When we were called on to replace the original character designer on Birdman in 2005, we realized no one was going to want to look at standard black & white turn arounds if we couldn’t stomach them, ourselves. We also knew it was critical to be honest with the designs, respecting the original style of the show, rather than making characters look cool. As we abandoned tradition in favour of what would ultimately become art first and model sheets second, the Birdman pantheon of sad sacks & lovable losers was championed by the crew and, ultimately, the show's creators.
From the real people on whom we based the models, to the orgiastic execution, we rewrote the goddamn book on drawing up model sheets, creating well over 400 in just a couple seasons.