--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every movie has three things you have to…" description: "\"Every movie has three things you have to do - you have to have a compelling story that keeps people on the edge of their seats; you have to populate th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/john-lasseter-2122_appealing_every-movie-has-three-things-you-have-to_1727013.jpg" --- # Every movie has three things you have to do - you have to… ![“Every movie has three things you have to do - you have to have a compelling story that keeps people on the edge of their seats; you have to populate that story with memorable and appealing characters; and you have to put that story and those characters in a believable world. Those three things are…” quote by John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/john-lasseter-2122_appealing_every-movie-has-three-things-you-have-to_1727013.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/john-lasseter-2122_appealing_every-movie-has-three-things-you-have-to_1727013.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a2/john-lasseter-2122_appealing_every-movie-has-three-things-you-have-to_1727013.jpg) > “Every movie has three things you have to do - you have to have a compelling story that keeps people on the edge of their seats; you have to populate that story with memorable and appealing characters; and you have to put that story and those characters in a believable world. Those three things are so vitally important.” [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A successful movie needs a compelling story, memorable characters, and a believable world; all three are essential. **In simple terms:** Good movies need story, characters, and world. Key Takeaway Balance narrative, characters, and setting. Themes storytelling character design world‑building film creative process Mood inspirational practical Type advice creative When to use this quote - film pitch - scriptwriting - character casting - set design Key Concepts narrative structure character development environment design Questions to Reflect On - Which element is hardest for you to develop? - How can you ensure all three are strong? A Different Perspective Focusing on one element can weaken the whole film. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters/) [Edge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/edge/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Memorable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorable/) [Movie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movie/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [For me, few things are more compelling than watching a great opera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-rubenstein/for-me-few-things-are-more-compelling-than-watching-a-great-opera/) [David Rubenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rubenstein/) > [For a second, two seconds, they had exchanged an equivocal glance, and that was the end of the story. But even that was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/for-a-second-two-seconds-they-had-exchanged-an-equivocal-glance-and/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [A compelling story requires conflict, friction, an obstacle to be overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-soltis-anderson/a-compelling-story-requires-conflict-friction-an-obstacle-to-be/) [Kristen Soltis Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-soltis-anderson/) > [“Each and every decision you make, regardless of its level of intensity, is vitally important as you seek to do God’s will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-george/each-and-every-decision-you-make-regardless-of-its-level-of-intensity/) [Elizabeth George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-george/) > [When we have a genuine sense that, no matter how difficult our present circumstances, we are not alone-that we are vitally connected with others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/when-we-have-a-genuine-sense-that-no-matter-how-difficult-our-present/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [I believe that there is a future in anything that one is vitally interested in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-henry-hoover/i-believe-that-there-is-a-future-in-anything-that-one-is-vitally/) [Lou Henry Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-henry-hoover/) > [You can watch any episode you want and have a compelling story being told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-meloni/you-can-watch-any-episode-you-want-and-have-a-compelling-story-being/) [Christopher Meloni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-meloni/) > [A compelling story, even if factually inaccurate, can be more emotionally compelling than a dry recitation of the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-luntz/a-compelling-story-even-if-factually-inaccurate-can-be-more/) [Frank Luntz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-luntz/) > [It's about love and loss, it struck me as a meaningful and compelling story, and the shifts in reality offered up strong visual possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-almereyda/it-s-about-love-and-loss-it-struck-me-as-a-meaningful-and-compelling/) Michael Almereyda > [The one kind of person I have a lot of trouble understanding is the kind of person that says the existence of God or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/the-one-kind-of-person-i-have-a-lot-of-trouble-understanding-is-the/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [I'm delighted to carry on in the tradition of the great reporters like Edward R. Murrow, Ernie Pyle, and Geraldo Rivera to probe vitally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-madrigal/i-m-delighted-to-carry-on-in-the-tradition-of-the-great-reporters/) [Al Madrigal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-madrigal/) > [It is vitally important that we implement immigration reform. We need a bill that strengthens our borders and protects this nation, but that also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-reichert/it-is-vitally-important-that-we-implement-immigration-reform-we-need/) [Dave Reichert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-reichert/) > [As a writer, my only responsibility is to tell a compelling story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-asher/as-a-writer-my-only-responsibility-is-to-tell-a-compelling-story/) [Jay Asher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-asher/) > [SHADOW KNIGHT'S MATE is a compelling story, extremely well-written and alarmingly plausible. Jay Brandon does for politics what Dan Brown did for religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharyn-mccrumb/shadow-knight-s-mate-is-a-compelling-story-extremely-well-written-and/) [Sharyn McCrumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharyn-mccrumb/) > [From the middle of life onward, only he remains vitally alive who is ready to die with life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/from-the-middle-of-life-onward-only-he-remains-vitally-alive-who-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by John Lasseter > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [The hardest thing to get is true emotion. I always believe you need to earn that with the audience. You can't just tell them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-hardest-thing-to-get-is-true-emotion-i-always-believe-you-need-to/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I'm really proud of 'Cars.' 'Cars,' when it first came out, got probably the most mediocre reviews of a Pixar film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/i-m-really-proud-of-cars-cars-when-it-first-came-out-got-probably-the/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Car love is the sound of a throaty V-8 rumbling and revving, the acceleration throwing you back in the seat - especially when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/car-love-is-the-sound-of-a-throaty-v-8-rumbling-and-revving-the/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [When you make these films, they become like your children. But at a certain point, they don’t belong to you anymore; they belong to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/when-you-make-these-films-they-become-like-your-children-but-at-a/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [A gem of a short film has a sense of pure joy in animation that is different from anything you see in a feature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/a-gem-of-a-short-film-has-a-sense-of-pure-joy-in-animation-that-is/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I think that as I had children, I have five sons, and they got into video games and were the prime ages through the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/i-think-that-as-i-had-children-i-have-five-sons-and-they-got-into/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [People who get into animation tend to be kids. We don't have to grow up. But also, animators are great observers, and there's this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/people-who-get-into-animation-tend-to-be-kids-we-don-t-have-to-grow/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I love the villains who are really hyper-smart. When at the end of the movie you find out what they were about, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/i-love-the-villains-who-are-really-hyper-smart-when-at-the-end-of-the/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Toys are put on this Earth to be played with by a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/toys-are-put-on-this-earth-to-be-played-with-by-a-child/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Humor is the easiest to achieve; the 'heart' is always the toughest, because you can't tell people to feel a certain way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/humor-is-the-easiest-to-achieve-the-heart-is-always-the-toughest/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I laugh very hard at work every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/i-laugh-very-hard-at-work-every-day/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Short films really helped me develop as a story teller, animator, and as a director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/short-films-really-helped-me-develop-as-a-story-teller-animator-and/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [I believe in the nobility of entertaining people and I take great, great pride that people are willing to give me two or three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/i-believe-in-the-nobility-of-entertaining-people-and-i-take-great/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) [Explore all 184 John Lasseter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) ## More Appealing quotes > [I'm really excited about anything that is able to address the really big markets, so anything that's universally appealing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-andreessen/i-m-really-excited-about-anything-that-is-able-to-address-the-really/) [Marc Andreessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-andreessen/) > [A message to women in general is be happy with yourself first. Be sure that you take care of yourself and find yourself. Be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raven-goodwin/a-message-to-women-in-general-is-be-happy-with-yourself-first-be-sure/) [Raven Goodwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raven-goodwin/) > [I don't think Cheney started off in 2000 with a burning desire to become vice-president. I think the prospect gradually became more appealing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barton-gellman/i-don-t-think-cheney-started-off-in-2000-with-a-burning-desire-to/) [Barton Gellman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barton-gellman/) > [I love playing Jim. I love working with this cast and the opportunity to come back and work with them again was just way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-biggs/i-love-playing-jim-i-love-working-with-this-cast-and-the-opportunity/) [Jason Biggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-biggs/) > [The fragrance of love is the most appealing of all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaoru-shinmon/the-fragrance-of-love-is-the-most-appealing-of-all/) [Kaoru Shinmon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaoru-shinmon/) > [For the top stars, it's just more appealing to go to the Premier League than to Bundesliga.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niko-kovac/for-the-top-stars-it-s-just-more-appealing-to-go-to-the-premier/) [Niko Kovac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niko-kovac/) > [The idea of having a steady job is appealing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-williams/the-idea-of-having-a-steady-job-is-appealing/) [Robin Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-williams/) > [I find that very appealing: the blurring of the lines between what's funny and what's tragic. And what's ordinary and what's not - the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-joyce/i-find-that-very-appealing-the-blurring-of-the-lines-between-what-s/) [Rachel Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-joyce/) > [Real Love Lasts Forever.. It is Kind and Gentle and Everything Appealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-s-voice/real-love-lasts-forever-it-is-kind-and-gentle-and-everything-appealing/) Lisa's Voice > [In Britain, the major public holiday used to be Guy Fawkes Day... that was celebrated on November 5th with things like bonfires and fireworks...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-morton/in-britain-the-major-public-holiday-used-to-be-guy-fawkes-day-that/) [Lisa Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-morton/) > [The idea of appealing to people of a like mind and like spirit always appealed to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-smith/the-idea-of-appealing-to-people-of-a-like-mind-and-like-spirit-always/) [Robert Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-smith/) > [Trade wars aren't started by countries appealing to respected, independent trade authorities. Rather, trade wars begin when one country decides to violate international trade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-wyden/trade-wars-aren-t-started-by-countries-appealing-to-respected/) [Ron Wyden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-wyden/) > [I just have this thing in my head that I want to do serious stories that are still just way too cute and drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-lee-o-malley/i-just-have-this-thing-in-my-head-that-i-want-to-do-serious-stories/) [Bryan Lee O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-lee-o-malley/) > [“When our mental functioning is whittling away and our mind becomes a lame duck, perception does not form the context anymore and all connections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/when-our-mental-functioning-is-whittling-away-and-our-mind-becomes-a/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) > [So all you fill the streets it's appealing to see](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gorillaz/so-all-you-fill-the-streets-it-s-appealing-to-see/) [Gorillaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gorillaz/) Browse all 136 Appealing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every movie has three things you have to do - you have to have a compelling story that keeps people on the edge of their seats; you have to populate that story with memorable and appealing characters; and you have to put that story and those characters in a believable world. 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