World-Building Tips from 'Se7en' Writer Andrew Kevin Walker and 'Metalocalypse' Showrunner Chris Prynoski [PODCAST]
The strength of any film—even one as irreverent as Nerdland— can be found in its most specific details.
As I was making my first pass at Tribeca's extensive program of films to cover, there was one title in particular that jumped out at me. Admittedly, at first, it was because Paul Rudd was starring. Everybody loves Paul Rudd.
Then, I looked a bit more closely. This strange animated film, Nerdland, was produced by Adult Swim production powerhouse Titmouse Inc., the group of animators responsible for creating some of the most revolutionary cartoons to have been featured on television ever. These guys made the contemporary classics Black Dynamite, China, IL, Metalocalypse, Superjail! and The Venture Brothers, which everyone should check out if only for their sheer abrasive creativity.
The same can be said for Nerdland; the script, penned by Se7en screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker, contributes a little extra insanity. The film is certainly not for everyone (at one point you get a little too acquainted with one of the protagonist's buttholes), but it is one of the most unique films you will see all year.
No Film School sat down with Mr. Walker and Chris Prynoski, head honcho at Titmouse, who was so stricken by the script that he requested to direct the film. We discussed how the director and writer's collaboration should be so seamless that the audience shouldn't be sure who's responsible for what in the final cut.
