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Dr. Seuss: an iconic author and a significant brand in film and television, is set to expand with three new animated programs premiering on Netflix this fall. The adaptations include Red Fish Blue Fish, starting on September 8, followed by Horton! on October 6, and The Sneetches on November 3. Dustin Ferrer, a two-time Emmy-winning executive producer known for his work on Peg+Cat, expresses enthusiasm about the projects in a recent discussion. This interview was edited for clarity and conciseness.

Jackson Murphy: How does it feel to tackle three adaptations that are set to release almost simultaneously?

Dustin Ferrer: It’s a thrilling yet strange experience. While it was occasionally overwhelming, the process surprisingly went smoothly with minimal stress. Working on three shows concurrently was an adventurous endeavor; each project is unique, yet they share a common DNA.

JM: When adapting these classic Dr. Seuss works in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, what objectives do you have in mind?

DF: That’s an excellent question. Our primary goal is to honor Dr. Seuss‘s spirit while creating something modern and fresh. Dr. Seuss Enterprises aimed for each project to have a distinct visual style. Contrary to the expectation for everything to be in a 2D drawn style, they encouraged a variety of looks for each adaptation. However, we made sure to maintain a common thread throughout, especially with elements like Dr. Seuss‘s distinctive pupils featured across all properties. Working collaboratively with them has been a pleasure as they are just as excited about innovation as we are.

JM: The visual aspects are delightful. Starting with Red Fish Blue Fish, I’ve noticed how joyful the characters are in their occupations.

DF: Absolutely. This project feels special and unique. Our curriculum is based on oppositional vocabulary words, focusing on visual storytelling due to the limited vocabulary. This challenge of conveying story without words was exciting and required clarity and humor for preschoolers. We had a remarkable team, and I believe the final product reflects our efforts.

JM: Young audiences will see these characters and aspire to take on similar challenges. The various roles depicted highlight a breadth of life possibilities.

DF: That’s a key aspect we wanted to highlight. Ensuring clarity in character interactions and maintaining distinct personalities while adhering to opposite word concepts was quite an undertaking.

JM: The small vignettes before each episode sets the stage for contrasting words. It seems a lot of work went into those brief segments.

DF: You’d be surprised by the effort! We utilized a Brainstorm Team comprised of artists, not just writers. Once we had outlines, we would sketch ideas together to determine which vignette was the clearest and most engaging.

JM: Incorporating rhyming narration is quintessential Dr. Seuss. Was that an obvious choice, or was it more complex?

DF: It was more nuanced than expected because Netflix operates globally. Rhymes don’t always translate across languages, so we had to ensure that the essence of the rhyme could be universally appreciated without relying on specific word pairs. I’m delighted we included rhyming narration while accommodating translation challenges.

JM: Moving on to Horton!, I see it features a younger version of the character compared to the 2008 film. How did you arrive at that decision?

DF: This series targets a preschool audience aged three to five, making it a natural choice to depict Horton as a child. His character remains true to his promise-keeping nature. We introduced a sidekick named Samson, a bird, and together they embark on adventures helping others in the Jungle of Newell. The episodes are designed to be sweet and humorous.

JM: That sounds wonderful. Themes of loyalty and bravery resonate through Horton‘s character, appealing to viewers of all ages.

DF: I genuinely hope families will enjoy the shows together. Extending Dr. Seuss’s legacy is vital, and I feel we have remained faithful to Horton‘s essence while introducing a fun villain, Jane Kangaroo, from the various Horton tales.

JM: The aim is to bridge the enjoyment of visual storytelling and reading. You have a considerable responsibility with this project, but it seems to be paying off.

DF: Thank you. I do recognize that responsibility, and I hope for lasting affection for these shows alongside the legacy of the books.

JM: Regarding The Sneetches, releasing on November 3, how does your approach differ for this special as compared to the series format?

DF: The special format necessitated a different approach since we expand the one-time story into a longer format. This version, which I hold dear, focuses on two girls of differing types of Sneetches that learn to celebrate their differences, echoing the original’s core message.

JM: Do you see yourself taking on more Dr. Seuss adaptations in the future?

DF: (laughs) I thrive on working concurrently on multiple projects. It invigorates the creative process. If the opportunity to re-adapt more Seuss works arises, I would embrace it instantly.

Jackson Murphy is a movie critic and entertainment columnist, known for his work at Lights-Camera-Jackson.com.

Persons: Dustin Ferrer, Jackson Murphy
Company Names: Netflix, Dr. Seuss Enterprises
Titles: Red Fish Blue Fish, Horton!, The Sneetches

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