How To DJ Like A Space Ranger 🧑🚀
Pixar's storytelling secrets for DJs
Hello there Fader Flippers,
I remember the first time I saw Toy Story at the cinema. Afterwards, I spent all my pocket money trying to own any mass produced plastic with Buzz Lightyear on the box.
The visuals were mind blowing for the time. But even more memorable were the characters and the story.
Pixar are masters of storytelling. One of their co-founders Ed Catmull wrote an entire book on how they approach it called Creativity, Inc.
So what has this got to do with DJing? The great news is good storytelling can be applied to anything; from Powerpoint presentations to your DJ sets.
By understanding some of the methods Pixar uses to tell a great story, you can start to take your sets from dull to Infinity, and beyond! 🚀
Plan the ending first
Every great protagonist has to have a goal. Otherwise, there’s no point to the story. For Buzz, after he realises he is actually a toy (spoiler alert), his goal is to help Woody and the other toys escape Sid and get back to Andy.
It may seem counter-intuitive. But knowing where your set is ultimately going to end up makes it much easier to plan how to get there.
Figure out the track you are going to end on, and then work backwards until you arrive at the beginning.
Acts - Not just for Shakespeare or nuns
Let me tell you a joke.
Version 1
The student exclaimed: ”I don’t consider myself an idiot, but I hate to see you standing up there all by yourself”.This was in response to the the teacher asking why the student had stood up.
At the start of the lesson, the teacher had said: "If there are any idiots in the room, will they please stand up".
Doesn’t really work does it? But why? The structure of the joke is wrong. It starts with the end and ends with the start 🤷♂️.
The 3 act structure is pretty simple. Every story has a start, middle and end - in that order. Let’s try again, applying this principle:
Version 2
"If there are any idiots in the room, will they please stand up", said the teacher at the start of the lesson.
After a long silence, one student rose to their feet.
"Now then, why do you consider yourself an idiot?", inquired the teacher with a sneer.
"Well, actually I don't" said the student, "but I hate to see you standing up there all by yourself."
Ok, it’s not the greatest joke in the world. But I think you’ll agree it makes a lot more sense in the second version.
In the same way, your sets should have a clear structure. Ensure the story you want to tell is clear and has defined sections that the listener can follow and understand.
Treat your tracks as characters
Every character in Toy Story had something about them that was memorable to the audience. Even the minor ones.
For example, Rex is a wimpy Tyrannosaurus Rex toy who often doubts his abilities and fears he is not scary enough. But he overcomes his fears to help Woody and Buzz.
Put simply, every character has a reason for being there. Think of your tracks as characters in your story. Think carefully about how each track adds value to the story you are trying to tell. Give them purpose, and think about how they can help progress your set towards it’s ultimate conclusion.
Not every track has to be the star, but if you notice any that aren’t working hard for their place or offering anything unique then consider swapping them out.
Have an overarching theme
Pixar films always have a strong overall theme. This is something that sits at a higher level than the basic plot.
You could describe the overarching theme of Toy Story as ‘finding your place in the world’. In ‘Up’ it was the importance of adventure and the power of love.
DJs can also have overarching themes in their mixes. Too often we think about our sets as simply throwing down the biggest bangers we can find. Or just playing the latest tracks from our chosen genre.
But you can create much deeper relationships with your listeners by weaving in larger musical themes.
That sounds a bit abstract so here’s an example. Let’s say you want to replicate the “Hero’s journey” - a classic storytelling framework where a hero goes on a journey, has a set back, and returns victorious and transformed (notice the 3 act structure again here?).
Perhaps your set might start with some more optimistic or uplifting tracks. But along the way you can throw in challenges or set backs in the form of suddenly more downbeat or melancholy tracks. Then gradually build your ‘hero’ back up towards their final triumphant crescendo with some bangers.
Track selection is one method for this, but you can also use different transition styles. Faster more sudden transitions create a much different narrative than longer more drawn out ones.
Pixar makes great movies. And you can make great DJ sets by following some of the simple storytelling principles they use to make their movies unforgettable.
I challenged Engine to a DJ software battle
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Other news
Aside from DJing, one of the other things I love is Sonic. I’ve never really left the 90s apparently. I’ve been playing Sonic Frontiers and I have to say it’s the best Sonic game I’ve played since Sonic 3 & Knuckles.
I’m over on Threads now. Like most, I’m still figuring out what exactly to do with it but come over and join the party!
Wow! The writeup is so great. Thanks bro.
DM'd you on Istagram...
"Do you understand American Football and the Quarterback position that is the key element (Player/Position)?