An expanding universe: NM siblings take the animated route for 'Greñuda into the Paraje'

Paul and Carlos Meyer are always dreaming big.

The New Mexico siblings worked together to create the graphic novel, “Under the Cottonwood Tree.”

The duo is ready to take their universe to the next level with an animated film.

“The stories have been gestating in our heads for what feels like 100 years,” Paul Meyer says. “It’s been a journey to get this next chapter off the ground.”

The Meyer brothers are gearing up to start a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds for the film, “Greñuda into the Paraje.” The campaign will kick off on March 20, at kickstarter.com.

Go inside the world of 'Greñuda into the Paraje'

The film will follow 12-year-old Conchita Sena, a girl who’s as cute as she is innocent.

“If there is such a thing as a “farm-nerd-misfit” that’s her,” Carlos Meyer says.

Conchita’s best friend — actually her only friend — is a goat named Irma.

Because of her often-disheveled appearance, she’s earned the nickname Greñuda (messy-haired) and wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Paul Meyer says life is serene and fulfilling living with her loving mother and father on their small farm in northern New Mexico — until the unfortunate day when Greñuda’s parents somehow disappear.

Greñuda and Irma set off into the Paraje where they will seek out the magical Golden Cottonwood Leaf that hopefully will aid them in finding her parents.

Along the way, they will confront a selection of exciting challenges all drawn from Latinx and native mythology — a shape-shifting Duende (Spanish gnome); a fire breathing Chagüelito (Native American boogeyman); and an Apache boy-warrior named Nitis. All are enemies until they must band together in an effort to prevent Hilario the Seeker from obtaining the ultimate power of the leaf that would allow him and his War Dogs to cross over into the normal world and prevent the reunion of Greñuda and her parents.

Carlos Meyer remembers hearing stories growing up from his mother about how other children were called Greñuda.

“It’s a moment to look back at the stories that we were told,” Carlos Meyer says.

The brothers are looking forward to return to the familiar setting of 1940s New Mexico where magic and adventure await.

They’ve teamed up with animator Maya “Lou” Dite-Shepard to bring the animated world to life.

Paul Meyer says they are still looking for the voice that will bring Greñuda to life and are currently holding auditions for the role.

Paul Meyer will be voicing Nitis.

“I really wanted to honor my maternal great-grandmother Maria Andrea Abelina Lucero (born Montano) who is Apache/Comanche,” he says.

The other voices are chock-full of New Mexico-based talent.

Lauren Poole, who is known for her character Lynette the Burqueña, will voice the goat named Irma.

Meanwhile, Carlos Medina is set to voice both Chagüelito and Duende.

Lora Martinez Cunningham will be bringing gravitas to the off screen presence of Greñuda’s mother.

“We’ve been very lucky to have a lot of New Mexico talent on this journey,” the brothers say. “The story is based in New Mexico. It’s at the heart of the story and we wanted to represent the entire story as true to New Mexico as we could.”

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