Weston Woods Studios
| |
Publishing Company | |
Industry | Film |
Founded | 1953 |
Founder | Morton Schindel |
Headquarters | Weston, Connecticut, USA |
Key people | Richard Robinson (CEO) |
Parent | Scholastic Corporation |
Weston Woods Studios (or simply Weston Woods) is a production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children. It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded area near his home. The company's first project was Andy and the Lion in 1954, and its first animated film was The Snowy Day in 1963. [1] Starting in 1968, Weston Woods began a long collaboration with animator Gene Deitch and opened international offices in Henley-on-Thames, England, UK, in 1972; Canada in 1975; and Australia in 1977. In addition to making the films, the company also conducted interviews with the writers, illustrators, and makers of the films. The films appeared on children's television programs such as Captain Kangaroo and Eureeka's Castle.[2] In the mid-1980s, the films were released on VHS under the Children's Circle titles, and Wood Knapp Video distributed these releases from 1988 to 1995.
Beginning in 1968, the company also made filmstrips and audio recordings synchronized to them, which became known as the Picture Book Parade. Many of these recordings were narrated by actor Owen Jordan and were different recordings from the films.
In 1996, the company was acquired by Scholastic Corporation.[3]
Selected filmography
- 1954 - Andy and the Lion
- 1955 - Make Way for Ducklings
- 1955 - The Story about Ping
- 1955 - La Sopa De Predras
- 1957 - Lentil
- 1959 - Harold and the Purple Crayon
- 1963 - The Snowy Day
- 1964 - Lively Art Of Picture Books
- 1966 - Maurice Sendak
- 1969 - Drummer Hoff
- 1970 - Rosie's Walk
- 1971 - The Twelve Days of Christmas
- 1971 - A Picture for Harold's Room
- 1971 - In a Spring Garden
- 1971 - The Foolish Frog
- 1972 - The Three Robbers
- 1972 - Changes Changes
- 1974 - The Beast of Monsieur Racine [4]
- 1975 - Where the Wild Things Are
- 1976 - How A Picture Book Is Made
- 1977- Gene Deitch: The Picture Book Animated [5]
- 1979 - Smile for Auntie [6]
- 1980 - Georgie
- 1980 - Teeny-Tiny and the Witch-Woman
- 1981 - Morton Schindel: From Page to Screen
- 1982 - Fourteen Rats and a Rat Catcher
- 1982 - Morris's Disappearing Bag[7]
- 1984 - Corduroy
- 1984 - Doctor DeSoto (Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film nominee) [8]
- 1985 - Happy Birthday, Moon
- 1988 - Joey Runs Away
- 1988 - The Caterpillar and the Polliwog
- 1991 - Flossie & the Fox
- 1995 - Owen
- 1996 - Harry the Dirty Dog
- 1998 - Chrysanthemum
- 1998 - Good Night, Gorilla
- 1999 - Chicka Chicka Boom Boom [9]
- 1999 - Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin!
- 2000 - Antarctic Antics
- 2001 - Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
- 2001 - Trashy Town
- 2002 - There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly
- 2002 - Waiting for Wings
- 2003 - Dem Bones
- 2003 - Come On, Rain!
- 2004 - Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3
- 2004 - Duck for President
- 2004 - Over in the Meadow
- 2004 - The Wheels on the Bus
- 2005 - Bear Snores On
- 2007 - Dooby Dooby Moo
- 2007 - Knuffle Bunny
- 2007 - Leonardo the Terrible Monster
- 2009 - Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
- 2010 - Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
- 2010 - The Pigeon Finds A Hot Dog
- 2011 - Children Make Terrible Pets!
- 2011 - Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late
- 2013 - Hooray for Amanda and Her Alligator
- 2014 - The Duckling Gets A Cookie!?
- 2015 - Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs
- 2015 - That Is NOT A Good Idea! [10]
DVD releases
In 2002, a DVD collection of Weston Woods films entitled Scholastic Video Collection was released. It was released under the title Scholastic Storybook Treasures..
- Where the Wild Things Are and more Maurice Sendak Stories (September 24, 2002)
- Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Lots More Learning Fun (September 24, 2002)
- Chrysantheum and More Kevin Henkes Stories (September 24, 2002)
- The Night Before Christmas and More Christmas Stories (September 24, 2002)
- Good Night Gorilla and More Bedtime Stories (2003)
- 'Miss Nelson Has A Field Day and Miss Nelson Is Back (2003)
See also
References
- ↑ Obituary: Morton Schindel-Publishers Weekly
- ↑ "Hand-to-hand Comedy" (7 September 1990). Retrieved on 25 October 2008
- ↑ "Scholastic—About Us", Retrieved on 25 October 2008
- ↑ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1975-Cartoon Research
- ↑ Internet Archive
- ↑ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1979-Cartoon Research
- ↑ Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award-1983-Cartoon Research
- ↑ Short Film Oscar® Winners in 1985-YouTube
- ↑ Weston Woods Studios Directory, Page 3-BCDB
- ↑ Weston Woods Studios, Willems win 2016 Carnegie Medal for “That Is NOT a Good Idea!”-News and Press Center
External links
- Scholastic Corporation Web Site
- Weston Woods Studios on IMDbPro (subscription required)
- Weston Woods on BCDB.com