Storytelling should be at the core of every business. One company that is known for this is Disney. Today, Josh D’Amaro highlighted how storytelling at Disney fuels the magic. I wanted to share some of the key points he touched tonight, as they’re essential for any business.
Storytelling at Disney – Key Points
During Josh’s talk, which can be viewed above, he mentioned six key points about the fundamentals of storytelling. Something that he mentioned that stuck with me was, “Do you believe in the story you’re telling?” If you believe in your own story, it gives it more credibility.
These are the six fundamental points that Josh believes are the best for storytelling.
Emotional Connections
- Creating a story that emotionally connects with your audience makes it unforgettable. Josh shared a personal example of riding Peter Pan’s Flight at Disney with his father. Every time they ride it, they’re transported back in time to that special moment, making it truly impactful.
Innovation
- Curiosity leads to new paths. Staying curious allows you to discover innovative ways to tell stories.
Relatability
- Our audiences need to see themselves in the story. Josh shared an example of a little girl running toward Stitch at one of the theme parks. As she got closer, she tripped and fell. Seeing this, Stitch immediately fell too, making the moment both relatable and impactful for the guest.
Attention to Detail
- Josh emphasized, ‘You have to sweat the details.’ Adding those thoughtful touches makes the experience emotional for people who are truly passionate. He used the example of the Imagineers leaving R2-D2’s tracks on the ground in Star Wars Land, a detail that moved fans.
Courage
- Be courageous. Josh shared the example of Imagineers pitching the incredibly challenging project of having Spider-Man swing untethered at the parks.
Boundless Thinking
- We have to adapt or be left behind. Josh talked about how they tackle and expand storytelling in brand-new ways.
Conclusion
Josh emphasized the core fundamentals of storytelling at Disney, highlighting the importance of emotional connections, innovation, relatability, attention to detail, courage, and boundless thinking. Disney continues to use these storytelling techniques to craft powerful stories that they truly believe in.
Do you believe with Josh’s key points on storytelling? Let me know in the comments below.
