Inside Pixar - Unpacked: About Time (S1E16)
How can the passage of time be utilized as a tool for emotional storytelling?
| Runtime (min) | 13 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2021-05-21 |
| Genres | Documentary |
| TV Rating | TV-G |
| Network(s) | Disney+ |
Storyline
This episode of Inside Pixar's "Unpacked" series explores how Pixar filmmakers use the passage of time as a storytelling device to convey emotion and character development. The episode examines the technical and creative choices that allow animators and directors to manipulate time on screen, whether through montages that compress years into minutes, slow-motion sequences that stretch critical moments, or carefully paced scenes that let emotions breathe.
Pixar artists and storytellers discuss specific examples from the studio's films, analyzing how time jumps, ellipses, and temporal structure serve the emotional arc of a story. The episode reveals the deliberate craft behind decisions about what to show, what to skip, and how long to linger on particular moments. By breaking down these techniques, the episode demonstrates how time itself becomes a narrative tool that shapes audience connection to characters and their journeys.
What kids learn
Children interested in filmmaking and storytelling will learn how professional animators think about time as a creative tool rather than just a constraint. The episode demonstrates that storytelling involves making deliberate choices about pacing, duration, and what moments deserve screen time. Young viewers can begin to recognize these techniques in the movies they watch and consider how time affects their emotional response to stories.
The episode also teaches the value of patience and intentionality in creative work. Kids see that Pixar artists spend considerable time planning how time itself will function in their narratives, showing that thoughtful preparation leads to more powerful results. This lesson applies beyond animation to any creative or academic project where pacing and structure matter.
Additionally, children gain insight into the collaborative nature of filmmaking. The episode shows how directors, editors, and animators work together to make decisions about temporal flow, reinforcing that complex creative achievements require teamwork and shared vision. This behind-the-scenes perspective helps demystify the filmmaking process and may inspire young viewers to experiment with their own storytelling projects.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this episode appropriate for younger children who haven't seen many Pixar films? | The episode works best for children who have some familiarity with Pixar movies, as it references specific films to illustrate storytelling techniques. However, younger viewers can still appreciate the basic concepts about how time works in stories. Children around ages seven and up with an interest in how movies are made will likely find the content engaging and accessible, even if they don't catch every reference. |
| Will my child understand the filmmaking concepts presented in this episode? | The episode presents concepts in a clear, visual manner that makes abstract ideas about time and pacing more concrete. Pixar artists explain techniques using specific film examples, which helps children see the concepts in action rather than just hearing theory. Kids interested in storytelling, art, or movies will grasp the main ideas, though some nuances may require parent-child discussion afterward to fully appreciate. |
| Does this episode contain any content from Pixar films that might be upsetting? | The episode focuses on technical and creative aspects of filmmaking rather than showing extended emotional scenes. While it may reference or briefly show clips from various Pixar films to illustrate points about time and pacing, the context is educational and analytical. Any emotional moments from the films are presented as examples of storytelling craft rather than for dramatic impact. |
| Can this episode inspire my child's own creative projects? | The episode provides practical insights that children can apply to their own storytelling, whether through writing, drawing, video projects, or even oral storytelling. By understanding how professional filmmakers think about time, pacing, and what to include or skip, kids gain tools they can use in their creative work. The episode may prompt children to experiment with time-based techniques in their own projects. |
| Is this episode educational enough to count as screen time with learning value? | This episode offers genuine educational content about narrative structure, creative decision-making, and the filmmaking process. Children learn analytical skills by seeing how professionals break down and solve creative problems. The insights about storytelling technique and artistic collaboration provide learning value that extends beyond passive entertainment, making it a worthwhile choice for educational screen time. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Authenticity is essential to creating a film that is believable and relatable. Co-Director Kemp Powers discusses the real-life experiences that led him to propose a simple, yet pivotal scene in Soul. |
| 1 | 2 | Inspiration isn't instant. Coming up with unique and creative characters takes time and effort. Character Designer Deanna Marsigliese takes us through the process of character creation and the artistic detours that often come with it. |
| 1 | 3 | Growing up in a small town in Canada, Steven Hunter never felt like he saw himself represented in cartoons and comic books. After getting the opportunity to direct a Pixar SparkShort, Steven was inspired by his own life to create 'Out,' a unique and vulnerable story he wished he saw in his youth. |
| 1 | 4 | Script Supervisor Jessica Heidt manages endless lines of dialogue. Through her script access, she detected a disparity in male to female roles, motivating her to create a program to improve gender balance throughout Pixar's films and the greater film industry. |
| 1 | 5 | Inspiration can be hard to come by. Sometimes it takes years to find, while other times it's been right under your nose. Director Dan Scanlon takes us on a personal journey of inspiration that led to his film, Onward. |
| 1 | 6 | Director of International Production Cynthia Lusk takes us into the fascinating world of localization. From translations to graphics to even changes in animation, Cynthia and her team work to make sure that Pixar’s films can connect and resonate to fans and families throughout the world. |
| 1 | 7 | Marylou Jaso has the sweetest job at Pixar - literally. As Pixar's Pastry Chef, she spends each day creating the confections and sweet treats that delight, inspire, and help feed the studio's creativity. |
| 1 | 8 | As Production Assistant on Pixar's Soul, Rachelle Federico hard work might not always be that glamorous, but she considers it an important and essential need in the creation of an animated film. |
| 1 | 9 | As a Music Editor, Barney Jones uses these talents to help shape the storytelling and emotion of a Pixar film. |
| 1 | 10 | No two days are the same for Patty Bonfilio. Join her on a VIP tour of the grounds and all of its hidden gems. |
| 1 | 11 | How exactly are animated films made using computer graphics? Pixar’s creative minds introduce and break down how a movie is made through understandable explanations using metaphors and examples. |
| 1 | 12 | From cars to fish to toys to superheroes, Pixar characters have unique personalities, designs, and traits. Join Pixar’s character artists and designers as they break down the process of developing a new character. |
| 1 | 13 | Camerawork is just as crucial in animation as it is in live action. Pixar’s layout artists explain the craft behind camera and staging, showcasing how camera positioning enhances emotion within a story. |
| 1 | 14 | Animation brings characters to life by making them move, feel, think, and talk. Pixar animators take us through the artistry of how they breathe life into characters authentically and explain the importance of acting (and eyebrows) in their craft. |
| 1 | 15 | Light and color are essential in conveying the time of day, creating unique worlds, and even evoking emotion. Pixar lighting directors and artists reveal how they illuminate a scene and how they utilize light and color for everything from terrifying twists to signature Pixar tearjerkers. |
| 1 | 16 | How can the passage of time be utilized as a tool for emotional storytelling? |
| 1 | 17 | From Ernesto de La Cruz to Lotso to Hopper, foes of all shapes and sizes are essential to many of our favorite Pixar movies. But what makes a good villain? |
| 1 | 18 | Pixar characters strive to strike a balance between realistic and caricatured. |
| 1 | 19 | Beyond the world of Cars, vehicles of all kinds have made their mark throughout Pixar’s films. |
| 1 | 20 | Take a deep dive into the art of crowds animation. Each of your favorite Pixar characters live in worlds populated by fellow fish, cars, toys, and humans, but creating thousands of these fully animated background characters is no easy feat. |
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