"If you're sitting in your minivan, playing your computer animated films for your children in the back seat, is it the animation that's entertaining you as you drive and listen? No, it's the storytelling. That's why we put so much importance on story. No amount of great animation will save a bad story"

The quote by John Lasseter, renowned animator and filmmaker, highlights a basic concept in the world of filmmaking and storytelling: the primacy of story over visual or technical expertise, particularly in animation. Lasseter, who has actually been a substantial figure in the animation industry, especially with Pixar and Disney, stresses that while animation as a medium is highly visual and can mesmerize audiences with its creative radiance and technical sophistication, it is ultimately the story that engages and keeps an audience's attention.

When Lasseter recommendations a minivan situation where kids are amused by animated movies playing in the rear seats, he mentions that grownups, who are likely to be concentrated on driving and thus unable to see the screen, are mainly captivated by the story rather than the animation. This indicates that a strong story holds power even when removed of its visual aspects, resonating through discussion, character development, and plot. It is the story that sustains enjoyment, conveys messages, and evokes emotional actions.

The assertion "No amount of terrific animation will conserve a bad story" works as a cautionary note to developers-- an animation or any movie with compelling visuals will not succeed if it is constructed on a weak narrative foundation. This is particularly true in animation, where technological improvements consistently press borders in developing spectacular visuals, however could easily eclipse the importance of storytelling if not well balanced properly. Lasseter's insight welcomes filmmakers and animators to focus on story advancement, making sure that the narrative is robust and resonant. It accentuates the collaborative nature of filmmaking, where storytelling and visual components need to be in harmony to produce works that are both aesthetically captivating and narratively extensive, thus improving the audience's experience. In essence, Lasseter is promoting the ageless saying that while strategies develop, the art of storytelling stays at the core of engaging movie theater.