🎬 For Writers in Animation & Kids Media: Let’s Talk About “Simple” Messages
After years of analyzing animated films and working as a story editor for children’s content, I want to clear up a common misunderstanding:
Yes—the messages in this genre are often simple.
But the creativity? That’s in the metaphor.
Humans are humans. So of course stories for all ages will circle around core truths like:
-Be yourself
-Love wins
-Don’t judge others
-Be brave
-Follow your heart
And some writers get bored at this point.
They think: “Ugh, that’s been done.”
But here’s the thing: it hasn’t—not your way.
Take Aladdin.
The message? "Being yourself is the key to love and success."
The metaphor? A street thief in ancient Agrabah, a magical lamp, three wishes, and a prince disguise.
That’s where the creativity lives.
In Tangled, the message is: "Be brave and trust your instincts."
But the metaphor? A girl locked in a tower with magical glowing hair, a kingdom of lanterns, and a thief with a heart.
If you love writing family content, don’t be discouraged by the simplicity of the message.
That’s the point.
📌 Simple doesn’t mean shallow.
It means universal.
So here’s my tip:
If you genuinely crave complexity, ambiguity, and moral gray zones—maybe your gifts belong in something like The White Lotus or House MD. That’s powerful work too.
But if your soul lights up at the idea of turning timeless truths into unforgettable worlds, creatures, or songs—then you belong in animation.
And maybe your job isn’t to invent a new message.
Maybe it is to find a metaphor that no one’s ever seen before.
After years of analyzing animated films and working as a story editor for children’s content, I want to clear up a common misunderstanding:
Yes—the messages in this genre are often simple.
But the creativity? That’s in the metaphor.
Humans are humans. So of course stories for all ages will circle around core truths like:
-Be yourself
-Love wins
-Don’t judge others
-Be brave
-Follow your heart
And some writers get bored at this point.
They think: “Ugh, that’s been done.”
But here’s the thing: it hasn’t—not your way.
Take Aladdin.
The message? "Being yourself is the key to love and success."
The metaphor? A street thief in ancient Agrabah, a magical lamp, three wishes, and a prince disguise.
That’s where the creativity lives.
In Tangled, the message is: "Be brave and trust your instincts."
But the metaphor? A girl locked in a tower with magical glowing hair, a kingdom of lanterns, and a thief with a heart.
If you love writing family content, don’t be discouraged by the simplicity of the message.
That’s the point.
📌 Simple doesn’t mean shallow.
It means universal.
So here’s my tip:
If you genuinely crave complexity, ambiguity, and moral gray zones—maybe your gifts belong in something like The White Lotus or House MD. That’s powerful work too.
But if your soul lights up at the idea of turning timeless truths into unforgettable worlds, creatures, or songs—then you belong in animation.
And maybe your job isn’t to invent a new message.
Maybe it is to find a metaphor that no one’s ever seen before.
