Charles Henry Selick Jr.(/ˈsɛlɪk/;born November 30, 1952) is an American filmmaker and animator. He is known for hisgothic horror filmsand for directing thestop-motionanimated filmsThe Nightmare Before Christmas(1993),James and the Giant Peach(1996),Monkeybone(2001),Coraline(2009), andWendell & Wild(2022). Selick is also known for his collaborations with the late voice actor and artistJoe Ranft.
Henry Selick | |
|---|---|
 Selick speaks on a panel duringSouth by Southwest2009 | |
| Born | November 30, 1952 |
| Education | Rutgers University Syracuse University California Institute of the Arts |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
Early life
editSelick was born on November 30, 1952 inGlen Ridge, New Jersey,the son of Melanie (née Molan) and Charles H. Selick.[1][2]He was raised inRumson.[3]Selick did little but draw from ages 3 to 12. His fascination with animation came at a young age, when he sawLotte Reiniger's stop-motion filmThe Adventures of Prince Achmedand the animated creatures ofThe 7th Voyage of SinbadbyRay Harryhausen.He graduated fromRumson-Fair Haven High Schoolin 1970.[4]
After studying science atRutgers Universityin New Brunswick and art atSyracuse UniversityandCentral Saint Martins College of Art and Designin London, Selick eventually enrolled at theCalifornia Institute of the Arts(CalArts) to study animation. He studied at the Program in Experimental Animation atCalifornia Institute of the Artsunder the guidance ofJules Engel.His two student films there,PhasesandTube Tales,were nominated forStudent Academy Awards.[5]
Film work
editDisney
editAfter his academic studies, he went to work forWalt Disney Studiosas an "in-betweener"and animator trainee on such films asPete's DragonandThe Small One.During his time at Disney, he met and worked around the likes ofRick Heinrichs,Jorgen Klubien,Brad Bird,John Musker,Dan Haskett,Sue andBill Kroyer,Ed Gombert, Andy Gaskill, andTim Burton.Burton served as producer on Selick's first two films as director, the Disney-producedThe Nightmare Before ChristmasandJames and the Giant Peach.Years later, Selick claimed he learned a lot to improve his drawing, animation, and storytelling skills from Disney legendEric Larson.
Further work
editSelick's third feature wasMonkeybone,a live-action/stop-motion adaptation of an underground comic,Dark Townby Kaja Blackley, produced by20th Century Fox.The film was a flop both commercially and critically. Selick later admitted his unhappiness with the final product and has since vowed to never make another live-action film again.[6]Selick, who animated the fictional sea creatures inWes Anderson'sThe Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou,signed on asanimation directoron Anderson'sFantastic Mr. Fox.[7]In February 2006, Selick left the project, to work onCoralineforLaika.[8]Selick, who kept in contact with Anderson, said the director would act out scenes inFantastic Mr. Foxwhile in Paris and send them to the animators viaiPhone.[9]
Coraline(2009)
editSelick's first feature withLaika, LLCwasCoraline,based on the novellaCoralineby acclaimed fantasy authorNeil Gaiman,and released in 2009. It was the first everstereoscopic 3Dstop-motion animated film.[10]The film received generally positive reviews from critics.Coralinewas nominated for Best Animated Feature as anAcademy Award,aBAFTA,and aGolden Globe.
Work with Pixar
editSelick left Laika in 2009.[11]In 2010, Selick joined withPixarandThe Walt Disney Companyin a long-term contract to exclusively produce stop-motion films.[12]This not only returned Selick to his original roots, but also reunited Selick with numerous former friends and co-animators. His new studio, called Cinderbiter Productions, was self-described as "a new stop motion company whose mandate is to make great, scary films for young 'uns with a small, tight-knit crew who watch each other's backs."[13]
Selick and Cinderbiter's first film under this deal, a project calledShadeMaker,was set to be released on October 4, 2013.[14]In 2011, the film was green-lit for production and retitledThe Shadow King.[15]In August 2012, it was reported that, after spending a reported $50 million,Walt Disney Picturescanceled the project,[16]due to "a creative and scheduling standpoint, the pic wasn't where it needed to be to meet its planned release date." Disney gave Selick the option to shop the project to another studio.[15][17]Selick revealed in 2022 that the film suffered from interference from then-CCO of PixarJohn Lasseter,who he claimed came in and constantly changed elements of the script and production that ended up ballooning the budget.[18]Selick said that he had reacquired the rights forThe Shadow Kingfrom Disney and that he may revive the project.[19]
On April 28, 2012, it was announced that Disney had optioned the rights forNeil Gaiman's novelThe Graveyard Book.Later that same day, it was announced that Selick would direct the film after work was completed onShadeMaker.It was unknown if the adaptation would be live-action or stop motion.[20]After the studio and Selick parted ways over scheduling and development, it was announced in January 2013 thatRon Howardwould direct the film.[21]
In February 2013, it was reported in a press release by Selick that K5 International would be handling sales forThe Shadow Kingat theEuropean Film Market.[22]It was unknown when the film would actually be released. In August 2016, a rep for Selick said the film was "in turnaround again" while Selick continued work on his other two projects:A Tale Dark and GrimmandWendell and Wild.[23]
On October 16, 2013, Selick announced a live-action film adaptation ofAdam Gidwitz's children's novelA Tale Dark and Grimm.[24]As of 2023, no further updates on the project have been given.
Wendell & Wild(2022)
editOn November 3, 2015, it was reported that Selick was developingWendell & Wild,a new stop-motion feature withJordan PeeleandKeegan-Michael Keybased on an original story by Selick.[25]In 2018, the film was picked up byNetflix.[26]The film was released on October 28, 2022, on Netflix.[27]
Upcoming projects
editIn June 2017, Selick was reported to direct the pilot and subsequent episodes of aLittle NightmaresTV adaptation produced by theRusso brothers.[28]
In June 2024, it was announced that Selick was developing a stop-motion film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's 2013 novelThe Ocean at the End of the Lane,as well as revivingThe Shadow Kingas a graphic novel.[29]In August that year, Selick impliedThe Ocean at the End of the Lanewas back in limbo, saying in an interview while promoting the theatrical re-release ofCoraline,"I would hope that it might still come together, but I have no predictions."[30]
Filmography
editShort films
edit| Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Writer | Producer | |||
| 1975 | Tube Tales | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 1977 | Phases | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 1981 | Seepage | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 1991 | Slow Bob in the Lower Dimensions | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2005 | Moongirl | Yes | Yes | No | Also voice actor |
Feature films
edit| Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director | Producer | Writer | |||
| 1993 | The Nightmare Before Christmas | Yes | No | No | |
| 1996 | James and the Giant Peach | Yes | Co-producer | No | |
| 2001 | Monkeybone | Yes | Executive | No | |
| 2009 | Coraline | Yes | Yes | Yes | Also production designer |
| 2022 | Wendell & Wild | Yes | Yes | Yes | [27] |
Others
edit- Pete's Dragon(1977) (inbetweener)
- The Small One(1978) (animator)
- The Watcher in the Woods(1980) (designer of the alien)
- Twice Upon a Time(1983) (sequence director)
- Return to Oz(1985) (storyboard artist)
- Nutcracker: The Motion Picture(1986) (visual adaptation)
- MTVID's: "Gravity", "Masks '87", "Dollhouse M", "Bath for Dad", "Haircut M", "Xerox Bug" (1987–1990)
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit(1988) (inbetweener)
- The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou(2004) (animation by)
Preservation
editIn 2012, theAcademy Film Archivepreserved several of Selick's short films:Phases,Seepage,andTube Tales.[31]
References
edit- ^Block, Maxine; Rothe, Anna Herthe; Candee, Marjorie Dent (2009).Current Biography Yearbook - Google Books.Archivedfrom the original on June 29, 2023.RetrievedAugust 9,2013– viaGoogle Books.
- ^"CHARLES H. SELICK, 80, of RUMSON".Asbury Park Press.May 4, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on September 14, 2016.RetrievedJuly 6,2017.
- ^Beckerman, Jim."A FUZZY NIGHTMARE, BROUGHT TO SCREEN",The Record (Bergen County),April 7, 1996. Accessed December 13, 2007. "We were literally rolling a 20-foot peach,says Selick, a Rumson native... "
- ^Staff."Filmmakers, students present their work at annual film festival"ArchivedJune 16, 2023, at theWayback Machine,The Monmouth Journal,June 19, 2019. Accessed October 4, 2019. "In February, the Film Club went to a local theater complex to viewCoraline,a major feature film created by another RFH graduate. Henry Selick, RFH Class of 1970, adapted the children's story for the screen and directed the stop-action animation film that some theaters showed in 3-D. "
- ^"Henry Selick biography".Tribute.ca.Archivedfrom the original on September 15, 2018.RetrievedSeptember 17,2018.
- ^"Coraline Director Reflects on Brendan Fraser's Monkeybone Bombing".Screen Rant.November 7, 2022.
- ^Gritten, David (November 17, 2007)."The Darjeeling Limited: Who needs a film set in LA when you have a speeding train in India?".The Telegraph.London. Archived fromthe originalon November 18, 2007.RetrievedMarch 19,2022.
- ^"Selick no longer at work on The Fantastic Mr. Fox".Ain't It Cool News.February 15, 2006.Archivedfrom the original on May 7, 2006.RetrievedMarch 19,2022.
- ^Steve Prokopy (February 2, 2009)."Capone Talks with CORALINE Director and Wizard Master Henry Selick!!!".Ain't It Cool News.Archivedfrom the original on February 5, 2009.RetrievedMarch 19,2022.
- ^Dunlop, Renee. February 12, 2009Coraline; One Step at a Time for the Puppet of a Thousand FacesArchivedJanuary 10, 2012, at theWayback Machine
- ^Kapko, Matt (October 6, 2009)."Breaking News: Henry Selick Leaves Laika".Animation World Network.Archivedfrom the original on October 12, 2012.RetrievedNovember 12,2009.
- ^Cunningham, Joe."Henry Selick To Join Disney/Pixar".Front Row Reviews.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2013.
- ^Amidi, Amid (December 20, 2010)."Henry Selick's New Studio Cinderbiter Hiring Head of Story".Cartoon Brew.Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2012.RetrievedAugust 9,2013.
- ^"Disney Setting Marvel and Pixar Mystery Films for 2014; New Henry Selick Film on October 4, 2013 | Collider | Page 108082".Collider.Archivedfrom the original on June 5, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2013.
- ^abstaff (February 4, 2013)."Henry Selick revives 'Shadow King': Josh Penn produces stop-motion project".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 22, 2022.RetrievedMarch 8,2013.
- ^Fritz, Ben (September 13, 2012)."Disney takes $50 million write-down on canceled animation project".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 17, 2013.RetrievedMarch 8,2013.
- ^Graser, Marc."Disney pulls plug on Selick stop-motion pic".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on August 17, 2012.RetrievedAugust 17,2012.
- ^"The 'plagues' of Wendell & Wild: fires, ice storms, rioters, and COVID-19".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2022.RetrievedOctober 4,2022.
- ^Watson, Madalyn (November 7, 2022)."'The Shadow King': Henry Selick Reveals He Got the Rights Back to Scrapped Disney Project ".Collider.Archivedfrom the original on March 10, 2023.RetrievedMarch 10,2023.
- ^"Disney Acquires Neil Gaiman's 'The Graveyard Book' Adaptation [Updated]".Screenrant. April 27, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on November 12, 2013.RetrievedAugust 9,2013.
- ^"Ron Howard in Talks to Direct Disney's 'Graveyard Book' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.January 22, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on October 26, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 22,2013.
- ^Goldberg, Matt (February 5, 2013)."Henry Selick's THE SHADOW KING Finally Moves Forward; Plot Synopsis Revealed".Collider.Archivedfrom the original on February 8, 2013.RetrievedMarch 9,2013.
- ^Rome, Emily (August 25, 2016)."'Kubo' studio Laika moves forward while 'Coraline' fans wait for the next project from Henry Selick ".Archivedfrom the original on February 19, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 19,2017.
- ^"Henry Selick Gives Up Animation For" A Tale Dark and Grimm "".October 16, 2013.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2013.RetrievedOctober 21,2013.
- ^Flores, Terry (November 3, 2015)."Henry Selick, Key & Peele Developing Animated Feature 'Wendell and Wild' (EXCLUSIVE)".Archivedfrom the original on September 24, 2021.RetrievedDecember 11,2017.
- ^Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 14, 2018)."Netflix Wins Stop-Motion Animated 'Wendell And Wild': Henry Selick, Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key Aboard".Deadline Hollywood.Penske Media Corporation.Archivedfrom the original on March 14, 2018.RetrievedMay 23,2021.
- ^abKing, Jack (March 14, 2022)."'Wendell & Wild' Teaser Announces Ving Rhames, David Harewood, and More Joining Voice Cast ".Collider.Archivedfrom the original on October 6, 2022.RetrievedMarch 15,2022.
- ^Kit, Borys (June 12, 2017)."The Russo Brothers Adapting Video Game 'Little Nightmares' for TV (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on January 8, 2020.RetrievedJanuary 3,2020.
- ^Croll, Ben (June 11, 2024)."Henry Selick Developing 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' With Neil Gaiman, Will Revive 'The Shadow King' as Graphic Novel".Variety.RetrievedJuly 11,2024.
- ^Garside, Megan (August 14, 2024)."Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas director Henry Selick says it's" incredibly rewarding "seeing them celebrate major anniversaries, but they probably won't get sequels anytime soon".GamesRadar+.
- ^"Preserved Projects".Academy Film Archive.Archivedfrom the original on October 1, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 21,2020.
External links
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