The upcoming Adult Swim show “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” has been making waves with its unique blend of humor, absurdity, and vibrant visuals. Creator and director Gonzalo Cordova, known for his work on “Tuca & Bertie,” described the show as a blend of Pedro Almodóvar’s filmmaking style with an animated twist.
The show’s concept stems from Cordova’s personal experiences growing up in Ecuador and his move to the United States at a young age. The central plot revolves around a wealthy woman who moves to Quito, Ecuador, with the intention of exploiting giant guinea pigs for profit. These oversized rodents play a central role in the show, with Cordova humorously depicting them as massive creatures that can be fought in bullfighting rings.
During a recent work-in-progress session at the Annecy Animation Festival, clips from the show showcased its offbeat humor, including scenes like a woman being told to adopt a duck in her meat business and a character finding a pigeon occupying the priest’s side of a confession booth. The show’s visual style, characterized by bright colors and intricate costumes, is a result of collaboration with the studio Cinema Fantasma.
Director Ana Coronilla, along with Cinema Fantasma founders Roy and Arturo Ambriz, discussed the challenges of working on a stop-motion animated series. Coronilla highlighted the importance of designing for stop motion and considering how costumes and sets will impact the animation process. The use of mixed media, 3D printing for puppet parts, and incorporating personal fashion designs from Cordova’s mother all contributed to the show’s unique aesthetic.
As production progressed, the team behind “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” found themselves sharing resources with another Cinema Fantasma project, “I Am Frankelda.” The close proximity of the sets led to a collaborative environment where crew members worked on both productions simultaneously. Managing puppet parts and wardrobe changes for the characters proved to be a logistical challenge, but the team navigated it with creativity and dedication.
Overall, “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” promises to be a visually stunning and hilariously absurd addition to the Adult Swim lineup. With its blend of personal storytelling, artistic influences, and innovative production techniques, the show is poised to captivate audiences with its whimsical charm and offbeat humor. The team behind the new show “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” faced the challenge of creating a unique and engaging stop motion pilot. While they were involved in the direction of the pilot, they recognized the need to step back and allow the show’s creator, Gonzalo, to have full access to their toolbox without interference. Cordova mentioned that they learned a lot about working with stop motion, particularly the importance of flexibility in letting the soul of the shot guide them.
Coronilla emphasized the need to find a balance between the physics of the puppets and the set, acknowledging that some camera movements may be physically impossible but also allowing room for creativity and innovation. The collaboration between the two sets, though logistically chaotic, provided solutions to many challenges and enriched the animators’ experiences.
Ambriz described the process as a dance, with each production learning from the other and finding creative solutions to problems. One example involved using pupils from a “Frankelda” puppet to enhance expressivity in a scene from “Women Wearing Shoulder Pads.”
Cordova delved into the show’s tone, studying erotic thrillers and drawing inspiration from filmmakers like Brian De Palma and Todd Haynes. To capture the right vibe, they looked back to classic films by directors like Douglas Sirk, William Wyler, and John M. Stahl, incorporating elements of tension and heightened drama.
The team aimed to strike a balance between kitsch and sincerity, recognizing the importance of approaching campiness with earnestness. While they admitted that finding the perfect tone was a challenge, they emphasized the need to connect emotionally with the audience, even in scenes that may seem absurd.
“Women Wearing Shoulder Pads” is set to premiere on Adult Swim on August 17, promising a unique blend of camp, drama, and emotional depth. Fans can expect a show that pays homage to classic cinema while offering a fresh and innovative take on the genre.
