An Interview with Nick Stanton & Devin Bunje, the Co-Creators & Executive Producers of ‘Hailey’s On It!’

Nick Stanton and Devin Bunje. (Photo Courtesy of Disney.)

Nick Stanton and Devin Bunje are a pair of accomplished writers and producers that have worked on a bevy of shows and films. Currently, they serve as the Co-Creators/Showrunners, and Executive Producers of the Disney Channel’s new series, Hailey’s On It! and we were fortunate enough to talk with both of them regarding their new show.
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John Betancourt: Let’s talk a little bit about each of your roles in assembling this new show.

Nick Stanton: Yeah, they're very similar. Because we, you know, we've been working together our whole careers, and, you know, we are just, you know, very collaborative. That said, we do, you know, it's a lot of work putting together an animated show. And so sometimes we have to kind of divide and conquer, and, you know, so like, Devin, for example, would be in a record, and I would be doing an art review and things like that. But, you know, at the end of the day, you know, we're doing this together. So, you know, we are always collaborative, and one thing that's been good, is I think, both of us kind of leave our ego at the door, you know, we realize that a good idea can come from anyone, it doesn't have to be mine, it doesn't have to be his it, you know, can come from, from anyone, and we've kind of run with that philosophy that just basically, best idea wins.

Devin Bunje: As executive producers and showrunners, we sort of found that, you know, while we're still ultimately responsible for all the creative, you know, aspects of the show, you kind of have to delegate. So, like Nick said, we sort of will sometimes split up certain things, we find great people that can do great things like our two, even though they're first-time directors, they're incredible. Cat Harman-Mitchell and Leslie Park, you know, we sort of let them own the storyboard stage, you know, until the very last couple of cuts that we see, Howy Parkins kind of oversees the whole artistic department or our art director, Lee Ann Dufour. We tried to find great people that are great at their jobs, and sort of let them sort of own their, their sort of departments. And, and it's worked out great, because everybody is really bought into the sort of the team atmosphere over here.

John Betancourt: What kind of challenges did you encounter with your first animated series?

Devin Bunje: Well, we actually started as writers in animation, and we've done a number of shows, this is the first one we've created and show run. So yeah, the main, I mean, the truth is a good story is a good story. And as writers, you know, we've always sort of put the biggest emphasis on that, we want to make sure the story is, is right, and something that would be compelling to see and enjoy. The biggest difference, I guess, with it is, you know, you have so many more tools at your disposal in animation. In live action, we tried to get a bear in one episode, and it was $50,000, or something like that, to get an animatronic bear. Here, we can have someone draw it in about half a day.

So, you know, there's sort of a, it opens up a world of possibilities in a fun way. So that's just great. You know, the sort of the one thing that we are learning to sort of adapt to is, in live action, we would literally in a week, we would write three drafts, and then shoot it and our last show was in front of a live studio audience. So, we would immediately get feedback on what jokes were working, what, what didn't, and you can make a quick adjustment on the fly just like that, in animation, the process is sort of stretched out over many, many months. So, you know, we try to we try to kind of get that same vibe by doing a table read with the writers, and then we sort of pitch the storyboard. And then we look over, you know, each cut repeatedly with as many people as we can to just sort of approximate the feedback you get from the actual audience, but it's great. It's just sort of a much longer and slower process.

John Betancourt: Nick, anything to add?

Nick Stanton: No, just what Devin was, was saying, and we developed a lot of the show during the pandemic, which was, you know, it made it difficult to, you know, not have that -- a lot of it was over zoom and, you know, people put their, their mute buttons on, and you can't tell if something got a laugh or not. So, you know, it's been really great now being back and doing in person storyboard pitches and, and group table reads and stuff and like hearing the laughs and getting that feedback. So that was challenging, but you know, it's, we're in a good place right now.

John Betancourt: What inspired this unique story?

Nick Stanton: Started with really an idea for a scene. And a version of that scene is in the first episode, it's where the professor, this crazed professor from the future, you know, bursts in and, and basically has two minutes to tell all these big important things to our main character. But kind of the joke of that scene, as we originally conceived was that the conversation keeps getting sidetracked and goes off on tangents, and they never get any information. So, I don't know, it's just kind of a funny scene, and we were pitching lines on and stuff like that. And from that, we sort of built a world, you know, like, who is this girl? And we came up with the main character of Hailey Banks. And then we thought, well, what if she had this next-door neighbor, who's her best friend, but they might be more than friends? And, you know, and then the idea of Beta came as a character. And I don't know, all these pieces just kind of fit into place. And we've built a story in a world and characters really around that.

Devin Bunje: That was sort of the genesis. And what we liked, I guess was, you know, the idea of a character who is so sort of in her own head and feels like she's incapable of doing even something mildly scary, like jumping off the high dive, what if she found out that she is not only destined for great things, but she is capable of doing everything she ever thought she could do and wrote into her list and, and that she is going to do it in the future, but she just has to figure out a way to kind of get herself, you know, believe in herself enough to get to that point. And, you know, thought that was kind of a great message that you know, anyone can kind of make a difference in the world.

John Betancourt: Hailey is vastly different type of character, what inspired her creation, and the growth she goes through?

Devin Bunje: Yeah, I mean, just sort of what we were talking about, you know, that theme of you know, anyone can make a difference, you know, it was important to us to start with a character that didn't already feel like they're, you know, the best, I guess, because, you know, we all have those kind of self-doubts at times. But getting that little bit of insight that, no, you can do it, and you will do it, you just have to kind of take it one step at a time. And we really like that, you know, fits perfectly for a show, because each episode can kind of be her taking one more step towards that ultimate goal of her becoming the best version of herself.

Nick Stanton: Yeah, just that it was important for us to have a character that really, really grew and evolved over the course of the series. You know, this isn't a show where we necessarily reset every episode. I mean, we do have standalone episodes, but like, you know, it's sort of like, you see it a lot in adult shows, you know, Breaking Bad, how does someone become a go from a mild-mannered teacher to you know, this drug kingpin? But, you know, this was sort of an exercise in opposites, right? How does this girl who has trouble stepping outside of her own comfort zone, and you know, can be sometimes shy and awkward? How does she get from point A to point B, you know, in, you know, we know that she's destined for all these great things. So that journey was really important to us.

John Betancourt: This is a series that tackles some vastly different messaging, what do you ultimately hope families take away from this series?

Nick Stanton: Yeah, I would say what Devin said that, you know, you can be the change that you want to see in the world. And I think it was also important for us just to build a world that was really a positive place, you know, I mean, there's just so much turmoil in the world today. We just wanted to create this, like, kind of beautiful world that our audience and our kids could live in for a half hour. And you know, it could just be just a positive kind of experience.

John Betancourt: Devin, anything to add?

Devin Bunje: That’s pretty much it.

John Betancourt: What does it meant to each of you to have this series finally hit the airwaves?

Devin Bunje: I don't believe it's real. (Laughs) It's been a long time. No, it's really exciting honestly, it's, it's we've really, we've been working on it… I think it's been over four years since we first came up with the idea now and the idea of finally getting to share it with everybody. Because every time we've shared it with people, we've had so many positive reactions, we really think it'll, it'll sort of connect with a lot of people. And we're excited to see that.

Nick Stanton: Our first screening of the episode, like one on one, this was a few weeks ago, like group screening and like to hear words that we've heard a million times now, because we've been working on this so long, like, get a laugh in front of an audience was like, “Oh, wow. I forgot. Yeah, this is this is actually really good.” So that's been, it's been really exciting.

John Betancourt: What are most excited for audiences to experience, in general, from the show?

Nick Stanton: Um, you know, I'm excited that… you know… it's a journey, like the series is a journey, and there's, I'm not gonna spoil anything, but there are some big twists and turns that, that the series takes, and, you know, even Scott and Hailey's relationship evolves and changes throughout the series. And, and, you know, I'm excited for that, because I, you know, even in the screenings that we've had, you know, people get invested, and you know, that they, “Oh, my gosh, you know, that's a great twist!” So, you know, there are a couple, you know, big episodes that change the dynamic of our character relationships that I'm really excited for people to see.

Devin Bunje: Yeah, I'm just excited to share it. It's a really fun show. And I really do think when people watch it, it'll be an enjoyable experience. That, you know, it will help you forget whatever's going on in your life and you’ll just kind of be able to kind of enjoy the time that you're watching it.

John Betancourt: Now to back up really quick, I’d be foolish not to ask you both, how you settled upon your cast.

Devin Bunje: Yeah, we were very fortunate. I mean, we actually we didn't start with only one person could be these characters when we wrote the pilot. But the first round of auditions that went out, Nick and I both agreed that our favorites were Auli’i (Cravalho) for Hailey and Manny (Jacinto) for Scott. And, and since then, they've just both exceeded our expectations. Like Auli’i is not only an incredible actress and singer, but she's incredibly funny too. She really does get the comedy and makes all of Hailey's jokes better than they were written. And, and Manny is just so unique. He's so likable, just his natural, his natural presence is just incredibly likable. And he's sort of like a unicorn of comedy. Like he does things in ways no one else does. But they're all hilarious and unique and fun. And they work perfectly together. And they're an incredible combination.

Nick Stanton: And I will also add, Gary Anthony Williams, you know, as Beta really brought that character to life, and, you know, he's another one of those people… I couldn't imagine anyone else as Beta now. I mean, he's just got such, you know, funny takes, and, and that really informed the character. So, he's been great.

John Betancourt: Last question I have for you today. What are you each most proud of when it comes to this show?

Nick Stanton: I would say the crew and you know, just seeing… like I mentioned, like Lesley Park and Cat Harman-Mitchell are first-time directors, you know, to see them really take ownership of like storyboards and, you know, really come into their own. That's, you know, it really makes the experience fun and to see all our talented artists, you know, come together and, and pull together in a team effort. It's, it's just been a really fun experience.

Devin Bunje: I'll say that I think I'm proud that that I really believe it's a show that the whole family will enjoy together. Like it's not something that if you put on for your kids, you would groan and wish you were not there and it's not something that's too, a little too sophisticated that kids aren't going to get it. We think we really kind of found a nice, sweet spot where there's fun adventure for the kids and a lot of jokes and just sort of nice family moments that will appeal to the parents as well.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

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