It’s Not My Job
What is the film about?
Dani has to cross hidden obstacles including the corridor of forgotten dreams and ghosts of your ex’s in order to get a simple form processed. It’s Not My Job is the new episode of Planet Pussy Willow, the feminist sci-fi development of the multi award winning comedy adult animation web series Tales From Pussy Willow. Follow @planetpwillow on Instagram for more and catch up on previous episodes here planetpussywillow.com
What influenced it?
In regards to influences humour wise I was always influenced by Smack the Pony and The Fast Show (Caroline Ahern was amazing in general) because I think that was the first time I’d seen the world portrayed through a female lens. Pussy Willow is very much the world through a female lens. I also love the Mighty Boosh for the absurdist world that it creates. I’m also a big fan of Portlandia as both cultural commentary and absurdity.
A little background information...
In this episode we’re back with Dani (who was also in previous episodes including Queerer Than Thou and Coming into the Station etc) as we follow them as they are trying to get a form processed, but at every turn they have to overcome a new obstacle such as ride on a white unicorn or travel to the centre of the earth. In general it’s about navigating the ridiculousness of bureaucracy. I wrote this one during my time a few years ago about navigating the world as a sick person in recovery, and how at that time simple tasks seemed really hard to achieve just such as trying to get a repeat prescription from my GP. It could also be read perhaps as how the world is for disabled or neurodivergent people, this was just my particular experience but I am mindful of the death of the author. I work with the same exaggerated absurdity as before to paint the picture of this perspective and experience. There is a video explaining the premise of the episode on the Instagram here:
How was the film made?
In terms of production I spend a day in the green screen studio with a DoP filming the actors. The actors are shot against green screen wearing green swim caps. This allows me to composite them into specially designed hair dos which turns them into their characters. I then key and mask the footage and composite onto animated bodies in animated worlds.