 The film was first storyboarded over a period of two to three years , all the while undergoing screenings for Pixar 's " Brain Trust " , a small group of creative leaders at Pixar who oversee development on all films . After multiple screenings and suggestions from other filmmakers , the picture was put into production . It was again evaluated three months into that process . Kevin Nolting , editor of the film , estimated there were seven versions of Inside Out created before it even went into production . The story team attempted to create as much contrast with characters as possible . They found Joy the most complex character to write for , as she illustrates a broad range of " happy feelings " . The earliest idea present in the final film is that Joy holds onto youth too long , setting about a " social storm " for Riley . It was not until several screenings later that they came upon the concept of moving to a new place , which created an external conflict that made the story easier to write . Initially , this crisis was to be set at a Thanksgiving Day pageant , in which Riley was hoping to be cast as its lead role , the turkey . Docter later deemed this idea too " bizarre " and it was replaced . 
