PIXAR Animation Studios seems to be shifting gears, leaning more towards films like Inside Out 2. Pete Docter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, recently discussed Disney’s new approach to filmmaking. This change comes after several recent movies experienced low box office numbers.
Docter explained that the studio is moving away from personal stories and instead focusing on a commonality of experience
to achieve broader appeal. Following the releases of Elemental and Lightyear, coupled with financial setbacks, the studio felt it necessary to re-evaluate its strategy. Pete mentioned, There was a real and intense period of self-scrutiny and feeling like we messed up in some way.
Turning Away From Personal Stories
Several recent Pixar films were deeply rooted in their directors’ personal experiences. For instance, Luca, which came out in 2021, drew inspiration from Enrico Casarosa’s childhood in Italy. Similarly, Turning Red was based on Domee Shi’s relationship with her mother. Shi revealed, I really wanted it to feel different and look different [from other coming-of-age films]. I wanted to make that movie for a 13-year-old me who was struggling with being her mom’s perfect little daughter and had this raging hormonal beast that was fighting with her every day.
The Future Focus on Sequels
The studio has announced plans for more sequels, including Inside Out 2 and Moana 2. The first teaser for Moana’s sequel has been met with high watch rates.
Pete Docter elaborated on the shift away from autobiographical storytelling during an audience test screening discussion: We have ‘Inside Out’ coming out next summer, and then ‘Elio.’ That’s about a kid who feels like he doesn’t quite fit in. Somehow, he is selected to be the Earth’s representative at an intergalactic community of planets. The fate of the Earth is in this kid’s hands. We had an audience test screening last week. It’s compelling, fun and very funny.
Misdirecting Relatability
This change aligns with Disney’s strategy to create mass appeal by catering to shared experiences instead of deeply personal tales. However, fans have expressed their discontent. One user tweeted, Absolutely absurd reality-bending here…infuriating misunderstanding of what makes something relatable even to those who don’t ‘see themselves’ in it at a surface level: specificity, detail, depth…
The Magic Behind Personal Narratives
The success of movies based on personal stories indicates that audiences value authenticity. Films like Luca, based on Enrico Casarosa’s memories of summers spent on the Italian coast, resonate deeply because they are enriched with specific details and true emotions. Casarosa reflected, I spent my summers in smaller towns along the coast…the distance from home made me appreciate my roots even more.
The Upcoming Releases
The upcoming releases still hold potential excitement for fans. The sequel to Inside Out, set to launch mid-June this year, introduces new facets to Riley’s emotional landscape as she faces her teenage years.
Despite these changes, some fans remain hopeful that future Pixar films will continue to evoke strong emotional responses even if they lean towards more generalized storylines.
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