What do you get if you put a lovable panda, an Oscar-winning composer, and an epic film team together? … Kung Fu Panda 4!
Hear from composer, Hans Zimmer, director, Mike Mitchell, and producer, Rebecca Huntley about what went into making Jack Black's latest action-comedy hit.
Kung Fu Panda 4 film footage and images courtesy of Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Animation
Jack Black: When I first heard that they were going to make another Kung Fu Panda, I was like: "yes!"
Film title: MY JOB ON KUNG FU PANDA 4
Hans Zimmer (composer): My name is Hans Zimmer and I am a composer and on Kung Fu Panda 4, with a friend of mine, I wrote all the music you love and all the music you hate you can blame me for!
Mike Mitchell (director): I’m Mike Mitchell, and I’m the director of Kung Fu Panda 4. I’m involved with the production from coming up with the story, to crafting the story, storyboarding it, editing it, putting it together, recording all of the amazing actors.
Film footage
Come and get it!
No! N-n-n-no, don’t come and get it!
Rebecca Huntley (producer): My name is Rebecca Huntley, and I’m the producer on Kung Fu Panda 4. My job entails hiring the writers, and hiring a lot of our crew, figuring out the budget and the schedule for the movie.
Question: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Hans Zimmer (composer): The most rewarding part of my job is that I’ve never had a job. I’ve always been able to just do a thing that I love. I love working with all the artists. There’s painters and storyboard artists and so many creative people, people that do incredible effects work.
Film footage
This city’s the most amazing place I’ve ever seen!
Rebecca Huntley (producer): My favourite part is the team aspect. There’s so many people who are involved in making one of these and it’s through everybody’s own experiences and knowledge that we make the best… the best movies.
Question: What hobby started your creative journey?
Hans Zimmer (composer): From as far back as I can remember, it was always about music. You know, it was the usual failing at school at all good subjects like Mathematics and Latin and what have you and just bashing around on the piano and bashing around on the guitar.
Mike Mitchell (director): My parents gave me an 8mm camera, I don’t even know if they make those anymore, and I would shoot films in the backyard all the time.
Rebecca Huntley (producer): I came from a musical family, so I had parents who were music teachers and I was in drama and I was in the band, and I was in, you know, dance team, so… something about storytelling was very appealing to me.
Question: What advice would you give to young people interested in your industry?
Mike Mitchell (director): We have the technology in these phones that we carry around with us all the time… to do it, and to… draw pictures and to make a film or to shoot a film. You have it at your fingertips, so just try it out… and don’t be precious, just have fun with it!
Rebecca Huntley (producer): Everybody has their own unique style and… artistic way and… so being honest and doing what you love, the art will come out on its own.
Hans Zimmer (composer): Don’t believe the people who say “no”, who tell you “no”. Try to have more faith in yourself… and actually, I still have to say – you know, I’m sixty-six years old, I’ve done all these movies, and I still have to say that to myself!
Composer, Hans Zimmer: Career fact file
Hans Zimmer worked with Steve Mazzaro to compose the music for the film.
- What's a composer's role? A composer writes original music for different types of media. Hans has composed music for films, TV shows and video games, as well as working on quirky projects like creating sounds for a leading car brand's line of electric vehicles.
- Also known for: Dune (Part One and Part Two), Top Gun: Maverick, Frozen Planet III, The Lion King (1994 and 2019) and much more.
- Where it all started: Hans has been passionate about music for as long as he can remember. During his school years, he spent lots of time exploring this interest, especially playing piano and guitar.
The most rewarding part of my job is that I've never had a job. I've always been able to just do the thing that I love.
Hans' top tip
- Don't let "no"s get you down. Try to figure out how to boost your confidence so you can ward off self-doubt when it creeps in.
- Get involved in as many opportunities as you can.
- Listen to others.
Other jobs that use Music
A sneak peek at the soundtrack recording for the film. Credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures / DreamWorks Animation
Producer, Rebecca Huntley: Career fact file
- What's a producer's role? The producer works closely with the director to help figure out the story and how to deliver it. As well as giving creative input, they're involved with financial and practical decisions. Rebecca hired the writers and a lot of the crew, as well as figuring out the budget and schedule for the film, making sure it all worked with the director's vision.
- Also known for: The Bad Guys, Abominable (co-producer) and The Boss Baby (associate producer).
- Where it all started: Growing up, Rebecca loved films and came from a creative family. She did drama and was in the band and dance team. Her love of film, creativity and storytelling led her to where she is now!
Everybody brings their A-game and brings something to making this movie and it's through everybody's own experiences and knowledge that we make the best movie.
Rebecca's top tips
- Be yourself! Don't try to imitate anyone else. Everyone has their own style and creativity to bring.
- Have fun. If you have a great time on projects, the art will come out on its own.
- If you're interested in animation, don't feel you can only get into it if you're good at drawing. There are lots of different roles that go into animation, using lots of different skills!
Other careers in media
Director, Mike Mitchell: Career fact file
- What's a director's role? The director is in charge of the creative vision for the film. Mike was involved with every stage of the three-year process, from story creation and shaping, through to editing and mixing.
- Also known for: Trolls and Shrek Forever After.
- Where it all started: Mike was always making films during his childhood. His parents gave him an eight millimetre camera (a film camera) which he used to make films in the backyard.
I love working with all the artists. I'm so humbled by all the great artists. There are painters and storyboard artists and so many creative people. People that do incredible effects work and lighting.
Mike's top tips
- If you've got access to a phone, make the most of it. You can practise drawing pictures or making films.
- Don't be too precious about your first attempts at creative projects – have fun with them.
- Follow your passions and interests.
Other careers in media
Where next?
Job inspiration: Careers in media collection
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