Unveiling the Sinister Secrets of NYCC 2023: Unleashing the Chilling Essence of The Changeling

Summary

The Changeling, based on Victor LaValle's novel, follows Apollo on a journey of uncovering horrifying truths about his family.

Kelly Marcel developed and wrote the series, with LaValle as the narrator. The cast features LaKeith Stanfield, Adina Porter, Clark Backo, Samuel T. Herring, Jared Abrahamson, and Alexis Louder. The team of creators engages in conversations about the difficulties of translating the book's world into the screen, the significance of motherhood, and the utilization of fairy tale elements in costumes and design.

The Changeling, adapted from Victor LaValle's novel, takes us on a captivating journey with Apollo Kagwa as he unravels unsettling revelations about his own family. After his wife succumbs to madness and commits a horrifying act before vanishing, Apollo's hope is reignited when a mysterious stranger enters his life. He discovers that his wife is not the first to fall victim to the forces that plagued her, and the story holds astonishing depths that surpass his imagination.

Helmed by Kelly Marcel, The Changeling features a stellar cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Adina Porter, Clark Backo, Samuel T. Herring, Jared Abrahamson, and Alexis Louder. LaValle, the author of the novel, also serves as the series narrator.

Our website spoke with the creative team behind the AppleTV+ horror fairytale series The Changeling. Novelist Victor LaValle and series creator Kelly Marcel discuss the challenges they faced in bringing the world of the book to life and emphasize the significance of mothers. Directors Jonathan Van Tulleken and Michael Francis Williams, along with executive producer David Knoller, reveal the key element from the original novel that they deemed essential for the story. Costume designer Ane Crabtree explains her approach to incorporating elements of the fairytales into the costumes, while production designer Lester Cohen delves into the portrayal of time jumps.

Victor LaValle & Kelly Marcel Talk The Changeling

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Our website: Can you talk to me about the challenges of bringing this world to life on screen?

Kelly Marcel: We faced various challenges during the production of this TV show. The vastness of the world depicted in the book presented constraints in terms of finances, time, locations, and execution. However, we were fortunate to have David Knoller on board, who proved to be the perfect facilitator, enabling us to continuously strive and bring Victor's expansive world to life.

Victor LaValle: The show was produced in three different continents, which was an impressive feat.

Kelly Marcel: Those are the challenges.

Victor LaValle: That's difficult.

Kelly Marcel: Today, as I gazed at the river, a thought struck me: we used to venture out on boats in the dead of night, cruising along the East River. It's truly remarkable, the experiences we had on those countless boats.

Victor LaValle: Numerous boats indeed.

Kelly Marcel: He is organizing multiple boats and throwing people off them into the river. These challenges occur while wearing a heavy coat.

Victor LaValle: There was a stunt woman who executed a perfect somersault out of danger. We were all in agreement that we wouldn't attempt it again. These remarkable moments were truly impressive. Additionally, when we filmed in Toronto, the interior scenes transformed into authentic representations of New York City, particularly when Lester recreated the apartment shared by Apollo and Emmy. To my astonishment, it resembled my own apartment on 180th street, even though I hadn't provided any photos. The vibe and style matched perfectly. It was an incredible and stunning realization. As I walked through the set, I sent my wife pictures, and she couldn't believe it. She asked if I had informed the team of our exact location, but I hadn't. It was truly amazing.

Victor, what was the key element that you wanted to ensure remained true to the original novel in the adaptation?

Victor LaValle: Perhaps the most important aspect is the appreciation for mothers. While the story revolves around Apollo and his relationship with Emma, the characters of Lillian, Emma, and Cal on the island embody superhuman qualities. Their power stems from a mother's unconditional love for her child. Beyond everything else I hope people will appreciate or contemplate, it is crucial to acknowledge the extent to which these women will go for the ones they love. We are fortunate that they possess such devotion, as I can't fathom where we would be without them.

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Jonathan Van Tulleken, David Knoller & Michael Francis Williams Talk The Changeling

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What was the most essential part of the original novel that you wanted to make sure came through in the series?

Jonathan Van Tlleken: My goal was to capture Victor's enchanting fairytale essence from the novel, while keeping it firmly grounded in the real New York. Working on the pilot after Melinda, we both shared the belief of portraying this story in the authentic settings of Harlem and Washington Heights. We aimed to make it feel magical, yet also horrifying in a believable manner. It was important for us to pay tribute to that vision.

Michael Francis Williams: Personally, I was fascinated by the intricacy and intelligence of Victor's novel, and how Kelly transformed it into eight captivating episodes for television. Some elements on the page might have been considered impossible to bring to life or too complex to portray non-linearly. As directors, we remained faithful to the book's tone and Kelly's imaginative vision, striving to create something rich, nuanced, complex, and audacious for television.

David Knoller: Parenting had a profound impact on me. The mere act of being a father resonated deeply within me, as it revealed how it anchors amidst all the chaos and challenges. This connection felt incredibly powerful and I believe it has the potential to greatly enhance our understanding.

Lester Cohen & Ane Crabtree Talk The Changeling

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What was the most challenging aspect of bringing this project to life for you?

Lester Cohen: The most challenging part for me was managing the non-linear structure of the novel. Keeping track of the jumps forward and backwards in time, and ensuring that our message at one point aligns with our message at another point, was a complex task.

How did you want to reflect the interweaving of fairy tale elements and real-life trauma in the costume design and why?

Ane Crabtree: Every aspect is crucial. Sometimes, in the costumes, color serves as a psychological and emotional indicator for me. It is essential to strike a delicate balance where neither element overpowers the other. Color is primarily used to convey the sense of trauma, while the fairy tale aspect holds great significance. This includes the fairytale itself and the ancestral tones of both Norway and Uganda, along with the trauma. The fairytale is specifically Norwegian, but at the beginning, you attempt to lay it all out like a map and then skillfully connect the elements together like a beautifully intricate cobweb. The goal is to capture the essence of that cobweb accurately.

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About The Changeling

After his father's mysterious disappearance, Apollo Kagwa was left with a collection of books and a series of perplexing recurring dreams. Fast forward to the present, where Apollo is now a father himself, alongside his wife Emma, as they navigate the ups and downs of parenthood. However, the pressures of exhaustion and anxiety begin to weigh heavily on Apollo, triggering the return of his old dreams, while Emma's behavior takes a peculiar turn.

The first season of The Changeling is available on Apple+ now.