Pete Docter Explains the Inspiration Behind Pixar’s Latest Film, ‘Soul’ | The Breakdown

The ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Up’ director breaks down the genesis and production process behind the idea for Pixar’s latest film, ‘Soul,’ streaming now on Disney+.
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[@jk-ts2el]

This guy truly did find his calling. The movie is a masterpiece. Just a timeless artwork

[@floofy5529]

Growing up, we lose that sense of exploration, curiosity, being easily excited, and innocence. Pixar is great at taking us back as grown-ups. Either by following an adventure through Toy Story, or through introspection and intelligence like Ratatouille, Inside Out, or Soul. Great stuff.

[@callumdrage1051]

Agree with this 💯%

[@callumdrage1051]

@Ting-Ting Meng Ratatouille is my favourite Pixar and favourite animated film of all time!

[@targattano]

pixar over disney baby (i know pixar is owned by disney, but we all know which one is pixar movie and which one is disney)

[@jewishmyrongaines]

TRUE

[@TheDionysiac]

Love how committed Peter Docter is committed to authenticity through every step of the process. Starts with an idea that's authentic to himself, and then spends time looking at different settings until he found one that really matched the feeling he's trying to convey.

[@artloveranimation]

amen, he really is an inspiration and you just know he had to have been a trusting director for people who worked on the project in animation and story departments, and everything else.

[@jobertuy6505]

It’s was a masterpiece movie! It literally and spiritually touched my soul as an adult. 🥺

[@kingdey9136]

my soul too as a teen

[@anthonymartensen3164]

I thought it was Pixar's most impressive movie in some ways

[@ruman962]

*many

[@callumdrage1051]

Soul is honestly one of the best movies period that I've ever seen! So good!

[@smitmachhi]

Boy, I love Pixar so much, Pete Doctor you're one the greatest storyteller of this century.

[@theo8517]

The movie made me question my existential purpose in life

[@jacobwhkhu]

I thought the movie's message was life is not all about having a purpose to exist? Did you really watch it 🙄

[@jopiluis3382]

@@jacobwhkhu you didn't get it

[@theo8517]

@@jopiluis3382 yep he doesn't

[@crappymcdick]

@@jacobwhkhu What a silly comment. The film wasn't about not having a purpose, it was about how purpose can be many things more than playing with a musician you like, or making the big animation film you always wanted - life is also about the small things, those are the things that make us feel, it's the love. Orange Juice might have also been talking about a place earlier in the movie where we see people who've gotten obsessed with something in life, showcased in a rather disturbing manner, fittingly so. And I think seeing something like that can make you take a step backwards and look at your own life.

[@marcocorgna8585]

@@crappymcdick That's why @Jakob Khu wrote "the message was life is not all about having a purpose", instead of "not having a purpose at all". I think you guys are saying the same thing

[@sarambrose]

There is so much subtlety in this movie, nothing is overstated, just beautiful art

[@Joshrayos]

Had to fight back tears watching this. Reminds you what’s truly important in life

[@vandythevandy]

Hi! Would you please consider adding CC for those of us who are deaf, hard of hearing, or struggle with auditory processing disorder? We'd all love to see what you have to say about this! Thanks :)

[@SaharaColeman]

Soul was so good, I cried and laughed while watching. It had an amazing storyline and message behind it as well.

[@nachoooooo800]

Anything that Pete Doctor makes I will watch.

[@jessica5497]

Trent Reznor and Atticus did an AMAZING JOB in the soundtrack. 💜

[@ogfogel7285]

this man’s a genius

[@Kylelongwest]

It took almost 5 years to make. This film is amazing, i feel bad, they should have waited until covid 19 over.

[@annarose932]

In many ways, due to what is going on, this is the perfect time for this movie to come out. I can't remember who said this but I think it was in a video where someone said with how everyone is staying at home or how nobody can go anywhere atm, this movie helps to tell people thay you are not defined by where you are in life, instead by what you do.

[@Kylelongwest]

@@annarose932 i also agree with your view too. I wanted to film to earn a lot of money considering how good the film is. But on the other hand I also think it's the best time for the film to come out seeing how many people died to covid, the virus has taken people's lives by force, people might have not been able to appreciate their lives enough before they passed away. It teaches me that life is short, we need to live every moment of it. And i want people to perceive the similar meaning, it's such an important message

[@TurdF3rguson]

"Mr. Docer? "It's Docter." "My apologies, Doctor Docer."

[@isuriadireja91]

the LOST SOULS design kinda remind me of some creature designs from Ghibli.

[@person-vi6dm]

yeah

[@samoconnell3825]

Pete Docter loves Ghibli! In fact I think he directed the English language dub for Howl’s Moving Castle

[@person-vi6dm]

I was thinking it looked like no face after he ate the pill

[@isuriadireja91]

@@samoconnell3825 that explains it.

[@portuenglish1]

And Jerry reminded me of Picasso paintings

[@ladysensei1487]

Such a beautiful movie with a simple message. Your spark is your desire to live and you can have a spark with or with out a distinct purpose. Life is still meaningful without purpose. Pixar's masterpiece.

[@adua78]

🙌🏼 🙌🏼 🙌🏼 precisely. Basically, don’t worry, be happy. Enjoy the experience and contrast of it all. We chose to do this, and we’re all ok no matter what.

[@rose8968]

My heart beats fast when listening to this genius

[@PandoraI]

Truly a magical process - creating an animation movie...

[@adua78]

Just watched this movie on the advice of person who had a near-death experience. I’ve actually been watching and listening to hundreds of podcast interviews with people who’ve had these experiences (as well as those with “pre-birth memories”), and it’s amazing how much this movie falls right into line with so much of what they have to say about their experiences on the other side, as well as our purpose for existing on Earth (mainly to just experience and have fun!). I found this to be profound and moving. Bravo.

[@aidanrogers4438]

My favourite time of the day now is Terry time.

[@KODSKI]

Soul is the definition of a great film.

[@jayaom4946]

He's a genius. Me and my kids were desperate to see more of his art before Soul came out. It did not disappoint!!

[@lauragonfer]

I haven’t watched the movie and this interview has already taught me so much❤️

[@ataladuarte7722]

This movie is a master piece 🙌🏽 Thank you!

[@betuldokucu]

First 10 min's of the movie triggered my biggest existential crisis at 29. After all the heartbreaks, when you finally feel like you're about to reach for your dream and everything suddenly stops. Sudden death is not a fictional concept, and sadly we might not able to cheat the system like in the movie. What this movie says to me at the end is "Memento mori".

[@eoharafisher]

His head shape and glasses show up in the character Joe.

[@onw5455]

Thank you for this

[@Hihihii728]

Love learning more about my favorite movie

[@123rockfan]

While watching Soul, the story immediately reminded me (in a good way) of Here Comes Mr. Jordan and Heaven Can Wait from 1943

[@soyhoon]

so awesome... inspiring man

[@SuperFuturama]

Great video!

[@chiraggupta1186]

This movie is majestic

[@opaque1231]

Absolutely loooved this movie.

[@mattyvarnas1736]

I Think Docter is One of My Idols. Mainly Because of Monsters, Inc.

[@seankloss7798]

Such an amazing movie!

[@chentrabelsi2219]

Very inspiring

[@johannesbergcrantz]

Loved this movie from start to finish

[@kenzieandcurtis]

Hey really love your content this is awesome . What is your preferred editing software you use for filmmaking, I'd love to have a conversation and maybe even collaborate on different methods in telling stories through film!

[@DAbaskkid]

Masterpiece

[@lorenzoiozzo6629]

What a great man

[@edgar.espinoza]

Pete has the Spark! For sure...

[@matoflynn]

What a cool guy!

[@jerrylouis8930]

“What if you made an icon of someone, without using their looks as a guide?” We noticed.

[@Pixeliarmus]

I absolutely loved this movie, from music to stunning lighting in animation. I wish at the end of it he had just moved to the other side though, maybe they thought it would be a bit too much for the kids

[@annarose932]

In her review, CellSpex explains that the movie isn't about dying, its about living. And so it would have been odd for the movie to have Joe choose death and discourage people from living.

[@rawantafech]

Genius

[@nickdowning4278]

Is moonwind based off of moon dog the Viking of 6th Avenue

[@urd247]

i watched soul again earlier and i just gotta ask: are you okay, pete?

[@shafkatahmed5420]

It took me 10 minutes to realize that the background isn't real.

[@naive3832]

Top 5 pixar

[@ughyododis3444]

Why did they name 22 ? What is the meaning behind the name 22?

[@ruman962]

This guy is simply incapable of making a bad movie.

[@mindtheprivacy]

All that he mentioned and all the movie is based on metaphysics and what a lot of Channelers have explained about earth and life as we know it. Artist and yoga teachers also experienced it.

[@mindtheprivacy]

Wooooooow.

[@Langkowski]

If people gets pissed because of how an animated movie portrays afterlife, then so be it. Way too many people gets insulted over nothing these days. My favorite type of jazz is the "elevator music" stuff, where you can just relax while looking at moody pictures. Everybody who have been obsessed with comics and/or books in their childhood is probably aware of how time disappear when they enter the zone. Docter says that he felt he didn't have anything more to say after Inside Out, and that this movie was a product of that. Now when he has a new role as the studio's CCO, he doesn't have to worry about that anymore. But why does every Pixar movie has to be deep and meaningful and have very special meaning for the director? Why not just make a movie now and then that take itself less seriously and is just about fun and fascinating adventures? And there is just something about the "wire souls" that makes me think of animated projects like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6KwfKxtaa1-jtU

[@marcuscheng9398]

All sympathizers of Disney and Pixar: you are too late for Soul's victory was empty due to being religiously blasphemous against God. Everyone, destroy your Disney+ subscriptions for Disney has made everyone brainless, dumb and naive. Go for the mature, adult, intelligent and realistic content Netflix and HBO Max offers All Christians and Catholics, rejoice for the true hard-earned victory God has given to Wolfwakers. Let this be a lesson Disney and Pixar should learn not to be complacent, repetitive, predictable and stagnant. @Pixar , @Walt Disney Animation Studios , @Walt Disney Studios , @DisneyMusicVEVO EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT. All Yeagerists in r/titanfolk and the AOT fanbase, dedicate your hearts to spread this awareness.

[@user-me5hb2xl1j]

Does anybody believe THAT'S the inspiration for this movie?

[@joejacksonmad]

I know exactly what you mean ;)

[@usualavantgasp]

@@joejacksonmad idk what's exactly what he means....

[@majesticsunset8184]

Elaborate please???

[@MotionMark]

Basically what he's saying is... they all got high and hit another home run

[@JokerzRoundTable]

LSD?

[@cynrez]

ITS MF TERRY TIME

[@mattburke7151]

What are some of Pete docter’s biggest masterpieces?

[@joeyshortcake1423]

Peter Docter. Pixar Soul is the only pixar film to not feature John Ratzenberger.

[@isuriadireja91]

I WAS waiting to hear his voice...

[@20thCenturyMeerkat]

Pete Docter confirmed that he is in the movie. He’s well hidden but he’s there!

[@joeyshortcake1423]

But he's not in the credits

[@20thCenturyMeerkat]

Pete has confirmed it in interviews!

[@joeyshortcake1423]

He's heard in the background? I am SPEECHLESS!!!!!!

[@neckwatch]

18:05 what kinda boxes is pete talking about?

[@Langkowski]

Computers

[@remsorian3]

I LOVE YOU

[@t--k.]

Astrology talks about what is before life.

[@daverizz]

[@seanpvs101moviesproduction3]

Pete, Doctor is superior over John Lassiter.

[@mustafakamal8608]

is he a docter?

[@SJ-tb2wq]

No he is not a doctor.

[@llgatomorenoll]

Yes he’s a docter

[@ASingh109]

Hinduism talks about it all

[@thiagoteixeira6537]

It's so sad how, of the four original brain trust members at Pixar, Pete Doctor's the only one left! He was even promoted to president!

[@fordprefect1925]

Consulted various religious believers but no atheists. Can't say I'm surprised. Would have given this movie much needed wider scope.

[@therealityofthings9574]

Athiests can’t believe in consciousness and souls passing the physical body? Why not Nothing that’ proves or disproves it Use your imagination It’s mainly about purpose not religion by any means

[@fordprefect1925]

@@therealityofthings9574 the conversation about purpose is predicated on the philosophically transcendent concept of an apriori soul. This concept is present in Plato's philosophy in particular and has fed into major religions like Islam. Broadly atheism is the rejection of the metaphysical and spiritual in place of science and rationalism. The film suggested souls were required for personality to exist or that those who felt they had lost their way were disconnected from their spiritual origin. A wider discussion of purpose including the perfectly valid possession that there are no deities or metaphysical reality would have been good. I only say this as the director makes a point of talking to lots of religious people and intending for the film not to take one spiritual direction. If it is a genuine wide ranging discussion of purpose some non spiritual concepts should have been introduced. I could not relate to it at all as a result.

[@fordprefect1925]

@@therealityofthings9574 also in response to the 'nothing that proves or disproves it' I respond as follows: "that which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence." Christopher Hitchens.

[@therealityofthings9574]

@@fordprefect1925 man that sucks that your personal beliefs led you to not being able to relate or imagine at the very least I’m not religious myself at all but I could relate based on symbolism At the end of the day no one knows what happens after life or before So why not choose to relate Seems like you chose not to It’s not weird for sentient talking thinking animals to have deep rooted themes in purpose and life and death etc Even science, it’s a tool used to make sense of what and why we are I’d suggest taking a shroom or something sometime and I think you may change your mind on some of your beliefs I Respect your perspective none the less

[@therealityofthings9574]

@@fordprefect1925 ok so if if can asserted without and can be dismissed without then it renders null Which means you can CHOOSE You chose not to relate It’s a cartoon man lol Relax Have fun

[@jasonmans9307]

Why would he have a Danish man doing the voice over for a African American man ???? Weird

[@mohamedbahaa5084]

He is the director of the movie not the voice of the main character lol

[@SJ-tb2wq]

Jamie Foxx is his voice

[@majesticsunset8184]

It's voice acting. As long as you sound the part and have the talent for it, regardless on what you look like, I say it doesn't matter.

[@zikibay]

In terms of representation of Black lead characters, it was a disaster. Back in April, I wondered about this issue and the film turned out worse than I expected. Joe Gardner was in his human body only 19.6% of the movie! instagram.com/p/B_QUx5AHVIc/ facebook.com/zikibay/photos/a.2859321360788288/2857327484321009/

[@joshwilkinson8592]

OMG THATS SO RACIST!!! LETS BOYCOTT PIXAR!!! Shut up bro, no one gives a shit

[@XanStephP]

My friend and I agree with you but overall, conceptually, that's not what the movie is about. I'm split on how I feel but Pete Docter is showing me how brilliant he is here.

[@kiedianjoseph7046]

Stop stealing and taking peoples dreams to inspire you all movies..thats unfair to people