Uncovering WandaVision's Creative Process Packaged In A Classic Sitcom Style

WandaVision (Photo: Marvel, Disney)

JAKARTA - Marvel Studios officially released the first two episodes of WandaVision exclusively on Disney + Hotstar, which combines the concept of the classic TV series and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) with a touch of fresh sitcom comedy.

In an official statement released by Antara, Wednesday, January 20, the filmmakers, cast, and crew revealed how they captured the classic sitcom style for this MCU premiere series. Here's the review.

Research and courses

To create the perfect sitcom atmosphere from time to time, all the actors and crew involved in the WandaVision series have come down to do in-depth research.

The director, Matt Shakman, required all actors and crew to take a kind of sitcom course and conduct research by watching sitcom shows from certain decades in the 1950s to 2000s, reading books about how to make sitcoms, and interviewing several figures who never been directly involved in making sitcoms in the past, one of them is veteran actor, Dick Van Dyke.

What's more, the actors also learn the intonation of voices, dialects, and gestures from each decade to further enhance their performances throughout the episodes.

“Before starting the production process for the WandaVision series, Kevin Feige and I had the opportunity to have lunch with legendary actor Dick Van Dyke. From the discussion, I got a lot of inspiration which I implemented in the first episode of this series, "said Shakman.

Studio audience

To present an authentic show, Shakman decided to involve the audience who was present in the studio during the production process.

This he believes greatly influenced the atmosphere built up during the shoot, the cast could hear the natural laughter from the studio audience.

The entire crew involved is even required to wear 1950s-style clothing to realize the original atmosphere of the decade.

"These elements really liven up the atmosphere and I think they describe the entertainment style of the 1950s very well. I really enjoyed the whole process," said Vision cast Paul Bettany.

Songs and scores

Apart from the visuals, Shakman also pays attention to the audio. He entrusted Oscar and GRAMMY award-winning songwriters, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen), to compose the WandaVision theme song.

The two of them strive to bring about the maximum change in the atmosphere of the decade by affixing the song with a tone and style that matches the decade changes in the episode.

The two created unique theme songs for each episode from the 1950s to the early 2000s, while Christophe Beck focused on scoring his music.

Meanwhile, WandaVision tells the story of two creatures with superhuman powers, Wanda and Vision, who live life in the ideal suburb - starting to suspect that things are not going the way they seem.

WandaVision releases will continue with The Falcon and The Winter Soldier which will premiere on Disney + Hotstar on March 19, 2021.