Gran’pa Knows Best is a comedy web-series starring a 4-inch 3D printed likeness of creator, William D. Caballero’s 87-year old grandfather, Victor Muriel.
HBO Latino will premiere 15 new episodes of the web series Gran’pa Knows Best, which will air as interstitial programming starting on Friday, June 17, 2016. For season 2 HBO Latino will be taking Gran’pa on fun adventures with the “Big Adventures of a Tiny Gran’pa” campaign in order to generate buzz and engagement with top social media influencers.
Director/Creator William D. Caballero answers the questions fans want to know:
What is the story behind the phonetics (spelling) of GRAN’PA?
Growing up, I never called my grandfather ‘Grandpa’ or ‘Abuelo’. Instead, I always pronounced it in a Puerto Rican accent as ‘Gran’pa’, which is the same way he says it.
Why does GRAN’PA know best instead of Mom, Dad, and Grandma?
Gran’pa Knows Best, because he thinks he’s always right about everything. Growing up, he would always give me his advice, whether or not it made any sense, and since I was a good grandson, I would just listen to it, with a smirk and occasional eye-roll.
Is Season 1 of GRAN’PA available for purchase (Blu-Ray/DVD)? Or still viewable on HBO programming channels/apps?
Season 1 is not available on DVD, but you can watch all the episodes on HBO GO, HBO NOW, and HBO ON DEMAND. In addition, a few of the first videos not available through HBO are viewable for free online. Just visit www.granpaknowsbest.com to see some of these freebies.
When you showed your 87-year-old grandfather Victor Muriel that he inspired a show based on him, what was his first reaction? How is he celebrating season 2? Do people come up to him and ask for selfies and autographs?
Gran’pa’s literal words whilst holding the 4 inch tall replicas of him was, “I mean… it looks nice, but… I no too short like that!” Gran’pa isn’t really acknowledging season 2 at the moment, because he just stays home all day, besides the occasional doctor’s appointments. He lives in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and so far, nobody’s asked him for any selfies or autographs yet, but I’m sure that would change if he lived in Brooklyn again!
Why 3D printed technology instead of human actors?
One of the reasons GKB captures the viewer’s attention almost instantly, is because of its visual aesthetic. The art of 3D printing is very innovative, and hasn’t really been used in such a way to tell these complex stories. Each print takes about 20 hours (from modeling to printing to hand-painting), and there’s about 35 prints of Gran’pa total. It allows for a ‘WOW factor’ in a way that human actors would not. ainting), and there’s about 35 prints of Gran’pa total. It allows for a ‘WOW factor’ in a way that human actors would not.
Why do you feel this show is universal and not just for Latinos?
My favorite feedback from multicultural audiences is “your grandfather reminds me of MY grandfather”, and I’ve heard this from latino, white, black, Asian, Jewish, and Arab viewers of all ages. I wanted to encapsulate the universality of the Grandfather archetype in this project, and it’s comments like these that make me feel that I’ve really hit home with the viewer by making them think of their own unique relationship with their grandfather.
William a statement in your bio states, “Through his work Caballero’s mission is to empower, enlighten and express.” How does GRAN’PA knows best empower, enlighten and express to you?
Gran’pa EMPOWERS me to look toward my family as a source of cultural creativity in an effort to preserve the legacy of our culture; it ENLIGHTENS the audience to not see Latinos as stereotypes, but similar to themselves; it causes me to challenge myself as a filmmaker through new ways to EXPRESS my creativity.
Since GRAN’PA is animated can fans expect to see you at San Diego 2017 Comic Con?
Never thought of it, but who knows… maybe!
How do you come up with the topic ideas for GRAN’PA?
Viewers email and send us questions through social media. If the questions are unique, I ask gran’pa directly. Every video is made this way, allowing a level of interactivity rarely seen in most web-series.
Some of the topics Gran’pa will touch upon in the upcoming seasons are:
- GRAN’PA TRIES TO GET OUT OF A “TRAFFIC TICKET”/ TALKS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVING
- GRAN’PA “FAMILY TREE” – MEET GRAN’PA’S EXTENDED FAMILY
- YOUNG PEOPLE & “RESPECT”
- “A DAY IN THE LIFE” OF GRAN’PA
- “GRAN’PA’S EYE” – HOW GRAN’PA WENT BLIND
- “CUBA” HISTORY & THOUGHTS ON EMBARGO LIFT
