With a nice audience success, the series which highlights Wednesday Addams agitates social networks. Here are some of its secrets.
The production of Tim Burtonsometimes a little dented by criticismdelights the public and she continues to break new records. First in the rankings in 83 countries, it even equaled the record set by the previous heavyweight of its kind, Stranger Things, season 4. With more than 341 million hours watched, it now holds first place in the ranking of English-language series in their first week. His release at an ideal time for his character (Halloween, the first frosts) helped his success, which hides some secrets.
1 A bloody cast
Determined to get the title role, Jenna Ortega had a radical idea to achieve her goal. During her audition in front of Tim Burton (the kind of moments that we can rightly fear), she put all the chances on her side to convince the director known for his eccentricity and his taste for dark humor. The actress has indeed presented the face covered with fake blood, while taking great care not to express any emotion, the face as frozen as possible. Suffice to say that Tim Burton was immediately won over by this risk-taking, proving the guts of the young performer.
2 Without a blink of an eye
Another proof of Jenna Ortega’s extraordinary acting talents, an idea came to her during the filming of one of the very first scenes. During the entire take, she managed not to blink once. Stunned by the performance, Tim Burton then asked him to repeat this little feat for the rest of the production. Think it’s easy? So try to stand without batting an eyelash in front of your mirror… and plan a little saline solution for the rest.
3 Jenna Ortega dances despite the Covid
In the fourth episode, Mercredi performs a rather special dance, in his style which is always very “cutting” vis-à-vis his comrades. The production revealed that it was the actress herself who had invented the choreography, in tune with her character. The danse macabre has delighted fans of the series, who have had fun since reproducing it on TikTok videos. But what they did not know was that during the filming, Jenna Ortega was unwell, without knowing yet that she had contracted the Covid. She even wanted to do a new take, which the team refused, satisfied with the original.
4 An ultra-complete preparation
To be able to slip into the skin of her character as well as possible, the young actress spared no effort. First by practicing the cello, but also fencing and canoeing. She also took German lessons. As if that weren’t enough, she spent hours imagining walks, postures and how to act out different scenes of everyday life as Wednesday. A work worthy of the greatest followers of the Actors Studio, amazing for such a young actress.
5 The pressure of the original model
If you thought Jenna Ortega was the only Wednesday on the show, you were sadly mistaken. Or, you didn’t recognize actress Christina Ricci, who played the same character as a child in both 1990s films, and who plays Mrs. Thornhill in Wednesday. Ortega will say following the shooting that seeing the one who had been one of the most famous interpreters of the role had often petrified her, but that she had managed to give a new angle to Wednesday, never yet discovered until then during her period of ‘adolescence.
6 A magic hand
Impossible not to be impressed by the Thing, this severed hand, endowed with life, which manages to make itself understood just by its gestures. To achieve this performance, Tim Burton decided not to go through simple special effects. He opted for a beginner actor, Victor Dorobantu, a magician by profession. Suffice to say that the man is skilled with his hands. To interpret this role, he had to put on a costume allowing him to disappear in post-production, and spend long hours of make-up with his hand to make it the Disturbing Thing that we know.
7 Very inspired music
Danny Elfman is one of the composers who so often accompanies Tim Burton in his feature films, with a talent recognized in dozens of cult films. But the musician did not forget to pay tribute to the very rich heritage of the Addams Family in the credits and the soundtrack of the series. He thus drew some of his inspiration from the sketches made by the creator of the famous family, Charles Addams. The illustrator had imagined the family in the pages of the famous magazine The New Yorker. Elfman also used harpsichords to compose his music, giving the result a gothic sound.
8 Tailor-made suits
The director admits to having worked a lot with his costume designer, Collen Atwood, on the smallest details related to the various outfits that Wednesday wears. First with her iconic outfit, perfectly taken up, but also with particularly “fashionable” shoes, as if to mark the character’s transition to adolescence. Then, with costumes contrasting radically with those of his comrades, by their colors. Another notable outfit, that of Principal Weem, is inspired by actress Tippi Hedren in the film The birds d’Alfred Hitchcok.
9 A setting full of mysteries
In real life, Nevermore Academy and its chilling architecture is set in a place steeped in tales and legends. It is indeed, for the exteriors, the Castle of Cantacuzino, in the Carpathian mountains in Romania. Crossing a vampire would not be a surprise there. Other details offer multiple references: the bear in the principal’s office evokes the teddy bear present in the original TV series, the wall of the Weathervane café is covered with photos from previous Tim Burton films… Keep an eye out, the next episodes might reveal new secrets!
10 Most effective marketing
In addition to commercials and traditional poster campaigns, it is becoming increasingly difficult to communicate in a way that appeals to the public. However, Netflix had a genius idea. When you fly, you must deposit your personal belongings likely to ring the security gates in a plastic bin. The broadcaster had posters printed there Wednesday saying:“No sharp objects?” What a pity ! » It is even quite surprising that airports have accepted such a campaign, even if it remains incredibly well thought out.
