Turbo Charge Your Storytelling

I took my kids to see the movie Turbo. It was a great film that kept me giggling the whole way through. I seriously can’t grow up when it comes to these things. I thought I was doing the kids a favor taking them but forget the kids – I loved it! But I did sit there wishing I had written it, or something even remotely as clever. This story had it all; every aspect of good story telling in a reliability safe movie. I only say relatively safe as I don’t indorse any promotion of alcohol in kids movies and the characters did celebrate with alcohol in one scene. I would have preferred that part left out considering it is the most distributive vice in our society because of it’s social acceptance, I digress.

Anyway, the story is about a snail called Theo (His racing name is Turbo) who dreams of being a racer. For a start this story uses a clever oxymoron scenario; a fast snail. It grabs your attention immediately with loads of inventive impossible situations the snail and supporting characters have to overcome. It had great values imbedded within the scrip that caught my attention. At one point Turbo’s brother Chet asks, “Theo, if you wake up tomorrow and your powers are gone what then?” In which Turbo (Theo’s racing name) replies, “Then I better make the most of today.” Wise words for us all. Later his competitor Guy Gagne announces, “No dream is too big and no dreamer too small.” – I LOVE THAT! My motivation to write kid’s books is to empower them. I liked Guy Gagne in that moment at least.

I won’t spoil the movie for anyone who may have not seen it but I will say this. I am buying the video to keep and remind me of the bench mark for my own storytelling. I will be taking notes, drawing out inspirational stills that inspire me and learning from the pros in film making. This movie has inspired me with both my writing and illustrating to aim higher still and maybe — just maybe — one day I might create something as exciting as this movie for kids and adults.

Are you like me? have you seen something lately that has inspired your craft and driven you to a higher ground?