Interview with Pharrell Williams of Despicable Me 3 – In Theaters June 30th

 

This post is in partnership with Universal Pictures.

 

Illumination, who brought moviegoers Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions in Despicable Me 3.

 

After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis.  But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

 

 

We attended a Despicable Me 3 pre-party and early screening last week with the kids and had a great time.  The kids were running around taking pictures with the Minions and doing some fun arts and crafts.

 

 

 

One of the aspects of the movie I really enjoyed and think anyone who grew up in the 80’s (or likes the 80’s) are going to enjoy all the references to that time period.  My friend and I were laughing at some parts so hard we were almost crying – it really is that funny!  I love movies that both the parents and kids can enjoy together.  Despicable Me 3 is one of those movies that the entire family will be laughing at and with the characters.  Just wait until you see all the fun 80’s references!

From the outfits the Despicable Me 3‘s new villain, Balthazar Bratt (voiced in the film by South Park mastermind Trey Parker) wears to the music and even video games, you can’t help but be taken back to that time period when big shoulder pads were THE THING and spiked hair (think The Flock of Seagulls) was all the rage!

 

 

 

The pre-party was a total blast for the kids and my friend, Avrah, and myself.  They had a picture booth and Kate had a field-day doing lots of silly poses.  She’s a ham-bone that is for sure!  And the sponsors Bounty, Yummy Spoonfuls, and Kellogg’s supplied arts and crafts, cupcakes and breakfast.  The fruit bar was delicious and of course there were bananas for all to enjoy!

 

Be sure to check out the cupcake recipe below that celebrity Chef Duff Goldman of Charm City Cakes created for the party.

We had a chance to speak to Camila Alves, co-founder of Yummy Spoonfuls (and wife to the cute Matthew McConaughey, and mom to three kids) and she explained how yummy spoonfuls was created in order to provide organic frozen baby food that is free of any additives or preservatives.  The line is available in Target’s frozen food section.  My daughter and her buddy tried a sample and they really liked it.  The flavor they tried look a bit like an acai bowl so they thought it tasted like a fresh smoothie.  You can check our Facebook Live interview with Camila here.

 

The next day some of us interviewed Pharrell Williams.  He was very sweet and you can tell he cares deeply about the work he creates.  He seems like a pretty philosophical type of person and mentioned that his songs are like a buried treasure and if you want to dig deeper to find the meanings – one can do so.  But if not, the beats and verses are enough to keep us entertained.  Think about how popular his “Happy” song became from the last Despicable Me movie.  Read what he says about “Yellow Light” which is one of five new originals from the sequel’s soundtrack, out June 23rd via i am OTHER Entertainment/Columbia Records and his creative process.

 

Q:  Hi, my name is Angela Camacho.  I’m with Queen Bee Latina.  Now, I noticed on the soundtrack–by the way, I want to thank you for such an upbeat–as a mom, I really appreciate music like that.  My son’s 10, and we have played the CD over and over in the car.

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  Wow.

Q:  But in terms of the creative process, now is–I noticed you write a lot of the songs, particularly Fun, Fun, Fun.  We love that.  I mean, it’s a great song.  What–can you tell me about the creative process?  Is this you on your own?  Do you collaborate?  What’s the creative process like for you when you write your music?

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  For me–yes, I did it on my own.  But I think more than anything else, it’s just about, like, sort of zoning out and making sure that, like, anything that I’m contributing is going to add to the vision of the director, ’cause when you’re working on an animation film they need no distractions.

Like, if the color is off and you’re watching it and you start asking questions, then it doesn’t work.  So, everything has to be acutely executed and has to go along with the intention of what the director wants, because there’s like an emotional flow.  And so, when you’re meant to feel down, you’re meant to feel down.  When you’re meant to feel up, you’re meant to feel up.  And no matter how good you think a song is, if it is a disruption from what the director wants, they’re not going to use it.

And so, for me, I was given a lot of guidelines and parameters and expectations of what they may want.  And that–that’s been really fun for me.  I wouldn’t have written any of these songs if it weren’t for these films and what the moments in the films required.  So, it’s really cool.

It’s like–I’m more like a Mr. Magoo.  I’m just following–just walking forward, and the only thing I have in–at that very moment is my instinct.  You know, it’s kind of like a constant flow of curveballs.  But after a while, you start to enjoy your ability to still hit the ball, not knowing it’s coming at you.  So, that’s what it’s like.

Q:  I’m sorry.  Do you get to see a little bit, or did they, like, tell you this is what’s going to be happening in this scene–?

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  –Both–.

 

Q:  Hi, I’m Selena with Selenahughes.com.  And my question is about Yellow Light; love it.

Q:  I have two boys and they’re into video games.  So, that video just really captures them.

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  Wow.

Q:  And I just want to know, what is your message in that–in the song?  It–you know, it’s a lot of catchy phrases, and Yellow Light has a really–it has a bigger meaning than just yellow light.  So, can you tell us about that?

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  It does.  It does have a deeper meaning, but I want other people to have that same experience of discovery that you did.  So, I won’t go into it, but your notion is correct.  And all of you haven’t told me what you think it means.  That’s what it means.  You would only know if you had asked the question.

That’s kind of like–that was one of the things that I really like about working on this, is because I–it allows me to hide things in there and build songs that are not just songs, but they’re kind of like these, like, curious treasure chests of–like, there’s a treasure in it if you go looking.  If not, it’s just a song.  But you found it.

Q:  Wow, that’s beautiful.

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  I’m grateful.

Q:  Thank you for writing it.

Mr. Pharrell Williams:  Oh, thank you.  Thank you.

 

 

 

Minions Cupcake Recipe

 

 

DESPICABLE ME 3 – In Theaters June 30

Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GruTube | #DespicableMe3

 

Say “Aloha” to the Minions. Despicable Me 3 hits theaters June 30th. unvrs.al/DM3-Tix

 

Universal Pictures hosted this event and screening but all opinions are my own.

 

Thank you for supporting our blog so that we can continue to bring interesting content to all of our lovely dandelions!

 

In celebration, we are hosting a fun giveaway!

 

One (1) winner receives

• $25 Visa gift card to see Despicable Me 3 in theaters starting June 30
• Two (2) boxes of Strawberry Pop-Tarts
• Two (2) boxes of Froot Loops Cereal
• Yummy Spoonfuls coupon kit

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Kellogg’s Products  – Watch the TV Spot

Despicably Delicious! Join Gru and his crew of Minions in a world of trouble with your favorite Kellogg’s® breakfast and snack products.

 

Buy 6 participating Kellogg’s products, receive a $8 Fandango Movie Voucher. Find free Despicable Me 3 Create-A-Plates inside specially marked packages. Customize your Create-a-Plate and claim all sorts of fun this summer; get yours while supplies last!

 

For more information, visit KelloggsMovie.com. Follow Kellogg’s online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

 

Yummy Spoonfuls Prizing Details – Watch the TV Spot

You can find Yummy Spoonfuls in the frozen section at Target, it’s 100% organic, non-GMO, preservative-free, additive-free and cooked on low heat (just like homemade) to keep all the nutrients locked in. Plus, there are Minions all over the box! Get a coupon at YummySpoonfuls.com.

 

Follow Yummy Spoofuls online on Facebook and Instagram. #YummySpoonfuls

 

 

0