The Moodsters
In what has become commonplace for any blockbuster, someone is claiming that Disney stole concepts from Pixar’s Inside Out. According to Reuters, Denise Daniels pitched a children’s program called “The Moodsters” to Disney each year from 2005 to 2009. The show would feature color-coded characters representing human emotions.
Here is the description of “The Moodsters” from their website:
The Moodsters are five lovable little detectives who use special sleuthing skills to help children solve the mysteries of feelings. With the help of The Moodsters, children learn that all feelings are okay – you just have to get to know them!
The Moodsters were created to educate, entertain, and enhance the social and emotional development of children through engaging characters, stories and toys. These fun learning tools provide children with a vocabulary for their feelings to help them understand and manage their emotions, and impart simple strategies that help kids handle the everyday challenges of growing up.
It appears that the brand already has consumer products, and it is not surprising that they were seeking a broadcast outlet to help support the toys.
According to the website, Daniels is a Peabody Award-winning broadcast journalist, author, and parenting and child development expert who specializes in the social and emotional development of children.
Daniels claims that both Tom Staggs, former Chief Operating Officer, and Inside Out director Pete Docter would have had access to her pitch. Neither Disney, Daniels, or her legal team commented to Reuters about the case.