Pharrell Williams On His Biographical Documentary Piece By Piece: ‘I Knew I Wanted It To Be In Lego’

Pharrell Williams is set to take fans through the journey of his life through his upcoming documentary Piece By Piece. The multihyphenate has worked as a songwriter, music producer, performer, and fashion designer throughout his career in showbiz. Piece by Piece, which will be released theatrically on October 11 is directed by Oscar winner Morgan Neville and is composed entirely of Lego animation beginning from its first frame to tell his life story. Williams recently opened up about his vision and favourite aspects of the documentary.

Speaking at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Deadline’s Studio, Pharrell Williams highlighted his vision for his documentary, adding that he wanted it to be told in Lego animation. “I didn’t want to do a documentary. And the minute that I agreed to it, I knew I wanted it to be in Lego and I knew I wanted Morgan to be the storyteller. I turned it over to him. I love what he’s done from 20 Feet from Stardom to even the new Steve Martin. This guy’s like really good at it.”

Morgan Neville, too, sat down for a conversation with the portal as he reflected on the creative process and the efforts that went into making the documentary. The director said, “This guy’s like really good at it. In the beginning I didn’t know how it fit, but now I can’t imagine this film in any other way than Lego.”

Interestingly, Morgan Neville did a few interviews with Pharrell Williams and his family members. Later, he transformed them into Lego characters. During the same conversation, the Despicable Me singer was asked about his favourite animated character. In response, he admitted, “Honestly, my children. That was a joy,” adding “My wife, my mother, and my father, absolutely.”

Further, he also stated that the documentary had one particular sequence that resonated with Pharrell Williams’s heart and one which he refers to as ‘wow’. He shared that the sequence comes after two-thirds half of the film when Pharrell had achieved great success with Neptunes and as a solo artist. Despite all the success and achieving goals, the singer, in the documentary, suddenly feels adrift on the creative parameter which leads him to commune with the cosmos and seek counselling.