What were the original emotions in Inside Out?
Inside Out, the 2015 Pixar animated film, takes viewers on an emotional journey inside the mind of an 11-year-old girl named Riley. The film introduces us to the five core emotions that reside in Riley’s mind: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear. Each emotion has its own unique personality and role in shaping Riley’s memories and decisions. But what were the original emotions that Pixar’s creative team envisioned for this groundbreaking film?
The concept of five core emotions was initially inspired by psychologist Paul Ekman’s theory of basic emotions. Ekman proposed that there are six universal emotions that are expressed in the same way across all cultures: happiness, sadness, surprise, anger, fear, and disgust. Pixar’s creative team took this idea and expanded it to five emotions, as they believed that the number five would be more visually appealing and easier for audiences to relate to.
In the early stages of development, the Pixar team considered adding a sixth emotion to represent “shame.” However, they ultimately decided against it, as they wanted to focus on the core emotions that would drive the story. According to Pete Docter, the film’s director, the emotions were designed to be “characters” with distinct personalities, which would help to make the film more engaging and relatable.
Joy, the main character of the film, was inspired by the idea of a positive, ever-present force that guides Riley through her life. Joy is portrayed as a young, enthusiastic character who wears a bright yellow dress and has a sunny disposition. Her role is to keep Riley’s memories positive and focused on the good times.
Sadness, on the other hand, is depicted as a more complex and nuanced character. Sadness is initially seen as a hindrance to Riley’s happiness, but as the story progresses, she becomes an essential part of Riley’s emotional growth. Sadness represents the natural human experience of loss and sadness, and her presence helps to remind Riley that it’s okay to feel and express these emotions.
Anger, Disgust, and Fear also play significant roles in Riley’s emotional landscape. Anger is the emotion that represents frustration and determination, while Disgust signifies judgment and aversion. Fear, the most cautious of the emotions, represents anxiety and caution. Each of these emotions contributes to Riley’s overall emotional well-being and helps her navigate the challenges she faces in her life.
In conclusion, the original emotions in Inside Out were inspired by Paul Ekman’s theory of basic emotions, but Pixar’s creative team expanded and refined the concept to fit the film’s unique narrative. The five core emotions—Joy, Sadness, Anger, Disgust, and Fear—work together to create a rich and relatable emotional landscape that helps audiences explore the complexities of human emotions. Inside Out’s groundbreaking approach to depicting emotions has left a lasting impact on the animation industry and has inspired countless discussions about the nature of emotions and their importance in our lives.
