Episode · How I Write · 2026-06-24
Books mentioned on 'Toy Story 5' Director Reveals His Writing Secrets (Andrew Stanton Interview)
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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The Art of Dramatic Writing
Lajos Egri's classic work provides foundational guidance on the core principles of character-driven storytelling and dramatic conflict.
Recommended“I mean, I'm often asked that and I've already thrown up that one book The Art of Dramatic Writing and there's a book that's called How Not to Write a Screenplay. Which sounds like the kind of book that that you would avoid in a bookstore.”
Where to get it
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The Godfather
The Godfather by Mario Puzo is a classic crime novel detailing the rise and dynamics of the Corleone mafia family.
Discussed“Judith Weston, who is a acting coach, taught me this term. And she gave a good example that like Michael Corleone in The Godfather, his spine is to please his father, and that never goes away even after his father dies all the way through the second Godfather movie.”
Where to get it
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How Not to Write a Screenplay
How Not to Write a Screenplay by Denny Martin Flinn is a practical guide offering instruction on the fundamentals of screenwriting and script formatting.
Recommended“Which sounds like the kind of book that that you would avoid in a bookstore. But it is so smart and clear about the basics of formatting and a screenplay and how not just in formatting, but how to make somebody want to turn the page and keep reading.”
Where to get it
