--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first principle was “Story Is King,”…" description: "\"“The first principle was “Story Is King,” by which we meant that we would let nothing—not the technology, not the merchandising possibilities—get in th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg" --- # The first principle was “Story Is King,” by which we meant… ![“The first principle was “Story Is King,” by which we meant that we would let nothing—not the technology, not the merchandising possibilities—get in the way of our story.” quote by Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg) > ““The first principle was “Story Is King,” by which we meant that we would let nothing—not the technology, not the merchandising possibilities—get in the way of our story.”” [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Story must dominate over technology or merchandising to keep audience engagement. **In simple terms:** Story beats tech and sales. Key Takeaway Prioritize narrative above all. Themes storytelling creativity leadership Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical business When to use this quote - film production - product design - marketing campaigns Key Concepts narrative hierarchy brand integrity Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance innovation with narrative focus? - When does merchandising enhance versus distract? A Different Perspective If tech is too flashy, it can drown the story. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [King Meant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/king-meant-811919/) [Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle/) [Principle Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle-story-5308261/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Story King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story-king-2431398/) [Technology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technology/) [Way Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-story-3146548/) ## Related quotes > [A fairy tale is the kind of story in which one king goes to another king to borrow a cup of sugar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-carter/a-fairy-tale-is-the-kind-of-story-in-which-one-king-goes-to-another/) [Angela Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-carter/) > [The king died and then the queen died is a story. The king died, and then queen died of grief is a plot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/the-king-died-and-then-the-queen-died-is-a-story-the-king-died-and/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [“I'm sorry," said Damen. Laurent gave him a strange look. "Why would you apologise to me?" He couldn't answer. Not with the truth. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-u-pacat/i-m-sorry-said-damen-laurent-gave-him-a-strange-look-why-would-you/) [S.U. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-u-pacat/) > [“None of his brothers dared to throw out a grumble, because the protocol button had been punched: If they were around outsiders, they treated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/none-of-his-brothers-dared-to-throw-out-a-grumble-because-the/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“But in my heart, when I said “my king,” I meant Verity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/but-in-my-heart-when-i-said-my-king-i-meant-verity/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [I thought that being king meant I didn't have to kill people myself. 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This is who I have always been. I am in pain. I am always in pain. But I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-alexie/this-is-who-i-am-this-is-who-i-have-always-been-i-am-in-pain-i-am/) [Sherman Alexie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-alexie/) > [Find your own way into your story. Find your own way into your game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-barlog/find-your-own-way-into-your-story-find-your-own-way-into-your-game/) [Cory Barlog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-barlog/) > [The eternal principle, which never was born, never will die: it is in all things: it is in you now. You are the wave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-eternal-principle-which-never-was-born-never-will-die-it-is-in/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [Too much principle is often more harmful than too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/too-much-principle-is-often-more-harmful-than-too-little/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [I'm a principle liberty, rule-of-law Conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-toole/i-m-a-principle-liberty-rule-of-law-conservative/) [Erin O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-toole/) > [“The laws of every country must be analogous to some common principle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-laws-of-every-country-must-be-analogous-to-some-common-principle/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## More by Ed Catmull > [“So I tell myself that I have time, even when I don’t. As in, ‘Okay, I’m going to proceed as if I have time—I’m…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/so-i-tell-myself-that-i-have-time-even-when-i-don-t-as-in-okay-i-m/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“How, then, do you make failure into something people can face without fear? Part of the answer is simple: If we as leaders can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/how-then-do-you-make-failure-into-something-people-can-face-without/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Andrew Stanton says, adding that on each of his own films, he has made a point of doing this on a smaller scale, separate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/andrew-stanton-says-adding-that-on-each-of-his-own-films-he-has-made/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“This was a success in itself, but it came with an added and unexpected benefit: The act of thinking about the problem and responding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/this-was-a-success-in-itself-but-it-came-with-an-added-and-unexpected/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“This principle eludes most people, but it is critical: You are not your idea, and if you identify too closely with your ideas, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/this-principle-eludes-most-people-but-it-is-critical-you-are-not-your/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“You might say I’m an advocate for humility in leaders. But to be truly humble, those leaders must first understand how many of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/you-might-say-i-m-an-advocate-for-humility-in-leaders-but-to-be-truly/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Rejecting failure and avoiding mistakes seem like high-minded”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/rejecting-failure-and-avoiding-mistakes-seem-like-high-minded/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“The most productive creative sessions allow for the exploration of myriad trains of thought.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/the-most-productive-creative-sessions-allow-for-the-exploration-of/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“My rule of thumb is that any time we impose limits or procedures, we should ask how they will aid in enabling people to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/my-rule-of-thumb-is-that-any-time-we-impose-limits-or-procedures-we/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Toy Story went on to become the top-grossing film of the year and would earn $358 million worldwide. But it wasn’t just the numbers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/toy-story-went-on-to-become-the-top-grossing-film-of-the-year-and/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“THERE IS NOTHING quite like ignorance combined with a driving need to succeed to force rapid learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/there-is-nothing-quite-like-ignorance-combined-with-a-driving-need-to/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“What makes Pixar special is that we acknowledge we will always have problems, many of them hidden from our view; that we work hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/what-makes-pixar-special-is-that-we-acknowledge-we-will-always-have/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“Every morning, as I walk into Pixar Animation Studios—past the twenty-foot-high sculpture of Luxo Jr., our friendly desk lamp mascot, through the double doors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/every-morning-as-i-walk-into-pixar-animation-studios-past-the-twenty/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“What makes Pixar special is that we acknowledge we will always have problems, many of them hidden from our view; that we work hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/what-makes-pixar-special-is-that-we-acknowledge-we-will-always-have-2/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [“I believe that managers must loosen the controls, not tighten them. They must accept risk; they must trust the people they work with and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/i-believe-that-managers-must-loosen-the-controls-not-tighten-them/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) [Explore all 226 Ed Catmull quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) ## More Principle quotes > [“The laws of every country must be analogous to some common principle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-laws-of-every-country-must-be-analogous-to-some-common-principle/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I'm a principle liberty, rule-of-law Conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-toole/i-m-a-principle-liberty-rule-of-law-conservative/) [Erin O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-toole/) > [Too much principle is often more harmful than too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/too-much-principle-is-often-more-harmful-than-too-little/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [The eternal principle, which never was born, never will die: it is in all things: it is in you now. You are the wave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/the-eternal-principle-which-never-was-born-never-will-die-it-is-in/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [In a nation as dynamic and diverse as the United States, what makes us great is that our founding principles are rooted in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/in-a-nation-as-dynamic-and-diverse-as-the-united-states-what-makes-us/) [Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/) > [The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-first-principle-of-cognitive-therapy-is-that-all-your-moods-are/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [ The fundamental principle \[of settlement work\] remains: that people shall take up their residence in industrial communities, giving what they may have of public… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lillian-wald/the-fundamental-principle-of-settlement-work-remains-that-people/) [Lillian Wald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lillian-wald/) > [The value of a principle is the number of things it will explain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-value-of-a-principle-is-the-number-of-things-it-will-explain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is: ‘To use the means at hand to inflict the maximum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ladislas-farago/there-is-only-one-tactical-principle-which-is-not-subject-to-change/) [Ladislas Farago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ladislas-farago/) > [“Eventually, there is one principle, and one principle alone on which the world is hinged: things will work out the way they should, provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manreet-sodhi-someshwar/eventually-there-is-one-principle-and-one-principle-alone-on-which/) [Manreet Sodhi Someshwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manreet-sodhi-someshwar/) > [The one guiding principle over my 23-year career in TV has been as long as I'm having fun, I really don't care what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-cohen/the-one-guiding-principle-over-my-23-year-career-in-tv-has-been-as/) [Andy Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-cohen/) > [Freedom can be preserved only if it is treated as a supreme principle which must not be sacrificed for particular advantages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-august-von-hayek/freedom-can-be-preserved-only-if-it-is-treated-as-a-supreme-principle/) [Friedrich August von Hayek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-august-von-hayek/) > [To me the female principle is, or at least historically has been, basically anarchic. It values order without constraint, rule by custom not by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ursula-k-le-guin/to-me-the-female-principle-is-or-at-least-historically-has-been/) [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ursula-k-le-guin/) > [We need to protect free trade as a guiding principle for Japan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-kishida/we-need-to-protect-free-trade-as-a-guiding-principle-for-japan/) [Fumio Kishida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-kishida/) > [It may seem a strange principle to enunciate as the very first requirement in a hospital that it should do the sick no harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-nightingale/it-may-seem-a-strange-principle-to-enunciate-as-the-very-first/) [Florence Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-nightingale/) [Browse all 904 Principle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The first principle was “Story Is King,” by which we meant that we would let nothing—not the technology, not the merchandising possibilities—get in the way of our story.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ed Catmull" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by-which-we-meant-that-we-would/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Principle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by-which-we-meant-that-we-would/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b9/ed-catmull-1553_principle_the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by_2278487.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The first principle was “Story Is King,” by which we meant that we would let nothing—not the technology, not…” — Ed Catmull", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ed Catmull", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The first principle was “Story Is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by-which-we-meant-that-we-would/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/the-first-principle-was-story-is-king-by-which-we-meant-that-we-would/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```