In this episode of the No Film School Podcast, GG Hawkins checks into Netflix’s brand new animated comedy, Haunted Hotel, and gets a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to create an adult animation from the ground up. She’s joined by series creator and showrunner Matt Roller (Rick and Morty), art director Robbie Erwin, and writer Avital Ash for a roundtable conversation that spans the show’s long development journey, the complexities of world-building in animation, and the creative collaboration required to bring this spooky yet heartfelt family comedy to life. From storytelling tone to visual language and production logistics, this episode is a crash course in what makes adult animation work—and how this team made sure Haunted Hotel stood out in a crowded field.In this episode, we discuss: How Haunted Hotel evolved from a pitch to a Netflix seriesWhy Matt Roller leaned into horror instead of sci-fi—and what makes horror more emotionally resonantHow Robbie Erwin’s theme park design background helped shape the show’s tactile visual worldThe writer’s room philosophy that prioritized kindness, creativity, and unique perspectivesWhy visual design and writing had to be deeply integrated for successful world-buildingHow the team balanced comedy, horror, and emotional depth across the seasonThe decision to make the show TV-14 instead of TV-MA—and how that opened it up to more viewersThe team’s favorite ghost charactersGuests Matt RollerRobbie ErwinAvital AshSubscribe to the No Film School Podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogleGet your question answered on the podcast by emailing podcast@nofilmschool.com Listen to more episodes of the No Film School...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday