Adult Swim’s ‘Women Wearing Shoulder Pads’ Hosts Annecy WIP
The upcoming Adult Swim show “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” is a unique blend of animation and the quirky, colorful style reminiscent of Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. Creator and director Gonzalo Cordova described the show as a mix of Almodóvar’s film style with an animated twist during a Work in Progress session at the Annecy Animation Festival.
The inspiration for the show stems from Cordova’s personal experiences, particularly his move to the United States at a young age and his estrangement from the practice of people eating guinea pigs in Ecuador. This concept evolved into the show’s plot, which follows a wealthy woman who moves to Ecuador to exploit giant guinea pigs for profit. The absurdity of the show is evident in the oversized guinea pigs that are fought in bullfighting rings.
During the Work in Progress panel, clips were shown featuring nonsensical scenes like a woman being told to adopt a duck in her meat business and a woman finding a pigeon occupying the priest’s side of a confession booth. The show’s design and production were a collaborative effort with the studio Cinema Fantasma, known for their work on the first stop-motion animated feature produced in Mexico, “I Am Frankelda.”
Episode director and art director Ana Coronilla discussed the challenges of designing for stop motion, particularly in coordinating with other departments to ensure the costumes and sets were suitable for animation. The use of mixed media and 3D printing for puppet parts allowed for experimentation and efficient set building.
The production design of the show, including costumes, was influenced by Cordova’s mother’s fashion school designs. Cordova’s wife, Rachel, also consulted on the fashion elements, ensuring accuracy in capturing the era’s shoulder pads and silhouettes.
The simultaneous production of “I Am Frankelda” and “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” led to shared crew members and logistical challenges. The studio had to manage the different identities and moods of each production, often reusing puppet bodies and changing heads for extras. Keeping track of the moving puppet parts and adjusting for mishaps was a constant challenge for the team.
Despite the challenges, the collaborative effort between Cordova, Cinema Fantasma, and the shared crew members resulted in a visually striking and absurdly entertaining show that promises to bring a fresh and distinctive style to the world of animated television. The team behind the creation of the pilot for “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” shared insights into their collaborative process and the influences that shaped the show’s unique tone and style. Cordova, one of the creators, emphasized the importance of giving director Gonzalo access to the full toolbox without interfering, allowing the soul of the shot to guide the creative direction.
Coronilla highlighted the need for flexibility when working with stop motion, especially when balancing the physics of the puppets and set with the creative vision. The parallel existence of two sets presented logistical challenges but also sparked creative solutions, with the animators gaining valuable experience in transitioning between different genres and styles.
Ambriz described the collaboration between the two productions as a dance, with each team learning from the other and finding innovative solutions to technical challenges. Cinematographer Fernanda G. Manzur’s creative use of puppet parts to enhance expressivity exemplified the collaborative spirit of the project.
Cordova’s exploration of erotic thrillers and classic films like “Working Girl” and “Far From Heaven” informed the show’s tone, aiming to capture the essence of these influences without simply copying them. References to iconic scenes from films like “Leave Her to Heaven” and the dramatic flair of Douglas Sirk’s melodramas inspired the team’s approach to storytelling and visual style.
The team acknowledged the importance of balancing kitsch and sincerity in creating a campy yet heartfelt series. The challenge of authentically tapping into the emotions of the characters, even in absurd situations, was a key focus of their creative process.
As the release date for “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” on Adult Swim approaches, the team looks forward to sharing their unique blend of humor, drama, and nostalgia with audiences. The show promises to be a delightful exploration of retro aesthetics and modern storytelling, inviting viewers to embrace the unexpected and embrace the joy of the unexpected.
