Thursday, September 08, 2011

LAIKA Produces

The Portland animation studio picks up a new book to adapt to the big screen:

LAIKA has optioned "Wildwood," the debut HarperCollins children's novel written by Colin Meloy, lead singer and songwriter for The Decemberists, with illustrations by award-winning artist Carson Ellis. ...

"Hands down, there is no other movie studio in the entire world besides LAIKA that I would entrust Wildwood to," said Mr. Meloy. "Carson and I were prepared to stonewall any and all suitors for the movie rights, so close was this book to our hearts. However, when LAIKA came calling, our defenses promptly came down. ..."

LAIKA has employed a number of TAG members over the years. Some worked on Henry Selick's Coraline, others worked on projects that didn't make it to completion and distribution. (TAG's President Robert Foster was there for a time, working on a film that was later cancelled.)

I've received varying reports on the working conditions at the studio. From the information received, I gather that some features have been more pleasurable to work on than others, but isn't that generally the way? With luck, Wildwood will turn into a franchise builder for the studio.

3 comments:

Floyd Norman said...

"Carson and I were prepared to stonewall any and all suitors for the movie rights, so close was this book to our hearts."

So, you don't want to sell your precious book to slimey Hollywood for some big bucks, right?

Anonymous said...

In what animation medium will they adapt the book? CG, stop-motion or hand-drawn?

Anonymous said...

Jeez Floyd you've been in this business long enough to not read press release quotes as anything other than hype. Though, believe it or not there are some authors who really don't need Hollywood. Meloy's had a pretty good year with his day job, he can afford to be picky.

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