The Eisenberg brothers both graduated from Westfield High School, Aaron in 2007 and Will in 2008. After attending different colleges, they moved to Los Angeles and have been writing together for about six years.
“We feel really lucky to have each other as collaborators,” Will Eisenberg told TAPinto Westfield. “Our skill sets complement each other. Plus, with our comfort level, we don't really need to filter our opinions or avoid creative conflict for the sake of politeness. We know that, at the end of the day, we're still going to be having Thanksgiving dinner together.”
Albert: The Little Tree with Big Dreams tells the story of Albert, a two-foot Douglas fir tree, who is obsessed with Christmas but has never been picked to be a family Christmas tree. When he hears that the search is on for the famous New York City Christmas tree, he sets out to accomplish the ultimate dream with the help of his two friends.
L-R: Maisie, Gene, Cactus Pete, and Albert in Nickelodeon’s TV movie, Albert.
“One thing that we've always tried to be very conscious of when writing was not to think of our stories as just for kids,” Will Eisenberg said. “When we watched TV and films growing up, we never liked feeling as if we were being talked down to. In that spirit, we wrote with what we hope is a tone that all ages can enjoy-one that mixes irreverence and edginess with a big-hearted message.”
The Eisenberg brothers wrote Albert a few years ago and originally pitched it as a feature film. After finishing their first TV movie at Nickelodeon, Massively Mixed Up Middle School Mystery, they mentioned it to their producers and the rest fell into place.
“The network ordered Albert as a TV feature and a book, simultaneously,” Will Eisenberg said. “We couldn't say no. Nickelodeon was a perfect fit and TV, as it turns out, a perfect outlet for a holiday movie."
The movie is set to air on Nickelodeon USA on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. EST, and worldwide soon after. Nickelodeon's brand-new animated TV movie features a star-studded cast, including Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live) in the title role; Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live) as Maisie, the persistently positive palm tree; Judah Friedlander (30 Rock) as Gene, the abrasive and blisteringly honest weed; Rob Riggle (21 Jump Street) as Cactus Pete; Cheri Oteri (Saturday Night Live) as a TV news correspondent; Brenna Yde (School of Rock) as Molly, Earth Mama’s granddaughter; John DiMaggio (Adventure Time) as Donny, Molly’s father; and Mary Pat Gleason (Mom) as Earth Mama, the owner and caretaker of the nursery. The hour-long TV movie will also feature two original songs, “The Best Thing That Can Happen to Christmas” and “Christmasiest Christmas,” performed by the voice cast.”
“We think it will air repeatedly throughout the holiday season,” Will Eisenberg said, “so check your local listings.”
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