Weird Kidz’ ‘The Take Pride ElinPaso

For many artists and creators, their hometowns are synonymous with their creative outlet as they tend to stand as important factors within the work. This is true of Zach Passero, an animator who grew up in El Paso and whose most recent work, a fully-animated film titled “The Weird Kidz,” recently had a special screening at the Plaza Theatre hosted by CreativElPaso and El Paso Film Festival.

Having grown up in El Paso during the 1980s as a latch-key kid, Passero’s “The Weird Kidz” is filled with personally-treasured memories of childhood memories.

“The Weird Kidz takes place in 1985,” said Passero. “I grew up off Westside Dr. near Highway 28. There was a strange freedom in all of that. The parents were busy with work and their lives, and the kids were trusted to go about their business and be home in time for meals.

“The Weird Kidz” sits in that sense of freedom and adventure of being a ʻlatchkeyʻ kid. I think some modern viewers will sense the difference there in the way kids are living today, and those who grew up back then will perhaps get a ping of nostalgia.”

Passero graduated from Coronado High School and then went on to attend the University of Southern California Film School. After graduating, he returned to his hometown, working as an editor and VFX work. Most recently, he edited the Texas-centric political documentary “The Pushback” and “First Date,” which was selected for the 2020 Sundance Festival. Passero has also created music videos for artists such as Ministry, Jim White, Califone, and Jim Ward.

Even though Passero moved away from El Paso, mostly to big cities in California like Los Angeles and San Francisco, Passero said he “loves coming back to El Paso.”

“That was where I met ‘The Weird Kidz’ producer Lucky McKee and made most of the deep creative friendships that have lasted in my life since,” said Passero. “I found the core people who love to create together and work on one anotherʻs projects. That core creative family has expanded over the years as we finished film school, started working, and expanded out into the world; as we’ve found kindred spirits. But I love El Paso. For me this place, the people, the culture, the desert are all really inspiring to me.”

That inspiration is evident in “The Weird Kidz,” the animated feature that took Passero eight years to make.

The film is entirely written and single-handedly animated by Passero and follows a 1980s cinematic zeitgeist of young people experiencing a “coming of age” time in their lives filled with adventures, some horrors, and commodore.

The feature sees a group of pre-teen boys, an older brother and his girlfriend take off for a weekend campout only to encounter a desertic creature known as “The Night Child.” As the jovial group sets out on their trip, they not only encounter “The Night Child,” but also many conversations and experiences that tend to mark the transition from children into teenage years.

“The Weird Kidz” borrows from 1980s staples like convenient stores and arcades, as well as local folklore to drive a nostalgic narrative told through animation, making it relatable and enjoyable in today’s zeitgeist where many stories are told digitally through devices.

Passero said that his own experiences as a teenager in El Paso is something that he wanted to relay to his own children through “The Weird Kidz.”

“When they do finally get to experience the whole story, I like that they’ll see a film that features shifts of empathy and understanding of the characters of one another and the world around them,” said Passero. “I like that they’ll see a group of friends that are just who they are and wonderful and accepted in their group for it. And I like that theyʻll see a film that celebrates the adventures and camaraderie that groups of friends create and go on together.”

As for the animated features future, Passero said he is simply excited to continue showing it to different audiences.

“Now that it is done, I want to share it with audiences everywhere,” said Passero. “With the festivals that ‘The Weird Kidz’ has been lining up, that is just starting to happen and it feels great. Ultimately, the goal is to get it distributed. Hopefully it makes it a little easier to make the next film. I’m itching to start work on something new, putting the lessons used in making this film to work on the next.”

Circa 1963 is located in the heart of downtown El Paso on the 5th floor of Hotel Indigo. Our rooftop bar has a cozy terrace and outdoor patio with stunning views of El Paso and our breathtaking Franklin Mountains. Circa 1963 offers a beautiful ambiance to unwind.

| By: ERIN COULEHAN |