Last month, I had the opportunity to interview Phyllis Smith, who plays Sadness in Inside Out, and Richard Kind, who plays Bing Bong. The two of them were my favorite characters in the movie, so I was beyond thrilled to be able to meet the talented actors who brought them to life! They had us laughing the entire time, beginning when they walked in and we saw Phyllis taking pictures of us {while we, of course, were taking pictures of her}!
They were so kind and humble and told us everything we wanted to know about where they drew inspiration for their characters, how they felt about the massive success about the movie, and how it felt to be kept a secret until the movie came out:
Were you surprised at the popularity of your characters?
Phyllis: I’ve seen it a couple of times, and I don’t really know how popular it is to be honest.
Richard: How popular your character is?
Phyllis: Yeah.
Richard: All right, I’ll tell you. It’s popular.
Phyllis: I’m just in a little vacuum. I don’t really know how it is. I’m glad that people are enjoying it.
Richard: Oh, that’s funny. First of all, I am not at all surprised at how popular Phyllis’s character is. It’s a perfect voice performance and a perfectly written part by these guys. It’s such a touchy character because no one wants to be sad, and yet we identify with you. So I am so taken by your performance because although it’s down in the dumps, it’s not depressive. It’s simply sad. And I think that that’s an amazing thing that they and you did.
Phyllis: And I, in turn, loved your character. The heart of that character is just everywhere.
Richard: Well, to be honest, I agree with you. I loved Bing Bong. I really did.
On what it was like to be kept a secret during the promotion of the film:
Richard: About a month or two before the film was released, Ronnie and Pete [the directors, Pete Docter and Ronnie del Carmen], pulled me over, and they said, “We’re going to release the movie, but you’re not going to be a part of any of the ad campaigns.” I said, “It’s fine! It’s fine. I don’t care.”
Look, I love working for these people. To be in this masterpiece, what a gift! This is magnificent. Then they said that they’re going to Cannes with the five emotions. And Pete pulled me over and said, “You know that you’re not going to Cannes.”
And I said, “It’s fine. It’s great.” I didn’t mean a word of that. I was very upset that I wasn’t going to Cannes. It really upset me. It’s Cannes Film Festival! And it’s on their dime!
Then when the movie came out, and I hadn’t been in marketing, all of a sudden there was an explosion of, “Oh, we didn’t know that this guy was in the movie. Look how much this guy is touching us.” And once again Pixar proves its brilliance. They thought ahead, and they were absolutely right.
Nevertheless I’d like them to send me to France right now.
How were you able to stay in character?
Phyllis: I can honestly say I didn’t like sit in the car and think of horrible things or anything before I went in. I really just tried to be truthful with whatever the line or the scene that we were doing. And also Pete Docter is such a wonderful director. If I wasn’t at a point where he wanted me to be, he was able to say, “Okay, let’s try it this way.”
Were you able to improvise a lot?
Richard: I can’t say a lot. Being the improviser that I am, I like to play with the other actors. You’re usually in there alone. But that’s just me. I’ll bet Bill Hader and Amy went way off script. Every once in a while I would do something, make it in my vernacular or something.
But you want to know something, they worked for four years on this movie. I come in for a day. I’ll give them what I can. A lot of times an improviser will drive home at night and go, “Ooh, why didn’t I say that?” There wasn’t even a lot of that. I think that their script told a good story, the words they wrote.
Phyllis: For me, I had three sessions with Amy [Poehler]. Amy and I were together for three different sessions- mostly scenes that were quite emotional where we needed to feed off of each other. And as far as improvisation, we didn’t do a lot of improv. But I can remember the scene when we were afraid of the big clown. That was a lot of improv back and forth.
But generally, I tried to do the written line different ways. I’d never done voice over before. And for me, I came in on the third year of it. By the end of the fifth year, I was feeling a little more unafraid to give a line like six or seven different reads.
What part of yourself went into your character?
Richard: Certainly my energy, because I can be loud. I think I’m more animated off stage than I am on. But there was a lot. I happen to think that I’m a nice man, and I live my life with morality and ethics. I think I’m more positive than I am negative. And I think that this guy [Bing Bong] is free of negativity. I think that there’s purity to this guy.
What’s your preference [voice acting or acting in front of the camera]?
Phyllis: All of it. I would love to do more animation. I’d love to work for Pixar again, and also on screen. I mean it’s different processes, but they’re both challenging. Just to be able to work is a good thing.
What message do you hope people take away from your character?
Richard: I got to admit, I don’t. You tell me what you think. That’s the answer. What do they take away from the movie? You can answer that much better than I can. I just interpret.
Don’t miss Inside Out, which comes out on DVD & Blu-ray combo pack next Tuesday, November 3rd! {It’s already available on digital!} Love Inside Out? Don’t miss this deleted scene, my interview with the Director & Producer, these Inside Out party ideas or these free Inside Out coloring pages!
What message did you take away from Inside Out?
Mykidsguide says
What an exciting experience. It must have been so fun to meet and interview the voices behind the characters.
Robin Gagnon says
It is so interesting to get these insights into the people behind the characters. I am going to rent this one soon.
Pam says
It’s always fun to learn more about the people who voice the characters behind the movies. I can’t wait to see Inside-Out!
Chubskulit Rose says
What a f great and fun experience to be able to interview them. That would be a deream come true for me.
Deb- It's me, debcb! says
We haven’t seen this movie yet and I’m dying. It’s hard with a teenager to get them to commit to see anything animated in the theater. So cool that you were invited to interview them!
Jennifer says
So fun to hear from the voice talents and hear their thoughts on being in such an amazing film.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
I love Phyllis Smith. She was my favorite character on The Office, so I bet I’d love her in Inside Out!
Rosey says
This movie was such a good one. I liked it, and my sister in law did too. And we’re grown ups. 😉
Amy says
Such a great experience! I loved the movie! And you got to have a Q&A with 2 of my favorite characters!
Katherine G says
Oh my goodness! This sounds like a great experience. I loved Bing Bong. Inside Out is a great movie.
lexie says
oh my gosh that is so incredibly neat that you got to meet them! How fun!
Adriana says
Awesome interview!!! I love reading about interviews especially with people like these two! Thanks for sharing
Yona Williams says
Awe, that’s funny how Phyllis was taking pictures of you guys. Ha! That must have been a really fun experience. I love her voice.