‘Neverland PD’ Reimagines Peter Pan Classic
I attended a writing masterclass taught by the one and only Neil Gaiman (Sandman, Good Omens, American Gods) and he had a suggestion for writers. He recommended taking a classic story that we have all heard before and turn it on it’s head, or look at it from another point of view. I thought this was a great way to re-imagine familiar stories.
In a recent interview with Spencer Barry, the filmmaker behind the short film “Neverland PD,” Berry had a similar idea and took a different approach to the classic Peter Pan narrative. The film, set in the fictional town of Neverland, CO, follows Aaron “Nibs” Nibley as he joins the police force under the rule of the power-hungry Captain Hook and the loyal Sergeant Smee.
“Like all good ideas, it more or less came from Bill and Ted. Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson used to perform as those characters at improv shows during college before developed it into a movie, and a similar thing happened here, said Barry.”
Barry shared that the inspiration for “Neverland PD” came from his college improv days, particularly a Halloween show where he portrayed a cop version of Captain Hook. The idea lingered for almost a decade, and with co-writer Tanner Rahlf, they turned it into a script, bringing the whimsical world of Peter Pan into a modern law enforcement setting.
“Since then, I had always thought that it would be fun to see more of that world, where Peter Pan is still a thorn in Hook’s side, but instead of dueling on a pirate ship or whatever, Peter is just a manchild screwing around with his friends outside the mall and Hook can’t get them to leave.”
“The idea made me chuckle, and I couldn’t get it out of my head for almost a decade, so I finally sat down with Tanner to write the script and we made it happen.”
When asked about the stylistic influences, Barry pointed to shows like “The Office” and “Reno 911.” The mockumentary format, reminiscent of these shows, provided a perfect canvas for the chaotic and slightly unhinged energy they aimed for in “Neverland PD.” The Office’s influence also extended to the character of Nibs, who serves as the emotional core of the film, akin to Jim in The Office.
“Jim sort of acts as an audience surrogate to give a window into the crazy world of Dunder Mifflin with a character that is a bit more “normal” than everyone else. He also gives the show emotional stakes, which is what Nibs does for us. He’s really the heart of the show and Caleb did an excellent job in the role.”
Reflecting on the experience, Barry emphasized the valuable learning curve that making “Neverland PD” offered. He sees every project as an opportunity to improve and learn from the talented people around him. The collaborative nature of filmmaking, he believes, contributes to personal growth and the constant pursuit of creating better content.
Despite the challenges faced during production, particularly in obtaining clean audio with limited resources, Barry expressed his satisfaction with the short film. The most challenging aspect, he noted, was overcoming self-doubt and pushing forward with the project. The absence of external obligations made it a personal journey, and ultimately, a fulfilling one.
Barry’s favorite part of the process? The opportunity to work and collaborate with amazing people, aiming to create something that not only made him laugh but also left audiences uplifted and inspired.
“I definitely laughed a lot on set and left inspired by the awesome people I worked with, so it was a win for me. I hope you get a taste of that for yourself when you watch the finished project.”
For those eager to follow Spencer Barry’s filmmaking journey, he invites everyone to subscribe to ThunderGoose Studio on YouTube or follow him on Instagram (@spenbear). Currently working on scripts for more “Neverland PD” episodes and other projects, Barry assures fans that there’s more hilarity in store, urging them to stay tuned for upcoming releases.
Neverland PD features Caleb Hafen as “Nibs”, Adam Broud as “Captain Hook”, Taylor Nielson as “Peter Pan”, Tanner Rahlf as “Sgt. Smee”, Travis Hunter as “Neverland Man” and Dixie Mann as Tink Bell. Spencer Barry wears multiple hats as Writer, Director, and Producer along with Tanner Rahlf as fellow Writer and Daniel Towne as Producer.
I love learning and sharing the filmmakers stories behind the scenes of the finished movie. Now it’s time for me to hit the road to find the next tale from another creative storyteller. See you on set!
About Warren Workman
Warren Workman is the founder of the Utah International Film Festival. Workman’s passion is to share the stories of the filmmakers behind the movies and to encourage the next generation of filmmakers. Workman provides these services through ReelVibe PR.
