Squeers – New LGBT Satirical Comedy in Development
Squeers is a new, edgy and hilarious animated TV series in development, aimed at both local and international audiences. Squeers is directed by the local to Cape Town and talented creative, Matt Torode and is written by Johannesburg based writer, storyteller and performer, Lebogang Mogashoa. Wendy Spinks, the Creative Producer and EP will be championing Squeers while looking for investment and broadcast partners. The planned 78 x 7” TV series is based on the original South African LGBTI comic strip by Roberto Millan.
Squeers, a 2D animated hybrid series, takes a satirical but affectionate look at the lives and daily escapades of a creative duo; Neil and Artel, gay squirrels, in search of success, love and happiness.
In this character led comedy, our two gay squirrels live in the treetops of the City Gardens. Their life is inspired by the pink lifestyle in Cape Town, South Africa, but Squeers reflects the contemporary macrocosm of human life across the globe. Within the city park, our furry characters experience relatable struggles and issues, with extremely human problems, like love, diets, going green, figuring out what’s real and what’s not, the work place and where to bury their nuts for the night, all while trying to reduce their carbon footprint!
Squeers is inspired by the comic strip of the same name previously published in the South African LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex) newspaper, The Pink Tongue. The Pink Tongue has a distribution run of 16000 copies once every month and, mainly in the Western Cape.
Pop the Culture and Zeropoint Studios are involved in presenting and producing the adaptation of the Squeers comic concept, which is being led in development by Series Creator, Wendy Spinks and Director Matt Torode. The rights for the Squeers concept were optioned to develop it into a TV series as one element of a broader transmedia strategy. The team worked with René Veilleux and Donald Lopez, both experienced voice directors and casting agents in Los Angeles at Verite Entertainment, to find the right voice talent for the future global cast.
“From the moment we first met Wendy Spinks of Zeropoint Studios in LA, and she told us about the project we knew we wanted to come on board and help right away! As two openly gay producers who live and work together, just like Artel and Neil, the idea of two gay squirrels and their daily creative escapades was very relatable and irresistible! We’re very proud to be a part of such a clever and fun project. The show deserves to get picked up. Also, selfishly, we’re looking forward to having more fun in the recording studio with everybody! “ ~ René Veilleux, Verite Entertainment, LA.
The TV series will be home to many voices, cultures, and dialects, including Cashiefa Cupido, a Cape Malay transgender squirrel and Chow, a Durban, curry-loving bunny client. Squeers will form part of global transmedia strategy that will include live theatre productions, graphic novels and merchandising based on the series.
While there isn’t necessarily a proven model for Squeers, the plan is to explore the potential of the rising VOD and SVOD platforms and tap into smart phone and tablet audiences as well as traditional linear broadcast platforms.
“Financing animated series’ is always a challenge in S.A.” says creative producer, Spinks “But our main challenge may lie in breaking into the greater African market. This series can be considered controversial to many, but it will break ground and we believe there to be a substantial and growing niche audience globally. “
“South Africa can be considered as more progressive in education and awareness around homosexuality and LGBTI topics, but we have seen articles of late in the press around bullying and discrimination, clearly there is still a lot of work to be done at home too.” adds Spinks. “Squeers has a large role to play to normalise sexual diversity and break stereotypes. Through humour and satire, we hope to humanize shared issues and open dialogues around basic human rights and equality.”
The NFVF (National Film and Video Foundation) have supported this project and funded the development to produce a teaser video, a written script and a few episode outlines of the show while the project is pitched to potential broadcasters and investment partners.
With the support from the NFVF (National Film & Video Foundation) Squeers will be the first animated television show of its kind to deal with adult topics pertaining to what it actually means to be a part of the LGBTI community and how, as humans we share similar struggles and dreams.
Series Creator and Producer Wendy Spinks took the time to answer a few more questions about the series below…
Why this comic and animation?
Animation is an ever-growing global and universal medium, and Squeers, addresses LGBT topics that are global and universal issues.
Animation is also typically a universal vehicle for comedy which crosses cultures and ethnicity, Comedy is the demand of the global audiences remaining the number 1 trend over the last few years which often happens in times of chaos, war or tragedy. But comedy, and satire allow a platform for topics otherwise often shied away from even at dinner parties…Like religion or politics!
Why were you attracted to Squeers the comic?
My interest in Squeers is rooted in my deep desire to unite human beings, stand for equality and human rights, as well as find opportunity to drive change, break paradigms and old outdated thinking and behaviour patterns. Roberto’s comic concept is clever; through the exploration of two loveable and immediately endearing Squirrels…There is an opportunity not only for poking fun at perceptions and societal norms and beliefs but through comedy and these anthropromorphosised Squirrel’s everyday lives; we are able to explore the “tree of life” if you wish… To push audiences too think, question… And laugh at themselves and with our Squirrelicsious Squeers along the way.
Who is your audience? And what are your hopes as you engage them?
We are aiming for Squeers to engage young adults of all sexual preferences and orientations with the hope to break stereotypes and barriers within a comedic framework of living in the 21st century while addressing LGBT topics and issues both locally and globally. To deliver a message of equality, with the hope of normalising all sexual orientations and taboos in order to curb ignorance, discrimination and bullying.
We are looking at global audiences of all orientations and in particular the US market, for many reasons, one being the current focus on the presidential campaign (particularly from the Democrat candidates) addressing and supporting the new LGBT civil rights bill, but other reasons include the US broadcast potential for platforms for the airing of this show, as being an existing audience for adult themed animation, while Squeers is progressive and groundbreaking in content themes, even for the US, we are hoping to find a home for it amongst other shows such as Family Guy, Rick and Morty, American Dad, etc. on a channel like Adultswim and or Comedy Central. The team in LA at Verite Entertainment has been instrumental in helping us in this regard.
What did this mean in terms of your approach?
This has meant that our research and approach on Squeers has had to be calculated, choosing talent and voices we believe will best represent they show but also hit the mark with young audiences. We tested a few versions with different talent and direction, and hope we have hit the mark to reach a broad audience, with sincere performances, not wanting to play into stereotypes. Our aim was rather to challenge them, while delivering authentic and funny stories from our warm comedic duo leads in the series, Neil and Artel.
Is there an audience?
We believe there is, but Squeers does not have an equitable other, having gone before it to reference, nor acquire stats from. But with positive feedback from various esteemed people in the US thus far, we hope to be able to attract interest from that market, as it is sizeable and could financially assist us in the high animation costs, however our markets and audiences here at home and in Africa are just as important to us.
What is happening at home on the LGBT front?
Recently, I read four separate and unrelated articles in the press about bullying and discrimination against homosexuals in secondary and tertiary schools in Cape Town. On reading further it was in all cases the teachers, the system, or those in power of the system who were behind the discrimination and clear ignorance. The educators, not even the fellow students as I had expected to read, were exacerbating the situation. There was a call for education in this area, as it clearly needs addressing here at home. We hope Squeers will play a role in this; to normalize sexual diversity.
How about the rest of Africa?
Africa is far less progressive than South Africa in this area. Out of the 55 states recognised by the United Nations or African Union or both, the International Gay and Lesbian Association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 African countries.
But it goes beyond Africa, of course … I read in article in Huffington Post recently regarding homosexuality in the Indian society, and it was reported that the existence of homosexuality is simply not acknowledged, so the type of homophobia experienced in other countries, such as out right violence generally is unseen. And I ask, is this not even more dangerous?
So…What is next for Squeers?
We are launching the Squeers teaser online in June during Gay Pride Month
as a start of our broader transmedia campaign to build an audience online to gain traction ahead of finding interested investors, partners and broadcasters.
Can you share anything further about the content of show?
Squeers is a character led comedy, and our two gay squirrels are just trying to find love and nuts in the city-park! It’s really a satirical commentary about living in the 21st century, taking a look through the Squirrelopolis in the trees at their struggle for individuality vs. the political and capitalist control of the masses on the ground, as they challenge true freedom of self-expression. Hilarity ensues as the two best friends come up against stifling social norms, every day anxieties and their own glaring personality flaws, while The Suits (the rats) on the ground try to maintain control of the money, food and the masses, and they will stop at nothing to try keep the squirrels down.
