Kindness is at the heart of many of Chris Sanders’ animated films. from Lilo & Stitch arrive How to train your dragon, Characters experience their greatest changes through displays of kindness. But what if the protagonist remains stationary while the world around them changes through their actions? This is what makes wild robot Becoming one of Sanders’ most exciting projects to date.
Adapted from Peter Brown’s best-selling children’s book, wild robot ROZZUM (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) is a humanoid robot learning to adapt to its new environment on an island filled with various wildlife. Through her actions, the world around her begins to change.
Sanders sat down with ScreenCraft to discuss what drew him to adapt the book, the guiding principles behind all of his scripts, and the lessons he’s learned from creating the best animated features. Check out the interview below:
Change is key to adaptation, says Chris Sanders
While looking for his next project at DreamWorks, Sanders found himself wild robotThe theme is kindness and choice in family. These are themes he’s explored before, but there’s something about ROZ that particularly fascinates him.
“She’s a character who changes the world around her,” Sanders told ScreenCraft. “She’s become more three-dimensional, but I would actually say she hasn’t changed because she’s such a strong character.”
Unlike most movies that feature dynamic characters shaped by the world around them, ROZ is a static character. This doesn’t mean she’s flat; rather, while the world around her changes as a result of her actions, she remains the same.
“The definition of story is change. It’s either a character who changes the world around her, or a character who changes through a journey that’s shaped by the world. But she’s more stable because her true nature doesn’t change. Her voice does, but She changed the culture of the island—not intentionally, but through the sheer force of her kindness,” Sanders explained.
“Change is everything,” Sanders added. “Stories are change.”
One way Sanders works to effect change in his stories is to start at the end. Understanding the destination helps writers navigate change: who caused the change, and how the story’s world and characters are affected by the change.
The guiding principles behind wild robot
Adapting any book is difficult. How do you condense a complete novel or expand a 20-page children’s book into a full-length story?
Like any story, it all starts with a key idea that grounds the world. Sanders spoke with the book’s author to discuss the core concepts that tie the script together.
“Peter Brown revealed to us in our first conversation that his guiding principle when writing the book was that kindness can be a survival skill,” Saunders said. “This really stuck with me and has stayed with me. Cooperation and kindness are great strengths. They are not weaknesses; they are weaknesses. They are great strengths.
Friendliness and cooperation become guiding principles wild robotbut there was another factor that triggered a major change in the story.
“Another key idea in the story is that we may need to change our programming at some point. We are all creatures of habit. We grow up, learn certain things, and become a certain kind of person. But sometimes— — maybe more than once — we need to change that thinking,” Sanders said. “Again, that’s a strength. I don’t think it’s always good to be inflexible. It’s okay to bend and change and learn, and I loved that aspect of the story.
Although Sanders, like many screenwriters, writes alone, he finds value in talking to the authors of the works he adapts. Asking why a character is the way they are can help you understand the internal changes or arcs they experience throughout their journey. Even if the characters don’t change, it’s important to understand why they must remain the same.
Understanding each character is crucial to the overall power of the story and the emotional impact of their journey.
Even if you can’t contact the author directly, ScreenCraft can assist you with notes and suggestions on how to strengthen your story. Whether you’re adapting or writing a children’s novel, ScreenCraft provides insider advice to help you create the best story possible.
Read more: How do screenwriters know when to accept or reject comments and feedback?
“Wild Robot” (2024)
Find common touchpoints
Many animated films try to find a universal touchpoint that everyone can relate to. Pixar often talks about how their best stories come from universally shared experiences. Sanders works a similar magic by fusing science fiction with profound human emotion.
“I try not to exclude, I never exclude anyone, I never target anyone, but I try to be inclusive of everyone… Does that make sense? Try not to exclude,” Sanders said.
Sanders isn’t concerned that some ideas might not be understood by everyone who sees the film. Instead, he promises to engage viewers more deeply with the story unfolding before them.
“In general, I think making movies is the same as writing for a broad audience. Not everyone has to know every little thing,” Sanders said. “Sometimes, it’s okay for kids and even adults to look something up, push themselves, and, you know, try a little harder.”
Read more: ‘Inside Out 2’ tops summer box office, proving story is still king
“Wild Robot” (2024)
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wild robot is an animated film that resonates with a wide audience, encouraging us to find the beauty in existence and practice kindness in our lives. Unique animation enhances the beauty of Sanders’ script and the core themes he brought to life from Brown’s children’s books.
Check out more advice from Chris Sanders and his adaptation experience wild robot For the footage from ScreenCraft’s exclusive interview above.
wild robot landing theater September 27, 2024.
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