I modeled the television show after things that I used to watch and love as a child. I thought of castles and kings and magic and adventure–concepts like The Goonies or Labyrinth. Fantasy stories where the impossible can become real. I wanted to find the child in myself again. Puerto Rico is beautiful and fascinating, with a warm culture and rich history. It is the perfect place for such dreams to become a reality.
The original concept for the show was as follows:
“In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, but it wasn’t until 1493 that he arrived in Puerto Rico. Of course, it wasn’t called Puerto Rico then — and Columbus had no idea where he was really going… but with him, he brought a crew of cats. There were sailer cats and cook cats and soldier cats as well as king and prince cats, and these cats worked with the humans to build a rich legacy. They settled on the shores of Puerto Rico and made their home behind the walls of El Morro, where grew a great cat kingdom with grand halls, ballrooms, tunnels, mazes, magic corridors, and hidden harbors. It was a castle, community, and city in itself. The cats would proudly defend the coast from pirates and help the city of San Juan prosper.
Still, as time passed, the cats changed, and they forgot their legacy. The only thing left now is their home and the legends of their great deeds… but somewhere in the heart of El Morro is a group of kittens who still have grand adventures and whose imaginations know no bounds. THE CATS OF OLD SAN JUAN is about these kittens and the adventures they have within the ancient halls and around the walls of El Morro in the city of Old San Juan.”
The Location
The television show and the books are set along the great wall of El Morro surrounding the peninsula next to Old San Juan, where (in the world of the story) there is an enormous cat kingdom. Once upon a time, these cats were great warriors and fierce fighters who had to contend with pirates and other villainous seafaring scourges. When you look at the wall today and visit Puerto Rico, you can feel something almost magical about the island’s history, culture, and mythology. I wanted this fascinating, beautiful place to back the backdrop for the cats’s many adventures.
The Characters
The characters in the book versus the series are basically the same, with Cali, Campeon, and Alfie being our key players, and the frightening yet intriguing Captain Kitty the Kid the main villain throughout much of the stories. The critical difference between the novel and the show is that the novel presents a more extended storyline while the show is entirely episodic. After finishing the first book in the series, I think rewriting it as a feature film could be the best way to depict the more detailed storyline.
The Music
The music in the world of the cats is rich and diverse. The pirate cats are from Ireland and various locals worldwide, traveling through time from the 1600s; they bring their own unique cultures and music, such as sea chanties from long ago. Musical themes for the Cats of the Wall would have more traditional Spanish and Caribbean vibes. In contrast, the street cats and cats within the town have Raegaeton-style musical themes…and the cats of the rainforest, perhaps drums?
The Artwork
After writing various drafts of the television series, I began to look for concept artists to bring my characters to life. I looked for a long time. Most people exceeded my price range or needed more experience to render the vision. Eventually, I tried my own hand at the artwork. Even though they are rough around the edges, I hope they communicate the story’s vibe!
If there are any new updates on the show, I’ll keep you posted here and on social media.
