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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Herman Concept" by John Gallagher |
When the pilot was being developed in Canada, concept artist John Gallagher (official site) developed a ton of designs for it. He shared some exclusive early designs with me and you can see very different Herman, Eddie Munster and Grandpa. Karl J. Martin and Steven M. Saylor did set designs and production design was by
Michael Wylie. Here's what John told me about the designs.
Where did the designs come from?
"It's fairly common for me to throw out a few notions that have only superficial connection to the actual marching orders of the show." Gallagher said, "We all have our required tasks to complete and once in awhile, if it's between approvals or being negotiated with vendors or what have you, I'll play with some of the motifs of the show just for my own reference and headspace."
Where do the ideas come from?
"They're rarely created for any other function than to get my palette and form language started heading in the right direction. Herman was a quick and dirty I did just to get the juices flowing and explore some elements I find interesting. That being said, as is often the case, what I find interesting and what production feels serves the story best are two different things but I'm happy to contribute however I can. To that, Masters and his crew did a splendid job with the challenge and the material is clever and subversive so I'm trusting if it's picked up as a series we'll see much more of their wonderful work."
Click below to see the art in hi-res!
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Munsters Mansion" by John Gallagher |
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Homecoming" by John Gallagher |
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Mansion Foyer" by John Gallagher |
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Eddie on the prowl" by John Gallagher |
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Eddie Attacks" by John Gallagher |
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Eddie" by John Gallagher |
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| Mockingbird Lane (2012) "Grandpa's Cellar" by John Gallagher |
http://www.nbc.com/
Official Synopsis:
"Mockingbird Lane," based on executive producer Bryan Fuller's ("Pushing Daisies," "Heroes") script and directed by executive producer Bryan Singer ("X-Men" film series, "House"), is a new, reimagined version of the classic 1960s comedy "The Munsters," now as a visually spectacular one-hour drama with a darker edge and tone. The cast includes Jerry O'Connell ("The Defenders") as Herman Munster, Portia de Rossi ("Arrested Development") as his wife Lily, Eddie Izzard ("United States of Tara," "The Riches") as Grandpa, Mason Cook ("Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D") as Eddie and Charity Wakefield ("The Raven") as Marilyn.
In the original 1964-66 series "The Munsters," the odd, but lovable family lived on 1313 Mockingbird Lane.
In "Mockingbird Lane," sweet little Eddie Munster (Cook) is a normal kid about to enter the horrors of puberty. The truth is, he's about to discover that, for him, becoming a teenager means growing hair in truly unexpected places - as in all over his body - every time the moon is full! Eddie's got it pretty good though. His loving, supportive, run-of-the-mill family includes his mom Lily (de Rossi), the daughter of Dracula, his dad Herman (O'Connell), who brings new meaning to "Frankenstein," and Grandpa (Izzard), who would give Dracula a run for his money if he weren't actually Dracula! Of course, there's creepy cousin Marilyn (Wakefield), who's really the odd one because she's so completely normal.
Buying a house these days is a nightmare, so Herman and Lily are shocked that no one scooped up the rambling Victorian mansion at 1313 Mockingbird Lane that was the site of a series of grisly hobo murders. Settling into their new place, they're quickly onto the mission at hand: to gently ease Eddie into the reality of his werewolf adolescence. But it's not always so easy to accept that your child is a little "different" from the rest of the kids. Meanwhile, Herman, who works as a funeral director, is suffering from a heart condition. Since he's made up mostly of spare parts, he knew his makeshift heart would eventually give out. No worries though, because Grandpa, who is pretty good at procuring body parts, is on the case. All Herman cares about is finding a new heart with the same capacity to love Lily as much as he has for so many decades.
"Mockingbird Lane" is from Bad Hat Harry Productions and Universal Television. Executive producers include Fuller, Singer and Sara Colleton ("Dexter"). Singer also directed the pilot.
Official Site: http://www.nbc.com/mockingbird-lane/video/mockingbird-lane/1422032/
In the original 1964-66 series "The Munsters," the odd, but lovable family lived on 1313 Mockingbird Lane.
In "Mockingbird Lane," sweet little Eddie Munster (Cook) is a normal kid about to enter the horrors of puberty. The truth is, he's about to discover that, for him, becoming a teenager means growing hair in truly unexpected places - as in all over his body - every time the moon is full! Eddie's got it pretty good though. His loving, supportive, run-of-the-mill family includes his mom Lily (de Rossi), the daughter of Dracula, his dad Herman (O'Connell), who brings new meaning to "Frankenstein," and Grandpa (Izzard), who would give Dracula a run for his money if he weren't actually Dracula! Of course, there's creepy cousin Marilyn (Wakefield), who's really the odd one because she's so completely normal.
Buying a house these days is a nightmare, so Herman and Lily are shocked that no one scooped up the rambling Victorian mansion at 1313 Mockingbird Lane that was the site of a series of grisly hobo murders. Settling into their new place, they're quickly onto the mission at hand: to gently ease Eddie into the reality of his werewolf adolescence. But it's not always so easy to accept that your child is a little "different" from the rest of the kids. Meanwhile, Herman, who works as a funeral director, is suffering from a heart condition. Since he's made up mostly of spare parts, he knew his makeshift heart would eventually give out. No worries though, because Grandpa, who is pretty good at procuring body parts, is on the case. All Herman cares about is finding a new heart with the same capacity to love Lily as much as he has for so many decades.
"Mockingbird Lane" is from Bad Hat Harry Productions and Universal Television. Executive producers include Fuller, Singer and Sara Colleton ("Dexter"). Singer also directed the pilot.
Official Site: http://www.nbc.com/mockingbird-lane/video/mockingbird-lane/1422032/
- John Gallagher http://www.Uncannyknack.com
- Jonathan Wayshack http://www.scrapbookmanifesto.
com/
@ Copyright 2012 Universal Television, John Gallagher. All rights reserved
About the Author
Quite a difference.
ReplyDeleteThose are very, very, very cool. Great post.I hadn't even heard of Mockingbird Lane before this.
ReplyDeleteThe original Munsters was a really great tv show. I hope the characters in Mockingbird lane are as funny as the old series. Awesome artwork Maurice and its great to see you back!
ReplyDeleteThanks Spacerguy! John does great work
ReplyDeletei am sad to say, i enjoyed this show... i know head held low...
ReplyDeleteIt was very creative Jeremy. And you're not alone. It may get picked up for a series now.
ReplyDeleteSubject: [filmsketchr] Re: Film Sketchr: The 'Mockingbird Lane' Concepts You Didn't See
Sure are a lot of "borrowed" elements in the art, and I don't just mean "inspired by". That house on the hill shot is just a screen grab of Jonathan Harb's digital matte painting establishing shot from SLEEPY HOLLOW, with some not-very-well-integrated photoshop paint over elements.
ReplyDeleteIs it really concept art when you're taking not only color and composition, but 80% of the artistic execution as well? And then putting your name on it?
You're correct Trey. It's not concept art at all. This one is a half-finished notion that was a throwaway and not part of the final project in any way. If you'd read the interview or worked on a show yourself you know it's common practice to throw together a grab bag of cool things and feather some of it in to the onscreen product. The usual method is none of this makes it to final except in small fits and starts. And often on projects because of time, budget and risk aversion you're given a marching order and that's that. Tough it out and make it look like this - no personal touch - and wrap it up. I don't like it, but is what it is.
ReplyDeleteI do post on national commercials and music vids, and the inspirational images I've seen used are usually screen grabs and magazine photos selected by the director or creative director at the agency, and are included with their treatment document. I've never seen customized inspirational sources created by dedicated artists before. My apologies if my comment seemed out of line - I just know Jonathan Harb and am a fan of his work. It was weird seeing his worked repurposed professionally - again, not realizing this was evidently a common practice.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
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