The two protagonists, Chester Segar and Elzie Gould, share their names with cartoonists E.C. Segar, creator of Popeye and Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy.
Under the dust jacket of all prop copies of Chester Segar's graphic novel "The Dream Machine" are copies of Director Nate Neal 's graphic novel "The Sanctuary" published by Fantagraphics Books in 2010.
The Italian lyrics of Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, used as score throughout the movie, sometimes mirror the ambitions of the characters. For example, while Chester preforms the drudgery of his daily work routine the lyrics heard are, " Night and day I slave for one who does not appreciate it. I put up with wind and rain, eat and sleep badly. I want to be a gentleman and to give up my servitude." Later when Don Ism arrives to crash the dinner party, the lyrics heard are, "You invited me to dinner and I have come!"
There are only two tracking shots in the entire movie and only five hand-held shots. Every other shot is static (except for pans).
The Minkoff office scenes were shot in the MetLife Building above Grand Central Station, Manhattan.