a look or action. Which is a lot less than might hope (no affront to actors intended, they can say a lot more with a look than the rest of us). Otherwise, put it into action or dialogue subtext.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "126edf47-a8b8-42e2-b2f2-9330e5e0eec5", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.83 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Ultimately a screenwriter is trying to convey to the entire cast and crew the basics of how the film will be staged and shot, not just the character dialog and emotions. Anyone who thinks otherwise is in the wrong business.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "50882a56-888e-4dfc-97ab-fb6052c35ff5", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.11 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you're writing a no/lo-budget script you're going to shoot yourself, you may do more of those things - so long as you have a clear idea of how they're going to get on-screen. If you can't visualize it (or speak it aloud), you can't shoot it.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a2af4df2-d546-4d53-a25a-ff60aed1c8f5", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.53 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "As for extensive descriptions and abstract ideas about theme, quite often Directors who are writing for themselves will put those things into at least one draft of the script. Since they're visually designing the film as they write it, they know how they want to visualize even the abstract ideas (perhaps implying it with an effect, camera angle, filter or color treatment).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d12a4686-26e9-4bc0-bfaf-84e968726930", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.21 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "A common example of a \"writerly mistake\" that elicits this advice is to load \"a look\" with a lot of subtext. For example: \"He looked at her as if to say: 'how can you think that about me after all these years?'\"", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e91053b1-06c7-4819-b1bb-0754c3654b9c", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.44 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you're excited about the idea of a quiet character who generally \"lives in her head\", either do the \"bad\" thing and use voice over, get very creative about expressing that through action and subtext, or write a novel.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:10.88+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "fb4f9b41-a980-4b31-a775-b20571a035c4", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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And commercial films have a certain three act structure that is expected to underlie the narrative. You need to meet those expectations.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:11.492+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "366b2d4a-02c4-432a-9b1e-abf6ab565492", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.39 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Making a \"no-budget\" experimental film (or something for a government film board)? Do any crazy thing you want. Anything. Those kinds of films are playgrounds and laboratories for wild ideas, and sometimes those experiments even result in something amazing.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:11.492+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3fd68a9f-820e-4467-a00d-0a374a860973", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Otherwise, if the goal is to write a script that will attract a Hollywood cast and crew, get prodco and studio backing, and find a general film audience - write a film. That means stick to film structure and pacing, and write concisely and visually.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:11.492+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "45207a32-189c-4f15-ac94-4060492a2e37", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.28 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The less filmic the writing, the less filmic the audience experience will be when it's translated to screen. Whether that's a good or bad thing is debated endlessly. Ultimately that's a matter of style, tone, and material versus return-on-investment considerations, and cast and crew capabilities.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:11.492+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "691bcd1f-f098-4223-8128-cf7cc7ca8e89", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.66 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You have to enjoy storytelling to a broader audience than the one inside your skull, or film is the wrong medium for you. Film*making* is the most collaborative art / entertainment process that exists, and film *viewing* is a global shared experience.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:11.492+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8d42769d-70f9-4a16-a0d7-a80a5f99a1ba", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.11 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "There's also the aspect of the rule statement which comes from the assumption that because writers find certain aspects of writing more fun, they prefer writing things that are structured for other media than film.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:11.492+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "915021e9-50fb-4973-ab01-b968841aa59d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.59 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Finally, perhaps what the statement is trying to get at is: don't be self-indulgent. 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"title": "The text appears to be an excerpt from a guide on screenwriting, specifically discussing 'rule #2'.", "function": "summarize", "rawType": "key_takeaways", "block": null, "metadata": { "slideType": "key_takeaways", "slideTypeCanon": { "name": "Key takeaways", "slug": "key_takeaways", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52d-06e7-7674-a891-9f7de3b11b6d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "function": "summarize", "functionCanon": { "name": "Summarize", "slug": "summarize", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52d-1541-704f-b86f-bf7b75056373", "version": 1, "description": null }, "density": "overcrowded", "densityScore": 79, "componentCount": 7, "textChars": 1023, "nDataPoints": 0, "notes": "The text appears to be an excerpt from a guide on screenwriting, specifically discussing 'rule #2'.", "elementsJson": null, "confidence": 0.9, "extraction": { "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "seconds": 15.006, "promptVersion": "v2-canon-conditioned" } }, "links": { "slide": "/slides/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273/8", "deck": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273", "deckAnchor": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273#slide-8", "deckJson": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273.json" }, "components": [ { "bbox": { "h": 0.13, "w": 0.69, "x": 0.17, "y": 0.26 }, "kind": "list", "text": "Write something that is structured like a film, not some other medium.\nWrite for an audience that exists outside your head\nWrite visually.\nDo these things because a screenplay is just a blueprint for a film, write a blueprint for a film, not a finished product that is intended primarily to be read.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b4e6b1b8-20cb-4fc4-a2c9-1523f6845338", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.42 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you're writing screenplays, the reason is almost certainly because you love films.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "95f7af2f-fb8c-465b-ad7e-2290bfa62229", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.53 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "At least this will make your commercial screenplays in the Hollywood mold better (which, let's be honest with ourselves, includes the majority of \"Indie\" films as well).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a7928a5b-fa75-43a7-854e-460c40ff4cd4", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So when writing them put yourself into your film audience mindset, and have fun doing those things. Get into it, and enjoy it, and it will make your film writing better.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b30b90ef-c310-49b3-b4f5-9a4be3ac9925", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.21 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Ultimately, I believe that the subtext of rule #2 is all these things:", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e2be5245-3f82-48d2-9e6c-3a65d38b498b", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.14 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "As a writer, I love isolated recounting of internal thoughts. A lot. I just don't think a screenplay is (usually) the right place to put them.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ed79bd67-402e-4a57-94f0-9887384f2389", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "collaborative, shared experiences - not an isolated recounting of your internal thoughts.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:23.066+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "f6f12cf4-5212-427a-9753-c548276efb9e", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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I don't think you should even start the story until you know what the end is, therefore what it's about.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "04410ea1-8ef4-4eda-92c5-93d89125eb41", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.23 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "I wholeheartedly agree that writers should write all the way to the end and then rewrite. In fact, I'd recommend doing that more than once. As the common aphorism \"all writing is rewriting\" points out, that's the only way to really find your story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "226c815d-c795-423f-9743-5e80898182e2", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.5 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's like any journey you start without knowing where you're going: it may be exhilarating and full of possibilities, the detours and pit-stops may be an adventure, and the end result may be fantastic - but it's not efficient, and there's a very real possibility you'll get hopelessly lost and simply give up along the way.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "26d364f3-4b38-455f-8e53-d47f63d8f49a", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.78 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "That can happen even when you know where you're going because knowing where you're going is not a barrier to inspiration, rather it makes room for more inspiration", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2c565f65-fd97-4f44-b663-26310ce16c56", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.6 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Starting at the end when creating your outline (or treatment, or mental map) will make your life a lot easier. And don't worry that starting with a solid idea of where you're going will stifle your creativity and take all the joy and inspiration out of the journey. It won't.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6486c8ff-79e4-4907-82f4-e77c62a35927", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.69 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "For one thing, until you've actually written at least one draft everything is still just preliminary, theoretical. While you're writing towards an ending you've already come up with, you may suddenly find that the story is telling you to go elsewhere.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "65489001-4ec2-4d9d-893f-9174023cadaa", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So if you don't know how your story ends when you start writing, be prepared to pay a lot extra to get there.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6e639f63-2616-44bb-90ff-87c9f0afde59", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.39 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "\"What it's about\" will likely change during the course of writing a draft, but it's too common to meander and write yourself into corners when trying to get to an unspecified ending.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "7e355562-2370-4d03-85c6-7b9208e78c60", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.14 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Trying for theme is important, but you won't see what the story is actually about til you're at the end of it. Now rewrite.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Action title", "slug": "action-title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fb31-734c-a0f5-a3935b73135d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "action-title", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c9061608-3e2f-416a-b607-42313eaff402", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.1, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.1 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Rule 3.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Headline", "slug": "headline", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fae1-7463-9a7c-d60668eced0d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "headline", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.045+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b91c7a78-c6f0-4a10-aebb-5bbf7396ec6d", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [ { "tool": { "name": "Three-Act Structure", "slug": "three-act-structure", "status": "active", "bestFor": null, "canonId": "019dd956-8812-7796-9105-e7bc0e405681", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": null, "description": "Setup, Confrontation, Resolution - classic dramatic structure", "familyLabel": null, "categoryName": "Block", "categorySlug": "block" }, "agent": "Storyteller", "layer": "slide", "agents": [ "Storyteller" ], "matchId": "f558d656-5355-454b-af08-8fdb6d9918fa", "evidence": "A story has a setup, chaos, and a resolution.", "pageRefs": null, "priority": null, "whenToUse": null, "confidence": 0.7, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-17 02:19:37.779045+00", "model": "or:meta-llama/llama-4-scout", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 9, "whyItWorks": null, "antipattern": null, "cardinality": null, "narrativePurpose": null } ], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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Once you've written at least one draft you can start to \"perfect\" all those beats, through-lines, and setup/payoff moments in rewrites.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.836+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "51b42a31-7147-4065-a38c-d863bbaff5d8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "That's why people say all those things like: \"writers write\" and \"all writing is rewriting\" and \"stories are never finished, they're just abandoned\" and \"holy @#%! writing is difficult - I thought you just typed-in every idea you have as you have them and then people love you and throw money at you\".", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.836+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "5c4bcf90-7de0-401e-aa4b-359189e981ea", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.58 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Those prescriptive methodologies can be great if you find one that actually works the same way your own mind works, but even so formal exercises about finding your theme (or character, beats, or anything else) will only ever take you so far.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.836+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "65de8e5f-1052-4add-bba6-9c1cc8de8bcd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "because there's no need to be constantly \"figuring it out\" at every turn. So when this sort of inspiration strikes, stop and take the time to rework your ending, and the map to get there, before continuing. You can always go back to the old map if needed.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.836+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "69275d42-c260-4416-94ae-3c5669a394f1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.66 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "After all the end product is the actual writing, not any of the notes, outlines or worksheets produced along the way.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", 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19:09:13.836+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d6e2f82c-70fa-482e-a1b9-1192c39e8f77", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.84 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Ultimately, storytelling is about feeling, and even once you find your theme and refine your story structure you still need to make your audience feel it.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:13.836+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": 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Characters face challenges, and are changed by them for better or worse. There is conflict that escalates and releases, characters experience lows and highs, victories and defeats. Sudden (but motivated) changes in direction alter the nature of the challenges as well as escalating them. And set-ups may pay off at varying intervals. They are not merely a linear sequence of outcomes.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "24e22d44-6be5-4450-9270-c7cbd721b6c6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And the story spine provides no context to remind you about all that.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3fa619bb-91f0-4e78-afdc-fe84082bc101", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.71 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's a good way to structure a pitch, but not deep enough to guide you through the whole script by itself.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "7cb06cf1-27d8-4692-9c9c-3931446c228b", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.63 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So I don't personally recommend Adams' story spine as a tool for anything other than riffing, or coming up with the most basic concepts for a story framework.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9a4aa580-8d14-4f67-b10b-98e4a1da2f75", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.34 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Adams created the story spine for improv theater, and that is a discipline unto itself with its own goals and rules. Improv is useful for writers, directors and actors in other media as a great way to approach \"riffing\" on stories; to open your mind to possibilities rather than second-guessing them or obsessing over details.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9b83e0a9-7411-443f-8648-938fee3b7500", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.54 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Improv theater prefers stories that are single-threaded, wander until the climax, and are propelled through agreement or conflict resolution more than disagreement and conflict.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ac98c59f-6108-4cab-907a-41fab37390f9", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.76 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "When it comes to structuring a narrative for film (or TV, comics or novels) either of my rephrasings of the story spine above - or any one of the structure models offered by the authors I mentioned - are more helpful simplifications to work from.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e48e0646-b032-48ba-ac0b-68ab0193973f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "changed by her \"ordeal\". It's just not a very interesting piece of narrative at all.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e74c2419-27ba-4fd0-91c8-df12574bcf88", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But improv techniques can actually be a detrimental way to approach understanding and structuring finished narratives, because the goals of improv theater are different than the goals of narrative drama.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "fa0309f2-c69b-44e1-94b4-ea16fc623075", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [ { "matchId": "d7435e61-a494-4778-8070-95276fa8978c", "evidence": "The text explicitly critiques the 'story spine' framework.", "framework": null, "confidence": 1, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.388+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 14, "frameworkName": "story-spine" } ], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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Focus. Combine characters. Hop over detours. You'll feel like you're losing valuable stuff but it sets you free.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Callout", "slug": "callout", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f8d3-761a-8953-7d37080de5e2", "version": 1, "description": "Highlighted callout box." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Primary callout", "slug": "primary", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fbd1-70eb-a9ce-8997f8674c1d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "primary", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "dad9250b-7e6b-44a9-9eee-74b11c30ba4a", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.34 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "That last sentence is a rephrasing of writers' \"kill your darlings\" wisdom that dates back to before Faulkner said it (at least to Arthur Quiller-Couch).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "5efbaed7-9877-4f73-b931-ff4273880aa3", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.15, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.7 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Screen stories in particular need to be concise. Each new scene and every character should give the audience new information and different perspectives. Redundancies rarely work in screenwriting, and filler may fix pacing issues but the audience will notice that not much is really going on in those scenes and lose interest (even if each individual scene is action-packed).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8d8741a8-8ccf-4168-9362-ca7505f843fa", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.23 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Or, more simply: Rule 5. Simplify. This is the piece of advice that is hardest for most storytellers to hear, because simplifying always means cutting good stuff as well as bad.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b067f5ae-1c05-4e31-8c6d-f0d6003348d4", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.61 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Characters that are redundant need to be combined. If two characters interact with and reflect the personality of your protagonist in similar ways, they ought to be the same character.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "cb3e2257-c9ff-41b0-985d-5a74baef84e9", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.5 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And sometimes you do indeed have to cut material you know is awesome in order to do what's right for the story. Great scenes that play well in isolation but don't add new information, blow the pacing, or otherwise just add dead weight have to go.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d80c4b60-1988-4bbf-9c7b-c16f9ea08e65", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.41 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But the idea that you have to lose scenes, characters, and ideas that are actually good in order to cut away clutter so the audience can clearly see the core ideas in your story goes back long before that.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:14.905+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "dd984886-a193-45ae-a1c7-099c0f4f67a8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.86 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So unless the scene is moving the story forward, it is a candidate for removal. 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And since every story is different, it is up to the writer to determine what the essentials are. Finding that balance is a big part of the job of storyteller. There's no \"trick\" to it other than trying things until it works.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.499+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "41501372-d59e-4c12-9cef-66c294b6f8de", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.115, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.723 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You also need to be clear about tone and pacing. Some stories call for more contemplative moments, or a larger cast of characters, than others. Setting tone through scenery, and establishing conflict in long, low-impact sequences may be exactly what your Merchant-Ivory-inspired historical romance needs, but it is definitely not what your adrenaline-pumped shoot-em-up is calling for.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.499+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "57fdfdf9-1bfa-4051-9f19-4fc61d7ba7a4", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.115, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.293 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "A story that is an endless barrage of action and new information without ever slowing down to consider what just happened can leave your audience overwhelmed and confused. Trimming too much meat along with the fat leads to stories that are just as boring as meandering ones. And a story that's not clever at all is just as grating as one that's too clever.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.499+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "78498d23-5557-4f13-8ae6-e112d9bf9680", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.045, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.423 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Where the balance lies is tricky. Audience expectation modulates based on what kind of story is being told, and a writer's (or filmmaker's) style.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.499+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "bdbbfd7f-07cf-4549-ae46-41f75841f2b9", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.095, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.183 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So you need to be careful about simplification. An excessive focus on economical storytelling can cause you to remove conflict, abridge arcs, and remove subplots until you've got a story that lacks depth. Pacing and tone can also suffer greatly from excessive cutting.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.499+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d579811b-4f3b-4080-a192-65231dc85bb7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.075, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.093 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "be crucial for certain kinds of stories with a certain kind of pacing.) This can, of course, be taken too far. Few stories need to be one character delivering a monologue in an empty room. That's too simple.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.499+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d8e4ebb4-8b1a-430c-8a0e-321b44bfa7c0", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.115, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.593 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Even accounting for style and genre, there are still some more objective ways for a writer to self-assess in this area. 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A bloated first draft is nothing to be ashamed of if that's what you need in order to find those elements and be in the position to sensibly simplify your story. Once you know, trim it down in rewriting.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.185+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "486d60d5-7d24-4151-9b15-35abd5964cdd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.44 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Your challenge as a writer is to make everything in the story somehow relevant to those story elements, even if subtly so. The best scenes and characters fit the established tone and are relevant to theme, plot and arc simultaneously.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.185+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "73632e49-724a-4805-a9c9-2ab912aa9554", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "What too often leads to trouble here is your own confusion about some essential element of your own story, such as the theme or the tone. You can't hop over detours unless you actually know where you're going, and trying to do so can lead you to cut necessary elements when you think you're being efficient.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.185+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8e53042f-52ee-476b-8d78-397496e28282", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.37 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Even baroque styles benefit from simplification, because all that florid writing is still wasted if what it's saying is irrelevant to the purpose of the story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:15.185+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e83a1e07-bd46-41c8-96cb-6431dba0c321", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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The sound advice in this statement is \"take your characters outside their comfort zones\", \"challenge your characters and see how they respond\", and (implied) \"the evolution of how your character responds to challenges is their arc\". But \"throw the polar opposite at them\", if taken literally, leads to merely sticking your character in a contrarian world. That's flat: there's no build and no nuance. And it denies your audience the opportunity to see the character being good at what they're good at. Since falling back on mechanical, merely contrarian conflict is indeed a trap storytellers too often fall into when grasping for conflict, it makes the phrasing gaffe all the more unfortunate. For example, if your character is good at playing the violin, the polar opposite is \"not playing the violin\". But that is only an interesting challenge for so many beats. 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There's still work to be done to turn it", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.466+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "150f817e-608f-4182-b2cf-e78efc74da94", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.66 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Some of you are probably thinking \"but that's so rigid, I can't do that, my ideas just come to me\". Mine do, too. That's the \"Start with a basic concept\" phase. 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Seriously, it's impossible, and if you believe otherwise save yourself a lifetime of heartache and disavow that belief immediately.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "81e16d6d-cbf8-44b4-8c42-52d0bfde3fcd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.575 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "People in the industry like to paraphrase French poet Paul Valery and say \"a movie is never finished, it's abandoned\". This is especially true of any commercial art, because commercial deadlines are not exclusively self-imposed.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "abbb8199-973e-4d76-99c8-0ac7e576664e", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.046, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.509 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "\"Perfection paralysis\" is very real, and can be artistically crippling. So letting go is a crucial emotional skill all artists must cultivate.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b7aa5c9b-0721-46dd-943a-f431793d602d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.032, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.811 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But don't think ill of the advice giver: we all let that dream slip into our thoughts and words about our work at times, and it takes a lot of conscious effort to try to", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b7bb755c-585c-4975-af77-269fb8b7f629", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.046, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.745 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The advice is actually trying to make that point, but the phrasing of the last clause has a bit of residual \"artists' dream\" in it. Saying it \"may not\" be perfect implies that it also may.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "bcfd0e7a-ea2a-44c2-8d80-b05ff7ee7f08", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.339 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Because there is no such thing as perfection (or an ideal world, for that matter), and the idea that something could ever possibly be perfect is a problematic conclusion that can be drawn from the phrase \"even though it may not be perfect\".", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c1af7623-b8a2-4020-8e3f-6990601ac5f3", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.424 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It may seem obvious that perfection is impossible, and that the statement is implicitly taking that position, but I think it's worth splitting hairs and digging into a bit because the notion of perfection can be so vexing and damaging to so many artists.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e800808f-66e7-41ca-89b9-0693be19d511", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.139 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Finish your story, let go even if it's not perfect. In an ideal world you have both, but move on. Do better next time.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Action title", "slug": "action-title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fb31-734c-a0f5-a3935b73135d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "action-title", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6e00941d-a87c-461b-a30c-c4882095145f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.023, "w": 0.085, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.096 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Rule 8.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Headline", "slug": "headline", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fae1-7463-9a7c-d60668eced0d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "headline", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.767+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "f948cf97-f042-4d67-a547-59e21b6a39cc", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [ { "tool": { "name": "One Idea Rule", "slug": "one-idea-rule", "status": "active", "bestFor": null, "canonId": "019dd956-b0f0-7630-a2f5-bb38f9bd9c57", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": null, "description": "Each slide should communicate exactly one concept", "familyLabel": null, "categoryName": "Slide", "categorySlug": "slide" }, "agent": "Designer", "layer": "slide", "agents": [ "Designer" ], "matchId": "1a69db18-7204-4781-a99c-7c6daa7bbb64", "evidence": "perfection is impossible, and if you believe otherwise save yourself a lifetime of heartache", "pageRefs": null, "priority": "Core", "whenToUse": null, "confidence": 0.8, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-17 02:19:32.123939+00", "model": "or:meta-llama/llama-4-scout", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 22, "whyItWorks": null, "antipattern": null, "cardinality": null, "narrativePurpose": null } ], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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That's the nature of feedback. Unless someone is paying you to please them it's irrelevant to try to do so, and trying to \"please them all\" is impossible; especially while refusing to let go of things most readers say aren't working but which please you.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "39045308-653f-456b-8628-b8d4d3db1e8f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.145 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Don't even try to imagine an ideal world in which your story is perfect, it's a total waste of time (unless you're writing a story about an ideal world in which stories are perfect, in which case go for it).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3d03f1eb-aca1-4e64-a6d4-65a0175752fa", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.045, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.225 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's good to be passionate about your work, but not when it prevents you from having a career. Careers can be launched by a single project, but can't be sustained by one.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "671e4267-1980-4b9a-b732-3a08bf07c8b6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.155, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.73 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This pursuit often comes as a result of a lack of self-confidence. If you don't believe in your own ability, you don't feel confident enough to move on. You don't trust your own instincts about what the right version of the story is, so you rely on others, which leads to endless thrashing trying to please them all. Maybe you don't even know whether or not you even have another story in you to move on to, so you hide behind the search for the elusive \"perfect\" version of your current story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "84d9536f-ea91-4324-a2c7-1df95d0d00f0", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.095 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "fight against it. So that's what I'm trying to help with in this article.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8e03cab9-165f-44d8-acc5-2364dea5300f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.125, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.405 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "One of my writing partnerships recently dissolved in part due to this very issue. The other participant in the project is overly invested in the project, and his goal is perfection. He won't move on, clear his mind, and broaden his skills and experience by focusing on another project for a while. Instead he keeps getting coverage and consultant feedback, finding out that it's not perfect, then repeating the process of digging into an empty mine.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d3c65bba-93d9-41cc-80a5-5e1fa15aac4b", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.095, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you've only ever worked on one project, you're not ready for a career, because you haven't developed the skills needed to sustain one. (A lifelong passion project isn't a career, and all the advice in this series is for people who want careers - devoted dreamers don't need or heed any advice at all, so I don't need to give them any.)", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e1101fee-fa84-4638-a6b3-2173ebe9cc46", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.692, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.68 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And trying to please everyone, including you, is the pursuit of perfection.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:23.818+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ea08cc14-3638-47da-9e34-079f69e9c279", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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Move on.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.049+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2f76bbef-0520-4d1c-bb97-f309c8fec7cd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.31 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "A storyteller's job is to know what story they're trying to tell, and tell it to the best of their ability at the time.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.049+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4d8a4461-5b84-48c0-98bd-ca8c1ac27319", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.19 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Perfection as a goal is always entwined with self-doubt, second-guessing, and thrashing on changes that aren't necessarily making anything better (often because, out of ignorance, the goal is too vague). This situation it makes you vulnerable to being derailed by advice, no mater how well meaning.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.049+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6b4eea6f-b19e-41e7-9929-d6d423c3b807", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.4 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "(If you feel that you didn't do justice to a story idea you really, really love you can always come back to it later. Much later. 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{ "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:19.999+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "5ebb16dd-28a0-44eb-b36a-88a20105d1c1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Your character's personality, needs and wants, goals and obstacles, and the point in their arc are all fundamental considerations when deciding how events will unfold in your story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, 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Night Shyamalan\nOnly The Strong Survive - John Carpenter\nBe True To Yourself No Matter What Society Thinks - Tim Burton\nLife's A Bitch And Then You Die - Alex Cox", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.198+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "0cc74148-0770-42b5-9121-6cf816d249f7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.65 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This repetition of central ideas is inevitable, because personal thematic equals worldview, which is an interpretation of what it means to live that comes from individual personality and style.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.198+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3c1dafb2-9ef2-4c94-931a-8151aa3156e0", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.72 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And while one's worldview gets refined and expanded over time, it rarely completely changes, which means the original idea always shows up somewhere in some form.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.198+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "49bfb3dc-8032-45c8-a69a-992ee64cf058", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.78 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Embracing your own personal thematic doesn't mean being formulaic or redundant: there are vast numbers of ways to embody any given idea into a specific story. Rather, it", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.198+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "519be4d6-6f6b-4a74-b53e-f70d0e94b16a", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.17 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But there is also a deeper digging that you should be doing when performing this analysis: figuring out the core thematic elements that drew you to the story in the first place.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.198+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "544e8dd3-f282-48e8-b14a-5fbaa1dd14b1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.24 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Doing this for several stories will enable you to discover what my friend Barri Evins calls your \"Personal Thematic\", a central concept that you will naturally gravitate towards in your own storytelling because it's what you already gravitate towards as a story consumer.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, 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But if you move on in the meantime at least you'll be working, and that means you'll be improving.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.322+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "690e20db-b598-4880-9e24-128ef0b2b7bf", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "I happen to be pals with several A-list screenwriters and several A-list musicians. Their work is inspiring to me. It makes me want to do better. Not to copy them, but to earn and maintain the status of professional peer (not their friend - friendship is not earned, its given).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.322+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6b410c08-2602-4a9b-8b03-c615365a4b0d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.21 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Of course you then need to try to fix it, because revision is the key to all arts. But sometimes you can't fix it. Sometimes that will mean abandoning a great, seemingly \"perfect\" idea because it's actually not good idea (or not a good idea for you).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.322+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "70bdd720-d90e-4103-8666-3a66a0a61f52", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "\"you've all got five thousand bad drawings in you, and in this class you will get every one of them out of you\". Rather than being stuck doing zero or one drawings, scripts, songs or whatever your art is - just let some of your output be bad.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.322+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a264b9d2-37a9-438e-abb1-0a0057b1ec6d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.41 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Where do we get ideas of perfection from, anyway? They come from how we perceive how the outside world perceives us relative to others. In other words: perfection paralysis comes from comparing yourself to others.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.322+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "be6c4cf8-94c8-4ba7-aeb0-a72b20ba2824", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.79 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "I can't do it the same way they would because I'm not them. I may or may not be just as good as they are at some or all elements of the craft. I might even be more experienced at some aspects of the discipline. But I'm not actually them. All our ideas of perfection are created by synthesizing the aspects of the people who inspire us that we find", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.322+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ee789ebe-f527-4063-abc2-692965210d89", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.18, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.61 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's when I compare myself directly to them that I can get stuck. 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That means Ted Williams, the greatest threat at the plate in baseball history, failed more than half the time (52%).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.885+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "41082314-85d8-46f9-b54c-67e9ef1d4cde", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.26 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So let yourself make bad work. Then revise, revise, revise. Even after all that, some of what you let out into the world still won't be your best work.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.885+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "57618daa-43fe-4f9c-a92b-a8a41c687dd5", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.47 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Just look at baseball (it's true, the only essential rule of being a writer is that you must compare things to baseball).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.885+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6f281f33-d84f-4e80-bd02-be6b1daf47e8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.54 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Teams play over 150 games per season. That's a lot of experience even in just one season. The 1906 Chicago Cubs won 77% of their games - the best baseball winning percentage ever. But they lost the World Series, along with 33% of their regular season games. And only fourteen teams have won 70% of the time or better in the last hundred and forty years.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.885+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "78b00935-a691-48b1-81a7-30a776b8f890", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.73 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "An average major league player fails to reach base 65% of the time. A 65% failure rate is considered a good record for a solid professional career as a hitter.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:24.885+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "96f5f496-4e26-4150-ace3-64291aecaa99", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.8 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Every time you step up to the plate in any discipline you risk failure. The professionals are the ones who keep going back to the plate and working it. 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There is simply no way you'll have a non-obvious idea for every turn in every story (or every riff in every song, or every drawing, etc.)", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:26.062+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4c8b14c7-61b3-46c6-876a-58310aa753b7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.31 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Audiences generally want only one or two big surprises. 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Not everything needs to be new and surprising.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:26.062+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "747d9a3e-d3d9-4ff6-bf3f-80ceb3236ecd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But in doing so you need to be cognizant that's the kind of project you're creating, and set your expectations (and budgets) accordingly.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:26.062+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "90d48775-06af-414e-8d4b-f75685f9f15e", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.85 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "As I discussed in the rule #11 analysis, it's better to be doing bad work than no work at all.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:26.062+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a1f95a49-c4a9-4b6e-8baa-64763517662b", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.41 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "There's nothing wrong with experimental, visionary work - in fact it's necessary to do some in order to challenge yourself and the world. I love experimental work, and do a lot of it myself.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:26.062+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a79fa44e-ccd0-4a17-9be8-3d264ff8354c", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.63 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Of course we all strive to have both great characters and great ideas, but stories with great characters in simple, mostly obvious (i.e. relatable) stories are usually more endearing than stories propelled by novel ideas alone. 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But don't just give your characters opinions, give them drives, desires and goals that make them take action. The actions of a flawed character cause conflict and consequences. Conflict and its consequences is the root of all drama.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.376+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "fcbe87b4-6051-47f1-9ae1-2f139fa56285", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.13 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Give your characters opinions. 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In other words the storyteller's job is to keep the subtext out of the text, and let the characters convey the story's message in a way that seems natural to who those characters are.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2a2cef4e-68fe-4391-97ec-5847c246b3f2", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.42 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The reason you want to tell a particular story - it's theme or message or heart - unifies all the other elements of the story around a central question.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "534d6c9c-530d-44b9-ae6f-0f8ffdcc5b94", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.48 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "In it's most general form the central question always is: \"is the protagonist's core belief true or false?\"", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6b217fcc-8940-4eaa-8965-1155377999b7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.8 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "For example, if you are writing a story where you want to say that \"love conquers all\", then the central question is \"will love prevail over all obstacles?\" and your ultimate answer in the resolution is \"yes\".", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "71904ff2-4917-4f7d-b320-6cdf4f46a6a7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.53 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You then populate the story with characters that have different opinions about that question - the dreamer, the cynic, the realist, and all the mixtures thereof. The story drama comes from testing the belief hypothesis repeatedly, in ways that legitimately leave the question open for the audience until the end.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b52cefc4-4a74-4bab-8e73-0b35ed170c09", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.68 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So while you should solve problems with the story based on character motivations and arc directly, because that will give the most natural feeling results for the audience. If you've done your job as storyteller and have populated your story with people and situations that (in different ways) relate to the central question, such solutions necessarily indirectly incorporate your theme.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b6306c49-27cc-4502-a131-0d96a6e9ecd8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.63 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Your choices of characters, what their motivations are, and what their arcs are all come from that central theme.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:28.399+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c981a94f-0e88-474e-ae8a-476e8e71a074", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.22 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "What this is getting at is theme. 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After all, stories are artificial constructs created by the storyteller. All you get \"for free\" as a storyteller is a general cultural context, which is not enough to make anything beyond the most mundane situations believable. Everything else you make believable through how your characters react.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.525+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "42f81f62-c6fa-4e3b-8f69-ceb6142f9026", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.11, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.22 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This is another one that seems obvious, but even great writers sometimes slip-up and cheat their audiences with dishonest character moments when they forget to consciously and constantly keep track of and reassess every scene based on who the characters really are.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.525+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "60dc1494-ff02-44c5-9a90-79fae1cb9afd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.67 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Emotional engagement causing the audience to accept the unbelievable as believable is, in fact, the reason why all forms of storytelling other than strict realism work at all. Characters' emotional responses to situations enable the audience to understand and care about a fictionalized world and its unrealistic rules.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.525+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9458aa02-fec6-41f9-acb0-0f5a0d0d7c05", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.39 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The phrase \"honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations\" is getting at the idea that you can earn a lot of willing suspension of disbelief, and get away with various \"internal world logic\" errors, so long as the scene is emotionally honest for the characters involved.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.525+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ae485c8d-0792-4f14-816b-b40125b9ddf1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.57 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "I'm referring here to unbelievability internal to the story world, violations of the world logic that you've established. You can get away with a greater degree of \"that couldn't happen in the real world\" unbelievability by being emotionally compelling.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.525+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c6a3485d-a04a-4f73-8fcc-a828f7b07a10", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.14 }, "kind": "title", "text": "If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? 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If it's a \"true story\", people expect errors and embellishments, and you need to convince them of the veracity of your claims mainly through appeal to emotion (which is why it's so easy to lie about true events - whatever feels true becomes true).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:30.356+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "7f731ba2-3dfb-45ee-b737-e689b317f002", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.63 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You're trying to do something different from \"putting yourself in someone else's shoes\" when you're creating a character.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:30.356+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9342eca5-1917-49c8-bcd0-2d93ec60c639", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.77 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "In order to have some diversity in your characters, you don't want them all to be you (it's inescapable that some part of your worldview will slip into every character, but you don't want them all to be nothing but slices of your personality).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:30.356+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "bccae077-1096-40c4-96fe-deba89ff0207", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.68 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "When you \"put yourself in someone else's shoes\" you're trying to imagine how you would respond if you were in their situation. 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If you put yourself in that situation, you might waste time trying to sneak around the dog or knock it unconscious - but that's not the right approach for a professional soldier character.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.729+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "0a05b424-ce96-465a-b534-64178c3d78aa", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "In creating a character you're creating a carefully crafted personality construct, a model of a nonexistent person. It's more profitable to imagine the ways your character would respond to a situation that are different from your own responses along the same axes of personality that their core character is different from yours - even if it doesn't seem empathetic.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.729+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "10504372-e4b6-478b-9d22-c1ace62c351c", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.38 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You actually have to imagine how your character would feel based on the core personality traits and goals you've given that character, not just try to find actions for them you find empathetic (unless, of course, that particular character is one you empathize with).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.729+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "179fa7df-f088-4913-91ce-17e4c0df6e68", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Ultimately what this rule is about is driving the story forward through character reactions to situations which result in emotionally consistent characters, not giving them responses that are merely convenient actions to take for you to make each individual scene \"work\" (mechanically).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.729+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "55131253-ae6e-4c3a-b930-ad2b4c60f9c1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.6 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If your characters' actions lack emotional honesty the audience will stop caring about them, at which point they also stop caring about your plot no matter how \"clever\" it may be.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:29.729+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6feff3b6-a333-4035-9fe4-3ef87d61ed4a", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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So", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:31.456+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "512a1924-a127-4cef-9306-c1af2e36bfd0", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "A common question producers and other professionals ask about stories is \"why this particular character in this particular situation at this particular time?\" What they're really asking is \"what are the stakes?\"", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:31.456+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "74d4954a-c861-4d68-805a-6f0fbe67061f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.73 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So the more the protagonist has to lose, the more the audience will get invested in her fate. And the greater the obstacles to success, the more likely she is to lose.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:31.456+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8bebbe1e-3aa5-4035-95f9-bd40d1ab6d42", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.42 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Stacking the odds against the protagonist makes the audience not only feel more empathy towards her, but it also makes a victory feel earned (or, in the case of a tragedy, a failure feel justified).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:31.456+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b01ba146-c72e-4b8e-8e44-2c43649c2d01", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "What the character will lose if she is unable to overcome all obstacles, internal and external, is the main tension line of the entire story. It's this impending possibility of loss that will make an audience sympathetic to a character, even one who is a bit of a bastard. The stakes are the core of the story, the palpable outcome of failing to resolve the central question.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:31.456+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b76f5db5-2910-4569-812e-422cd4c03301", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.56 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The protagonist's flaw, her wrong choices, the actions of any external opponents, and all the external circumstances should be obstacles that block or divert the protagonist from resolving the central question in their favor. Internal obstacles - character flaws and the bad decisions they lead to - are also crucial.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:31.456+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e7cb2bcc-15f2-4fa1-8b41-cd4075fc03ae", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.14 }, "kind": "title", "text": "What are the stakes? Give us reason to root for the character. What happens if they don't succeed? 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If it's not working, let go and move on - it'll come back around to be useful later.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Callout", "slug": "callout", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f8d3-761a-8953-7d37080de5e2", "version": 1, "description": "Highlighted callout box." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Primary callout", "slug": "primary", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fbd1-70eb-a9ce-8997f8674c1d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "primary", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "492fbc14-ec68-40bd-aaaa-2e452b2c5106", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.11, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.62 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Furthermore practicing your craft, whether it's writing or another art, is experience. And experience doesn't come from (thinking you are) getting it right every time. Experience comes from learning to identify when something you're doing isn't working, troubleshooting the reasons why, and trying out options to solve the problem.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "415bc850-7c62-4dba-9c16-48e4d40f2f7d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.75 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You absolutely must learn to figure out what isn't working, let it go, and move on. And you need to really let go even though it won't necessarily come back around to be useful later.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4435d34f-f06d-494f-881d-79491d984740", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "However, there is also a bit of \"artists' dream\" thinking that has slipped into the phrasing, through no fault of the advice giver (we all do it). I'll pick this apart so that you can approach taking this advice with \"the spirit of the law, not the letter\".", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "5660115b-4def-4805-8efb-54edc0ebd935", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.83 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Lying to yourself about what letting go means, which many writers and artists are prone to do, isn't very helpful. It can lead to getting lost in thoughts about when and where", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "60b085cd-3e32-4ab5-b940-d35646e4b892", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.22 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This is great motivational advice. It may seem pithy, but ignore it at your own peril. Being unable to let go has caused many an artist to never progress.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ac97807b-dfbd-4757-8ead-dc78113bc89f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.38 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Work is never wasted because in order to find the right ideas for your story you have to try out ideas on the page and then refine, excise, and add to them.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.245+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "cdf26c22-69bd-4e5d-9a3c-438d10a44061", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "As has come up before in this series, the best ideas come from trying whatever ideas feel right at the time and then seeing if they work, not by trying the first thing you think will work and then sticking with it forever.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in 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It was something you needed to try in order to find what was right and there's no shame or waste in that.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:25.484+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2f199054-40a1-4dd2-9acc-9468dde40964", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "that favorite excised idea is going to come back around and be useful. It may never do so.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:25.484+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "44af3be3-ea3c-4af4-9b67-5601c9b55095", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Holding out hope that all ideas are good ideas if only you find the right place for them is a waste of time. If the idea is the right idea for some other section of the piece, or some future draft, or even some entire other story - you'll think of it then.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:25.484+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "68926490-48d9-4e82-a6fe-712d1c96e800", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "There should be no self-imposed mandate to use them \"someday\", and no feeling you wasted your time creating them if they never emerge from the bin. Some things just aren't meant to be.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:25.484+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9ea34328-a7c3-489b-9f73-fe1b7244d780", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Of course, many artists keep discarded (or \"stalled\") idea bins. I do. But the trick is to approach how you think about the contents of that bin in the right way. 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It's the difference between doing your best and not just fussing, but ultimately getting stuck and giving up.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "097da5b3-3ee2-417f-9191-7fd641cf930b", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.82 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The nuanced, subtextual writing can come in revisions once the big picture is painted.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "13e73cd3-b19f-4a5d-9cb0-c8aaa6076937", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.74 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Even dialog and action just need to be \"the right idea\" in order to work out those high-level mechanics to the point where the story actually is engaging, emotional and \"right\".", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "1a747033-cc32-44e2-87ee-abe835fb8fc6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The difference between doing your best and fussing over small details at the cost of the big picture can be very subtle, and while it ultimately does all come down to knowing yourself there are some general warning signs to look out for.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "1b53fde5-8333-4dad-a82f-46e12ce2882d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "When this happens, just keep going. If you haven't solved it in the usual amount of time then what you most likely need is time spent not thinking about the problem consciously rather than more time ratholing.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4ff4deca-35d5-4f7a-a945-853aec4da433", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.68 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You can make all those details \"perfect\" once the character arcs, thematic threads, and plot mechanics are firing on all cylinders.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "7d87d227-6b59-4c70-bcc5-46d579f58103", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.58 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's also a problem if you're rewriting dialog and description over and over to \"perfection,\" or any other sort of \"polish\" work, when you still haven't finished the overall story changes you've identified as being necessary for the draft at hand.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "bef125d9-853c-4dc7-a9d9-8159cfbb7d03", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.38 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you've spent a lot more time than average on a single page, that probably is a sign that you've gotten mired in the details (if you haven't figured out your own average yet, more than an hour at a sitting is a good starter rule of thumb for \"too much time on one page\").", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e7a20dfe-622c-4ab0-95c0-c2370b8902fd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.86 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you're \"just thinking\" for a longer than average time, then you're probably worried about doing something \"wrong\"", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "f38edb5a-b30e-4962-a444-b7d2c2539e69", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.14 }, "kind": "title", "text": "You have to know yourself: the difference between doing your best & fussing. Story is testing, not refining.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Action title", "slug": "action-title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fb31-734c-a0f5-a3935b73135d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "action-title", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "057b5553-2a0b-4c31-b3ab-af4b0d98c3bd", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.12, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Rule 18.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Headline", "slug": "headline", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fae1-7463-9a7c-d60668eced0d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "headline", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:33.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "faea03b2-ca92-4b9e-b960-06b3d2f17e4b", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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But you can't find that thing unless you write past the current problem and get into the rest of the story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6224af32-bdab-40e0-b9b5-24859ae7acdb", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.54 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The second part of this piece of advice deserves to have been a separate rule, since it's an idea unto itself. Even if you know yourself and understand the difference between doing your best and fussing, you can still run into trouble. Because even if you're doing it well, and doing it efficiently, you can still end up doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "7b00b055-dcf7-441d-b5b0-93413dae69d8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.32 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And finally, if you find yourself spending more than a moment on time of day, character names, what people are wearing, location dressing details, models of cars or guns or computers, or anything very specific like that - you're totally stuck, and have to force yourself to reengage with the hard work of making story progress that you're avoiding.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b265b420-59b9-409f-a3f6-599710b7cc46", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.25 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "My mantra about this is \"be wrong early and often\". You can't fix something in revision if there's nothing to revise.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d41cca33-6e30-439a-858a-a38a02400bff", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.66 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Packing the idea into half a Tweet also led to a phrasing that can really lead inexperienced storytellers into trouble because they don't necessarily understand what a Pixar person means when they say \"story\". It's using a shorthand with implied meaning that you may not all get, so I'll unpack it for you in order to help you make best use of the advice.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d9fe0111-8bf0-4b63-a4da-0c8d0072cb67", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.44 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "None of those kinds of details really matter at all, they're just an amusing distraction from the hard stuff. (The rare exception is when it's crucial, and I mean \"the story completely falls apart without it\" crucial, not \"nailing all the details makes me feel smart\" pseudo-crucial.)", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "dce67b6f-0458-4b68-84d6-2fa390d016bb", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.78 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This phrase uses a distinction between \"story\" meaning story development and \"production\" meaning implementation in which those involved in the \"story\" process are creating", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ed710008-2033-4287-b942-57f0fc1f323b", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "with a story point you're not sure about. You need to just do the wrong thing and fix it later.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.034+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "f7260e97-c3ee-4c84-be7d-f2380bb58206", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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In story development you need to not be precious about anything, because you'll be throwing away even great ideas that just don't work for that particular story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "0bca5940-6c15-4ea4-9a2e-c12174b6a3a1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This \"iterative refinement\" approach, working from rough to fine, is actually an ideal approach for every phase of every artform. Within film production, for example, all the different artistic disciplines use the sketch first, test and review, decide, then refine approach for creating their own work.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2836b8b6-bfcf-4955-a10c-98fa3bff2922", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.39 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But once the story starts to lock into place, the process of refinement starts. Dialog, description and action are rewritten and restaged, sets are designed and dressed, and so on.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "30d31e20-05c1-4a29-b576-acedfdb79401", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.76 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Once you get into rewriting, then you need to stay focused on only what's most important for your story even during", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8b11e07c-f54b-45da-8ac9-1cec96774c86", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.28 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "So therefore what's meant by \"story is testing, not refinement\" is that when you're working out the basic structures, themes, and characterizations of your piece you have to focus on the big picture and test ideas in rough form to see if they work at all, not get caught-up in the details by refining the details to \"perfection\".", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c6548b75-4e52-48b0-be9a-6b303463933a", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.17 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "\"Story\" meaning \"story development\" is the process of conceiving, structuring, sketching (drawn or written), and testing ideas. During that phase of the process, everything is rough and the few details added in are intended only to support the main ideas, and everything is subject to change at any moment through inspiration or analysis.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "dc86208f-067c-4829-8dfe-7d9bebac4e5f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "all the high-level elements (broad characterizations, themes, arcs, plot points, sequences), and those involved in the \"production\" process are refining the details (dialog, action, settings, moments and scenes).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "fc2d4872-8941-4c00-8fca-6dbd48ab4304", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [ { "tool": { "name": "Story Moments", "slug": "story-moments", "status": "active", "bestFor": null, "canonId": "019dd956-ae4e-768d-a18b-108e6cda511e", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": null, "description": "Design key emotional beats: The Shock, The Vision, The Proof, The Choice, The Call", "familyLabel": null, "categoryName": "Slide", "categorySlug": "slide" }, "agent": "Storyteller", "layer": "slide", "agents": [ "Storyteller" ], "matchId": "5d8df113-614a-4b70-8cb0-02f784f3f003", "evidence": "Getting into the refinement details during the story development process bogs you down and often makes you precious about the refined ideas", "pageRefs": null, "priority": null, "whenToUse": null, "confidence": 0.6, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-17 03:51:25.223945+00", "model": "or:meta-llama/llama-4-scout", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 54, "whyItWorks": null, "antipattern": null, "cardinality": null, "narrativePurpose": null } ], "frameworks": [ { "matchId": "31de6577-259c-4d72-8b28-4b3eb79edcb8", "evidence": "The text explicitly defines an 'iterative refinement' approach of working from rough to fine.", "framework": null, "confidence": 0.8, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:34.668+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 54, "frameworkName": "iterative-refinement" } ], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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If it's not important to the story, it's just taking up space that should be used by something that is.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:32.916+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "34803b08-011e-47da-a72e-c49339c5f70c", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.096, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.144 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Overall the crux of this advice is this: figure out the overarching structural and thematic elements of your story first, and test those in a non-precious sketch form until you've found something that seems to work best. 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Period.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "description", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:35.868+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "f44d38a3-551c-41a0-bde1-4ab254a3fe54", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.83 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Likewise, if every turn of the tension ratchet is done by accident, the audience will soon tire of it.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:35.868+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "09be9e2c-3ddc-485c-badd-b958e01e08bb", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.12, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.32 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "When they're used to get characters into trouble they're simply more forgivable because the audience gets wrapped-up in the new conflict and consequences. When they are used to get a character out of trouble the result is a deflation of tension and the audience having time to pause and reflect upon how cheated they feel that a tense moment was resolved by fate rather than character choice.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:35.868+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "451ecd3c-60b9-4076-a8c3-49e27a5caa72", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Coincidences to get characters into trouble will be forgiven so long as the audience is emotionally invested in the character, since that's what will get them on board with the new conflict and less concerned with how it arose.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:35.868+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4f3fa843-3f41-4941-a916-69bec00573dc", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.61 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Like any illusionist if you show your hand too clearly, the audience will see the trick where otherwise they might just relax and enjoy the show.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:35.868+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9588cc7b-4504-405c-b555-d147a32b58f0", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.13, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.68 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Glaringly clumsy coincidences even to get the character into trouble are the stuff of parody, such as having a hero say \"I wish the cops would get here!\" and a second later a ring of cops rushes in and points their guns at the hero rather than the villain. In that scene the writer did use coincidence to put the hero into peril and increase the stakes, but in such an obvious way the audience will see the trick rather than enjoy the magic.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:35.868+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "dd642406-b0ff-4a63-9404-d703c6a2fdf3", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.03, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.27 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "All coincidences are suboptimal. 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The very rare exceptions involve clever uses of that trope to comedic or paranoiac effect (and even then, the audience still wants at least some of those \"coincidences\" to be the result of the bungling protagonist trying to find a way out of the \"consequence machine\" they've gotten trapped in).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:44.758+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "867b9e80-ca28-46de-b547-b24abccf250d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.42 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "For example, if you have a character who you've been setting up as a braggart, and then put them in a situation where their bragging should get them into more trouble but instead you push them into trouble through a coincidence -- you've just blown it.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:44.758+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8db03152-869b-4ea8-a8c4-a0d8817ea956", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.31 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Even if you're using your coincidences sparingly, a poor choice regarding the specifics of a coincidence can undermine what the audience most likes about the character and cause them to disengage. This is especially true if the choice undermines a character personality trait rather than merely a skill.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:44.758+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9625a36f-8486-4460-a73b-a78d241ecd4f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "People empathize with someone who gets in trouble because, try as they may to do the right thing, their actions keep blowing up in their faces.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:44.758+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c2a2a0c1-cbb6-4853-977b-152f05869c29", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.51 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Let's say you have a tough talking petty crook who gets called before a mafia boss. 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She kicks over the bee boxes, and lets the bees do her work for her.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "19fcc134-2992-4ddc-8b4e-dc4fe110cf08", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.31 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "For example, let's say in a cop thriller you establish that there's a beekeeping convention in the downtown convention center this coming weekend. Later, coincidentally, the hero finds out that a villain is allergic to bees.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "34a12995-470b-47ca-a2f9-8a8e843d3284", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.61 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Set-ups and payoffs are one of a dramatist's greatest tools. Getting away with the coincidences needed to make them work is all about how much care and finesse you us in constructing them.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3ed7380b-bdb6-4d85-844b-c6cdbf7fd7f7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "before your hero can even draw her weapon the assailant is hit by a bus -- that's not satisfying. The hero didn't get to take any action, not even something that led them into the coincidental situation.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "408bf1b1-3b6c-495b-abd8-6ef77fefe429", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.68 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "You really can only ever get away with coincidences when a notable protagonist choice has led her straight into them. Though it's often better to have choice and action lead to direct consequence instead, sometimes a clever, well-constructed chain of motivated coincidence works best.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "5911df37-6a01-4899-a2bd-44c55ede8141", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.17 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But if a character takes an action that leads to a coincidental situation, you're getting back into forgivable territory. This starts to feel more like good luck than total coincidence.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a322a999-1a2e-46f5-9018-174075172061", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.5 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's coincidence that there were bees and a bee-allergic villain in the same cop story at the same time to begin with, never mind that the action happened to take place on bee convention weekend. But the audience will (if it's done with enough finesse) potentially consider it clever rather than coincidental because a character choice closed the loop.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d6c16287-d8c8-4697-b80c-71cc785aabf1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.24 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "In fact, set-ups and pay-offs are basically just chains of coincidence: earlier in the film you establish something seemingly unrelated to the rest of the plot, and later it happens to be exactly what the protagonist needs.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "e5f6cc8d-0866-469b-91ea-47d36300d11a", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [ { "matchId": "acf0aa82-9250-4615-88e9-5706131465bf", "evidence": "The text explicitly defines and illustrates the use of set-ups and pay-offs as a narrative tool.", "framework": null, "confidence": 1, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.857+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 58, "frameworkName": "set-ups and pay-offs" } ], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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"title": "This slide discusses narrative theory, specifically the importance of character agency in plot resolution.", "function": "summarize", "rawType": "other", "block": null, "metadata": { "slideType": "other", "slideTypeCanon": { "name": "Other (fallback)", "slug": "other", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52d-0af5-71ed-83de-d51ae245fc43", "version": 1, "description": null }, "function": "summarize", "functionCanon": { "name": "Summarize", "slug": "summarize", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52d-1541-704f-b86f-bf7b75056373", "version": 1, "description": null }, "density": "overcrowded", "densityScore": 80, "componentCount": 7, "textChars": 1510, "nDataPoints": 0, "notes": "This slide discusses narrative theory, specifically the importance of character agency in plot resolution.", "elementsJson": null, "confidence": 0.9, "extraction": { "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.037+00", "seconds": 3.417, "promptVersion": "v2-canon-conditioned" } }, "links": { "slide": "/slides/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273/59", "deck": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273", "deckAnchor": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273#slide-59", "deckJson": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273.json" }, "components": [ { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.17 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The most infamous example of this happens when the clumsy coincidence comes during the conclusion of the story, a problem so egregious yet so common it has its own term of art: Deus Ex Machina.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.037+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "177a879f-fc0c-4ec6-8f6e-07c64eda9a21", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.58 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "In essence, what this rule is trying to say is that your protagonists' motivations, choices and actions should always be what gets them into and out of trouble, and any coincidences involved need to be motivated by those decisions.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.037+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "238615c5-aaf0-451c-92f9-8918ff468bba", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.32 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Many otherwise interesting stories have been completely ruined by Deus Ex Machina conclusions in which the main character is removed from the central action of the climax by outside actors solving everything for them.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.037+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "613252b6-1d5b-4101-8397-0c82c4755c17", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.07, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "When the coincidence actually resolves the entire story, a nod towards character action motivating it just isn't good enough. Drama is dramatic because protagonists save the day when God can't get the job done (or die trying, in a tragedy), not the other way around.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.037+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "68d307e2-4493-412a-8ecf-1180bed3fdf8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.41 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "A particularly infamous and frustrating example of this is the computer entity actually named Deus Ex Machina in \"The Matrix Revolutions\": a literal God in the literal machine swoops in and solves all of Neo's problems for him.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.037+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "bd630693-2173-4210-b477-c97d4c203e61", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Like with coincidences to get a character into trouble, the ones to get them out are most egregious if they're too obvious, too frequent, or poorly timed and staged such that they undermine character moments.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": 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What things about the original", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ff07f406-a7f4-4b9a-8719-9e182585e7d6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.63 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Another great benefit to this exercise is that by trying to troubleshoot someone else's film you begin to realize how difficult it can be to find solutions, which will teach you patience when it comes to analyzing and fixing your own stories.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2c20478d-9515-47cb-9f73-cfb9a5ac3279", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.37 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Picking a part a movie you don't like and trying to fix it makes you realize what you do and don't like about story, what works and doesn't work for you, and how you troubleshoot those things.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "37f1b1e1-1fe3-4b09-b159-1639f4220758", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.55 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Figuring out what's working and what isn't, and what you think needs to be taken out, rearranged, or added in order to fix problems and enhance the drama is an absolutely essential filmmaking still.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "6f473f16-4bb8-4dc9-b82f-798fec23e438", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.45 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's a great exercise because it gets you thinking about editing, which is something a lot of writers and directors don't think enough about. (Though, frankly, writers shouldn't think about it at all until they've written the first draft that gets all the ideas down so there's something to work with in editing.)", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "879a23aa-b909-4bf8-8d4f-25cae512b1b8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.71 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But there are many other equally useful story and writing exercises out there that get you thinking about other neglected aspects of the craft. It seems a shame to limit it to this one, so here are some other enjoyable, useful exercises that will help you refine story skills:", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "adbb5a5b-ff2c-46b8-84d9-9714290c77a9", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.21 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This is a great exercise that I do all the time, often in a group session with the filmmaking team I've been working with for the last three years, in order to hone overall story analysis and troubleshooting skills.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "aed0456d-8735-4144-a179-393a9ffddc88", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.29 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's not a rule or piece of advice specific to defining your own working approach, or solving a common creative problem, but it's a fun and informative exercise to do whenever you see a \"bad\" film.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "d20e4722-6298-4839-adb9-65239fb86491", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.13 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Exercise: take the building blocks of a movie you dislike. How'd you rearrange them into what you DO like.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Action title", "slug": "action-title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fb31-734c-a0f5-a3935b73135d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "action-title", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8a804ca0-6fd6-4ee4-a12f-b3bd8ad3f69a", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.02, "w": 0.1, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Rule 20.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Headline", "slug": "headline", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fae1-7463-9a7c-d60668eced0d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "headline", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.563+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "899a8ebe-3805-4ff1-84ee-39c54dd89b24", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [ { "tool": { "name": "Storytelling: audience calibration", "slug": "audience", "status": "active", "bestFor": null, "canonId": "019df269-23ea-723a-87c0-af1d78d702d2", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df269-23c5-72ec-8b94-78fc1da7b656", "description": "The same thesis, written for four different audiences, produces four", "familyLabel": "narrative-block", "categoryName": "Narrative & Transformation", "categorySlug": "narrative-transformation" }, "agent": "storyteller", "layer": "slide", "agents": [ "storyteller" ], "matchId": "157353b6-a8e5-441e-9085-74d42499f988", "evidence": "e.g. 'Figuring out what's working and what isn't, and what you think needs to be taken out, rearranged, or added in order to fix problems and enhance the drama is an absolutely essential filmmaking still.'", "pageRefs": null, "priority": null, "whenToUse": null, "confidence": 0.7, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-17 02:19:43.478328+00", "model": "or:meta-llama/llama-4-scout", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 60, "whyItWorks": null, "antipattern": null, "cardinality": null, "narrativePurpose": null } ], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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What things don't you like that you forgive, but given the chance would remove or improve?", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.234+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a9340c77-8530-4e6e-af28-59135612c495", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "list", "text": "Take a movie you do like, and re-outline it from another character's point of view.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.234+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ac4eaee1-bcb5-460c-9a84-7f6c5a29e596", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "list", "text": "Take a movie you do like, study a scene between your two favorite characters, and then write an entirely different scene between those two characters.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.234+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c0e22829-acb3-4920-801a-714ac2e589f4", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "list", "text": "Stop a movie about 15 minutes in and write down all the things you see as negatives about the main character.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.234+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ec782ad3-df57-49de-acdb-72ca7a6ac270", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "list", "text": "Write down everything you think you know about your favorite character from your favorite movie. Then watch it and see where you learn that information.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.234+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "fc7f25ad-7339-4eff-9839-e274f084ba0d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "The exercise in rule twenty, and the others I suggest above, are some of the best exercises that involve analyzing someone else's work.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:36.234+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3b7fdd44-9fa2-42da-a41a-cb415abe59a6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": null, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "There are tons of other story exercises out there as well. 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Those are easy to empathize with.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4d7db52c-3d6c-4be4-9763-411bb13dd6f7", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.022, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.717 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But if those are the only characters you write, you'll eventually end up in a rut.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "53ae1d16-4747-4eb7-80c7-21845e0038cf", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.13, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.356 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Regarding the idea that all your characters be identifiable and that you answer the questions about their actions based on how you'd act, I refer back to my analysis of rule fifteen: You actually have to imagine how your character would feel based on the core personality traits and goals you've given that character, not just try to find actions for them you find empathetic.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "771eb31b-1f68-4581-abec-2e028f110f22", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.49 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "What you most need to do is understand your characters and situations. Not just in a mechanical, \"I did a lot of research\" sense, but in an emotional sense.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8defc582-7c0e-48a1-b82b-c6b6be7fb152", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.087, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.559 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Some characters are your own proper avatars, and you identify with them completely. Others are fantasy extensions of a part of yourself, or something you wish you were. Those sorts of characters are natural to identify with.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b5bf456a-306b-4912-a36e-92bf9fb71637", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.087, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.763 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Of course you always want to \"write what you know\" by playing to your \"core thematic\" -- the kinds of stories you are naturally inclined to tell -- but you want to vary things by setting them in unfamiliar situations populated by characters that aren't necessarily all some modified version of yourself.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c8eb6106-38c4-4692-89ba-3dba1fa7dd16", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.108, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.223 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This good advice is a rephrasing of rule fifteen's \"If you were your character, in this situation, how would you feel? Honesty lends credibility to unbelievable situations,\" but with a more explicit suggestion to \"put yourself in your character's shoes\". So I have similar quibbles with how the phrasing could lead some readers to counterproductive conclusions.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "dacc7fb5-8ac1-4979-883f-9ce4dfae6ced", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.065, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.141 }, "kind": "title", "text": "You gotta identify with your situation / characters, can't just write 'cool'. What would make YOU act that way?", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Action title", "slug": "action-title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fb31-734c-a0f5-a3935b73135d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "action-title", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "5f5405fa-9d33-46d7-a13e-256cd7cc1e47", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.022, "w": 0.115, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.098 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Rule 21.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Headline", "slug": "headline", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fae1-7463-9a7c-d60668eced0d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "headline", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:37.901+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "27b32cc1-423c-41e6-adb3-1c43014c6da6", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [ { "tool": { "name": "Emotional Appeal", "slug": "emotional-appeal", "status": "active", "bestFor": null, "canonId": "019dd956-bde9-7668-8be7-0097678fec59", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": null, "description": "Connecting to audience feelings rather than just logic", "familyLabel": null, "categoryName": "Slide", "categorySlug": "slide" }, "agent": "Storyteller", "layer": "slide", "agents": [ "Storyteller" ], "matchId": "6b5597e6-2d56-4e87-9fcb-bd0691352567", "evidence": "e.g. 'Audiences identify with situations when they can believe that the characters in the scene would be in that given predicament at that point in time.'", "pageRefs": null, "priority": null, "whenToUse": null, "confidence": 0.7, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-17 02:19:43.603974+00", "model": "or:meta-llama/llama-4-scout", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 62, "whyItWorks": null, "antipattern": null, "cardinality": null, "narrativePurpose": null } ], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 68, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 3, "name": "Rule presentation", "beatId": "19a1dc68-5ef0-4355-97c4-11b56a0ac9f9", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Every day", "slug": "pixar-pitch-every-day", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1c35-719a-9f76-5df65eed393a", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck presents and analyzes Pixar's 22 rules", "position": 1, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Setup", "slug": "setup", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-020e-7505-af9b-d9b9a4679bcc", "version": 1, "description": "Where the deck grounds the reader before doing anything else. 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It may seem that a soldier forced to dance ballet is inappropriate, but that may be exactly what that particular soldier needs to do at some point in his character arc. Merely incongruous situations aren't necessarily wrong.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "00ca8aec-332e-4ea0-abf3-e48d54b013f1", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.58 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Audiences identify with situations when they can believe that the characters in the scene would be in that given predicament at that point in time.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "034fdb72-965c-4893-8bbf-0d18d51b9b3d", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "With those types of characters it's not so much a matter of identifying or even empathizing with them, but rather with understanding who they are and creating believable scenes based on how that character would act.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3e9856ab-0b95-4a45-8009-80cba97eb950", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.47 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "For example, a narcissist acting in a self-deprecating manner seems like it'd never be right, But if her arc has her going from narcissistic to \"humble yet still self-confident\" then her being self-deprecating may very well be crucial during the low point, but if it happens at any other time in the story it will feel wrong.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "420e3fe2-f732-405a-9417-8ae959e38d1f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.65 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "It's a matter of constantly tracking not only your plot, but also your character arc as it relates to your thematic question, and making sure they reconcile.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "43ef09ee-e865-422e-bd66-3cf599b7db1f", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.36 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And an action that is emotionally dishonest at one point in a character's arc may be essential at another point. The whole point of character drama is to put a protagonist through some sort of ordeal that changes them (or they \"die trying\" in a tragedy), which means the situations that feel emotionally honest will change with the character.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "bfbdb749-9be5-490d-a308-db4441421f08", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.06, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.17 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Fulfilling that goal includes creating situations that make sense for that character to have gotten into based on their goals and flaws, and ways out that draw upon the character's strengths and needs.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:46.987+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c1d2f572-bfa5-4d65-9df7-08056c4ddaf6", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.04, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.72 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Finally, there is the matter of \"don't write cool\". 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If you don't know the stakes (which in order to do you must also know your character arcs and theme), you don't have the essence of your story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:40.328+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "411bda97-e6dd-4561-a9fc-1fb4a0e92d01", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.46 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "However, the most useful way to think about this rule is about is to ask: What's your story pitch?", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:40.328+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "4e37f775-2d55-4150-975b-ae8dfb5eb317", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.09, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.53 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Too many writers (myself included for many years) look down on the pitch as merely a crass sales tool, something that producers make us do because they are cruel and heartless titans of industry who just don't understand our artistic souls. 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"/slides/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273/67", "deck": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273", "deckAnchor": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273#slide-67", "deckJson": "/decks/019f6b8f-527b-739d-bb12-22bb6e779273.json" }, "components": [ { "bbox": { "h": 0.45, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.14 }, "kind": "list", "text": "The phrases \"future noir\" and \"his city\" explain the genre and setting.\nDeckard is stated to be the protagonist.\nThe character's want to be left alone, and the conflict of being thrust back into the role of hunter, is summed-up in the phrase \"dragged out of retirement\".\nThe external stakes are implicit in the phrase \"murderous group of military androids\" and \"extend their short lifespans\": these killing machine could become gods among men and avenge themselves upon all humanity.\nThe internal stakes involve Deckard's humanity and his love affair with Rachel: which Deckard will win out, the hunter or the lover?\nThe thematic question is \"what does it mean to be human?\", and in the pitch it is presented as the phrase \"questions his own humanity -- and theirs\".\nThe turning points are: he's dragged back to hunt down the rogues (inciting incident), he meets Rachel and falls for her (midpoint \"twist\"), and he loses her and is nearly killed (low point).\nThe resolution is that Roy dies and Deckard lives (plot), but now Deckard has found his humanity (character) and the audience understands what it means to be human in the first place -- it's not your origins, it's your character (theme).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Bullet list", "slug": "bullet", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fc98-7169-a083-5cab805076ca", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "bullet", "groupRole": null, 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"parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.77 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But you do need to nail-down all of those elements at that level of specificity and be able to clearly state them to yourself as the foundation for creating a definitive draft of your story.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:40.815+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ee468032-3a10-442c-8d75-1dfbb6df8c19", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.62 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "When preparing to 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Each one is something that I've learned from my Pixar and non-Pixar mentors and collaborators, and through trial and error.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.026+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a835bc3d-4271-49a3-94b0-a4b874bb51e3", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.037, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.178 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Some of my ideas and approaches may click with you and integrate perfectly into your storytelling practice, and some won't.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.026+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "a9191159-2f9c-45e7-a958-11c7656a7fc6", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [ { "tool": { "name": "Call to action", "slug": "call-to-action", "status": "active", "bestFor": null, "canonId": "019dd9e1-4bbb-702a-9ead-82daf188bb7c", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": null, "description": "Explicit prescription of what the audience should do next.", "familyLabel": null, "categoryName": null, "categorySlug": null }, "agent": null, "layer": "slide", "agents": null, "matchId": "5c7dc595-d17c-4657-af94-947a947589df", "evidence": "Please share this series with every one of your storytelling friends.", "pageRefs": null, "priority": null, "whenToUse": null, "confidence": 0.8, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-17 02:19:40.059161+00", "model": "or:meta-llama/llama-4-scout", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "pageNumber": 70, "whyItWorks": null, "antipattern": null, "cardinality": "common", "narrativePurpose": null } ], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 75, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 69, "name": "Conclusion and next steps", "beatId": "3caae86c-c32f-4bec-a625-977c949539a6", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Until finally", "slug": "pixar-pitch-until-finally", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1e3a-73de-8af7-6982229dd994", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck concludes with a summary and additional resources", "position": 2, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Resolution", "slug": "resolution", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-045d-703b-8dd7-e92aba3ba91b", "version": 1, "description": "How the deck ends. 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In general, everyone says the same thing. 2. In particular, everyone pitches you their own personal style.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Numbered list", "slug": "numbered", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fcc0-7718-a284-a4250c805df2", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "numbered", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "0dc9cf0a-6ef1-4a82-b00c-f30fde7dbf73", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.88 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Unfortunately, nobody but you can figure out which of the particulars work for you. Do you only find inspiration when", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "48bf7d85-6d2d-44c4-ac13-aeda040cd076", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.28 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "In fact, coming up with a set of rules about how to be a writer seems to be as important a part of convincing people you're a \"real\" writer as actually writing things. (In fact, a number of people skip the writing career part and settle right into careers writing and promoting sets of rules.)", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "73a7740e-e2fd-4099-8983-b7598b116031", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.1, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.16 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This bonus chapter is mainly drawn from another blog post I wrote about my \"rules\" for writing. Writing, people claim, is the most personal of the arts. Yet it seems everybody has a bunch of rules for you to follow about how to do it their way.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "92b8379b-3e97-47d9-b199-c418965d1f14", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.47 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "\"Sound bite\" rules for anything are always insufficient. The more detailed thought and analysis that the quips are intended to provoke is crucial to understanding.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b0c4a2ae-8138-45cb-bee6-235f8390e4f0", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.4 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "There are as many sets of rules for writers as there are writers, and screenwriting is particularly amenable to people coming up with rules and formulas for how to do it.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "b96f6fb5-8f52-4038-9f06-ae5fc463c09e", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.71 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "I've read pretty much every piece of writing pedagogy that's in print in the English language, and two things are very clear to me:", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c6fda99c-f1b6-421b-91e3-5f3f3b3b0c97", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.15, "w": 0.7, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.54 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And there are legions books dedicated to in-depth screenwriting rules, templates and formulas. The famous Robert McKee \"Story\" book, Syd Field's \"Screenplay\", Blake Snyder's \"Save The Cat\", Richard Walter & Lew Hunter representing UCLA's approach, David Howard & Paul Gullio bringing you the USC rules, Christopher Vogler channeling Joseph Campbell, William Goldman eschewing pedagogy and focusing on funny anecdotes, Linda Seger and John Truby and many others promoting their consultancies, and so on.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:41.871+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "f8e29f02-13e1-4e68-a812-076ccd6b1938", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.5, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.09 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Bonus Chapter. 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Write what interests you. 2. Don't be boring. 3. Be concise. 4. Always take critique, rarely take advice.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "List", "slug": "list", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f94b-779b-a53b-fd4904a5f4d2", "version": 1, "description": "Bullet or numbered list." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Numbered list", "slug": "numbered", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fcc0-7718-a284-a4250c805df2", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "numbered", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:40.634+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "c9de3106-98ee-4aee-b3bf-f3a01cc83cb3", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.08, "w": 0.72, "x": 0.14, "y": 0.19 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "But the generalities can be summarized, and people do enjoy concise statements of \"greater truths\" about things. 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The only two things all writers must do is stated quite clearly: write often and seek out people to critique your work. 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Write, rewrite, then finish. Write as often as possible. There is a lot of specific advice out there about how to compel oneself to do that...", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 20:02:26.318+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.5-flash", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "8cf74629-9970-4149-8d64-fced7adf3cae", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.112, "w": 0.704, "x": 0.148, "y": 0.095 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "says isn't working is fine, it's a related set-up or pay-off that's missing or botched. 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This role was the result of mentoring with various Pixar heads of story and directors starting in 2004.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:44.503+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "2d0b97e3-e5e1-48da-b735-a6761ac501a8", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.05, "w": 0.71, "x": 0.145, "y": 0.52 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "My other passions are technology, photography and photomanipulation, music production, and video art. I've done some for-hire work in these areas, but most of my art and music projects are self-directed. 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Festival.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:44.503+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "50a0ddf6-4f31-4481-9ef2-23f56f813ca4", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.035, "w": 0.71, "x": 0.145, "y": 0.475 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "And the first book of a philosophical sci-fi graphic novel miniseries I wrote for indie publisher Whamix! is currently being inked.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": 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Check out www.bugaj.com for more of my thoughts on writing, filmmaking and allied arts.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:43.999+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "3d18fe1d-8f3f-4d0d-acb4-db6b43763565", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.089, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.198 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "If you'd like to support further educational writing on the www.bugaj.com blog (where this content originated), the production of future eBook, and my independent projects then you can donate by sending a www.paypal.com \"gift\" payment to stephanbugaj@yahoo.com (not a contact address, I basically never read email in that account).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:43.999+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "73ef55be-d58c-4a9e-9d80-c4c32bdf5c95", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.045, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.133 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "This eBook is completely free to the reader. Not only may give copies of it to all your friends, I encourage you to do so (heck, give it to your enemies as well).", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:43.999+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "9c2c8e1f-4390-4b48-bd8b-18381e9169a3", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.067, "w": 0.708, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.316 }, "kind": "paragraph", "text": "Please do note that while this book is free to read is not copyright-free. You may not redistribute it in any form other than its original form, you may not charge anyone for it, and you may not excerpt or quote it in another work except as provided for by fair use laws.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Paragraph", "slug": "paragraph", "status": "active", "canonId": "5f2affc0-941d-4d07-959d-4bfc1930cea4", "version": 1, "description": "Single prose block in the body of a slide." }, "tool": null, "subkind": null, "framework": null }, "subkind": "paragraph", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:43.999+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ea9b0524-79b7-4fd5-8838-4e5ca83cf9db", "parentComponentId": null }, { "bbox": { "h": 0.025, "w": 0.085, "x": 0.146, "y": 0.101 }, "kind": "title", "text": "Donate.", "attrs": null, "canon": { "kind": { "name": "Title", "slug": "title", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-f7dd-76d9-b848-b1f12bd85cf4", "version": 1, "description": "Slide title or headline." }, "tool": null, "subkind": { "name": "Headline", "slug": "headline", "status": "active", "canonId": "019de52c-fae1-7463-9a7c-d60668eced0d", "version": 1, "description": null }, "framework": null }, "subkind": "headline", "groupRole": null, "confidence": null, "extraction": { "at": "2026-07-16 19:09:43.999+00", "model": "google/gemini-3.1-flash-lite-preview", "runId": null, "seconds": null, "promptVersion": null }, "componentId": "ce045331-ba6f-46d3-b17b-d4fe6ea549da", "parentComponentId": null } ], "metrics": [], "tools": [], "frameworks": [], "arcBeats": [ { "to": 75, "arc": { "name": "The Pixar Pitch", "slug": "pixar-pitch", "status": "active", "bestFor": "Startup pitches, origin stories, customer success", "canonId": "019dd956-61c3-70e8-a7c0-56084b50eaca", "version": 1, "bodyDocId": "019df22a-2356-73eb-8061-d8c81dc0aa49", "structure": "Once upon a time -> Every day -> One day -> Because of that -> Until finally", "description": null, "familyLabel": null }, "from": 69, "name": "Conclusion and next steps", "beatId": "3caae86c-c32f-4bec-a625-977c949539a6", "matchId": "6212d0d5-2e90-46bd-aad0-e00087d9ba8e", "beatType": { "name": "Until finally", "slug": "pixar-pitch-until-finally", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-1e3a-73de-8af7-6982229dd994", "version": 1, "description": null }, "evidence": "The deck concludes with a summary and additional resources", "position": 2, "isPrimaryArc": true, "parentBeatType": { "name": "Resolution", "slug": "resolution", "status": "active", "canonId": "019dd9b8-045d-703b-8dd7-e92aba3ba91b", "version": 1, "description": "How the deck ends. 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