For many in the animation world, creating a Looney Tunes animated feature is a career pinnacle. Peter Browngardt, the director behind “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie,” approached this monumental task with a clear vision. While crafting a buddy comedy infused with science fiction elements, where Daffy Duck and Porky Pig must thwart an alien invasion originating from chewing gum, Browngardt had one specific request to enhance the film’s atmosphere.
“When Josh [Moshier, the composer] was assembling the orchestra, I asked if we could incorporate live theremins,” Browngardt recalls. Inspired by classic science fiction films like “Forbidden Planet” and “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” which utilized the theremin’s eerie electronic tones, Browngardt aimed to bring a similar sonic landscape to his Looney Tunes feature. His wish was granted, resulting in a live theremin player performing in a separate room, a detail that Browngardt found “awesome.” He recounts with amusement how during a break, the musicians enthusiastically requested the theremin player to perform the “Star Trek” theme, highlighting the fun and collaborative spirit of the production.
While Browngardt’s personal demands were minimal, the making of “The Day the Earth Blew Up” carried significant weight. It marked the very first original, full-length “Looney Tunes” feature film, a distinction that set it apart from previous big-screen outings which were either compilations of classic shorts or live-action hybrids like “Space Jam.” This opportunity to expand the Looney Tunes universe came after Browngardt, who had established himself at Cartoon Network, transitioned to Warner Brothers Animation in 2019 to spearhead a new wave of “Looney Tunes” shorts for Max. His proven success in capturing the zany essence of the original shorts, reminiscent of the absurdist humor of Tex Avery and Friz Freleng, positioned him perfectly to helm this ambitious feature film project.
In “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” audiences witness Daffy and Porky in relatable, albeit comical, situations, such as attempting to become rideshare drivers to avoid eviction. Yet, the film remains deeply rooted in the classic “Looney Tunes” tradition. Their misadventures lead them to jobs at the Goodie Gums factory, where they uncover a bizarre truth: the chewing gum contains an extraterrestrial ingredient turning consumers into zombies. Teaming up with Petunia Pig, a flavor scientist at Goodie Gums, Daffy and Porky must save the world using their characteristic blend of ineptitude and determination. Beyond the slapstick and familiar character dynamics, Browngardt and his team delve into the nuances of Daffy and Porky’s relationship. The extended format allows for an exploration of trust and friendship, revealing a deeper bond that is tested and ultimately strengthened by the looming apocalypse.
Despite the underlying themes, “The Day the Earth Blew Up” prioritizes humor and visual inventiveness. Browngardt emphasizes the importance of maximizing comedic potential in every frame and embraced a widescreen aspect ratio to enhance both sight gags and artistic expression. Following the film’s completion and ahead of its wider release in February, Browngardt discussed the journey of bringing this groundbreaking Looney Tunes movie to life, including how he secured the directorial role, empowered storyboard artists in the storytelling process, and balanced honoring tradition with innovation.
From Shorts to Feature Film: The Genesis of “The Day the Earth Blew Up”
Browngardt’s foray into a Looney Tunes feature film was a natural progression from his successful work on the Max shorts. “It was a natural growth from it,” he affirms. “I did the Max shorts and people were really liking them.” The positive reception to the shorts, which consciously honored the classic Looney Tunes style and humor, created an internal buzz at the studio. Recognizing Browngardt’s talent and direction, the studio inquired about movie ideas. His pitch, “What if Porky and Daffy were in an Ed Wood sci-fi B movie?” surprisingly resonated with executives. The concept of blending Looney Tunes with Ed Wood’s distinctive B-movie aesthetic, particularly within a sci-fi context, intrigued them. Coupled with the studio’s satisfaction with Browngardt’s handling of Porky and Daffy in the shorts, the project moved into development.
The dynamic between Porky and Daffy, Browngardt realized, held sufficient depth to anchor a feature-length narrative. Drawing inspiration from early black-and-white Looney Tunes cartoons where the characters coexisted without constant antagonism, and his fondness for buddy comedies like “Dumb and Dumber” and “Shaun of the Dead,” Browngardt saw the potential in exploring their relationship. He noted their Abbott and Costello-esque Ying and Yang personalities, making them ideal candidates for a larger story arc that could test and develop their established dynamic.
Storyboard Artists as Writers: Collaborative Animation
A unique aspect of “The Day the Earth Blew Up”’s production was the significant role of storyboard artists in shaping the narrative and dialogue. While Kevin Costello provided an initial script that secured the film’s greenlight, Browngardt emphasizes that “animation is made in the storyboard room.” He underscores animation’s inherently visual nature, especially for slapstick and humor-driven content, where visual storytelling is paramount. The development process involved extensive collaboration through Zoom calls, gag drawings, and brainstorming sessions, with storyboard artists actively contributing ideas and refining the story.
Browngardt, with his own background as a storyboard artist and writer, championed the recognition of storyboard artists as integral writers in animation. He cites “SpongeBob SquarePants,” where Steve Hillenburg secured storyboard artist writer’s credit on the original movie, as a precedent. Browngardt advocated for similar recognition, highlighting the transformative impact of storyboard artists on scripts, often rewriting or even creating narratives from basic premises. He expresses pride in securing writing credit for the storyboard artists on “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” viewing it as a step towards greater recognition for their crucial contributions to animated productions.
Mixing Classic and Modern Animation Techniques
Browngardt and his team meticulously studied the vast archive of Looney Tunes cartoons, spanning four decades, as a foundational resource. Having access to “every single one on my hard drive” became invaluable, serving as a comprehensive manual for recreating the authentic Looney Tunes style. This deep dive into the classics provided insights into technique, character nuances, and stylistic elements like dry brush strokes, in-betweens, smears, and timing. Browngardt acknowledges the unparalleled opportunity that classic Looney Tunes animators had to refine their craft over decades, a level of sustained practice rarely seen today. He contrasts this with contemporary animation, where production schedules and artistic development differ.
The goal was to preserve the animator’s hand in the final product, a hallmark of classic Looney Tunes. Browngardt assembled a team of artists capable of capturing this traditional essence, including veterans like Dan Haskett, Bob McKnight, and James Soper. The production process involved meticulous key drawing approvals at the animatic stage, ensuring consistent animation quality. Layouts sent to animation departments globally were mandated to adhere strictly to these key drawings, preventing deviations from the intended artistic style. This approach aimed to emulate the methods of Chuck Jones and Bob Clampett, who personally laid out cartoons by creating all the key drawings for scenes, ensuring artistic control and stylistic consistency.
Injecting Diverse Art Styles into Looney Tunes
Incorporating distinct visual segments, akin to mini-Looney Tunes cartoons within the feature, was a deliberate creative choice from the outset. Browngardt described these segments as “tent poles, holding the picture up.” Inspired by “Who Framed Roger Rabbit”’s opening short, he envisioned incorporating self-contained cartoon sequences to advance the narrative and enhance the film’s stylistic diversity. Producer Alex Kirwan contributed the idea of an Art Deco musical number, while Browngardt himself conceived a gum monster sequence blending Sam Raimi and John Carpenter’s “The Thing” influences. Art director Nick Cross proposed the Farmer Jim introduction in the style of Thomas Hart Benton.
This eclectic approach reflects the inherent stylistic flexibility within the Looney Tunes canon. Browngardt points out that “Looney Tunes doesn’t have a set style — there’s a style to the humor and a style to the animation movement style in a way, but art direction-wise and visually, it evolved so many places over the four decades that it gives you the freedom to [think] it’ll make it feel more like a Looney Tunes movie if we do this.” This freedom to experiment with diverse art styles became a defining characteristic of “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” echoing the visual richness of classic Looney Tunes.
The Musicality and Comedy Legacy of Looney Tunes
Browngardt emphasizes the profound influence of Looney Tunes on art and comedy, extending beyond animation. He notes how “Looney Tunes introduced me to so many different styles of art growing up,” and aimed to pass this diverse artistic exposure to new audiences through the film. Music, a crucial element of Looney Tunes, also received dedicated attention. Composer Joshua Moshier, according to Browngardt, acknowledged learning about classical music from Looney Tunes, echoing sentiments from numerous composers who recognized the educational and inspirational value of Carl Stalling’s scores. The name itself, “Looney T-U-N-E-S,” underscores the integral role of music.
Beyond art and music, Looney Tunes’ comedic legacy is undeniable. Browngardt highlights the influence on comedians and comedy writers across generations, citing figures like Conan O’Brien and Steve Martin who credit Looney Tunes as a formative influence on their comedic sensibilities. He traces the genesis of this comedic and artistic legacy back to Tex Avery, who “planted the seed that grew the plant of Looney Tunes that just enveloped our culture,” further refined by animation legends like Clampett, Jones, Freleng, and McKimson.
A Surreal Dream Come True: Browngardt’s Looney Tunes Journey
Reflecting on directing the first original Looney Tunes feature film, Browngardt expresses a sense of surreal accomplishment. While immersed in the production process, he admits to not fully grasping the magnitude of the achievement. However, moments of realization have emerged, prompting him to consider the improbable nature of his journey. “Wow, if you went back in time and told your seven-year-old self that you made a Looney Tunes movie, I would have never believed it,” he muses. Recalling his childhood fascination with Tex Avery cartoons, his homemade animation desk, and Super 8 animations, Browngardt acknowledges the extraordinary fulfillment of directing a Looney Tunes movie. He attributes this achievement to a combination of hard work, opportunity, and fortune, recognizing the culmination of a lifelong passion.
“The Day the Earth Blew Up” is set for a wide release on February 28th.
