Ep 4. Inspired: Jessica Heidt, Who Gets All the Lines?

Inside: Pixar season 1 episode 4, titled "Inspired: Jessica Heidt, Who Gets All the Lines?" dives into the creative process of a Pixar storyboard artist, Jessica Heidt. The episode showcases Heidt’s journey of getting into the creative industry and her day-to-day life at Pixar. It highlights her work as a storyboard artist and her involvement in some of the biggest Pixar movies, including Toy Story 4, Incredibles 2, and Soul.

The episode opens with Heidt talking about her passion for storytelling and how she became interested in animation. She discusses the struggles she faced while trying to break into the industry and the importance of networking. We get a glimpse of her early work, including a heartwarming story about a bunny who wants to learn how to fly. Heidt shares her experience of pitching the idea to a producer and walks us through the process of developing the story.

The episode then shifts towards her work at Pixar and the role of a storyboard artist. Heidt explains the storyboard process and its importance in the making of a movie. She talks about the challenges of working on an animated movie and how a storyboard artist collaborates with other artists and directors to bring their ideas to life. We see her working on storyboards for an upcoming Pixar project, giving us an exclusive look at the movie-making process.

Heidt’s story also highlights the gender disparity in the animation industry. She talks about the imbalance of male to female ratio in the industry, but also praises Pixar’s efforts to create an inclusive and welcoming work environment. She recalls instances where she felt that her ideas were being overshadowed by male colleagues, leading her to question if it was because she was a woman. However, she emphasizes the importance of speaking up and fighting for one’s ideas.

The episode also delves into Heidt’s involvement in some of Pixar's most beloved movies. She talks about the process of storyboarding a crucial scene from Toy Story 4, wherein Woody says goodbye to Bo Peep. She explains how she had to work with the director and other animators to ensure that the scene had the desired emotional impact on the audience. We also get to see her work on storyboards for a scene from Incredibles 2, where Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl try to save their family from a runaway train.

The last segment of the episode focuses on Heidt’s take on the future of animation and what inspires her to create new stories. She talks about the challenges of coming up with original ideas and how she looks to everyday life for inspiration. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives into storytelling and urges the industry to embrace new voices.

Overall, "Inspired: Jessica Heidt, Who Gets All the Lines?" gives us an intimate look into the life and work of a Pixar storyboard artist. It showcases the dedication and talent required to create the animated movies that we all love. The episode celebrates the art of storytelling and highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion in the creative industry.