Hello Tomorrow: A Potent Display of Retro-Futurism

Hello Tomorrow is a retro-futuristic dramedy series that stars Billy Crudup as an opportunistic salesman, Jack Billings who sells timeshares on the moon.

While the series isn’t as intense as one would like to believe [at least not yet anyway]. The retro-futuristic production designs warrant merit and are in fact a major highlight of the show.

Judging by overabundance of CGI in various Hollywood endeavours, it is worth noting that this series prides itself on having majority of props/gadgets be practical. Hence, requiring only CG enhancements as opposed to existing solely because of CGI.

This is of course is according to the show’s production designer, Maya Sigel.

Furthermore, the retro-futurism goes beyond the necessary aesthetic appeal it adds to the show. As it holds some thematic value as well.

In an interview (by Gizmodo) discussing the intricacies of the world building for Hello Tomorrow through its production design. Maya was open about how it was a sprawling exploration of ideas that continued even into the show’s production/filming.

In essence, the inspirations for the show’s production design were vast ranging from print media such as photos and catalogues all the way to cinematic inspirations.

Specifically, the era that inspires the show’s retro-futurism dates as far back as the 50s/1950s. This of course, is also the era the show resides in as well.

In addressing how the production design informed certain thematic undertones. Maya commented on the lighting, decor and architecture. These being the aspects that also added substance to the show’s storytelling.

The gadgets were particularly excluded because at the end of the day. They were merely props and just didn’t serve a larger purpose within the show.

However, this shouldn’t downplay their usefulness, since they more or less justify the retro-futurism of the show.

The ambition with which Hello Tomorrow applies to its production design is nothing new for big [studio] productions across Hollywood — be they subjected to a big or small screen format. But the brand of production design that Hello Tomorrow makes use of is certainly a rarity in Hollywood’s current cinematic sphere.

All episodes of Hello Tomorrow by Appletv+ are available for download or streaming.