 The overall aesthetic was inspired by the Craig Thompson graphic novel "Good-bye, Chunky Rice" as it featured "cute animals with complex human emotions and relationships".The film was initially much shorter, but Frick chose to expand it despite the possible threat of it not being able to compete in festivals.She also had to convince people that the film needed a happy ending stating "It's sad that something has to reflect a nihilist view of the world to be considered deep or worthwhile."