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Something Wicked(ly fun) This Way Came

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Santa was extra-good to me during the Christmas season of 2008. I was sent a very special gift. I was one of a handful of people who were specially chosen to receive a handmade gift by Laika to celebrate the completion of and impending release of the stop-motion animated adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s charmingly disturbed young adult novel, Coraline. It probably goes without saying that I was beside myself with glee and while the gift itself was very special it became even more so upon seeing the film. I am a HUGE fan of stop-motion animation, an appreciation and passion that was born of the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials that I looked forward to each and every year on broadcast television. That love was renewed with the release of Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas and in the years since a number of really amazing stop-motions creations have found their way to the big screen and to smaller screens throughout the world.

Well, the insanely creative team at Laika has done it again, this time with the movie ParaNorman. A few months back I received an email asking if I would mind forwarding my mailing address because they would like to send me a special gift. Would I? I couldn’t respond fast enough. Time went buy and I mostly forgot that something was coming my way, though occasionally I would remember and those feelings of nervous anticipation and excitement would arise. And a few weeks ago I walked into my house after work to see the package, pictured above, awaiting me on the living room floor…

I see “Blithe Hollow Cemetery” burned into the top of this crate and already I’m excited, and then I see the Laika logo on the side and everything stops! I feel like the dad in A Christmas Story. I’ve won a “major award” and I want to dance a jig around the room. No one was home on my arrival and so with more patience than I knew I possessed I put my stuff down, let the dog out and got him settled, stopped the answering machine from beeping, grabbed my daughter’s camera and proceeded to slowly, with photographic evidence, unravel the mystery that lay before me.

My first clue that I was in for something weird was that the box was incredibly heavy and that there was something crumbling out of the bottom. It didn’t take the deductive powers of Sherlock Holmes to realize that the bottom of the crate had come loose during shipping and that the contents of the box were spilling out of the bottom. The folks at Laika had done something really cool here and my only regret is that I didn’t get to unwrap this gift in the way they intended. There was no way to pry the top of the crate off in its current condition and so I lifted the entire crate sans bottom off to reveal:

Hmmm…it appears to be A COFFIN!!!!

Had I been able to open the package without the shipping damage what I would have found was a graveside tableau replete with mossy grass covering packed earth, a conveniently placed shovel, and a number of bags tied together containing who knew what mysteries.

I brushed off the dirt, used a lightly damp rag to carefully unveil the detail on the wooden coffin, and again took some time to admire the detail.

As you can see, the detail carved into the lid is exquisite. And the green patina given off from the coloring they added to the dirt gave it an aged look. Then again, 1712? It was old! What…or Who…does this pine drape contain?

I cannot tell you how thrilled I was to discover that the coffin lid was nailed shut!

It was chilling to discover evidence that the occupant had perhaps not always ‘rest[ed] in peace’. Peacefully, or not, the occupant was still very much occupying her final? resting place.

I first removed a role of well-worn paper that revealed itself to be:

and on the back side there was a wonderful hand-written note, made all the more special as it was 100% personal to and about me.

“Dear Carl,
If you are reading this (and evidence suggests you are) then you’ve succeeded in exhuming one of the undead stars of our new film, ParaNorman. And while some may find the gift of a painstakingly handcrafted zombie doll with poseable limbs buried in dirt to be a little “weird”, we suspect it’s right up your alley [ah, they know me too well!].

This is because we have a hunch you were once, like our hero Norman, what some people like to call a “weird kid”. And weird kids have a way of becoming really interesting grown-ups. [The note goes on to talk about the reading challenges that I host, very nice and blush-inducing stuff and that paragraph ends with] Which is all to say that we think you’re a shining example of why weird wins. And in the end, that’s what the movies we make are all about: weird kids trying to find their place in the world.

You’ll notice that your newly unearthed friend is sharing her grave with a selection of actual one-of-a-kind props from ParaNorman that we’ve chosen for you. So when you see the film, you’ll see something that’s yours in it. We think this is fitting, because there’s a lot of you–and weird kids past, present and future–in Norman’s story.

In any case, the former Amelia Wilcott is very pleased to make your acquaintance.

Sincerely,

The ParaNorman Team.”

And here is the aforementioned Mrs. Wilcott, ready to make your acquaintance.

Gotta say I love the creepy ol’ bird! She’s a lot of fun. Very poseable and very well crafted. The fact that this is not some assembly line piece, one of thousands, thrills me beyond words. Thank you Laika!!!

Dear Amelia has her own note attached:

Funeral Director’s Remarks:

Here lies Amelia Wilcott: wife, accuser, custodian of the garden and not-quite-dead-person. She is made out of the finest Puritan silicone flesh, metal wire skeleton and delicately painted skin.

Handle her with care and respect; zombies are not toys for careless children or hungry pets. Mrs. Wilcott is most comfortable resting in peace in her coffin. Before rising from the dead, her home for the last 300 years was a cool, dank cemetery in the town of Blithe Hollow, so her decomposition will hasten under direct sunlight or near a fiery hearth. As she decays further, her skin may become moist or sticky and leave eternal marks on anything she touches. This is normal for zombies and should not be cause for embarrassment or distress.

The various movie props were tied up in gunny sacks that had no doubt lay round the grave site and even though I didn’t need to use the shovel, I felt like a happy child again as I dug carefully through the piles of dirt to unearth my treasures. (Speaking of earth, it probably won’t surprise any of you that I saved a jar full of the practically glowing green and brown dirt.)

One was this row of books which was obviously a secret compartment, for behind its facade lay:

Hmmm…three mysterious letters. What do they contain? I’ll have to wait until I see the film to see if that mystery remains or if it is revealed.

And perhaps the greatest evidence that the ParaNorman Team know there stuff [i.e., me] I dug up a poster for the film Star Adventure and a really cool book, or comic book, Cold Sweat. I suspect these are items from Norman’s room and I cannot wait to try to spot them on the big screen!

And also a very creepy eyeball!!! Strange…..

…and Wonderful!!!

I cannot thank the folks at Laika enough. This is amazing. Really and truly…Wow!!! Amelia has found a good home and she will be cherished forever. Initially, upon arrival, her nocturnal ambling and low moans were unsettling, but after a wayward nibble or two we’ve learned to apply our zombie-repellant gel prior to tucking ourselves in and we can now sleep the sleep of the dead while Mrs. Wilcott does…well, whatever she does at night. We aren’t sure.

I do know that we haven’t seen much of our neighbors’ cats lately.

Hmmm….at any rate, this is a rare gift, hand-picked and hand-crafted just for me and I know how incredibly lucky and blessed I am to receive it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the kind of above-and-beyond move that shows just what a class act you all are. This gift is and will be cherished, please know that. I appreciate every facet of what went into making this and getting it to my front door. People don’t do stuff like this. The fact that you do is even more evidence of how much you love and care about what you do. You inspire me, every one of you, from the people doing set design, making outfits, story-boarding (Hi Vera!), lighting, and on and on and on. You are all–man, woman and zombie–incredible!!!

To learn more about this incredible team, visit Weird Wins.

I am a weird kid, and the internet has helped me embrace that weirdness in ways I never dreamed possible. And for all weird kids out there I want to thank the makers of stop-motion film, in particular the folks at Laika and the ParaNorman Team. I watch and read about the behind-the-scenes on films like this and know that there is a true love and passion that goes into this very labor-intensive, detailed film making process. It is a true art and that art is revealed in the textures and details onscreen. I’m so proud of what you accomplished with Coraline and cannot wait until tomorrow morning to see ParaNorman for myself! My daughter and her fiance hit the midnight showing last night, so the family is representing and proudly displaying our weird/geek pride!

Support stop-motion animation and weird kids everywhere, go see ParaNorman!

For those of you who may or may not be aware, ParaNorman starts today!!! Check out the trailer and stay tuned for my movie review coming soon!

61 thoughts on “Something Wicked(ly fun) This Way Came”

  1. That is incredible and amazingly awesome. It is as though they had a peek around your house at Halloween and created something exactly for you. Congratulations. (I hope you’ll allow me a closer look the next time I’m over.)

    1. Oh, most certainly. You’ll have fun checking it out!

      Have a great trip, by the way!

  2. how wonderful! LOL just the right person to send it to! I can hear the kid in you when you opened it!! I’ve been seeing commercials for the movie and it really looks cute! I have no doubt you will go to see it asap lol…

    1. It was such a fun experience opening this and going through it. I have to admit that I was happy to be all by myself when seeing it all for the first time, that way I could be all wild with my enthusiasm without scaring the wife and kid. Ha!

      Tori told me it was a lot of fun and that she saw some of my props in the film so I’m looking forward to it even more now.

    1. Yes, I was kicking myself this morning that I didn’t show it to you last night. It had completely slipped my mind. Of course we were having some really good conversation, so that is my excuse. Definitely will show you next time you are over.

      1. There were all kinds of conversations we didn’t get to last night.

        Was a lot of fun. Maybe we can get by there this weekend for an outing so the kids can see everything…..

        ….FROM A DISTANCE!

        1. Oh they could look at it up close, it isn’t that fragile. They’d have fun seeing it.

    1. It really is terrific. Can you believe a group of film makers would do stuff like this? It is old school in the most brilliant way.

  6. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. That’s so cool, Carl. I was super excited reading about it. I can’t imagine how wonderful the experience was for you. Embrace your weird side, but I don’t think your weird at all. Cool, funny, and smart — those are words I would use to describe you. Have a wonderful weekend!

    1. Well, I don’t know about that but I’m glad it happened to me.

      And I’m weird, I just have good company, lol!

      You have a wonderful weekend too. The weather here is supposed to be gorgeous.

      1. It wasn’t until I went to college did I accept my weirdness and felt “normal” around others. Not many of the people I went to high school always had their nose in a book. Now some even think I may be slightly cool. The weather here was nice. Blue skies, high 80s, and only one brief rainstorm. I hope the hot temps and humidity are almost over for you. I’ll be in NYC next week and I’m wondering if I’ll melt.

        1. We’ve had gorgeous weather for a week now and this week looks pretty amazing as well. I’ve heard 100’s are in the forecast again for next week and I’m praying that isn’t true as I am so over that.

          I had a few friends in high school that were into art and photography like me and we embraced our weirdness proudly, especially during senior year. But I too never really knew many people, or any people, my age who read SF/F like I did.

          Have a great time in NYC! Hope the weather isn’t horrible for you.

  7. what an awesome gift!! and how very nice to be celebrated for your weirdness. I am glad to see you appreciated! 🙂

    1. Thanks! It was more than I expected and my expectations were high after the Coraline box I got years ago. This is just so cool. Can’t wait to see the movie.

    1. Doesn’t it though? And so perfectly timed as a prelude to the RIP Challenge.

  10. What a gorgeous, incredible, fantastic and thoughtful gift! You are a (well deserved) very lucky fellow indeed and I am soooo jealous! 🙂

    1. I don’t know that it was deserved but it is very much appreciated. And too much fun!

  12. Oh my word, this is SO COOL! Congratulations! I’m even more eager to check out ParaNorman now!

  13. Wow! That’s really beautiful and intricately done – I am very impressed and kind of wish that Laika asked for *my* address 😉 Super cute 🙂

    1. I do for you as well, Aarti. The detail in the coffin lid especially is really amazing.

  18. How completely freakin’ awesome!!! And they absolutely could not have picked better who to receive it!!!

    (And btw, I totally cracked up when you wrote that you’d won a major award! 😀 )

    1. I’m glad someone shares my sense of humor, Debi! All this situation lacked was to have “Fragile” on the crate!

  19. That is so awesome Carl.
    I love the attention to detail in everything. I may even check out the film now 🙂

    1. It is fantastic, isn’t it? I love it. Check back later and I’ll have a review of the film up. Going to see it later this afternoon.

  20. Hi Carl
    What a seriously cool gift. The movie looks brilliant. I loved Coraline and Nightmare Before Christmas.
    Looking forward to your review.
    Lynn 😀

    1. Both of those were great shows, weren’t they? I just watched Coraline again a few weeks ago and we try to work in A Nightmare Before Christmas during the Halloween season every year.

      1. We do the same! I’ve actually just read Coraline. It’s a lovely book, but, I think I actually prefer the film – it’s so colourful and packed with such imagination. I must admit though that it sounds strange actually saying I prefer the film to the book – maybe it’s because I saw the film first?
        Lynn 😀

        1. I’m sure that could be the case. I’ve been that way with some films vs. books. I like both very much. Prefer the book because I read it several times before the film came out but I love the film and don’t mind the changes they made, works perfectly.

  21. Wow Carl, that is awesome. Phenomenal. Super cool. And a lot of other superlatives. Congratulations on the sweet swag. Enjoy the film!

    1. Thanks Logan. I was thinking last night just how truly cool this is. I’m one of 49 people in the entire world who got one of these, and some of the others are people famous in the geek world.

      1. Uh dude! You are a famous geek!!! I’m just glad to be a part of your posse. 🙂

  22. such a cool way to promote a film, and thank fans of the studio! that box is a major easter egg, thanks for all the photos so we could all experience it! 😀

    1. It really is extremely clever and I applaud them for their creativity and passion.

  24. This is so incredibly cool and I got all excited along with you seeing you open the box through the pictures 😀 It’s just ashame it got damaged along the way. Luckily, I’ve seen it from the top on Neil’s blog! I think we’re headed to see Paranorman tonight!

    1. Thanks Chris. It was fun. I wish it hadn’t gotten damaged too. I’ll have to check out Neil’s blog. I saw that Veronica Belmont, of Sword and Laser fame, got the same character as I did and she did a video of it:

      http://youtu.be/xhjT9CPTIHk

  25. too cool for school! lucky, LUCKY you!
    Paranorman is definitely a movie i’ll be seeing! GEEKS n WEIRDOS RULE!!! 😀

  26. That’s awesome, Carl! It is too bad it got damaged along the way, but still enjoyable. Like Chris said, though, I also saw it on Neil’s blog. 🙂

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