10 Storytelling Lessons From Disney

It’s been a while guys, but I’m back better than ever. Over the last month, I had to think deeply about where to take this newsletter.

The answer I arrived at was the same “I want to give you all as much free stuff as possible” about storytelling, writing, and LinkedIn.

So for today, we are looking at 10 lessons about storytelling you can learn from Disney and implement them yourselves.

1. Timeless Characters:

Disney has successfully been able to create characters that transcend generations. The characters serve as vehicles of storytelling, allowing Disney to create new narratives within familiar universes.

2. Emotional Resonance:

Disney’s secret is that it taps into universal themes. It focuses on emotions of love, friendship, family, and personal growth that is applicable to all. The characters go through an emotional turmoil making the audience experience the emotions along with them.

The Lion King is a classic example, to this day we remember the emotions we experienced while watching it.

3. Visual Storytelling:

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Disney revolutionized the way of visual storytelling through its animated stories. Disney knows exactly how to use visuals to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, is one of the very best animated series with amazing visual storytelling.

4. Hero’s Journey:

Disney often follows Campbell's Hero's Journey framework, which involves a hero's call to adventure, facing challenges, and ultimately returning home transformed. It is the most widely used storytelling framework and no surprise that Disney uses it too.

5. Archetypal Characters:

Disney often uses archetypal characters to add richness to the story and help audiences relate to and invest in the narrative. Characters like the wise mentor, the sidekick, and the comic relief are good examples of this.

6. Villains & Antagonists:

Disney is a master at creating memorable villains and antagonists so that the story adds more conflict and depth. It is a great way to get the audience to engage more with the story.

7. Iconic Music:

Disney's use of music goes beyond memorable songs. It often employs music as a storytelling tool, using melodies to communicate characters' emotions, advance the plot, and create a rich atmosphere within the story.

From ‘Let it Go’ to ‘You’ve got a friend in me’, Disney knows how to do music!

8. Foreshadowing:

Disney is known for its clever use of foreshadowing to drop subtle hints about the story's resolution. For example, in "Beauty and the Beast," the rose petals falling correspond to the Beast's transformation, creating anticipation and intrigue.

9. Magical Realism:

Disney blends the magical with the real seamlessly, creating worlds where talking animals, enchanted objects, and fantastical beings coexist with human characters. This combination allows for imaginative storytelling that captures the audience's imagination.

10. Subtext and Double Entendre:

Disney is adept at using subtext and double entendre to add depth to its stories. For example, "The Little Mermaid" is filled with subtext about growing up and finding one's voice, making it engaging for both children and adults

And that’s it! Which one among these shocked you the most? Let me know by replying to this email.

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