Nearly a decade has passed since the original “Inside Out” film captivated audiences, and the animation for “Inside Out 2” required significant updates to bring Riley’s world back to life. Pixar assembled a dedicated team of both new and returning craftspeople to rework the beloved universe and introduce a fresh set of emotions for the sequel.
“Inside Out 2” revisits Riley Anderson, now a teenager, as she navigates the tumultuous waters of puberty. This period of her life brings forth new emotions, disrupting the balance that Joy had meticulously maintained in Riley’s mind. Among these new emotions is Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke. The film is set to hit theaters on June 14, 2024.
Rebecca McVeigh, a story artist, shared her thoughts on the challenges and rewards of working on a sequel. She noted that while the original five emotions were well-defined and beloved, the task was to remain true to their essence while exploring new narrative ground. This balance was crucial in ensuring that the sequel felt both familiar and fresh.
Adam Habib, the cinematographer who worked on the original film, saw the sequel as an opportunity to revisit and refine old techniques. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the visual motifs from the first film while incorporating new elements like anamorphic lenses to enhance the human world style.
Production designer Jason Deamer faced a unique challenge as technological advancements necessitated recreating all characters from scratch. This process involved making the characters look like their original selves while also improving their design. For instance, Sadness’ sweater was recreated using advanced techniques to make it appear more realistic.
Director Kelsey Mann’s clear vision was a guiding light for the team, especially in introducing the character of Anxiety. McVeigh found Anxiety to be a fascinating character to draw, with her cartoony and gangly proportions. However, animation supervisors Evan Bonifacio and Dovi Anderson initially found her character challenging due to her complex rig and acting nuances.
The team brainstormed ways to make Anxiety relatable without overwhelming the audience. They aimed to balance her nervous and jittery nature with moments of calm to ensure viewers could empathize with her. Editor Maurissa Horwitz played a crucial role in finding the right rhythm for the film, adjusting the pace to match the energy of each new emotion.
Horwitz also had to adapt the editing style for other new emotions like Embarrassment and Envy, each requiring a unique tempo to reflect their characteristics. This careful attention to detail ensured that each emotion felt distinct and contributed to the overall narrative.
Producer Mark Nielsen, who worked on the original “Inside Out,” was thrilled to collaborate with Mann on the sequel. Mann conducted extensive research into the changes that occur in the brain during puberty, using this knowledge to create new settings and ideas for the film. This research informed the design of the new belief system, a concept that adds depth to Riley’s evolving mind.
Mann and Nielsen were mindful of bringing a female perspective to the story, enlisting writer Meg LeFauve and other female team members to ensure authenticity. They also consulted a group of teenage girls to ensure the film resonated with its target audience.
“Inside Out 2” promises to expand the world of emotions, introducing new characters and exploring new themes. The film aims to capture the emotional depth that Pixar is known for while providing plenty of humor and fun. As Riley’s mind undergoes significant changes, the sequel offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of growing up.
The film’s release is eagerly anticipated, and fans of the original can look forward to a new adventure that stays true to the spirit of “Inside Out” while exploring new emotional territory.
