The Magic of Pixar Writing Workshop - Saturday December 17 from 11am-1pm

Photograph: Alexander Chow-Stuart.

In the spirit of the holidays, I am hosting a special The Magic of Pixar Writing Workshop on Saturday December 17 from 11am-1pm at the Central Sierra Arts Council, 193 South Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370.

Pixar - the remarkable computer animation studio responsible for such hugely successful classics as Toy Story, WALL-E, Finding Nemo, Up, Cars, Monsters, Inc, The Incredibles and so much more - is viewed as a special place where storytelling has come alive again in a whole new dimension.

Pixar's teams of writers and directors work collaboratively and with great passion to create stories that have universal themes, unforgettable characters, warmth, humor, love and all the key elements of narrative structure.  

Most challenging of all, they build stories that are compelling and which have powerful antagonists...but antagonists who are not wholly evil and who will not haunt a child's dreams - or yours - with terrifying nightmares. This alone is a remarkable achievement.

Having recently toured the studio and met with a writer, Simon Rich, and their Development Associate, Grace Thompson, I would like to share some of the unique approaches that Pixar takes to developing story ideas.

Photograph: Alexander Chow-Stuart.

Their attention to detail, the passion that imbues all of their projects, and the time they allow early on for ideas to "sit" and develop organically, apply whether you're writing a book, a film, a memoir or anything else.

Admission for the workshop is $25 - and $10 for students. Free parking is available in the parking lot of the Sonora Days Inn, across the road, thanks to the kindness of their General Manager, Merrilie Reed. Thanks also to Connie O'Connor of the Central Sierra Arts Council for providing the very welcoming space for the workshop.

Please contact me by email at tranquilbuddha@gmail.com or by phone at 310-383-7562 to reserve seats.

I hope to see you there. In the meantime, warmest wishes for the holidays,
Alexander