There are visual references to Tim Burton and Alfred Hitchcock throughout the film, such as Yoy's black and white striped socks and Yoy's house (modeled after the mansion in Hitchcock's Psycho (1960)) as nods from director 'Brent Boltri' to those who inspired him.
The actors who played Yoy and Maven have never met although the characters embrace each other several times in the film (using crew member stand-ins).
A new scene was created six months after principal photography wrapped in order to clarify the plot after test screenings left some audience members confused.
Some of the most intricate sets, including the tree house and the basement, were constructed in the director's living room due to a lack of soundstage space in the area.