Hero Complex, the LA Times geek blog, posted some pictures for those of us who can't make it to the San Diego Comic Con of a display of maquettes from Coraline, Henry Selick's 3D stop-motion feature, based on the young adult novel by Neil Gaiman.

Labels: features, Henry Selick, Laika, San Diego Comic Con, stop-motion

Update: The original image that accompanied this post has been replaced at the request of Focus Features.

Ward Jenkins and Neil Gaiman have both put up pointers to a sneak peek of Coraline, directed by Henry Selick based on Gaiman's novel of the same name.

The final film is be the first stop-motion film shot stereoscopically, however this clip is in glorious 2D (otherwise it would just look silly on the Web).

I'm satisfied with this treat. I can wait to see the Other Mother and the Mouse Circus when the film comes out. I don't want to see too much before it's in the cinema. I want to see it as a whole - a solid story, excellent animation, great concepts, striking design - all at once.

Hi-res Quicktime
Lo-res:

[Disclaimer: I am huge fan of both Henry Selick and Neil Gaiman. Huge.]

Previously on fps
Platform: Henry Selick Previews Work on Coraline

Previously on The Critical Eye
Neil Gaiman: The Sandman Scribe on Anime and Miyazaki

Labels: Coraline, features, Henry Selick, Laika, Portland, stop-motion

Animation director Henry Selick gave a special presentation during the Platform International Animation Festival last week. After an extended reel including his (mostly stop-motion) work for MTV, the shorts Slow Bob and the Lower Dimensions from Liquid TV and the entirely CG Moongirl; and the features The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach and Monkeybone, the audience was given a sneak peek into the evolution of the character design for the protagonist in his new directorial effort.

Coraline is based on the award-winning young adult novel of the same name by fantasy author Neil Gaiman. The original cover and illustrations were provided by Gaiman's frequent collaborator Dave McKean (their next collaboration for children is a picture book called Crazy Hair). McKean is known for his incorporation of photo collage in his artwork, but is also a deft illustrator. Although both writer and artist have worked with others, for many, you name one and the other name follows.

Unfortunately, no audio or video recording devices were allowed during the presentation, but I can tell you that I was delighted to see that:

1) The style does not look anything like McKean's. As huge a fan as I am of his work, it seems almost lazy to just go with his style because it's expected of anything associated with Gaiman's work. The medium is different and it's worth coming at the design from a different angle.

2) The new character design, similar to what you see above, really fits the character and the tone of the story. The audience was treated to a short animatic, and Coraline's look and movements make me very hopeful for this adaptation. The talented designers at Laika had me budgeting already for the book featuring conceptual art of the film.

Coraline is slated for theatrical release in late 2008.

Labels: features, festivals, Henry Selick, Laika, Platform, Portland, stop-motion