Artistic Collaboration

Have you seen Coraline, the stop-motion 3D film that was based on Neil Gaiman's book Coraline? Having watched it for the third time this evening while in a drunken stupor of yet more allergy medicine, this time around I didn't follow the story line but instead...watched. I studied every detail and wondered...how?

And what a treat to find that this time the movie was followed by a short Making of Coraline film. Almost everything was handmade. Starting with Neil Gaiman handwriting the story into a book, using several different color inks depending on what pen was on hand, to the handmade puppets and little hand knit sweaters. It could take days for a three second piece as they posed and shot each tiny movement.

Big deal? Probably to some. But pure magic to me. I wonder how many people who have seen the movie realize the true artistry that it took to create this film, and others like it. The collaboration of many artists all working together to bring this story to life. And if you watch the movie with this in mind your senses swirl in a colorful dance of music and imagery (or perhaps it was the allergy meds).

And it reminds me of childhood dreams when I'd watch The Muppets on tv. Open-mouthed I fell in love with the characters Animal and the mice. And on one occasion when they showed the puppeteers working to bring these characters to life, I fell in love. I wanted to be a puppeteer. I wanted to bring something to life like that. I forgot about that dream. But Coraline brings that back to mind. I don't think I'd have the patience to work on something so intrinsic but wow....one can surely dream.