BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — "Inside Out" writer-director Pete Docter says that while he's surprised the animated film got a pair of Oscar nominations, the film's personal impact has been even more stunning.
Docter says he based the film and its range of emotions playing out in a little girl's head on personal experiences including his childhood and watching his children grow up.
"Inside Out" was nominated for two Academy Awards Thursday for writing and the other for best animated film.
He says since the film's release he's also heard from parents and the teachers of special education students about how "Inside Out" resonated with them.
Docter says, "I was hoping it would be an entertaining movie with some funny parts and some emotional parts, but I never expected that kind of impact."
He says he's looking forward to celebrating with the crew at Pixar, but notes the famed animation studio also has some work on future projects to get done today.
"Inside Out" took five years to make and was completed more than a year ago. Docter said many of the artists who contributed "have probably worked on another two films in the interim."
