Today Disney+ gave us our first official look at the upcoming INSIDE PIXAR docuseries shorts premiering this Friday and we’re happy to share that it’s every bit as good as it looks from this teaser.
The show is comprised of FOUR collections, each with FIVE episodes each. The first collection, dropping its five short-form stories on Friday is wrapped up under the theme of INSPIRED. The five stories look at ALL arms of the creative wings of the house that the Lamp built offering peeks into what sparks inspiration and the journey from idea to execution — from writing and directing to storyboard and animation.
We had the opportunity to screen the first two episodes of this first collection and can say that we’re going to be in for the long haul with this one! Each story clocks in at around 10 minutes and in that time it focuses in on one of the myriad of creative gurus that roam the storied halls of the Emeryville campus and beyond. Each time the credits rolled on the episodes, we found ourselves exclaiming to each other, wait, I want more!
The very first episode focuses in on the upcoming co-director for SOUL, Kemp Powers. He shares how his personal influence helped shape the upcoming animated feature to provide an authentic black perspective to help shape the narrative and create a story that will resonate on all levels but also and most especially for the black community.
The second one offers a look into the creative process of the FABULOUS Deanna Marsigliese who is a character designer. She shares her insights into becoming the accomplished artist she is and reflects on embracing her own quirkiness to find her truest strength and perspective.
If these first two short stories are any indication to the breadth of what this docuseries will promise then this really will be a truly fantastic and cherished bit of watching. Aspiring artists and storytellers who yearn to see themselves walk the same bricked walls of the Pixar Animation Studios will eat this up. With diversity of not just the cast but also their respective talents, the series will offer viewers at least one person around whom to find inspiration and a personal connection.
Produced by Pixar Animation Studios, INSIDE PIXAR is directed by Erica Milsom and Tony Kaplan offering unprecedented insights into the personal and cinematic stories that provide of the people, artistry, and culture of Pixar Animation Studios.
Episode Summaries
Inspired: Kemp Powers, Writing Something Real
Authenticity is essential to creating a film that is believable and relatable. Co-Director Kemp Powers discusses the real-life experiences that led him to propose a simple, yet pivotal scene in Soul.
Inspired: Deanna Marsigliese, The Art of the Pivot
Inspiration isn’t instant. Coming up with unique and creative characters takes time and effort. Character Designer Deanna Marsigliese takes us through the process of character creation and the artistic detours that often come with it.
Inspired: Steven Hunter, For That Kid
Growing up in a small town in Canada, Steven Hunter never felt like he saw himself represented in cartoons and comic books. After getting the opportunity to direct a Pixar SparkShort, Steven was inspired by his own life to create ‘Out,’ a unique and vulnerable story he wished he saw in his youth.
Inspired: Jessica Heidt, Who Gets All the Lines?
Script Supervisor Jessica Heidt manages endless lines of dialogue. Through her script access, she detected a disparity in male to female roles, motivating her to create a program to improve gender balance throughout Pixar’s films and the greater film industry.
Inspired: Dan Scanlon, Where Ideas Come From
Inspiration can be hard to come by. Sometimes it takes years to find, while other times it’s been right under your nose. Director Dan Scanlon takes us on a personal journey of inspiration that led to his film, Onward.
See it for Yourself
INSIDE PIXAR debuts the first of four collections on Disney+ on November 13, 2020.
