Natasha Kline’s ‘Primos’ is an ode to childhood summers spent with her cousins

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Natasha Kline based “Primos” on her childhood summers spent with her cousins.
(Brittany Bravo / For The Times)

As a third-generation Mexican-American woman born and raised in the Inland Empire of California, I have always felt a deep connection to my heritage and the richness of my cultural background. Growing up, I was that quiet kid in class with a sketchbook open, lost in my own world of art and animation. I knew from an early age that I wanted to create something that would resonate with the multicultural family experiences I saw around me, but didn’t see enough of on TV.

As a child, Natasha Kline saw every summer as an opportunity to reinvent herself.

As a bashful film enthusiast with an artistic bent, I, Kline, looked forward to the lengthy vacation, believing that I would acquire a fresh talent or undergo some sort of transformation before the commencement of the new academic year.

During our recent chat, Kline shared that “my mom’s actions never truly translated into reality for me.” She’s always been the lively aunt, brimming with joy at the thought of a bustling home. So, she’d frequently invite my cousins over during summers, filling our house with laughter and warmth.

During her summers, Kline spent time with her cousins which later became the foundation for “Primos,” an upcoming animated series. This series is set to debut with a double premiere on July 25 at 8 p.m. Pacific on Disney Channel, followed by new episodes every Saturday at 9 a.m. Starting July 27. The first nine episodes will be accessible on Disney+ starting July 26.

Kline’s creation, titled “Primos,” introduces Tater Ramirez Humphrey (voice by Myrna Velasco), a vibrant and inventive girl on the brink of her 10th birthday, eager to set her objectives and aspirations during the summer. However, her well-laid plans are disrupted when she discovers that her mother has extended an invitation to all twelve of her cousins to join them at their residence and share Tater’s room for the summer.

“According to Kline, Tater has an overactive imagination. Her family, on the other hand, is more practical-minded. Nellie, portrayed by Melissa Villaseñor, represents realism in the family. Kline characterizes their relationship with their mother, Bibi (Michelle Ortiz), as affectionate and nurturing. As for Tater’s father, Bud (Jim Conroy), he is more cautious towards her dream-filled disposition.”

Tater, center, with all of her primos: Scooter, Lita, Cha Cha, Gordita, Nachito, Big Nacho, Lot Lot, Bud, Tere, Tabi, Toñita and Lucita.
(Disney Branded Television)

In the beginning, I, the movie reviewer, wasn’t thrilled when unexpectedly, Tater’s cousins showed up and disrupted my plans. Kline, who understandably shares my frustration, reassures us that Tater’s anxiety was authentic and rooted from personal experiences of dealing with surprise visitors during her formative years.

At first, Kline felt apprehensive, thinking, “Oh no, everyone is coming back again. How will I manage to sort out my life?” She expressed. However, by the end of the summer, her sentiments had shifted profoundly. It became a source of immense pleasure for her to have her loved ones around. While I didn’t attain a six-pack or transform into an expert horse trainer or learn fifty languages, the experience left me feeling nurtured and cherished by my family. As a result, I grew into who I am today, enriched by their presence in my life.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I spent most of my formative years in the Inland Empire, specifically Fontana. I was always the quiet one in the classroom with a sketchbook in hand, lost in my own world as I focused intently on bringing my drawings to life. From an early age, I harbored a deep-rooted desire to become an animator.

Since Kline was a young girl in the ’90s who loved cartoons, she had dreamed of creating a show similar to “Primos” featuring Mexican American families like her own, as she noticed their representation was lacking on television.

“Kline shares, ‘My family, much like many others in L.A., is a multicultural mix.’ Personally, my family falls under the bicultural umbrella. I sought to portray this diversity on screen – showcasing various skin tones and the interwoven cultural strands that enrich a large family.”

Tater, center, with her Pop, Buela, baby brother, father and mother in “Primos.”
(Disney Branded Television)

“Primos” is set in a made-up Los Angeles community that mirrors the Inland Empire towns where Kline and her art director Ivan Aguirre spent their childhoods. The show’s color scheme is designed to evoke the vivid tones they recall from the summertime smog of the ’90s, bringing a personal touch based on their real-life experiences.

The way the Ramirez-Humphrey family functions is similar to Kline’s upbringing. Her mother, similarly named Bibi, had consistently encouraged her artistic pursuits and dreams, much like Kline’s own experience with her mom. Her father, Bud, initially struggled to comprehend the potential in her career choice until she secured her first job on “South Park,” just as Kline’s dad did. Moreover, the family consists of a brother and a sister, similar to Kline’s immediate relatives. However, unlike Tater who has 12 cousins, Kline comes from a larger family with 23 cousins.

Kline admitted that the criticism leveled against “Primos” following the unveiling of its opening credits last June was initially hard to endure. Several aspects of the show were pointed out by online viewers as issues, such as incorrect Spanish grammar in the theme song, a town name linked to earthquakes, and a yellow-tinted skyline. This yellow hue is commonly employed in Mexican-themed Hollywood productions to create a sense of cultural distinction.

“Kline shares, ‘I created the show as a means to explore my roots and heritage.’ This was his initial experience receiving public response, making it intriguing for him. … I believe people’s reactions hold significance.”

Instead of focusing on the downside, Kline viewed the incident as merely an aspect of producing a show.

Kline acknowledged, “As an artist creating for public consumption, it’s expected that you receive comments. I received feedback consistently throughout the process – from executives and my team. I value this input and will consider it as I move forward.”

“Primos” creator Natasha Kline holding up Tater’s diary.
(Brittany Bravo / For The Times)

Since the publication of their video a year ago, the “Primos” team has taken steps to emphasize that the show is set in a Los Angeles neighborhood. Previously, Tater’s hometown was referred to as Terremoto Heights, reflecting the importance of earthquake awareness in L.A. This name also paid tribute to the numerous Southern California cities and streets with Spanish origins. The location has since been renamed Hacienda Hills, honoring where Kline’s mother grew up.

“I’ve always considered this production a representation of L.A., personally,” Kline shares. “So we adjusted certain elements to emphasize that connection since I’m deeply fond of this city. If there were ways to make the show more authentically reflect its Los Angeles roots, then we wanted to explore those possibilities. That was my plan from the start.”

For Kline, “Primos” was a deeply personal production. Yet, it wasn’t a solitary endeavor. The writers’ room was filled with individuals whose lives mirrored the show’s essence and were passionate about sharing these stories. According to Kline, her team was equally engaged as they recognized their own experiences portrayed on the screen.

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1. Tater’s community bears resemblance to cities such as Fontana and Riverside. (Disney Branded Television)

Kline also sought the recollections of her cousins about their shared summer experiences during their childhood to enrich the stories and characters in her work.

“According to Kline, his cousins are really looking forward to the show and have even inquired about which characters represent them and who wasn’t included. However, he assures that everyone is included in some way, as the production reflects a mix of their unique personalities.”

I’m thrilled that I had the opportunity to work alongside my cherished cousins on a show that pays homage to the profound impact they’ve had on me, as for Kline.

“According to Kline, his cousins were his earliest companions. They appreciated and encouraged him, even when he was quite shy and academic. They consistently told him, ‘You’ll be fantastic one day. You’re already amazing.’ Receiving this encouragement and friendship from a young age significantly influenced my personal growth.”

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2024-07-18 19:58