10 Things You Didn’t Know ABout Riley’s First Date With Director Josh Cooley & Producer Mark Nielsen #InsideOutBloggers

Do you remember what your first date was like? Or do you remember what your kids’ first date was like? Riley’s First Date is a glimpse into what that is like. (My daughter is 11, so I am hoping I have a little more time before that happens here!) I got to talk to both Director Josh Cooley and Producer Mark Nielsen about what it was like making Riley’s First Date and got some really great insight on the short that is included in the Bonus Features for Inside Out (now now available on Blu-ray and Digital HD! – get a copy!).

1. The Riley’s First Date short was something they came up with during the 4 years of making Inside Out.
2. It took them 10 months to make this!
3. Both Director Josh Cooley and Producer Mark Nielsen have daughters.  So did the editor and most everybody working on the film.  They had a great starting point, since they all had experience with daughters!
4. They choose ACDC for the short because, they really wanted to settle on something that was iconic.  It also had to be something that both Jordan as a kid can be into and could be familiar with as well as the Dad. Plus, ACDC still kicks butt!
5. One of the emotions in Jordan’s head (That’s the boy who comes over for Riley’s First Date) is Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers.  It is the first one that goes, “Dude what is he lookin’ at?”  Stop reading, go watch the short again.  You know you want to.  
6. The other voice in Jordan’s head is Bill Hader just doing the voice, “HOOO, HOOO, HOOO.”  Stop reading, go watch the short again.  You know you want too again.  
7. Since they made the short during filming, the crew working on it was made up of entirely of people that worked on the feature film.
8. Mark told us that making people cry with the scenes that were more emotional in Inside Out were the ones that they struggled with the most.  They spent the most time on those, and they were re-worked the most.
9. When we see the inside of Jordan’s head, the camera is suppose to be MTV style.  The cameras not locked down, and it’s just constantly moving.  Yes, go ahead and watch it again.  
10. John Lasseter came up with the scene where the dad is playing a guitar in his heyday!  I find it fascinating how John has his hands in everything and that he helps with his ideas along the way. 

As you can see, we learned a ton from Director Josh Cooley & Producer Mark Nielsen!  What did you learn that you didn’t know?  Anything else we should have asked?