INSIDE OUT CLASSIC
Creating core memories one play at a time.
INSIDE OUT
“A different side of the game”
Hockey AND Inside Out? Come on!
When Pixar and ESPN came to us with a new iteration of the alt-cast broadcast, the Canadian in us jumped at the opportunity.
In the past couple of months, our team worked to bring the world of Hockey Island to life. With a little assistance from the Mind Workers, we developed 26 short animated sequences that aired throughout the “Inside Out Classic” broadcast.
These segments introduced the Mind Workers to the world of hockey, creating layers of action centred around character, play, and fun. Collaborating with ESPN and Pixar to create something like this allowed our animators freedom to play with the personality of the Mind Workers and bring moments at the rink to life. Creating one core memory at a time.
HAVING FUN ON HOCKEY ISLAND
Similar to the Monsters Inc. Funday Football broadcast, our challenge was to breathe life into a world that already existed - even if only in Riley’s imagination.
Like many of the best hockey teams, we too needed a plan, even when it looked like we were just winging it. As the storyboards evolved, so did the world - shifting from loose ideas into a fully realized environment we could shape and interact with. Every element was designed with intention. The arena and its assets weren’t just visual, they were built to support the story, elevate the characters, and give them space to play. The result needed to feel imaginative and unique, yet still familiar and believable.
Each piece brought its own challenges, but the focus never changed. Everything we did was in service of one goal - bringing Riley’s world to life.
DROP THE PUCK
To truly bring the characters to life, we had to think like hockey players and rink staff. Every gag, every detail, every action had to feel intentional - not just visually but culturally.
That meant diving deep into the hockey world. We had to understand what belonged in each space, what felt authentic, and what fans would instantly recognize. Even in an imaginary world where anything can happen, the foundation still needed to feel real.
Mullets included.
ON AIR
Launching on ESPN, ESPN+, and Disney+ on April 5th, 2026, the Inside Out Classic alt-cast is a hockey game for all ages.