INSIGHT: Mathew Luhn is well-versed in teaching story methods and skills. His  workshop will provide participants with ideas to develop powerful and compelling movies that resonate globally.

DFI hosts Matthew Luhn, renowned Story
Supervisor at Pixar Animation, who will hold a
workshop for aspiring filmmakers, students and
professionals on how to develop story ideas into
great movies. By Umer Nangiana
You have ideas in mind but are wondering how to form a visual story out of them? Here is your chance to learn how to do it. The man who has been creating stories all his life and professionally for more than two decades at some of the world’s best film and animation studios, is coming to town for a workshop early next month.
Matthew Luhn, renowned Story Supervisor at Pixar Animation Studios, will hold a workshop for aspiring filmmakers, writers, university students and business professionals from the Middle East on how to develop story ideas into great movies at the Doha Film Institute’s (DFI) Story Seminar.
A collaboration between the Doha Film Institute and the Qatar Animation Centre, and an initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the day-long interactive seminar will be held on October 10. With Luhn at hand, the workshop will provide participants with insights to develop powerful and compelling movies that resonate globally.
Matthew Luhn has more than 20 years of experience at Pixar where he has created award-winning stories and characters for some of the studio’s most popular animations including all three Toy Story movies, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Ratatouille, UP and Monsters University.
“I had so much fun learning about story with Matthew. He made sure that everything was clearly explained, so when we jumped into an assignment we were prepared and excited to take it on. Matthew’s ability to brainstorm inspired us to keep reaching for the answers even when we ran into problems,” says Madeline Sharafian, the Storyboard Artist, Cartoon Network in a testimonial for the supervisor.
Luhn has heard thousands of great ideas while working at Pixar, The Simpsons, and ILM, but how is it that some of these ideas make great movies and TV shows, while others don’t make the cut?
The answer, according to Luhn, is that the best innovators and directors have developed a process that focuses their team’s creativity into not only creating great ideas but also fleshing them out, something Matthew has experienced first-hand.
His inspiring and engaging workshop makes it possible for students to generate new ideas and develop stories on their own and with others while under the guidance of his expertise.
“His (Luhn’s) love of story is contagious, and his ability to generate and capture ideas is a marvel. He’s an inspiring, natural born teacher, whose methods are clear and convincing,” says Michael Ogden, the Creative Director at Sony Entertainment, about Luhn.
The story supervisor has worked with the best innovators and directors to develop a process that focuses their team’s creativity into generating fresh ideas, enhancing the characters and storyline and producing award-winning films that have the potential to entertain audiences across boundaries.
Participants will be given the tools to create well-structured stories, master the three key elements of storytelling, communicate unique and compelling stories, transfer written ideas onto visual story boards and develop skills to overcome creative blocks in addition to other key topics to enhance their writing.
Luhn teaches students, graduates, and working professionals the story methods and skills required to develop good ideas into great movies.
He has held story seminars, workshops and keynotes for leading industry professionals including writers, artists, directors and creative leaders from reputable global brands such as Sony, Apple, Cartoon Network, Paramount Pictures, BBC, Warner Brothers and Dreamworks among others.
“Matthew’s classes are a must have for anyone who wants to know how to tell a great story whichever medium they work in. He has a genuine love and knowledge of story, which shines through in every seminar,” says Hazel Marshall, the BBC Academy Story Trainer.
By the end of the workshop, students will learn how to communicate a unique and compelling story in one sentence, master the three key elements of storytelling, create well-structured stories with the story spine, successfully brainstorm with others using the “Yes and ...” principle, harness the “Universal Truths” that connect with all people, embrace fear and failing as a necessary part of the creative process and develop the top techniques to overcome creative blocks.
Luhn also holds story seminars for students and business people from the industry. From filmmaking to business, his story seminars are beneficial to anybody wanting to improve their story skills, or learn the persuasion of great storytelling.
The registration for the DFI workshop closes on October 5.