1.The Making of Sweet Tooth: The Special Touch of Susan and Robert Downey Jr.
Hollywood power couple Susan and Robert Downey Jr. took on the role of executive producers on the “Sweet Tooth” series. “The comics had an emotional scope and breadth of storytelling, and the characters were very engaging,” says Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. “We wanted to create a great joint viewing experience for parents and children.”
2.Gus' Parkour: Christian Convery Prepares for the Role
To transform himself into Gus, the young protagonist of “Sweet Tooth”, Christian Convery trained in parkour for over two years. Not only did he dedicate himself to training, but he also fell in love with the practice, ensuring that his performance was authentic and impressive.
3.Realism and Sustainability: Climate Change Consultants at Sweet Tooth
The “Sweet Tooth” creative team worked closely with climate change consultants to create a realistic and environmentally conscious world. This commitment helped give the series a depth and authenticity rarely seen in fantasy productions.
4. Homage to Jim Henson: The Magic of Puppetry in Sweet Tooth
Inspired by the legendary Jim Henson, the Sweet Tooth team made sure that every element of the show looked as practical and handmade as possible. All the hybrid babies shown in Episode 101 are real puppets, adding a unique and tangible charm to the series.
5. Stylish Transformation: Delicate Prosthetics for the Hybrids
To transform the young actors into hybrid babies, hair and make-up artist Stefan Knight and his team created small, delicate prosthetics, highlighting the main physical elements that defined each individual animal.
6.Bobby: The Magic of Animatronics at Sweet Tooth
The character Bobby, an animatronic puppet, was meticulously controlled by several puppeteers and a harness system. This attention to detail ensured that Bobby moved and expressed emotions convincingly.
7.Deer Ears: The Technique Behind Sweet Tooth's Gus
Gus's deer ears are practical and were controlled by puppeteer Grant Lehmann using a hand-held transmitter. Convery and Lehmann rehearsed together to perfectly synchronize the movement of the ears with Gus' facial expressions.
8.Hearing Sensitivity: The Detail That Makes the Difference
Gus's hearing is so sensitive that, if you look closely, you'll see that his ears react before his eyes even move. This minute detail adds an extra layer of realism to the character.
9.Cinematic Influences: Spielberg in Sweet Tooth
Director of photography Dave Garbett and director Jim Mickle were heavily influenced by Steven Spielberg's iconic films such as “ET” and “Jurassic Park”, bringing a sense of wonder and adventure to the series.
10.Homage to Indiana Jones: The Train Sequence in Sweet Tooth
The thrilling train sequence in episode 106 is a tribute to the famous opening scene of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”, showing the lasting influence of movie classics on the series.
11.Comic references: Essex County in Sweet Tooth
The Essex County Zoo in “Sweet Tooth” is a small homage to Jeff Lemire's “Essex County” comic book series, connecting Lemire's creative universes in a subtle and meaningful way.
12.Gus's Wardrobe: The Red Plaid Shirt
It took costume designer Amanda Neale seven weeks to find the perfect red plaid shirt for Gus, an iconic piece that pays homage to the character's look in the comics. Her dedication resulted in a piece that captures the essence of Gus perfectly.
13. The General Abbot Look: 46 Concepts to Perfection
Amanda Neale designed 46 different concepts before arriving at General Abbot's final look. Her perseverance and vision ensured that the character had a costume that reflected his personality and presence.
14.Animal Army HQ: Filming at the amusement park
The Animal Army headquarters scenes were filmed at the real Rainbow's End amusement park in New Zealand. This vibrant setting added an extra layer of authenticity and fun to the scenes in the series.
15.The Color of Hope: The Role of Orange in Sweet Tooth
Orange is a key color in the costumes and production design of “Sweet Tooth”. It is used strategically to balance the dark greens and browns that dominate the natural setting and the dystopian future of the series. As well as adding an optimistic touch, orange symbolizes hope in the midst of adversity, creating a visual palette that resonates deeply with the theme of the series.