Jennifer Yuh Nelson joined DreamWorks Animation in the late 1990’s and worked in the story department on both “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” (2002) and the original “Madagascar” (2005). But her next job would help lead to her latest, director of “Kung Fu Panda 2”. I spoke with her this week about here career and the latest adventures of Po, the Dragon Warrior.
LCJ: The original “Madagascar” is a very funny film. How great was it working on that movie?
JYN: It was a lot of fun working in the story department. You get many people together brainstorming ideas. One of the things that really helps the process is coming-up with the sight gags on the spur of the moment. The spontaneous nature of writing when you’ve got a lot of people together makes it work.
LCJ: You then did the storyboards for the original “Kung Fu Panda” and won an Annie Award for your work. Did your success and the success of the first film, help you get the job as director for “Panda 2”?
JYN: I think the reason I was picked to direct “Panda 2” was because I was so familiar with “Panda 1”. I was on the movie for 4 1/2 years and really got to know these characters and how they interact with each other. They chose me because of the continuity they would get.
LCJ: There are no that many female directors and especially female directors of animated films. Do you feel like you are helping to open some doors for other women who may want to follow you?
JYN: There have been a few women animated directors and they have been my role models. Certainly the more role models there are will help encourage girls in school who may be thinking about pursuing a career in animation and directing.
LCJ: The tone of “Kunga Fu Panda 2” is much different than the original. What was the thinking behind that decision?
JYN: Certainly with a sequel you can go deeper with the characters. In finding out about Po’s past and what makes him tick you’re going to go into a more emotional storyline. You have the same character, same laughs, same action but here he’s much more pensive about what happened in his past.
LCJ: Obviously you thought it was important for the story about how Po came to be adopted had to be told.
JYN: I really think it did because people were asking the question after the first film: Why was his father a goose? That’s what led us to develop the plot for “2”.
LCJ: There are a ton of action scenes in the film. How tough aere they to put together?
JYN: Very tough. It’s essentially like an incredibly choreographed dance sequence. Every move and every single canera move has to be figured out.
LCJ: The original “KFP” was so successful, did you feel a lot of pressure to come up with a great story and look for this sequesl?
JYN: Absolutely there’s a lot of pressure, but it mostly comes from ourselves as a crew. A lot of them worked on the first movie and we wanted to make sure this world continued. So the pressure was really put upon us by us, because we had to make a movie that we all liked.
LCJ: It took less than 3 years to make the sequel. Was there a tight schedule in order to make the release date?
JYN: 3 years was just about the right length of time. I don’t think we needed any more than that. In the case of the first film we had to have some more development time for the new characters. Here we had characters to start off with.
LCJ: I don’t want to give anything away but it certainly looks like the stage is set for a “Kung Fu Panda 3”. If there is another film would you like to work on it or move on to something else?
JYN: I really don’t know. I love that world and those characters. If the audiences say there should be a 3rd one then I’d really want to be part of a 3rd one. Really, it’s up to the audience.
LCJ: What’s your next project for DreamWorks?
JYN: Currently I’m on vacation. After 3 years it’s good to have a break.
LCJ: What was it like going to the premiere and seeing the finished movie after all of that work?
JYN: It’s nice to see people having a good time at the screening. That’s the reward.
LCJ: After being with these characters for 7 1/2 years you must feel almost like a parent to them. And parents aren’t supposed to have favorites. But, besides Po, do you have a favorite character?
JYN: Besides Po I’d have to say Mr. Ping. He’s so sweet. I really like him.