I know you have heard the expression “Lights, Camera, Action!” but the order should technically be Camera, Actions and the Light when creating an animated film. That’s exactly what they did for Disney Pixar’s Inside Out and I know this because I got to chat with Patrick Lyn, Director of Photography, while at Pixar Studios last month.

INSIDE OUT

Here are a few things I learned about the movie from Patrick…

  • Starts with story boards as a guide.
  • The camera sets up the foundation for other departments in animation.
  • They use visual storytelling to define two worlds.

I was also able to sit down and chat with Lighting Artist, Angelique Reisch.

INSIDE OUT

Here’s what Angelique had to say about Lighting:

  • There were 35 people on the lighting team.
  • There are 175 lights in the dream production scene alone.
  • They start by receiving the pastels from the art department and kick-off from Director of Photography with story points.
  • Joy is a light source.
  • A saturation of lighting was used to distinguish between 2 worlds.
  • They rely heavily on value for the shaping of a character (lightness & darkness) but Joy was shaped with color and not value.
  • They do 1 walk thru a day and 2 shots typically get approved each week.

She went on to say that the principles of Lighting are as follows:

  • Directing the viewers eye.
  • Creating depth.
  • Enhancing Mood, Atmosphere & Drama.
  • Conveying time of Day.
  • Reveal Character personality and situation.

Cool huh????? I can’t wait to see the movie Inside Out when it opens in theaters on 6/19!

Inside Out Poster

Inside Out Official Synopsis:

Growing up can be a bumpy road, and it’s no exception for Riley, who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job in San Francisco. Like all of us, Riley is guided by her emotions – Joy (Amy Poehler), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Mindy Kaling) and Sadness (Phyllis Smith). The emotions live in Headquarters, the control center inside Riley’s mind, where they help advise her through everyday life. As Riley and her emotions struggle to adjust to a new life in San Francisco, turmoil ensues in Headquarters. Although Joy, Riley’s main and most important emotion, tries to keep things positive, the emotions conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school.

Inside Out Official Trailer:



Stay social with Inside Out:

*Photos Courtesy of Disney/Pixar