Bringing a series of grand spectacle and scale like Monarch: Legacy of Monsters to life is no small feat. It requires a blend of visionary storytelling, meticulous planning, and a deep understanding of the genre. In this challenging endeavor, having an Executive Producer like Tory Tunnell, with her expertise and passion, proves to be invaluable. Tunnell’s role in orchestrating this ambitious project highlights the complexities and triumphs of producing a narrative rich in symbolism and cinematic grandeur.
Kaijus as Metaphors for Modern Fears
Tunnell highlighted the role of kaijus as powerful metaphors in storytelling, reflecting on their significance beyond mere cinematic spectacle:
“Monsters can be 3,000 ft in front of you but they could also be the person to the left of you. We’ve always thought of monsters as being a metaphor for… Godzilla was first thought of as being a metaphor for nuclear power… we thought of it as a reference for global warming then COVID… it feels like it’s always been able to be that genre-forward way of actually dealing with real issues in our world.”
-Tory Tunnell, Executive Producerse of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters–
This perspective underscores the series’ intention to use these legendary creatures as a lens through which to explore and address real-world issues.
The Challenge of Balancing Creativity and Production
Tunnell spoke candidly about the complexities of bringing creative visions to life, especially in a project as ambitious as “Monarch”:
“It was obviously really complicated we’re shooting two timelines we’re shooting all over the globe we’re dealing with massive vfxs and and big stars um but it was you know when you have a great team and everyone’s bringing their a game it actually is it’s challenging of course but it was it was a bunch of fun because everyone was you know there to do their best.”
-Tory Tunnell, Executive Producerse of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters–
Her comments reveal the intricate dance of managing a large-scale production while ensuring that the creative essence of the story remains intact.
The Underappreciated Role of a Producer
Reflecting on the often overlooked aspects of a producer’s role, Tunnell shared her perspective on the breadth of responsibilities and the satisfaction derived from seeing the project come to fruition:
“The producer oftentimes is the first to come on and the last to leave um and sometimes it’s some of the the least glamorous um parts of the job… but I think that what’s so fun about it is that you get to um flex your creative muscle and sort of helping really shape the show you’re hiring an helping sort of facilitate who the team is going to be in in an a way and you got the privilege of working with some of the best people in the business when you work on something like this.”
-Tory Tunnell, Executive Producerse of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters–
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the art of visual effects in modern cinema. Tunnell’s insights into the production process and the thematic depth of the series highlight the series’ ambition to not only entertain but also provoke thought and reflection. As the series prepares to make its mark, it promises to be a journey that is as intellectually stimulating as it is visually spectacular, offering a fresh perspective on the monsters that have long captivated our imaginations.
Season One of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters is now streaming on AppleTV+ with new episodes releasing on Fridays.
