Top 10 Behind the Scenes Facts About Turning Red
#10: The Fourth Wall Is Broken
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From Ferris Bueller to Deadpool, there are plenty of great examples of movie characters breaking that fourth wall and talking to the viewers. However, until Meilin "Mei" Lee in “Turning Red” it had never really happened in a Pixar movie. We’re not talking about subtle glances, narration, or those funny animated bloopers. We mean having the character look straight at the camera and bluntly address the viewers during the story. Mei does just that toward the start of the film, letting us all know what she’s about, and making it clear that we’re in for a truly special ride.
#9: “Turning Red” Isn’t Director Domee Shi’s First Pixar Project
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People who went to see “Incredibles 2” in 2018 were also treated to a Pixar short called “Bao.” It follows a Chinese-Canadian mother who cares for a steamed bao bun that comes to life, and the story’s heartwarming message touched hearts everywhere. Shi had been working at Pixar for years as a storyboard artist, but “Bao” was her first time at the helm in such a big way. She wrote and directed the approximately 8-minute long work, which showcased her talents and left people wanting more. It was very well-received, even earning the Oscar for “Best Animated Short Film” at the 91st Academy Awards. Clearly, this marked the start of something beautiful.
#8: Red Pandas Reign Supreme
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Did you know that when red pandas get spooked and want to protect themselves, they tend to stand on their hind legs and put their hands up? Rumor has it that this surprising fact informed Mei’s furry transformation. Apparently, it was incorporated into the film, with the protagonist putting her hands up when she’s scared. But that definitely isn’t the only ode to the adorable animals that you’ll find in the movie. In fact, there are panda-inspired elements everywhere, with things like signs and statues taking cues from and referencing the creatures. We can always trust Pixar to run with a theme, and “Turning Red” is no exception!
#7: Music Plays a Big Role
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“Turning Red” paints a picture of what it was like growing up in the early 2000s. That means having the music – and boy bands – to match. So production enlisted modern-day icons Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell to help create the perfect soundtrack. The powerhouse sibling duo have talked about the impact Pixar films had on their lives, so it’s only fitting that they wrote some songs for this one! And the team didn’t phone it in when crafting the very important fictional band 4*Town, either. O'Connell is actually one of the members, and another is voiced by none other than Jordan Fisher. The music is sure to elicit strong feelings of nostalgia for those who grew up in the early aughts!
#6: The Movie Is Set In Toronto
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As Canadians ourselves, we can’t tell you what it means to see Timbits in a major motion picture! Director Domee Shi was born in China, but she moved to Canada at a young age, and her family ultimately chose Toronto as their home. Her upbringing seemingly influences much of her work, which explains why “Turning Red” is set in her hometown. After all, it’s where she grew up, and where she had many of the experiences that inspired the movie. If you’ve never been, the film will undoubtedly pique your interest. But for inhabitants of the city, the location is sure to make the viewing experience extra personal, as they’ll see their home on screen. They say you should write what you know, and that’s exactly what Shi did – save for the becoming a panda part, of course.
#5: Mei Lee’s Glasses Are Groundbreaking
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This movie features a number of firsts for Pixar, one of which involves Mei and her glasses. “Turning Red” is reportedly only the third feature film from Pixar – not Disney Animation – to feature a protagonist who wears glasses. The previous two were “Up” and “Soul”. However, Mei differs from Carl Fredricksen and Joe Gardner in the fact that she’s a girl. Of course, there are other notable cases to be cited, like Sadness in “Inside Out” and Edna Mode in “The Incredibles.” But they’re arguably not the main characters. It may seem like a relatively minor thing, but there’s no doubt that seeing Mei rock her glasses will help a lot of self-conscious tweens and teens out there feel more confident.
#4: The Colors Hold Deep Meaning
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Obviously the panda is red, but the importance of color in the film goes a lot deeper than that. As production designer Rona Liu tells it, Mei was their starting point. Once it was established that her overall color palette would be red, the rest came relatively naturally. We can notably see the thoughtful choices at play in the mother-daughter relationship that’s at the heart of the film. Liu explained that they reflect the tension between Mei and her mom Ming visually, by putting the latter character in a diametrically opposed hue, emerald green. It’s interesting to note that our young protagonist’s room is also predominantly green, further amplifying the ways in which her mother has molded her world.
#3: Rosalie Chiang Wasn’t Supposed to Be the Final Voice of Mei Lee
Because the process takes so long to complete, animated movies often bring in a temporary actor to voice a lead until they cast the part. Usually, the roles ultimately go to big names. In the case of “Turning Red” that temporary voice actor was Rosalie Chiang herself, who ended up voicing the lead. But she was a hit, with people praising how she brought Mei to life. Plus, the crew loved her. Producer Lindsey Collins said that all things considered, casting her ended up being “a natural choice.” In other words, Chiang was irreplaceable.
#2: Mei Lee Knows About “Toy Story”
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As you now know, “Turning Red” takes place in the early 2000s. Well, Pixar’s first “Toy Story” movie came out in 1995. So the question on everyone’s mind is, do Mei and her friends know about Woody and the gang? According to director Domee Shi, the answer is yes. The film does indeed take place within the “Toy Story” universe. She even admits to including a few relevant Pixar easter eggs, including one for the studio’s next film, “Lightyear”. The only thing we need to know now is whether Mei is more of a Woody or Buzz girl!
#1: The Film Was Made by Pixar’s First Woman-Led Team
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Of all the “Turning Red” firsts, this is the most significant. Domee Shi is the first woman, and first woman of color, to direct a Pixar feature-length film on her own. Brenda Chapman’s work on “Brave” only earned her a co-directing credit. While that’s a huge accomplishment, it was definitely time for a woman to captain a project all the way through by herself. And “Turning Red” features an amazing female-first beyond just Shi herself. It’s also the first Pixar movie to have a female-led creative team. This fostered an open and supportive culture where the women felt understood while discussing their own experiences, thus helping to authentically build Mei’s world. That’s some serious girl power!
