Once Upon a Disney: Screenwriting Lessons from the Studio Canon

Discover the storytelling magic behind the movies that shaped our imaginations.

Chances are there's at least one Disney movie that brings smiles to viewers' faces and puts songs in their hearts. This book engages with these timeless tales, exploring why these favorite stories continue to resonate across generations. What makes Aladdin a compelling protagonist? How does the villainous Gaston act as a foil for both Belle and Beast? And is it possible to have too many dalmatians?

Seeking to connect Disney films with key storytelling principles, this work explains how they also fulfill principles of cinematic storytelling. Budding screenwriters and seasoned professionals alike will find insights to help develop their writing. Each chapter concludes with craft exercises designed to spark the imagination and assist readers and writers in creating worlds of wonder.