Monday, July 13, 2009

Why wasn't I informed???

What? There's a new Harry Potter movie coming out this week? And there are seven of those books???? Huh. Who knew?

And speaking of movies from children's books (nice segue, eh?), do any of you have an opinion on the odds of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs living up to the fun of the picture book? I'm sure the special effects will be good enough to eat, but you could say I'm a bit nervous here. Am I alone in that feeling?

7 comments:

All About the Books said...

I felt the same concern about Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. I was delighted with the results of Jumanji, but had a hard time imagining how Polar Express would translate to a feature film even with the star power of Tom Hanks attached. As for Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs...it's a favorite read aloud with classes...so imaginative and fun. What will happen with the plot in an attmept to create a film length work?

Christine said...

The bits of animation I've seen from "Cloudy" don't nearly live up to the charm and originality of the original picture book so I am a little worried. Maybe I'm just still feeling betrayed by the movie version of "Despereaux," which I felt was the film adaptaption equivalent of taking a Picasso and folding it into a paper airplane.

(Hmmm...I didn't realize what a touchy subject this was for me till I just re-read my comment!)

storyqueen said...

Have you seen the trailer for "Where the Wild Things Are?" It looks completely awesome. Of course, it looks like there is a whole Max-backstory, but they've got some time to fill....

Enjoy your blog a lot!

Shelley

Anonymous said...

Wonderful site Gregory! I am delighted! I look forward to following and sharing ideas.

Susie Chodakiewitz,
Author
Founder, Booksicals - Encouraging
reading through the arts.
www.booksicals.com

susanchodak said...

I just finished writing the musical to my new picture book Too Many Visitors for One Little House. I thought it would be easy...it took six months to get the right format! Now that it's done, it seems so obvious. It takes quite a bit of craft to stay true to the picture book format especially because I want kids to continue to want to READ the book as opposed to watch it. The aim is to encourage reading through the arts and not to substitute reading for the visual media. I welcome your thoughts on this.

Susie Chodakiewitz
Founder, Booksicals
Encouraging Reading Through the Arts

Greg Pincus said...

Susan - I think it's great to encourage kids to read no matter what you do, but I think that whether you're turning a book into a musical, feature film, or something else, the most important thing is to make it work in THAT medium. Hollywood studios don't make features to encourage reading - they make them to make a profit. That's led to some lousy picture book adaptations, in my opinion, but that's a different issue!

Personally, I love musicals, so I applaud your efforts. And I do agree that the different media don't have to be exclusionary. Still, I don't think that means you have to stay "true" to the source material in every way. If so, no PB could ever be a movie as there's just not enough "there" there!

susan chodakiewitz said...

Hi Gregory- Totally agree with you about making the best story for the Medium. What ever it takes...

As for my goal with Booksicals...

I am thrilled at the response I'm getting from parents telling me that after seeing a Booksicals performance their kids are running home to read the book or asking to have the book read and re-read to them. Then they go about the house acting and singing the chorus!

I find this very exciting news!