I Was Not Expecting Pixar's Dream Productions To Tackle Nepo-Babies (But I Kind Of Love It)

The following contains spoilers for Dream Productions, now streaming on Disney+Dream Productions spends a surprising amount of time focused on Nepo-Babies in production, but I kind of love their approach. In modern Hollywood, controversy has arisen about the concept of "Nepo-Babies," i.e. creatives who got their start in the industry because of relatives who also work in the field. Due to the difficulty many face breaking into the entertainment fields, having nepotism ensures an easier start to a career and can be seen as an unfair advantage that only benefits the wealthy rookies in film, television, and music.

Dream Productions' story and ending pokes fun at the kind of people often accused of that status with Xeni. Played with a smarmy overconfidence and artistic flair by Richard Ayoade, Xeni is one of the main characters of Dream Productions and a frequent source of comedy. Given the show's overall approach to parodying the film industry, a Nepo-Baby character makes sense for the story. However, I really wasn't expecting the arc that Dream Productions gives him and how it highlights the double-edged sword being a Nepo-Baby in entertainment can be.

Dream Productions Tackles Nepo-Babies With Xeni

Xeni's Nepo-Baby Storyline Is One Of Dream Productions' Most Unexpected Touches

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Xeni is Dream Production's take on Nepo-Babies, and offers a surprisingly compelling take on the flaws (and potential) found in that kind of creative. Xeni is introduced as a Daydream Director at Dream Productions, with a preference for the kind of absurdist visuals and unorthodox approach that one may find within the indie filmmaking community. Despite his lack of experience and skill in the filmmaking business though, he's been ensured a place at the studio thanks to his family relation to his "auntie," the head of Dream Productions Jean Dewberry.

Related Dream Productions Teases A Wild Aspect About How Minds Work In Inside Out's Universe Dream Productions expands the scope of Inside Out's world and reveals a surprising way that minds can interact within that Pixar universe.

Xeni is a purposefully frustrating character, with his flawed and failed efforts to influence Paula's creations only causing more conflict for the team. I wasn't surprised by the Nepo-Baby comedy in Dream Productions, but I was pleasantly surprised when Xeni actually turns out to have an inventive approach to story, as well as an eye for emerging talent that gels with what the aging Riley wants. The show never pulls back on Xeni being a Nepo-Baby, but highlights that he has a genuine passion for the story's artistic outlet, even if he only got access through family connections.

Dream Productions Is More Focused On Nepo-Babies Than I Expected

Xeni's Arc Is More Important To Dream Productions Than I Would Have Ever Expected

Xeni's status as a Nepo-Babies ends up being a consistent element of his character and impacts the plot. I was expecting the gags about Xeni being a Nepo-Baby to be the extent of that aspect of his character, but his safety from Paula's frustrations ends up being flipped around in the third episode of Dream Productions. "Part 3: Romance!" ends with Paula and Xeni being blamed for Riley sleepwalking and almost getting herself injured. Paula shifts as much of the blame as she can to Xeni, who is ripped into by Jean for his mistakes.

It's a surprisingly double-sided look at Nepo-Babies, arguing they may get their foot through the door but also have a target on their back.

This scene is surprisingly somber, as Xeni's efforts to explain himself are shot down by Jean, who reveals she only allowed him to work at Dream Productions because her brother "begged" her to give him a job. This undercuts the artistic merit that Xeni genuinely did bring to the production. This highlights how Xeni's family connections mean his presence on set is permanently presumed to not be connected to his actual skill. It's a surprisingly double-sided look at Nepo-Babies, arguing they may get their foot through the door but also have a target on their back.

Dream Productions Has A Surprisingly Nuanced View On Nepo-Babies

Dream Productions Gives Xeni A More Interesting Arc Than Most Nepo-Baby Stories

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Inside Out's Dream Productions has fun at the expense of Nepo-Babies in the entertainment industry, but I wasn't expecting the show to actually explore their situation. Xeni's arc in the show highlights how his connections and big ideas may get him through the door, but does nothing to endear him to the crew or prove he can helm a production. However, he realizes his flaws and risks his back-up job to help Paula. He's rewarded for this newfound empathy and genuine passion with a chance to direct, his reliance on improv and naturalistic acting helping Riley's big dance dream.

There's something to be said for the challenges faced by anyone who isn't a Nepo-Baby. Having established connections in an industry that's infamously hard to get into makes them easy targets for scorn and ridicule. Dream Productions doesn't forget that, and never lets up on Xeni's flaws. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how the show gave him a minor redemptive arc and highlighted that he still does have good ideas and a genuine passion for storytelling. It gives Dream Production's filmmaking parody a more human element that I think elevates the show.