KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There’s a new animated show on the Kansas City scene, causing a local couple to safely bringing artists together.
They said it’s an effort to help an arts community that is struggling during the pandemic.
"Welcome to the coolest, most chill place ever, the refrigerator," one of the characters from "Food People" says in the cartoon.
The cartoon is about the journey of the food in the fridge.
“They go on an investigation to find out what the recipe will be that day," said. Cori Anne Weber, a co-creator of the animated series, which is her and Brodie Rush's brainchild. "It’s such a huge mountain, it’s like, don’t look up when you’re doing it."
That mountain they’re looking up is mounting Food People from home - they write it, produce it, and animate it. They also pull in voice-over talent both locally and nationally.
"We announced for friends on Facebook that we would do an open call, and by the end of the week, 50 people had auditioned," Weber said.
"It’s nice to involve the community and that’s been a super fun part of it and getting to know these people and what they brought to it," Rush added.
The pair said they've created a virtual stage since physical ones are shuttered.
"Several of our cast members have told me this is all they have to look forward to right now," Weber said.
"Food People" is what they consider doing their part to help keep the arts afloat.
"Now we’re in this situation where everyone else is in the same boat. Our arts community was just dying and suffering, I remember we couldn’t find flour or yeast in the stores, everyone’s home cooking and what can we do now?" Weber recalled.
Weber and Rush say their show is for everyone - to inspire the joy of bringing new dishes to life.
"Food is to be shared, food is for everyone, and yes it’s a great show for kids, but we’ve thought about everyone as we’ve made it and tried to put in as many things for adults as we can," Weber explained.
"If you’re into food, and most people are, I would hope this could satisfy your cravings," Rush added.
The couple started a Kickstarter campaign to fund their production efforts, which can be found online. They are hoping to produce a full season of the series as they continue working on the project from home.
