The Soul of Good Character Design

(keyboard keys tapping) - [Narrator] Hi, I'm Michael. This is "Lessons from the Screenplay". Two fundamental elements of character design are want and need.

What the character wants usually drives the story forward, but it's often through the character's need that a story expresses its theme and creates an emotional impact.

In Pixar's "Soul" these aspects of story structure are right on the surface, because the protagonist is so preoccupied with pursuing a goal that he ignores the joy to be found along the way.

So today I want to explore how the film creates the arc of the protagonist, Joe, to examine how it makes the audience deeply empathize with his want, while subtly signaling what he actually needs, and to reveal how Joe's finally understanding his need creates one of the most emotional scenes in the film.

Let's take a look at "Soul". (soft instrumental music) (lively jazz music) - One, two, three, four. Stay on the beat.

- [Narrator] As the film begins, the thing Joe wants is quickly made clear. We see Joe's struggles as a middle school band teacher...

(clack) as well as his talent and passion for music. (moving piano music)

Joe is dissatisfied with his life and longs to be a professional musician. The inciting incident of the film makes his want even more specific.

Joe gets the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to play with jazz legend Dorothea Williams. - Wow!

I would die a happy man if I could perform with Dorothea Williams. - [Curly] Well, this could be your lucky day.

- [Narrator] He nails the audition and is set to play the gig of his life, but then something quite frustrating happens: he dies.

(Joe shouts) - [Narrator] This crystallizes his want. - No, no, no, no, no, no. Listen. I have a gig tonight. I can't die now!