Watch Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red

Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red is a documentary film about the making of the Pixar animated movie Turning Red. The movie is directed by Domee Shi, who also directed the Academy Award-winning short film Bao, and produced by Lindsey Collins and Danielle Feinberg. The documentary goes behind the scenes to explore the creative process of making Turning Red, from the initial concept of the movie to the final product. It showcases the hard work and dedication of the Pixar team to creating visually stunning animated films that entertain and educate audiences, and it explores the importance of representation in film.

Throughout the film, viewers are introduced to the various artists, animators, and producers who worked on Turning Red, and get a glimpse into their individual styles and contributions to the film. They step into the halls of Pixar Animation Studios and witness the brainstorming sessions, artistic meetings, and the many iterations of the film's characters and storyline.

One of the major themes discussed in the documentary is the representation of Asian American culture in film, particularly from the perspective of a young girl. The film follows Mei Lee, the protagonist of Turning Red, as she navigates through her adolescent years and discovers her ability to transform into a giant red panda. The main goal of the movie is to showcase the perspective of a young girl navigating through her identity and coming out stronger through the adversities she faces.

The documentary also showcases the struggles and challenges that come with making an animated film. The Pixar team had to find a way to make Mei Lee's transformation into a giant red panda believable without losing the visual charm of the character. There are times when the team would change and rework the animation to get it right, all in the hopes of making Turning Red a unique and memorable movie.

The film is not only about the art of animation but also explores the importance of having a diverse team in the animation industry. The team behind Turning Red is made up of a diverse group of individuals who bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table, ultimately showcasing the beauty of diversity in the creative process.

Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red is also a tribute to the late, great Billie Eilish. The documentary showcases the impactful and moving original song “What If I Stumble,” co-written by Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas O’Connell, for Turning Red. The viewers get an inside look at the process of making the song and the personal struggles Billie Eilish faced while writing it.

Throughout the documentary, viewers are treated to never-before-seen footage of the animation process and the team's creative process. They see how the production team worked tirelessly to make the characters and story come to life. They also witness the many challenges the team faced, including significant storyline changes and the COVID-19 pandemic that required most of the creative process to be done remotely.

In conclusion, Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red is a fascinating look into the world of animation, showcasing the process behind making one of Pixar's most anticipated movies. The documentary dives into the challenges of bringing to life a compelling and moving story that represents the voice of a young girl and her journey. It's an inspiring tribute to both the hard work of the Pixar team and the importance of representation in film.

Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red is a 2022 documentary with a runtime of 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.