The Midnight Gospel: Pen Ward on Why He Made It, Picking Interviews, and Working With Netflix
The Midnight Gospel, now available on Netflix, is a surreal animated series from the minds of Pen [...]
DISCOVERING THE PODCAST
ComicBook.com: How did you discover the Duncan Trussell Family Hour podcast?
Pen Ward: My friend Jesse Moynihan (https://jessemoynihan.com/) told me about it while we were working on Adventure Time. Jesse was also Art Director on Midnight Gospel. He and Elle Michalka (https://www.instagram.com/eleanormichalka/) worked out the look of the show. Their art is rad.
WHY THE MIDNIGHT GOSPEL
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After the success of Adventure Time, from an outside perspective, it feels like you could have done just about anything you wanted. What spoke to you about doing this show in the first place? Why The Midnight Gospel, of all things?
I was trying to make something personal to me. I wanted to make something that dealt with themes of kindness and mindfulness. I was listening to Duncan's podcast where he interviews people who all are pursuing serenity in different ways.. philosophers and comedians. And Duncan's really funny, he makes learning about meditation funny for me. Duncan's personal in his interviews, he's an open book about his own insecurities and.. I love listening to people who can spill their guts.. it makes me feel better about my guts. I realized Duncan was already making something that I wished I could be a part of so I reached out.
HOW INTERVIEWS WERE CHOSEN
What was the process like for picking which interviews to feature in the show?
I leaned towards interviews that touched on practicing kindness.. I learned to throw that word around a lot this year "practicing." It really takes the pressure off when you're just practicing kindness haha.. which has really helped me! I really like that word.
I also chose conversations that look death in the eyes.. because it's scary.. facing death helps me appreciate life.
ON WORKING WITH NETFLIX
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What's your relationship been like working with Netflix?
It's been really wonderful! Elizabeth Porter and Mike Moon were so supportive and caring on this project. I'm really appreciative. It's been a really pleasant experience.
WHAT NOW?
Given the strange times we're in right now, what are you up to while everyone seems to be socially distancing?
I'm just stayin in! Drawing and working on animation from home.