Inside Out
Executive Summary
Poster
Overview
Genres: Animation, Comedy, Family, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama, Sports
Setting: Contemporary, San Francisco, Minnesota, and Riley's Mind World
Overview: Inside Out is a captivating journey into the mind of a young girl named Riley, where her emotions - Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust - take on distinct personalities and navigate the complexities of her inner world. When Riley's family moves from Minnesota to San Francisco, her emotions are thrown into chaos as she struggles to adapt to her new surroundings and the challenges of starting a new school. The story follows Riley's emotional roller coaster, highlighting the importance of embracing all emotions, even sadness, and how her inner world shapes her experiences. The film's unique perspective on the human mind explores the power of memories and the crucial role of emotions in shaping our personalities.
Themes: Emotions and Mental Health, Identity and Self-Discovery, Family and Relationships, Change and Adaptation, Memory and Core Memories
Conflict and Stakes: Riley's struggle to adjust to her new life in San Francisco, with her happiness and well-being at stake. The core memories that power her personality islands are at risk of being lost, threatening her sense of identity and her ability to cope with challenges. Joy and Sadness must work together to restore Riley's core memories and guide her towards emotional balance.
Overall Mood: Whimsical, heartfelt, and ultimately hopeful.
Mood/Tone at Key Scenes:
- Scene 1: A sense of wonder and curiosity as we are introduced to Riley's inner world and the emotions controlling her.
- Scene 7: A sense of anxiety and desperation as Joy tries to prevent Sadness from affecting Riley's core memories.
- Scene 18: A sense of somberness and nostalgia as Bing Bong's rocket, symbolizing his connection to Riley, is destroyed.
- Scene 32: A feeling of hope and resilience as Joy and Bing Bong overcome obstacles and work together to save Riley's core memories.
- Scene 42: A sense of joy and celebration as Riley returns home and the family comes together.
Standout Features:
- Unique Hook: The story is told from the perspective of emotions, giving a unique insight into the internal world of a young girl, as her feelings navigate the challenges of growing up and adjusting to a new environment.
- Genre Blend: The movie blends animation, comedy, drama, and fantasy elements into a compelling and engaging story.
- Distinctive Setting: The setting of Riley's mind is visually captivating and imaginative, with each emotion having a unique personality and role, creating a colorful and engaging world to explore.
- Unique Characters: The emotions, including Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, are not only visually distinct but also have unique personalities and motivations, contributing to the film's humor and heart.
- Plot Twist: The revelation that Sadness plays a vital role in Riley's well-being is a surprising and meaningful plot twist, highlighting the importance of accepting and integrating all emotions.
Comparable Scripts:
- Inside Out (2015)
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
- The Good Place (TV Series)
- Inside (2015)
- A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Writing Style:
The screenplay exhibits a unique writing style that blends imaginative storytelling, emotional depth, and humor to explore complex themes, internal conflicts, and the inner workings of the mind. It often utilizes surreal and fantastical elements to enhance the narrative and create a distinctive atmosphere.
Style Similarities:
- Pete Docter
- Charlie Kaufman
Pass/Consider/Recommend
Recommend
Explanation: The screenplay for 'Inside Out' is a highly imaginative and emotionally resonant exploration of a young girl's inner world. Through the lens of personified emotions navigating Riley's psyche, the story seamlessly blends humor, heart, and profound insights into the complexities of growing up. The screenplay's consistent character arcs, thematic depth, and innovative storytelling make it a standout example of Pixar's mastery of the animated feature genre.
USP: Inside Out's unique selling proposition lies in its innovative concept of personifying emotions to explore the inner workings of a young girl's mind. This approach not only provides a fresh perspective on emotional resilience and mental health but also makes the story highly relatable and engaging for audiences of all ages. The screenplay's ability to balance humor, drama, and heartfelt moments makes it a standout piece of storytelling.
Market Analysis
Budget Estimate:$150-200 million
Target Audience Demographics: Families with children, adults who enjoy animated films, fans of coming-of-age stories.
Marketability: It features a captivating story, relatable characters, and stunning visuals, making it likely to appeal to a broad audience. Its themes of emotional growth and the importance of family resonate with viewers of all ages.
Its unique blend of animation, humor, and emotional depth has the potential to draw in both children and adults. The movie's themes of self-discovery and acceptance are relevant to a wide range of viewers. Additionally, its imaginative and engaging world-building will appeal to those who enjoy fantasy and adventure.
Its strong cast of characters and compelling storyline combined with its innovative and visually appealing world of emotions will appeal to a wide audience. Its themes of emotional intelligence and resilience are relevant to viewers of all ages.
Profit Potential: High, with potential for significant box office revenue and merchandising opportunities.
Analysis Criteria Percentiles
Writer's Voice
Summary:The writer's voice is whimsical, imaginative, and emotionally resonant. They blend humor and emotional depth effectively, creating a unique style that is both playful and poignant. The narrative is driven by internal struggles and the complexities of human emotions, conveyed through creative dialogue and imaginative scene descriptions.
Best representation: Scene 12 - Joy and Sadness's Journey to Headquarters. This scene is the best representation because it effectively combines humor, emotion, and action, showcasing the writer's ability to create a dynamic and engaging narrative. The dialogue is witty and engaging, highlighting the unique personalities of each emotion, while the narrative description effectively conveys the chaos and urgency of the situation. This scene also demonstrates the writer's skill in using visual imagery to convey complex emotional concepts, creating a powerful and memorable moment.
Memorable Lines:
- Bing Bong: Take her to the moon for me. Okay? (Scene 36)
- Riley: I know you don’t want me to but... I miss home. I miss Minnesota. (Scene 39)
- Joy: We are gonna to have a good day, which will turn into a good week, which will turn into a good year, which turns into a good LIFE! (Scene 10)
- Sadness: I only make everything worse! (Scene 37)
- Bing Bong: Take her to the moon for me. Okay? (Scene 36)
Characters
Riley:A young girl experiencing the challenges of moving to a new city and adapting to a new school.
Joy:A glowing emotion who strives to keep Riley happy and optimistic.
Sadness:A blue emotion who initially struggles to control her emotions, but ultimately learns to embrace sadness and its importance.
Bing Bong:Riley's imaginary friend who guides Joy and Sadness through Riley's mind, eventually sacrificing himself to help them.
Anger:A red emotion who is prone to outbursts and frustration.
Fear:A purple emotion who is easily scared and anxious.
Disgust:A green emotion who is disgusted by things she considers gross or unpleasant.
Story Shape
Screenplay Story Analysis
Note: This is the overall critique. For scene by scene critique click here
Story Content | Character Development | Scene Elements | Audience Engagement | Technical Aspects | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Click for Full Analysis | Tone | Overall Grade | Concept | Plot | Originality Score | Characters | Character Changes | Internal Goal | External Goal | Conflict | Opposition | High stakes | Story forward | Twist | Emotional Impact | Dialogue | Engagement | Pacing | Formatting | Structure | |
1 - Joy's Headquarters: A World of Emotions | Playful, Whimsical, Light-hearted | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
2 - Broccoli Battles and Core Memories | Humorous, Light-hearted, Playful | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
3 - The Islands of Personality | Playful, Nostalgic, Whimsical | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
4 - Leaving Home: A Journey Across America | Humorous, Whimsical, Nostalgic | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
5 - Moving Day Mayhem | Humorous, Whimsical, Light-hearted, Sarcastic | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
6 - Broccoli Pizza and Dinosaur Memories | Humorous, Whimsical, Nostalgic | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
7 - The Blueing of Memories | Humorous, Emotional, Playful | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
8 - Fear and Frustration in the New Home | Anxious, Humorous, Upbeat | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
9 - Joy Takes the Lead | Humorous, Positive, Supportive, Light-hearted | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
10 - Joy's Master Plan for a Great First Day | Hopeful, Playful, Supportive | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
11 - First Day Jitters and a Blue Memory | Excitement, Nervousness, Confusion, Humor | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
12 - The Blue Memory | Emotional, Whimsical, Tense | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
13 - Joy and Sadness's Journey to Headquarters | Emotional, Whimsical, Tense | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
14 - Dissonance at Dinner | Humorous, Light-hearted, Subtle | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
15 - First Day Blues | Humorous, Sarcastic, Concerned | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
16 - The Foot | Humorous, Tense, Sarcastic | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
17 - A Crumbling Past | Anxious, Melancholic, Hopeful | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
18 - Lost in Long-Term Memory | Hopeful, Desperate, Inspirational, Anxious | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
19 - The Memory Vacuum | Whimsical, Playful, Anxious | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7.5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8 | |
20 - The Memory Dump | Humorous, Whimsical, Sarcastic | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
21 - Memory Mayhem | Humorous, Emotional, Tense | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7.5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8 | |
22 - Bing Bong's Memories and the Abstract Thought Shortcut | Whimsical, Nostalgic, Playful, Heartfelt | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | |
23 - Escape from Abstraction | Whimsical, Surreal, Humorous | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
24 - A Journey Through Imaginationland | Whimsical, Playful, Nostalgic | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
25 - Hockey Chaos | Anger, Sadness, Conflict, Resentment, Defiance | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
26 - Bing Bong's Grief and Acceptance | Sad, Hopeful, Whimsical | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
27 - The Search for Happiness | Humorous, Dramatic, Reflective | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
28 - The Dream Production Deadline | Whimsical, Playful, Inquisitive | 8 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7.5 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8 | |
29 - A Nightmare in the Making | Whimsical, Playful, Surreal, Satirical | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
30 - Into the Subconscious | Whimsical, Suspenseful, Playful, Dark | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
31 - Escape from the Subconscious | Whimsical, Suspenseful, Playful | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8.5 | 8 | 8 | |
32 - Chaos and a Bus Ticket to Minnesota | Whimsical, Exciting, Humorous, Tense | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
33 - Riding the Rails of Riley's Mind | Hopeful, Reflective, Playful | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
34 - Running Away and Returning | Excitement, Tension, Drama, Action, Suspense | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
35 - Joy's Epiphany in the Memory Dump | Sad, Hopeful, Desperate, Reflective | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
36 - Bing Bong's Sacrifice | Hopeful, Sacrificial, Emotional, Determined | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | |
37 - A Race Against Time | Desperate, Frantic, Suspenseful, Dramatic, Humorous | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
38 - Joy's Daring Rescue | Excitement, Determination, Humor, Tension | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | |
39 - Sadness Saves the Day | Anxious, Worried, Reflective, Heartwarming | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
40 - A New Beginning: Expansion and Upgrades | Hopeful, Reflective, Inspirational, Whimsical | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | |
41 - Embarrassed at the Rink | Light-hearted, Nostalgic, Playful, Embarrassing, Chaotic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
42 - Riley's First Game | Hopeful, Exciting, Heartwarming, Humorous | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
Scene 1 - Joy's Headquarters: A World of Emotions
A newborn baby swaddled in a blanket, held by her parents.
Push in... and ZOOM IN TO HER HEAD.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Out of the blackness steps a glowing figure. This is JOY. The
room is black except for a bright CONSCIOUSNESS SCREEN.
JOY
Hmm?
In front of Joy is a single large BUTTON. She pushes it.
INT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
The baby gurgles and wiggles happily.
JOY (V.O.)
And there she was...
INT. HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
ON THE CONSCIOUSNESS SCREEN:
MOM
Hello, Riley.
DAD
Oh look at you. Aren’t you a little
bundle of joy?
A GOLDEN GLOWING SPHERE rolls from behind the screen. It’s a
MEMORY of what we just saw: Mom and Dad cooing at Riley.
JOY
Whoa.
INSIDE OUT 2.
Joy rolls the memory on its track, illuminating the room. She
turns back to the button and pushes it again.
INT. HOSPITAL - CONTINUOUS
Baby Riley gurgles happily.
JOY (V.O.)
It was amazing. Just Riley and me,
forever...
INT. HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Baby Riley CRIES.
JOY (V.O.)
...for 33 seconds.
Joy looks to her side. There’s a new, droopy, blue character
touching the button.
SADNESS
I’m Sadness.
JOY
Oh, hello. I’m Joy.
Joy tries to muscle past Sadness to press the button.
JOY (CONT’D)
Can I just... if you could... I
just want to fix that. Thanks.
The two struggle.
JOY (V.O.)
And that was just the beginning.
Headquarters only got more crowded
from there.
INT. MINNESOTA HOUSE - DAY
Riley, now age 3, barrels through the house pulling a wagon.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ON THE SCREEN: Riley’s POV as she runs through the house.
Fear “supervises” Joy, who drives.
INSIDE OUT 3.
FEAR
Very nice. Okay, looks like you got
this. Very good, sharp turn...
Riley approaches a POWER CORD on the ground.
FEAR (CONT’D)
Ahh! Look out!!! No!
Fear leaps to the console.
JOY (V.O.)
That’s Fear. He’s really good at
keeping Riley safe.
INT. MINNESOTA HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Riley stops. She cautiously steps over the power cord.
FEAR (O.S.)
Easy... we’re good! We’re good.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
A fear memory (purple) rolls in.
JOY/SADNESS
Whew!/Nice job.
FEAR
Thank you! Thank you very much.
Joy jumps back into driving position.
JOY
And we’re back!
INT. MINNESOTA HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Riley continues her sprint through the house.
Suddenly she’s picked up.
INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS
PLOP into highchair. Bib. Tray. Bowl.
DAD
Here we go. Alright, open.
INSIDE OUT 4.
Dad lifts a spoonful of food to Riley’s mouth.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Hmm. This looks new.
FEAR/SADNESS
Do you think it’s safe?/What is it?
ON THE SCREEN: a spoonful of broccoli.
DISGUST enters.
DISGUST
Okay, caution! There is a dangerous
smell, people. Hold on, what is
that?
JOY (V.O.)
This is Disgust. She basically
keeps Riley from being poisoned,
physically and socially.
DISGUST
That is not brightly colored or
shaped like a dinosaur... Hold on
guys... It’s broccoli!
Disgust GAGS and pulls a lever.
Ratings
Scene 2 - Broccoli Battles and Core Memories
YOUNG RILEY
Yucky!
Riley swats the broccoli. It flies into Dad’s face.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
A disgust memory (green) rolls in.
DISGUST
Well, I just saved our lives. Yeah.
You're welcome.
INSIDE OUT 5.
INT. KITCHEN
DAD
Riley, if you don’t eat your dinner,
you’re not going to get any dessert.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER looks up from reading his newspaper.
ANGER
Wait. Did he just say we couldn’t
have dessert?
JOY (V.O.)
That’s Anger. He cares very deeply
about things being fair.
ANGER
So that’s how you want to play it,
old man? No dessert? Oh, sure,
we’ll eat our dinner, right after
YOU eat this! GrrrraaaAAHH!!!!
Anger takes the controls as FLAMES blast out of his head. An
anger memory (red) rolls in.
INT. KITCHEN
Riley throws a fit. Dad distracts her.
DAD
(’flying’ the spoon)
Hey, Riley, Riley, here comes an
airplane!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Anger stops screaming.
ANGER
Oh, airplane. We got an airplane,
everybody.
DISGUST/FEAR/SADNESS/JOY
Ohh!/Ahh!
INT. KITCHEN
Dad “lands” the food into Riley’s smiling mouth.
INSIDE OUT 6.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
A happy memory (golden) rolls in.
The others leave Joy alone at the console with Sadness.
JOY (V.O.)
And you’ve met Sadness. She...
well, she...
FLASH CUTS of Riley crying: broken toy, spilled ice cream,
tantrum in the supermarket, wanting out of her car seat.
JOY (V.O.)
I’m not actually sure what she
does. And I’ve checked, there’s no
place for her to go, so she’s good,
we’re good. It’s all great!
Sadness exits. Joy turns to the wall of golden memories.
JOY (V.O.)
Anyway! These are Riley’s memories--
and they’re mostly happy, you’ll
notice, not to brag.
She inspects one of the golden memories: Riley and her friend
MEG (both age 3) going down a slide. She REWINDS it,
relishing the happy moment.
JOY (V.O.)
But the REALLY important ones are
over here. I don’t want to get too
technical, but these are called
CORE MEMORIES.
Joy pops up the CORE MEMORY HOLDER. Inside are five intensely
bright golden memories.
JOY (V.O.)
Each one came from a super-
important time in Riley’s life.
Like when she first scored a goal?
That was so amazing!
Ratings
Scene 3 - The Islands of Personality
Two-and-a-half-year-old Riley shoots a hockey puck across the
ice. She trips and accidentally scores a goal.
INSIDE OUT 7.
MOM/DAD
(cheering)
Heeey! Would you look at that?! We
got a future center here!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
A super-bright CORE MEMORY rolls in.
It rolls to the Core Memory Holder. Clicking into position,
a LIGHTLINE shoots out. The Emotions follow it to the back
window and watch a new ISLAND OF PERSONALITY form.
JOY (V.O.)
And each core memory powers a
different aspect of Riley’s
personality. Like Hockey Island!
Five ISLANDS OF PERSONALITY float in space, miles from
Headquarters, connected by LIGHTLINES -- their power sources.
JOY (V.O.)
Goofball Island is my personal
favorite.
INT. MINNESOTA LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Toddler Riley runs naked from the bathroom, underpants on her
head, laughing wildly. Dad chases her with a towel.
DAD
Come back here, you little monkey!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Goofball Island activates: lights, movement, etc.
INT. MINNESOTA LIVING ROOM
Naked Riley does the goofy dance on the sofa.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY (V.O.)
Yup, Goofball is the best! Friendship
Island is pretty good too.
Joy looks at FRIENDSHIP ISLAND.
INSIDE OUT 8.
EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY
Riley and Meg walk leg over leg, arms linked, laughing.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy inspects Honesty Island.
JOY (V.O.)
Oh, I love Honesty Island! And
that's the truth!
INT. MINNESOTA HOUSE - DAY
A guilty Riley stands by a broken plate. She reveals a
HAMMER from behind her back.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy examines Family Island.
JOY (V.O.)
And, of course, Family Island is
amazing.
EXT. MINNESOTA KITCHEN TABLE - DAY
The family decorate cookies together. Riley stuffs one into
Dad's mouth.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
The Emotions look out over the Islands of Personality.
JOY (V.O.)
The point is, the Islands of
Personality are what make Riley...
Riley!
INT. BATHROOM
Riley splashes in the bathtub.
YOUNG RILEY
Look out, mermaid!
INSIDE OUT 9.
INT. MINNESOTA LIVING ROOM
Riley climbs the couch. She looks at the floor.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy projects an IMAGINATION of LAVA onto the screen.
INT. MINNESOTA LIVING ROOM
YOUNG RILEY
Lava!
Riley jumps from couch to chair to avoid the lava.
INT. MINNESOTA HOUSE
Riley draws. Pull back to reveal she’s drawing on the wall.
YOUNG RILEY
(singing)
Who’s your friend who likes to
play? Bing Bong, Bing Bong...
Ratings
Scene 4 - Leaving Home: A Journey Across America
Six-year-old Riley skates across the ice backwards.
MOM/DAD
Hey! Very nice! Where did you learn
that?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy skates around the room, in sync with Riley.
EXT. MINNESOTA FRONT STEPS - DAY
Riley and Meg slurp frozen drinks. Riley grimaces: ice
headache!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Brain freeze!
The Emotions scream as Headquarters freezes over.
INSIDE OUT 10.
EXT. MINNESOTA LAKE - DAY
A kids’ hockey game. Riley takes a shot and scores!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Yaaay!
INT. RILEY’S MINNESOTA BEDROOM - NIGHT
Parents tuck Riley into bed and turn off the light.
DAD
Good night, kiddo!
RILEY
G’night, Dad.
She looks up at the stars on her ceiling and falls asleep.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy watches the screen go DARK. She inspects the shelves
mostly populated with GOLDEN MEMORIES.
JOY
And... we’re out. That’s what I’m
talking about: another perfect day!
Nice job everybody! Let’s get those
memories down to Long Term.
Joy pulls a lever. Memories cascade down the shelves.
FEAR
All right, we did not die today! I
call that an unqualified success.
The memories pachinko down the shelves and up a tube. Joy
runs to the back window to watch them glide through the
distant tubes towards Long-Term Memory like falling stars.
JOY (V.O.)
And that’s it! We love our girl.
She’s got great friends and a great
house. Things couldn’t be better.
After all, Riley’s 11 now. What
could happen?
CUT TO:
INSIDE OUT 11.
EXT. MINNESOTA HOUSE FRONT YARD - DAY
Moving sign: Sold!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Wha...?
SADNESS/FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST
AIIIIIGHH!!!
EXT. DRIVEWAY - DAY
SLAM! A packed car hatchback closes.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Huh?
SADNESS/FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST
AIIIIIGHH!!!
EXT. MINNESOTA STREET - DAY
VROOM! A moving van drives away.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
OK, not what I had in mind.
SADNESS/FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST
AIIIIIGHH!!!
EXT. AMERICAN HIGHWAYS
A SERIES OF SHOTS: the family car drives across America. The
car passes corn fields and rolling hills.
TITLE CARD: A PIXAR ANIMATION STUDIOS FILM
Riley sleeps in the back seat. The car zips around a
mountain curve, down a desert highway.
Riley looks out the back window.
INSIDE OUT 12.
The car emerges from a tunnel onto the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE.
TITLE CARD: INSIDE OUT
The car drives across the bridge. Riley looks out the window.
JOY (V.O.)
Hey look! The Golden Gate Bridge!
Isn’t that great?! It’s not made
out of solid gold like we thought,
which is kind of a disappointment,
but still!
The car drives past the Ferry Building.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
I sure am glad you told me
earthquakes are a myth, Joy.
Otherwise I’d be terrified right
now!
Everyone eyes each other behind Fear’s back.
JOY
Uh... yeah.
EXT. LOMBARD STREET - DAY
The car is stuck in traffic. Cars HONK and people YELL.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
These are my kind of people!
EXT. MARKET STREET - DAY
DAD
All right, just a few more blocks.
We’re almost to our new house!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
Step on it, Daddy!
INSIDE OUT 13.
DISGUST
Why don't we just live in this
smelly car? We've already been in
it forever.
JOY
Which, actually, was really lucky,
because that gave us plenty of time
to think about what our new house
is going to look like! Let’s review
the top five daydreams.
Joy plugs in DAYDREAMS showing fantasy houses: tree house,
water-slide house, etc.
FEAR
Ooh! That looks safe!
JOY
Ohh, this is will be great for
Riley! Oh, no, no, no, THIS one.
A gingerbread house.
DISGUST (O.S.)
Ugh, Joy. For the last time, she
cannot live in a cookie.
A castle.
ANGER
THAT’S the one! It comes with a
dragon!
Ratings
Scene 5 - Moving Day Mayhem
JOY (O.S.)
Now we’re getting close, I can feel
it. Here it is, here’s our new
house... and...
The car stops and Riley steps out.
REVEAL: a run-down Victorian. Nothing like the daydreams.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Everyone looks slackjawed.
JOY
Maybe it’s nice on the inside.
INSIDE OUT 14.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
Riley steps inside. The room is dark, dusty, uninviting.
ANGER (V.O.)
We’re supposed to live here?
SADNESS (V.O.)
Do we have to?
DISGUST (V.O.)
I’m telling you, it smells like
something died in here.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
A disgust memory rolls in.
FEAR
Can you die from moving?
JOY
Guys, you’re overreacting. Nobody
is dying--
DISGUST
A DEAD MOUSE!!!
ON THE SCREEN: A dead mouse in the corner.
DISGUST (O.S.) (CONT’D)
I’m gonna be sick...
ANGER (O.S.)
Great, this is just great.
FEAR (O.S.)
Ahhhhh!! It’s the house of the
dead! What are we gonna do?! We’re
gonna get rabies!!!
Fear jumps into Anger’s arms. Anger fires up the flames.
ANGER
GET OFFA ME!!!
Fear runs around on fire. Joy puts him out with a fire
extinguisher.
JOY
Hey, hey, hey, all through the
drive Dad talked about how cool our
new room is. Let’s go check it out!
INSIDE OUT 15.
FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST (O.S.)
You’re right, Joy/Yeah!/That’s
right!/Yes, yes, yes!
INT. SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE
Riley dashes up the stairs.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
It’s tiny. Depressing.
FEAR/DISGUST/ANGER (O.S.)
No, no, no, no, no./I’m starting to
envy the dead mouse./Get out the
rubber ball, we’re in solitary
confinement.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
SADNESS
Oh, Riley can’t live here.
ANGER FEAR
She's right. Really bad.
DISGUST ANGER
It’s the worst. It’s This house stinks.
absolutely the worst.
Memories roll in: anger, disgust, fear.
JOY
Hey, it’s nothing our butterfly
curtains couldn’t fix. I read
somewhere that an empty room is an
opportunity.
ANGER
Where did you read that?
JOY
It doesn’t matter. I read it and
it’s great. We’ll put the bed
there. And the desk over there...
Joy projects an IMAGINATION of Riley’s furniture.
FEAR
The hockey lamp goes there...
INSIDE OUT 16.
ANGER DISGUST
Put the chair there. Well, the trophy collection
goes there.
SADNESS FEAR
Posters... Stars! I like that.
JOY
Now we’re talking! Let’s go get our
stuff from the moving van!
INT. SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE - DAY
Riley dashes down the stairs as Mom and Dad enter the house.
Dad is on the phone.
DAD
Alright. Goodbye.
(hangs up; to Mom)
Well, guess what? The moving van
won’t be here until Thursday.
MOM
You’re kidding.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
The van is lost?! This is the worst
day ever!
ON THE SCREEN: Mom and Dad ARGUE.
MOM DAD
You said it would be here I know that’s what I said. *
yesterday! That’s what they told me!
FEAR (O.S.)
Mom and Dad are stressed out!
FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST/SADNESS
They’re arguing!/What are we going
to do?/This is so stressful./What
is their problem?
Joy runs to storage and grabs what looks to be a LIGHTBULB.
JOY
I’ve got a great idea!
She clicks the IDEA into the console.
INSIDE OUT 17.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM - DAY
Riley’s face lights up. Riley grabs her hockey stick. Puts a
wad of paper in play.
MOM DAD
Did you even read the Honey, you act like this is
contract? my fault-- *
RILEY
Andersen makes her move. She's
closing in!
DAD
(grabbing a broom)
Hey! Oh, no you’re not!
RILEY
She’s lining up for the shot!
DAD
Coming behind you! Watch out!
She slides past him. Knocks the “puck” into the fireplace.
RILEY
She shoots and she scores! Yeah!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
The Emotions cheer. Out the back window, Family Island runs.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
RILEY
(taunting Mom)
Come on, Grandma!
MOM
Ha! “Grandma?”
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Uh-oh, she put her hair up, we’re
in for it!
INSIDE OUT 18.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM
They all play hockey, Mom using a pillow to guard the “goal.”
Dad picks her up to shoot past her.
MOM
(laughing)
Woo! Hey, put me down!
Dad scoops up Riley, too. Riley giggles.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
A happy memory rolls in. Joy’s back in charge.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM
Dad’s cell phone beeps.
DAD
Ugh. Sorry, hold on, hold on.
(answers)
Hello?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Wait. Wha--?
INT. SAN FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM
DAD
You’re kidding. All right. Stall
for me, I’ll be right there.
(hangs up)
The investor’s supposed to show up
on Thursday, not today! I gotta go.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy is disappointed.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO LIVING ROOM
MOM
It's okay. We get it.
INSIDE OUT 19.
DAD
You’re the best. Thanks, Hon.
(to Riley, as he leaves)
See you, Sweetie.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Dad just left us.
SADNESS
Oh, he doesn’t love us anymore.
That’s sad. I should drive, right?
JOY BLOCKS HER.
SADNESS (CONT’D)
Joy? What are you doing?
JOY
Uh, just uh, gimme one second...
You know what I’ve realized? Riley
hasn’t had lunch!
(takes a memory off the
wall and plays it)
Remember?
MEMORY: A PIZZA SHOP.
Ratings
Scene 6 - Broccoli Pizza and Dinosaur Memories
RILEY
Hey I saw a pizza place down the
street. Maybe we could try that?
MOM
Pizza sounds delicious!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST
Yeah!/Pizza!/Good idea, Joy.
Joy smiles.
INT. PIZZA PLACE - DAY
Riley and Mom get their pizza. On it: broccoli.
INSIDE OUT 20.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR/JOY/DISGUST
What the HECK IS THAT?!/Who puts
broccoli on pizza?/That’s it. I’m
done.
ANGER
Congratulations, San Francisco,
you’ve ruined pizza! First the
Hawaiians, and now YOU!
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET - LATER
Mom and Riley walk home. Riley looks disappointed.
MOM
What kind of a pizza place only
serves one kind of pizza? Must be a
San Francisco thing, huh?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy glances at the wall of multi-colored memories. She sighs:
things are not going well.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET - CONTINUOUS
MOM
Still, it’s not as bad as the soup
at that diner in Nebraska.
RILEY
Oh yeah. The spoon stood up in the
soup by itself! That was
disgusting.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy looks out the back window. Family Island is going.
JOY
Oh good. Family is running.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET
MOM
The drive out was pretty fun, huh?
What was your favorite part?
INSIDE OUT 21.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
Spitting out the car window!
DISGUST
Definitely not when Dad was
singing.
FEAR
Wearing a seat belt!
JOY
What about the time with the
dinosaur!
Joy pulls up a memory.
SADNESS/FEAR/ANGER/DISGUST
Yeah./Yup./That’s the one.
ON THE SCREEN: Riley and Mom pose in front of a roadside
cement dinosaur in Vernal, Utah.
DAD (ON SCREEN)
Say cheese!
Behind Dad, the car rolls down the hill. No brakes!
RILEY (ON SCREEN)
Dad! Dad! Look behind you.
MOM (ON SCREEN)
Honey. The car! The car!
DAD (ON SCREEN)
Hold still. Huh?
(runs off after the car)
Stoooop! No no no nononono!!
Stegosaurus tail through the back window. The family laughs.
Enjoying the memory, Joy and the others chuckle.
FEAR
Nice one, Joy.
Ratings
Scene 7 - The Blueing of Memories
RILEY
(smiling)
I liked that time at the dinosaur.
That was pretty funny.
INSIDE OUT 22.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy’s cheer is cut short when the dinosaur memory TURNS BLUE.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET - DAY
Riley’s smile fades.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Wait. What? What happened?
Joy looks back. Sadness is touching the memory.
FEAR
She did something to the memory.
Joy tries to fix the memory.
JOY
What did you do?
SADNESS
I just touched it.
JOY
That shouldn’t make it change.
FEAR
Change it back, Joy!
Joy rubs it, but the memory stays blue.
JOY
I’m trying.
ANGER
You can’t change it back?
JOY
No, I guess I can’t!
DISGUST
Good going Sadness. Now when Riley
thinks of that moment with Dad,
she’s gonna feel sad. Bravo.
SADNESS
I’m sorry Joy... I don’t really
know-- I thought maybe, if you-- if
I-- if... I mean...
INSIDE OUT 23.
DISGUST
Joy, we've got a stairway coming up.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET - DAY
Riley runs towards a stairway and handrail.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Just don’t touch any other memories
until we figure out what’s going on.
SADNESS
Okay.
JOY
(stepping up to controls)
Alright. Get ready, this is a
monster railing, and we are riding
it all the way down!
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET - CONTINUOUS
Riley sits on the railing, ready to slide.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy looks back: GOOFBALL ISLAND is whirring like crazy.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET
Riley goes to slide... but hops off and walks down instead.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Wait, what? What happened?
Suddenly a CORE MEMORY ROLLS up to Joy’s feet.
FEAR
A core memory!
JOY
Oh no!
INSIDE OUT 24.
Out the back window, GOOFBALL ISLAND GOES DARK. Joy rushes to
the Core Memory Holder.
JOY (CONT’D)
Sadness! What are you doing?
SADNESS
It looked like one was crooked so I
opened it and then it fell out!
Joy pops the memory back in. GOOFBALL ISLAND comes back on.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREET
Riley jumps back on the railing and slides down.
RILEY
Woo hoo!
INT. HEADQUARTERS
SADNESS
It’s just that... I wanted to maybe
hold one.
She reaches out to touch one, AND IT STARTS TO GO BLUE.
FEAR
JOY!
Joy pushes Sadness away before she can touch it.
JOY
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
The core memory TURNS BACK TO YELLOW.
JOY (CONT’D)
Sadness! You nearly touched a core
memory. And when you touch them, we
can’t change them back!
SADNESS
I know. I’m sorry. Something’s
wrong with me. It’s like I’m having
a breakdown.
JOY
You are not having a breakdown.
It’s stress.
INSIDE OUT 25.
SADNESS
I keep making mistakes like that.
I’m awful...
JOY
Nooo, you’re not.
SADNESS
...and annoying.
JOY
Well... uh... You know what? You
can’t focus on what’s going wrong.
There’s always a way to turn things
around, to find the fun!
SADNESS
Yeah. Find the fun. I don’t know
how to do that.
JOY
Okay. Well, try think of something
funny!
Long pause.
SADNESS
Oh! Remember the funny movie where
the dog dies?
JOY
Yeah, that’s not...
(tries another approach)
What about that time with Meg, when
Riley laughed so hard milk came out
of her nose? I mean come on...
INSERT: Riley spitting milk out of her nose, Meg laughing.
SADNESS
Yeah, that hurt. It felt like fire.
JOY
Okay, okay, don’t think of that.
Let’s try something else. What are
your favorite things to do?
SADNESS
My favorite? Um, well, I like it
when we’re outside.
JOY
That’s good! Like there’s the beach
and sunshine... Oh!
(MORE)
INSIDE OUT 26.
JOY (CONT'D)
Like that time we buried Dad in the
sand up to his neck?
INSERT: Riley at beach, Dad buried in sand.
SADNESS (V.O.)
I was thinking more like rain.
INSERT: Riley stands in a downpour.
JOY
Rain? Rain... is my favorite too!
We can stomp around in puddles...
INSERT: Riley happily jumps through puddles.
JOY (CONT’D)
There’s cool umbrellas, lightning
storms...
SADNESS (V.O.)
More like when the rain runs down
our back and makes our shoes soggy.
And we get all cold and shivery...
INSERT: Riley’s shoes fill with water. She looks miserable.
SADNESS
...and everything just starts
feeling droopy...
Sadness melts to the floor, crying.
JOY
Oh, hey, hey... easy. Why are you
crying? That’s really the opposite
of what we’re going for here.
SADNESS
Crying helps me slow down and
obsess over the weight of life's
problems.
JOY
Ugh, you know what? Let’s think
about something else. How about we
read some mind manuals, huh? Sounds
fun!
She drags Sadness over to a shelf of technical manuals.
SADNESS
I’ve read most of them.
INSIDE OUT 27.
JOY
Well have you read this one? This
seems interesting: “Long-Term
Memory Retrieval, Volume 47?”
SADNESS
No.
JOY
Ohhh! A real page turner!
SADNESS
(opens manual; reads)
“Long-Term Memory Data Selection
via channel sub-grouping?”
JOY
See? Fun already! You lucky dog,
you’re reading these cool things and
I gotta go work. Life is so unfair.
Joy walks away. But just as she thinks things are handled...
DING! Another memory -- Disgust -- slides in. Joy groans.
Ratings
Scene 8 - Fear and Frustration in the New Home
Riley hops down the stairs towards the living room.
DAD (O.S.)
(on phone)
What can we do? We’ve only got
capital to last a month, maybe two.
If we can't find investors by then,
we’re going to have to lay people
off.
Riley hears the stress in Dad’s voice.
RILEY
Mom! Dad! Come kiss me g’night!
MOM
Be right there!
DAD
(on phone)
I know, I know! We’ve got to land
this, okay?
Riley heads back upstairs.
INSIDE OUT 28.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Riley climbs into her sleeping bag.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Did you hear Dad? He sounded really
upset.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
STRANGE NOISES from outside. Headlights cast shadows on the
wall. Riley looks scared.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
What was that? Was it a bear? It’s
a bear!
DISGUST
There are no bears in San
Francisco!
ANGER
I saw a really hairy guy. He looked
like a bear.
FEAR
Oh, I’m so jumpy, my nerves are
shot!
DISGUST
Ew, I don’t want to hear about your
nerves!
ANGER
I’ll tell you what it is. This move
has been a bust.
FEAR
That’s what I’ve been telling you
guys! There are at least 37 things
for Riley to be scared of right now!
DISGUST
The smell alone is enough to make
her gag.
INSIDE OUT 29.
ANGER
I can’t believe Mom and Dad moved
us here!
JOY
Look, I get it. You guys have
concerns. But we’ve been through
worse! Tell you what: let’s make a
list of all the things Riley should
be HAPPY about!
ANGER
Fine. Let’s see... this house
stinks, our room stinks...
DISGUST
Pizza is weird here...
SADNESS
Our friends are back home...
FEAR
And all of our stuff is in the
missing van!
JOY
Oh c’mon, it could be worse...
DISGUST
Yeah, Joy. We could be lying on the
dirty floor. In a bag.
Ratings
Scene 9 - Joy Takes the Lead
Riley is lying on the dirty floor in a sleeping bag.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Okay, I admit it, we had a rough
start. But think of all the good
things that--
ANGER
No, Joy. There’s absolutely no
reason for Riley to be happy right
now. Let us handle this.
FEAR
I say we skip school tomorrow and
lock ourselves in the bedroom.
INSIDE OUT 30.
DISGUST
We have no clean clothes. I mean,
no one should see us.
SADNESS
Yeah, we could cry until we can’t
breathe.
ANGER
We should lock the door and scream
that curse word we know. It’s a
good one!
JOY
Now hold on! Look, we all have our
off days. You know, I--
ON THE SCREEN: Mom opens Riley’s bedroom door.
MOM
Hi honey.
ANGER
The Mom Bad News Train is pulling
in! Toot toot!
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
Mom sits next to Riley.
MOM
Still no moving van. Now they’re
saying it won’t be here ‘til
Tuesday, can you believe it?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
Toot toot toot!
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
RILEY
Where’s Dad?
MOM
On the phone. This new venture is
keeping him pretty busy. Your dad’s
a little stressed -- you know,
about getting his new company up
and running...
INSIDE OUT 31.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
I rest my case!
Joy sighs. She falls back from the controls. Anger steps up
to the console.
ANGER (CONT’D)
Now for a few well-placed withering
scowls.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
MOM
I guess all I really want to say
is: thank you.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
Huh?
Anger drops the controls.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
MOM
You know, through all this
confusion you’ve stayed... well,
you’ve stayed our happy girl!
Mom brushes Riley’s cheek.
MOM (CONT’D)
Your dad’s under a lot of pressure.
But if you and I can keep smiling,
it would be a big help. We can do
that for him, right?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy, smiling with renewed purpose, steps back to the console.
JOY
Whoa! Well.
INSIDE OUT 32.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
RILEY
(smiles)
Yeah! Sure.
MOM
What did we do to deserve you?
(kisses Riley)
Sweet dreams.
RILEY
Good night.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
Well, you can’t argue with Mom.
“Happy” it is.
FEAR DISGUST
Team Happy! Sounds great! I’m totally behind you, Joy.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM
Riley goes to sleep.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
The screen goes black.
JOY
Looks like we’re going into REM. I
got Dream Duty, so I’ll take care
of sending these to Long Term.
Great day today, guys! Sleep well
TEAM HAPPY!
The team heads off to bed.
Harp music plays.
JOY (CONT’D)
Alright, what's on tonight, Dream
Production?
ON THE SCREEN: a DREAM COMES UP.
The family FLIES happily through the air in the car. They
land in front of the house--
INSIDE OUT 33.
DAD
Well, this is it. The new place.
-- except it’s haunted! Organ music. Ghosts howling. The dead
mouse rises up into frame.
MOUSE
Come live with me, Riley!
The mouse falls over, dead. A bear enters, holding a pizza.
PIZZA BEAR
Somebody order a broccoli pizza?
The pizza slices hop up and dance a jig.
PIZZA SLICE
Eat me! I’m organic!
Ratings
Scene 10 - Joy's Master Plan for a Great First Day
Riley frowns in her sleep.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Ah, NO, who is in charge of
programming down there?! I know I’m
not supposed to do this, but...
Joy ducks behind the console and REBOOTS it. The dream ends.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM - NIGHT
Riley still looks troubled.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
We are not going to end the day
like this.
Joy has a thought. She recalls a memory.
ON THE SCREEN: Riley ice skates with her parents.
Joy watches, loving this kid. She shadows Riley, “skating”
around headquarters.
INSIDE OUT 34.
JOY (CONT’D)
Don’t you worry. I’m gonna make
sure that tomorrow is another great
day. I promise.
INT. RILEY’S ROOM - NIGHT
Riley SMILES in her sleep.
INT. KITCHEN - MORNING
Riley excitedly snarfs down breakfast cereal.
INT. HEADQUARTERS - MORNING
Joy plays the accordion around Headquarters. The others
appear, looking grumpy. Joy yells over the noise.
JOY
Hello! Did I wake you?
ANGER
DO you have to play that?
JOY
Well, I have to practice. And I
don’t think of it as playing so
much as hugging.
She tosses aside the accordion and runs off.
JOY (CONT’D)
Okay, first day of school! Very,
very exciting! I was up late last
night figuring out a new plan. Here
it is.
(to Fear)
Fear! I need a list of all the
possible negative outcomes on the
first day at a new school.
FEAR
Way ahead of you there. Does anyone
know how to spell “meteor?”
JOY
Disgust! Make sure Riley stands out
today... but also blends in.
INSIDE OUT 35.
DISGUST
When I’m through, Riley will look
so good the other kids will look at
their own outfits and barf.
JOY
(addressing herself)
Joy! Yes Joy? You’ll be in charge
of the console, keeping Riley happy
all day long. And may I add I love
your dress, it’s adorable. Oh, This
ol’ thing? Thank you so much, I
love the way it twirls...
TOOT TOOT! A TRAIN rushes by outside.
JOY (CONT’D)
Train of Thought! Right on
schedule.
The engineer waves from the cab and drops off a large bag.
JOY (CONT’D)
Anger! Unload the daydreams. I
ordered extra in case things get
slow in class.
ANGER
Might come in handy, if this new
school is full of boring useless
classes, which it probably will
be...
Sadness walks by. Joy stops her.
JOY
Oh - Sadness! I have a super
important job just for you.
SADNESS
Really?
JOY
Mmm-hmmm. Follow me.
CUT TO:
THE BACK OF THE ROOM
Joy draws a chalk circle on the floor around Sadness’s feet.
SADNESS
What are you doing?
INSIDE OUT 36.
JOY
(finishing the circle)
And... there. Perfect. This is the
circle of Sadness. Your job is to
make sure that all the Sadness
stays inside of it.
SADNESS
So... you want me to just stand
here?
JOY
Hey, it’s not MY place to tell you
how to do your job. Just make sure--
(nudging Sadness’ foot back
over the line)
--ALL the Sadness stays in the
circle.
Sadness stands there.
JOY (CONT’D)
See? You’re a pro at this! Isn’t
this fun?!
SADNESS
No.
JOY
(heading to the console)
Atta girl. Alright everyone, fresh
start! We are gonna to have a good
day, which will turn into a good
week, which will turn into a good
year, which turns into a good LIFE!
Ratings
Scene 11 - First Day Jitters and a Blue Memory
Mom helps Riley on with her backpack. Dad is on the phone.
MOM
So, the big day! New school, new
friends, huh?
RILEY
I know! I’m kinda nervous, but I’m
mostly excited! How do I look? Do
you like my shirt?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy looks back at Family Island, working away.
INSIDE OUT 37.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE - CONTINUOUS
MOM
Very cute! You gonna be okay? You
want us to walk with you?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
DISGUST
Mom and Dad? With us in public? No
thank you.
JOY
(operating console)
I’m on it.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE
RILEY
Nope, I’m fine. Bye Mom! Bye Dad!
DAD
(covering phone)
Have a good day at school, Monkey!
All three make monkey sounds at each other.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Goofball Island works out the back window.
INT. SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE
Riley giggles as she exits.
MOM
Have a great day, sweetheart.
EXT. SCHOOL - MORNING
Riley walks up to her new school. New kids everywhere. She
hesitates.
FEAR (O.S.)
Are you sure we want to do this?
JOY (O.S.)
In we go!
INSIDE OUT 38.
FEAR (O.S.)
Okayyy! Going in! Yes.
Riley perks up and walks in.
INT. CLASSROOM - MORNING
Riley sits at her desk and looks at the other kids in class.
DISGUST (O.S.)
Okay, we’ve got a group of cool
girls at 2 o’clock.
INT. HEADQUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
JOY
How do you know?
DISGUST
Double ears pierced, infinity
scarf...
A group of makeup-wearing girls look back at Riley.
JOY
Whoa. Is she wearing eye shadow?
DISGUST
Yeah, we want to be friends with
them.
JOY
Let’s go talk to ‘em!
DISGUST
Are you kidding?? We’re not TALKING
to them, we want them to like us.
JOY
Oh!
(then)
Wait, what?
FEAR
(drops a giant stack of
paper on the console)
Almost finished with the potential
disasters. Worst scenario is either
quicksand, spontaneous combustion,
or getting called on by the
teacher. So as long as none of
those happen...
INSIDE OUT 39.
INT. CLASSROOM
TEACHER
Okay, everybody. We have a new
student in class today.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Are you kidding me?! Out of the
gate? This is not happening!
INT. CLASSROOM
TEACHER
Riley would you like to tell us
something about yourself?
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Nooooooo! Pretend we can’t speak
English!
JOY
Don't worry. I got this.
Joy pushes a lever.
INT. CLASSROOM
RILEY
Uhh... okay. My name is Riley
Andersen. I’m from Minnesota. And
now I live here.
TEACHER
And how about Minnesota?... Can you
tell us something about it? Well
you certainly get a lot more snow
than we do.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
(laughs)
She’s hilarious!
She turns a lever.
INSIDE OUT 40.
INT. CLASSROOM
Riley smiles, in spite of all the eyes on her.
RILEY
Yeah, it gets pretty cold. The lake
freezes over, and that’s when we
play hockey. I’m on a great team.
We’re called the Prairie Dogs. My
friend Meg plays forward. My Dad’s
the coach. Pretty much everyone in
my family skates.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy recalls a MEMORY: the family skating together.
INT. CLASSROOM
Riley “watches” the memory, smiling.
RILEY
It’s a kind of family tradition. We
go out on the lake almost every
weekend.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Joy smiles. Then, mysteriously, the IMAGE TURNS BLUE.
INT. CLASSROOM
Riley’s smile fades, her brow furrows.
RILEY
Or we did, ‘til I moved away.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
Confused, Joy looks around.
FEAR/DISGUST/ANGER
Huh?/Hey, what gives?/What?
JOY
Hey--
She spots Sadness, who is guiltily touching the memory.
INSIDE OUT 41.
JOY (CONT’D)
Sadness! You touched a memory?! We
talked about this.
SADNESS
Oh yeah, I know. I’m sorry.
JOY
Get back in your circle.
(trying to eject memory)
Gnnh! What’s going on? Why won’t it
eject?!!
She fiddles with the console, but the blue memory won’t move.
FEAR
Get it out of there, Joy!
Ratings
Scene 12 - The Blue Memory
RILEY
(sniffling)
We used to play tag and stuff...
INT. HEADQUARTERS
DISGUST
Cool kids whispering at 3 o’clock!
INT. CLASSROOM
The other kids whisper and stare.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Did you see that look?!? They’re
judging us!
JOY
Oh no.
Joy tries pulling the memory. Anger, Fear and Disgust help.
JOY (CONT’D)
Somebody help me. Grab that...
everybody...
They pull with all their might, but the memory’s not budging.
INSIDE OUT 42.
INT. CLASSROOM
RILEY
But everything’s different now.
Since we moved...
TEARS stream down Riley’s face.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
FEAR
Oh no! We’re CRYING AT SCHOOL!!!
Joy turns to the console. SADNESS IS DRIVING.
JOY
What? No! Sadness, what are you
doing?
Joy finally yanks the memory out. She runs to the console and
pulls Sadness away from the controls.
SADNESS
Oh no, I'm sorry... I... oh...
PING! A memory is created. BRIGHT BLUE.
JOY
Huh?
ANGER
Whoa!
FEAR
It’s a core memory!
DISGUST
But it’s blue!
The bright blue core memory rolls through the memory shelf
and STARTS TOWARDS THE CORE MEMORY HOLDER!
JOY
No wait... stop it! No! Ahh!
Joy leaps to the holder and pops it open, preventing the new
blue core memory from going in. Joy grabs it.
She pushes the end-of-day “memory flush” button. The tube
comes down from the ceiling.
INSIDE OUT 43.
SADNESS
(trying to take her memory
back from Joy)
Joy, no. That’s a core memory, Joy!
JOY
Hey! Stop it. Let go.
As they struggle, they bump into the Core Memory Holder,
KNOCKING ALL OF THE CORE MEMORIES OUT onto the floor.
FEAR/DISGUST/ANGER FEAR
Ahh! The core memories!
Out the window, the ISLANDS OF PERSONALITY GO DARK.
Ratings
Scene 13 - Joy and Sadness's Journey to Headquarters
Riley, her face tear-stained, looks up.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
JOY
Ahh!
Joy tosses the blue core memory aside to collect the yellow
core memories.
Sadness grabs the blue core memory and heads to the Core
Memory Holder to plug it in. Joy lunges, knocking the blue
core memory out of Sadness’s hands. It’s SUCKED UP the vacuum
tube.
Joy trips backward. In the chaos a yellow core memory rolls
toward the tube.
JOY (CONT’D)
No, no, no, no!
She reaches to grab it and gets sucked up the tube herself,
along with the other core memories -- and Sadness!
Fear, Anger and Disgust now stand alone in Headquarters. A
stunned silence as the tube retracts.
INT. CLASSROOM
Riley sits and wipes her tears.
INSIDE OUT 44.
TEACHER
Thank you, Riley. I know it can be
tough moving to a new place, but
we're happy to have you here.
Alright everyone, get out your
history books and turn to chapter
seven.
Riley hides behind her book.
INT. HEADQUARTERS
ANGER
Can I say that curse word now?
INT. TUBE
Joy and Sadness scream as they rocket down the tube. Joy
desperately tries to hold on to the core memories.
The blue core memory is sorted to a side tube.
EXT. LONG-TERM MEMORY CLIFF EDGE
Joy lands in a bin of memories. Sadness crashes next to her.
JOY
Oh no...
(gathering memories)
One, two, three... okay, got ’em.
Wha-- where are we?
Joy takes in the shelving around her.
JOY (CONT’D)
Long-Term Memory...!
Joy grabs the core memories and jumps out of the dumpster.
She sees GOOFBALL ISLAND, silent and dark.
JOY (CONT’D)
Goofball Island.
Joy surveys the islands beyond. They’re all dark.
SADNESS
Hoh... Riley’s Islands of
Personality. They’re ALL down! This
is bad.
INSIDE OUT 45.
JOY
We-- we can fix this. We just have
to get back to Headquarters, plug
the core memories in, and Riley
will be back to normal.
Joy and Sadness hurry towards headquarters.
SADNESS
Riley has no core memories, no
personality islands and no--
(gasp)
JOY
Wha-- What is it?
SADNESS
You! YOU’RE not in headquarters.
Without you, Riley can’t be happy.
We gotta get you back up there.
JOY
I’m coming, Riley.
They set off across the bridge to Goofball Island. We see the
LIGHTLINE beyond it, leading towards Headquarters.