1. Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out is an example of a Hollywood film. Because, it did not have any real monetary limitations,
especially with backing from Disney, one of the six largest film distributors, alongside Paramount, 20th
Century Fox, Universal, Sony/Columbia and Warner Bros. However, as a mainstream film, there is a
heavy emphasis on being family friendly, so there were quite a few elements that could not be shown or
discussed in order to appeal to as many people as possible, young or old. These include the obvious
vulgarity and profanity, though any present near the end were censored out in a humour, as well as
excessively graphic content, though the presence of a dog being torn in half may be problematic, though
this was just a costume through a “reality distortion” lens. However, the film also had to not be too
sweet or pandering, as this would be significantly off-putting for older viewers and be insulting to
younger viewers’ intelligence. This is tackled with intelligent and meaningful motives and main story, as
well as several effective character arcs, particularly with the main character, Joy, who starts off insistent
on constant optimism, but eventually learns that this is not always the answer to everything.
Because more than one company was involved in the creation and distribution of this film, there
is a hierarchy present with integration. Disney, who are the distributors and owners of Pixar, sit at the
top of the hierarchy and earn the most money from the film. Pixar, the producers of the film, are on the
next tier down. Because of this, Disney and Pixar’s relation in this film is vertical integration.
Like most mainstream animated films of the mid-2010s, Inside Out was created using CGI animation
software. This included the character design, lighting and the virtual camera, which was likely using a
similar setting to that of an IMAX 3D camera because the film was shown in 3D in some cinemas. There
was also the use of rendering software, “Renderman”, which was developed by Pixar themselves. As a
result, several computers, monitors, keyboards and computer mice were used to operate the software.
There was also the equipment and software used to record the dialogue and sound effects.
Inside Out was first shown at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2015 and was release to the American
general public the next month. It was released to over 3900 in the US and Canada, with 3100 of those
showing the film in 3D. It was also release to an international market. With this, is raised over US$857m
on a $175m budget. Because of its success, it was eventually released onto DVD and Blu-Ray.
As a mainstream film, it understandably follows several familiar trends to keep their audiences engaged.
The character of Riley is 11 in the main story, so the plot deals with coming of age. Much of the story is
focused on the emotions inside her head, so there is the presence of personification of usually non-
animate objects as well as looking beyond the perspective of humans. The main plot is a hero’s journey,
a common style of story that still keeps audiences engaged. Certain risky events also set the plot in
motion, which is common for stories following the hero’s journey narrative. This also comes with several
instances of peril and a scene just before the climax where hope appears completely gone, but is
resolved somehow.
There are other common traits as well. As with many animated films, there is an emphasis of
humour that harkens back to the golden age of animation. This humour can either be physical or verbal.
There is a comedy relief present to lighten the tone of the film and a heavy exaggeration of scale and
features. There are also several character arcs in the film. The most prominent one is Joy, who starts off
insisting on full positivity, but learns that sadness helps Riley show that she needs help. Riley goes
through a similar character arc, starting off trying to hide her emotions, but eventually shows them with
the help of Sadness. There is also a heavy emphasis of imagination, reflecting on some early Disney
films, and pop culture references, such as the imaginary boyfriend from Canada, likely a reference to
Justin Bieber, who was popular during the film’s production.

2. A genre cycle consists of four portions: primitive, which is developing the standards of the genre usually
through experimentation, classical, where the standards and conventions are defined, revisionist, where
the conventions are re-evaluated, and parodic, where the conventions are ridiculed.
Inside Out is an example of classical. The is because it follows many of the established standards
of 3D CGI animation, including the idea of showing something beyond the perception of human, which is
done effectively as many of the characters are within someone’s head. There is also the presence of a
comedy relief. However, it can also be argued that Inside Out is revisionist, as there are several features
that are changed or included in place of something else. For example, normally the comedy relief does
not offer any real appeal outside of being funny. In this film, however, the comedy relief proves to be
highly important to the plot, even to the point of sacrificing his own life to save someone else.
As it is a mainstream film, it features several big names. The lead character, Joy, is played by Amy
Poehler. Poehler is a popular comedian in American and, more recently, a member of the Academy for
Motion Arts and Sciences. She has seven awards to her name, including the 2016 Primetime Emmy
Award for Guest Actress in Comedy Series. She is also a frequent voice actor for highly successful
animated films, such as 2009’s Monsters vs Aliens. The comedy relief of the film, Bing Bong the
imaginary friend, is also voice by a big name: Richard Kind. Kind is popular on both television and film,
appearing on shows such as Scrubs, American Dad and The Penguins of Madagascar. He is a frequent
collaborator with Pixar, having appeared in films such as A Bug’s Life, Cars, and Toy Story 3 alongside
Inside Out. Another character voiced by a big name is Fear, another one of Riley’s emotions, who is
voiced by Bill Hader. Hader is a comedian by trade, but has also had acting roles, such as 2011’s Paul and
2012’s Men in Black 3 and is a writer and actor for South Park since 2008.
Some crew were also notable in the film industry. The director of the film, Pete Docter, works at
Pixar is also highly successful, both critically and commercially. He directed 2001’s Monsters Inc. and
2009’s Up, one of three animated films to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. The
score composer, Michael Giacchino, is also a big name. He has written scores for films such as Mission:
Impossible 3, Ratatouille, Up and Star Trek. As well as films, Giacchino has also written music for video
games, such as Medal of Honor and the first three Call of Duty games.
Although it is a mainstream film, there are quite a few social issues discussed in Inside Out. One of the
more common issues is the theme of family that comes from Riley’s family and friends, especially since
her reluctance to express her sadness causes her to grow distant from both of them. The emotions in
Riley’s head also give a commentary on her thoughts, usually influenced by a single emotion. Distrust
and dishonesty and plays a heavy role in the plot of the story. Towards the climax, Riley becomes
untrusting of her parents to the point where she decides to run away back to Minnesota, though this is
overturned just in time. There is also distrust between emotions, particularly with Joy and Sadness, as
well as Disgust, Anger and Fear when the former become absent from headquarters, leaving the latter
controlling her emotions, unable to express the happiness that Joy is usually insistent on.
Some political issues are discussed as well. While exploring Riley’s brain, several portions are
selected to be removed or demolished due to Riley having forgotten them as a result of aging. This
addresses the issue of nostalgia vs progress, a pressing issue of the time due to the optimism for a
brighter future held by young adults going against the nostalgia of the past held by the elderly. It can
also be argued that the relationship between Joy and Sadness is somewhat discriminatory, as Joy does
not allow Sadness near the controls of Riley’s emotions, although Sadness is required in some situations.

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2. Anon. (2004). Amy Poehler. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Poehler. Last accessed 16th
Dec 2017.
3. Anon. (2005). Richard King. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Kind. Last accessed 16th
Dec 2017.
4. Anon. (2005). Bill Hader. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hader. Last accessed 16th Dec
2017.
5. Anon. (2005). Michael Giacchino. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Giacchino. Last
accessed 16th Dec 2017.
6. Nyland, R. (2013). Intro to Film: Genres. Available: https://www.slideshare.net/robnyland/intro-to-film-
genres. Last accessed 17th Dec 2017.