During Annecy Animation Festival, one of the more subdued (but heartfelt) presentations came from the creators of Snoopy Unleashed, giving an exclusive preview of the upcoming Apple TV special whilst reflecting on their responsibility to re-ignite Charles M. Schulz’s iconic characters. Their approach is straightforward: if in doubt, refer back to the comic strips.
“The Peanuts strip is our bible,” they explained, with every artistic decision stemming from their source material.
Whether it was storyboarding, character animation or the jokes, there was a constant push to be sure that this special was unmistakably, indisputably Snoopy. Director Steve Evangelatos says that Snoopy Unleashed is his first journey into directing for the Peanuts world, and he spoke about finding the ‘North Star’ early in the project. This, for him, was the emotional foundation for every decision that needed to be made, in order to bring the special to fruition. The story sees Snoopy leaving Charlie Brown’s backyard neighbourhood after he starts corresponding with Mia.
Having never corresponded with another dog, he makes his way to the city with the goal of creating the best possible first impression.
The contrast between Snoopy’s comfortable and familiar life in the suburbs, and the exciting fast-paced city became a driver for the narrative, prompting the question: if Charlie Brown often feels out of sorts, what happens when Snoopy finds himself in that predicament? Mia is the new kid on the Peanuts block, an original character that was designed for this special. Described as outgoing, confident and very comfortable in her city environment, she provides both a counterpoint to Snoopy’s nervous disposition and a new pair of eyes through which the audience can experience the world.
Designing a new Peanuts character did present its challenges, however the team carefully looked at Schulz’s original illustrations in order to ensure that Mia felt like someone who belonged in the Snoopy and Charlie Brown world, not someone who was standing entirely separate from it. Animation was a major theme for the panel; Snoopy, almost solely expressed through his body language and visual gags, required great attention from the artists who refined his movements to feel more expressive than ever, while still maintaining that wonderful simplicity. Emphasis was placed on his four-legged trot, scraggier fur, and general eagerness of body language in order to make Snoopy shine without a single word spoken.
Authenticity was at the heart of every decision taken for the production; the team collaborated closely with disability advocates during development, working with wheelchair user Emily Ladau to shape elements of the story, character design and portrayal.
Snoopy Unleashed, by all accounts, doesn’t seek to update Snoopy, but rather to build on the timelessness and simplicity that made him beloved in the first place, letting Snoopy embark on a familiar yet fresh adventure. If the Annecy panel was any indication, then even 75 years later, there’s still plenty of new places to explore for Snoopy – provided his Peanuts heart continues to come along for the ride.
