A successful film, or any venture, requires empathy with the characters. Frozen was one of Disney’s greatest hits. It rose from near disaster to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. That was until the sequel six years later.
This behind-the-scenes story was just one of many stories that inspired me to write Mean People Suck. It is focused on two essential elements that we now need more than ever: empathy and the ability to work on your brand storytelling.
The Perfect Disney Flick
Imagine a toy aisle that didn’t have the aftermath of Frozen. Imagine a world where this family favorite had never been.
It would be a world where Santa Claus wasn’t around. Or Barbie dolls. Or any of the countless icons of pop culture.
But this depressing scenario was almost absolute. This is how empathy brought Frost to life.
Charles Duhigg stated it in a Reader’s Digest excerpt from his book Smarter, Faster, Better: “The Disney megahit was almost an implosion until a series of creative brainstorms saved it.” A sudden jolt. It’s like a kick in the pants. It’s a shock without the awe.
As with all Disney movies, the final screening started with the familiar ingredients: a heartthrob prince, princesses dressed in their finest, and a best friend whose specialty is wisecracks and peppy songs with uplifting lyrics.
Anna is the heir to this crown. There is a conflict with Elsa, an older, but not evil, sister who seeks the title. Even though Elsa is more senior, her strange ability to transform everything she touches into ice scared the powers that are, and they made Anna the heir apparent.
Elsa plots to take Anna and the kingdom’s top brass back, as in all Disney films. Olaf, her partner in crime and a wisecracking snowman, assists her in populating the kingdom with snow monsters.
You get the idea. The snow monsters do the same thing as monsters, taking over the town and threatening to destroy the kingdom. Elsa and Anna work together to rid the kingdom of these pests. They win, of course, because it’s a Disney movie.
And then… disaster!
Chris Buck, the director, and several Disney executives left the room feeling dejected. The meeting that followed the screening began. The creative minds saw potential, but it was not enough to make the film.
The studio executives were impressed by the clever dialogue, frightening monsters, and fast pace. The studio heads were disappointed with a snobby Anna and an evil Elsa.
The plot was not only leaking, but it was also leaking like an ice-filled sieve on a hot July afternoon. It didn’t work, no matter how often Buck, the screenwriters, and the songwriters tried to tweak it. Buck knew this deep down before he even entered the screening room.
A Brainstorm that gave birth to empathy and innovation
Their original intention was to replace the Disney-saved-by-a-prince Disney model with a few kick-butt women who can solve their problems without the help of a man. The problem was the tension between the sisters. They were not compatible – which is what the Frozen team expected them to be.
They went back to the drawing boards. It was not just the fictional sisters that needed to learn how to solve their problems, but the whole creative team.
Peter Del Vecho, the producer, came up with the idea. He asked the team to brainstorm their hopes for the film and directed them to do so. The brainstorming session was more like group therapy. It allowed the team to explore their girl-power dreams and their relationships with their siblings.
They realized they had to discover the secret to making their dream come true. This was a realization that both needed help to solve the problem. Instead of the bad-evil duopoly within the princesses’ relationship, they created two lovable hot messes.
The rest is history. They tried to put themselves in Elsa’s shoes. It was a life where everyone judged her. This is what ADHD and autistic kids, along with other conditions, live every day.
The team provided a dose of reality instead of a mythical perfection. Elsa lets go of everyone’s expectations that she should be perfect in a single song called “Let It G” Elsa is now a woman, capable of working with others to defeat the frozen monsters she has created – and those in her head.
However, Anna overcame the fear of being abandoned, which made her an ice princess. Instead of allowing her anxiety to control her by falling for a shallow relationship, Anna channels her strengths and becomes a formidable hero.
Empathy can go a long way in solving problems. The Frozen team’s ability to place themselves in the shoes of Anna and Elsa gave them the magic that ignited audiences.
Crew: Happy Ending
They won two Oscars for their magic: one for the film and another for “Let It Go,” the best original song. The film was a notch on the team’s resume and a significant milestone in their personal growth.
…And a Dose Of Inspiration For Its Fans
The film’s fans, including Gracie Gold, an Olympic figure skater medalist, found inspiration in the story to overcome obstacles. It all began with empathy.
What do you think? Mean people Suck available now. Get the visual companion guide while you’re at your local library. You can also check out our services to help you develop your culture. And I’d love to present to your team the power of empathy! For more information, get in touch!