Reddit AMA Recap: Producers of HBOs’ “Animals”

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The producers of HBO’s Animals recently did a Reddit AMA, though Mike Luciano kinda did just three or four answers. Fortunately, Phil Matarese owned up and did a rather awesome session that we highlighted below.

Why show creators Mike and Phil are always Mike and Phil in every episode of Animals

(Phil) I’m literally trying to become famous and couldn’t fathom putting THIS MUCH work into a show and me not be the main character. Like if i’m starting a band im not gonna play the fuckin drums. I’m playing guitar and singing. But really; it started from the web series. We were the main characters there and it just stuck.

Favorite guest stars for this season

(Phil) I’m not saying this as like a blanket statement to be safe; but everyone has been so incredibly nice. We get comedians and improvisers mostly, so they come in with no ego and are here to play. It’s been amazing and we’re filled with so much gratitude that these people we’ve love FOREVER are doing our weird show. Wayans brothers were incredible to get. Lovitz was so much fun. Kurt Vile is, like, my friend now?

On the live-action dogs bit from earlier in the season

(Phil)  Um it was about an 8hr day so not too long. We picked the actors and tailored their character designs after them! I loved them both so much. The Phil dog actually is based off my parent’s dog Monte. Our compositor Andrew Racho knocked it out of the park on this one. My dog took a shit on the lil lawn we made!

Favorite animals to portray

(Phil) Hmm… Those squirrels are so goddamn cute. But probably the Rats. They’re just like our ID and mine’s particularly dumb. And plus you can kinda tell any story you want down in those sewers! B-)

On the influence of The Life and Times of Tim

(Phil) I loved that show so much in college. I was majoring in advertising at the time, and seeing that Steve Dildarian came from advertising honestly helped me sleep better at night. I ingested this show voraciously. My friends and i were, like, ambassadors for it.

Influence-wise… I was a fan of the show, so inherently everything’s an influence on you. Just as Stella or South Park influenced us. But we never went “well we can do lo-fi animation cause Tim did it.”

Everything on this show stemmed from us making the shorts and not knowing how to animate. The style, animation, backgrounds, characters all stem from me making it on a $50 wacom w/ illustrator and animating in final cut and illustrator. it’s improvised because mike and I would go to his house and get drunk and just riff into Garageband.

 

Read more of the Reddit AMA here and be sure to tune in on Friday Nights @ 1130 pm ET/PT only on HBO for new episodes of Animals. 

About John Schwarz

John is the Chief Editor and Founder of Bubbleblabber.com. While at first a part-time project, Bubbleblabber quickly grew into a full-fledged operation and officially became a company in 2014. When John isn't running a business full-time, he likes to go to concerts with your mother.