Episode 34: The Mitchells vs The Machines with Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe
Today’s guests are the creative minds behind one of the most riotously funny and inventive movies of 2021. In The Mitchells Vs The Machines, from co-writer/directors Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe, two terrible things happen to young filmmaker Katie Mitchell. First, her dad decides to surprise her by taking the entire family on a cross-country road trip on the eve of her going to college. And second, the tech apocalypse strikes, enslaving pretty much all mankind. It’s neck and neck as to which one is worse for the want-away teen, voiced by Abbi Jacobson. Together, it’s up to the Mitchells to stop the robot uprising and save the world.
Groundbreaking animation, hilarious movie references, Olivia Colman as an evil Alexa intent on firing the entire human race into the cold vacuum of space – yes, The Mitchells vs The Machines had it all. But, as you’ll discover in today’s episode, the film almost went in a very different direction. The Mitchells vs the Machines was originally titled Control Alt Escape and found the Mitchells on a mission with the President of the United States. It had a different ending and a reduced role for two of the movie’s standout characters: glitching robots Eric and Deborahbot 5000. In the conversation you’re about to hear, we dig into all of those changes, as well as the film’s beautiful LGBTQ+ representation, its chances of a sequel and yes, that scene with the demonic Furby, which – fun fact – was voiced by Mike Rianda himself.
Support for this episode comes from Arc Studio – the beautifully-designed screenwriting programme whose intuitive interface and host of innovative features helps you get the most out of your writing time – and Coverfly, who curate the best screenwriting talent-discovery programs into one place and connect emerging screenwriters with industry professionals who can bring their ideas to screen.
Script Apart is a podcast about the first-draft secrets behind great movies. Each episode, the screenwriter behind a beloved film shares with us their initial screenplay for that movie. We then talk through what changed, what didn’t and why on its journey to the big screen. All proceeds go to Black Minds Matter UK, the NHS Charities Covid-19 Appeal and the Film and TV Charity.
Script Apart is hosted by Al Horner and produced by Kamil Dymek, with music from Stefan Bindley-Taylor. You can follow Script Apart on Twitter and Instagram. You can also email us on thescriptapartpodcast@gmail.com.
