“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
A little over a month ago I was privileged to be able to share with you an interview with artist Lisa Snellings. The last comment (currently) in that post was from someone named ‘Coraline’ that read, “Hi there! I’ve got a question for you – can you please email me at [email address removed]”. The link to Coraline’s name took me to a website featuring information on the forthcoming film of the same name based on the beloved contemporary children’s classic by author Neil Gaiman.
With great anticipation I sent off an email and quickly received a response from one of the members of the Coraline Team, the group of animators who worked with director Henry Selick to bring Neil Gaiman’s book to life.
I was informed that the Coraline Team would like to send me “something special. Something handcrafted. We only made 50 of these something specials, and we think yours will be right up your alley.”
I must admit that my initial thoughts veered towards suspicion, simply because I felt like this just had to be too good to be true. But I crossed my fingers, emailed them my address, and only told two people, fearful that spreading the word might jinx this unbelievable good fortune.
By complete and utter chance and serendipity, on Friday, November 21st, the date of my 40th birthday, a Fed Ex truck arrived around noon to deliver a box with a Portland return address that contained the box that you have been viewing, delightful detail by delightful detail.
It is lovely, isn’t it? I was instantly captivated. I love old things and this box has such great character and mystery about it, doesn’t it?
But did it have anything inside, and what does it have to do with Coraline? Good questions, all. But I think I’ll keep you in suspense a bit longer.
Coraline is the first stop motion animation film shot in 3-D and if you have seen the trailer or any of the ‘behind the scenes’ videos that have been featured at various sites online over the past several months then you know just how amazing this film looks. In fact, why don’t I show you? (Although I would encourage you to actually pop on over to You Tube via this link and click ‘watch in high quality’ underneath the video to get a much better version to view)
It looks absolutely enchanting, doesn’t it?
And so of course my excitement was at an all time high. My favorite author’s book, Coraline, is being turned into one of my favorite types of film, stop motion, by arguably the greatest stop motion director of our time, Henry Selick and here, at my finger tips, is an intriguing box that most assuredly contains something that has to do with the film. Right?
Upon opening the box, which you will be able to do with me shortly, I found the following letter:
Absolutely classic, isn’t it? Right down to the water stained, aged paper and old-fashioned typeset, I knew right away that these folks were kindred spirits, not just with me, but with many of you as well.
As I lifted the lid, this is what I saw.
It would be impossible to accurately describe my reaction. Neither the pictures nor the words featured here do this precious gift or my reaction to it any justice. Needless to say I was (and still am) thrilled and awed and honestly feel undeservedly blessed.
The envelope, sealed with black wax and a button eye (my but I do love these people!) contained the letter I previously shared with you.
Next to it is a copy of an image of Coraline and her Other Mother. Fabulous, isn’t it? The design work on this film is just incredible and you can see so much more of it in poster designs and other images at the film’s website, which I will share with you shortly. This image gives me a Charles Addams vibe.
The inside of the box is lined with red velvet and has items pinned to it in the fashion that one would pin down an insect collection. If you’ve read the book and know anything about the Other Mother then you no doubt know the significance of this. It is a very creative idea.
And, as is fitting, there is a quote from the book that ties in to the theme of this unique box.
In the above image you can see the Other Mother and get a glimpse of her dress. That is important as what you see in the following pictures are parts of one of the models that was made for this film.
Very cool, eh? I’m curious as to whether a close viewing of the film will reveal more about exactly which part of the Other Mother model it came from. Below it is a label that reads “Exoskeleton, Character 0….Mother 3” I am speculating that it might have something to do with their later battle or her transformation but I’ll just have to guess for now.
And to top it off, there is a set of picture stills from the film wrapped and placed in photo corners.
What I didn’t fully realize until about the third time I showed someone is the signature on the band surrounding the pictures. Yes indeed, that is an autograph from Henry Selick himself! It really is too much to comprehend!
Here these talented, dedicated artists have spent years doing delicate, creative, painstakingly detailed work to bring this movie to life and then they went out of their way to craft 50 special items and gave one to me. I am still overwhelmed by the generosity of it and the fact that I have one of these things. And its number 3! A group who would think of doing something like this and pay such special attention to creating it is a very special group indeed. The passion for what they do inspires me.
I could never thank the Coraline Team enough for this special honor. And it truly is an honor. One of the reasons I have always had a deep appreciation for stop motion animation is the passion it takes to dedicate so much time to making that kind of art. Stop motion animation has a texture and look to it that simply cannot be duplicated in any other way and I am so very excited to see this film. If you go to the main website, www.coraline.com , you can explore a creative and fun website. That link used to take you to a place wherein you could enter a secret code, like the one ‘stop motion’ that you can see on the tag to my key in one of the images above. Now the site is filled with rooms to explore and I suspect that the videos that this code and other secret codes opened are now planted throughout the various places you can explore on the site. And it is well worth exploring as it too is a testament to the heart and creativity that has been put into this project. Everything for this movie was hand-crafted. It blows my mind to think of the labor of love this film is.
One of the ways I like to express creativity, and I don’t nearly do it as much as I would like to, is in putting together unique and interesting ways to wrap and present gifts to people. When I really take the time to do so it is an incredible experience. As I opened this gift and perused it for the first time I sensed such kinship with the people who would take the time to do something like this. I am humbled by the opportunity to have this connection to the team that put this film together. I hope as the film comes out that we are able to see much more behind the scenes footage. I have been repeatedly disappointed by how little of that has come out on previous DVDs for stop motion films. Personally I want a Lord of the Rings type extravaganza of extras. However, I will settle for what I can get. I am not sure if any person on the team will have the time or will be allowed to answer interview questions around the films’ release, but I have already thrown the opportunity out there and would love to pick the brains of some of the folks who dedicated themselves to this art form. My admiration for these folks knows no bounds.
Thank you so very, very much for this treasured gift. It will be cherished always. I have already shared it with many of my family and friends and will continue to do so. If any of you want to take a trip to the Kansas City area, feel free to stop by and take a gander! It is very, very cool!!!
I’m still as giddy as can be but should really put this post to rest. Coraline comes out in February and yours truly will certainly be seeing it right away and reporting on it. I’ll also no doubt be encouraging all of you to see it too so you might as well make your plans now!
I am truly blessed and sincerely grateful. Thank you.
wow wow wow wow wow! That is amazing Carl! I’m thrilled for you! Like you said, they couldn’t have put together a more perfect package for you. The presentation and the ambiance of it all is incredible! That’s something to truly cherish. I can’t wait to see what this amazing group of people does to this amazing book. Congrats on your new baby 😉
Wow – that is wonderful – I am so happy for you. Couldn’t of happened to a nicer bloke 🙂
Merry Christmas
What an amazingly thoughful and creative gift, yet so well deserved! Your website is a constant source of inspiration to me, one of the handful that I get excited about reading each time I log on, so I can see exactly why you were selected and honoured with this delightful gift.
Enjoy your new collection of goodies and enjoy the film! And many thanks…keep writing!
that is officially THE COOLEST thing i have ever seen. ever.
a-bloody-mazing!
and no-one could deserve it more!
wow! how fantastic Carl! I am really happy for you!! I guess it’s safe to say that you won’t forget this Christmas anytime soon! :o)
Oh man, that is beyond awesome!! I’m very happy for you 😀 And you shouldn’t feel undeservedly blessed, because if anyone deserves a gift like this, it’s you!
That made me really happy — the coolest thing I’ve read in a long time and makes me even more curious about Coraline. Congratulations to you and a tip of the hat to The Coraline Team.
CONGRATS!!!! When I saw a few knitting friends receiving Coraline boxes, I wondered and hoped that SSD had caught the attention of the Coraline creators too. WOW! I can’t wait to see this in person! CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS! And it may have been PLANNED to arrive on your b-day, Carl. Those folks are just like that.
Laura: That is so cool, I can certainly see why they would send stuff to knitters. If you go into Coraline’s room on the website and open the top drawer of her bedside table a video pops up with the lady who knitted the tiny sweaters and gloves and stuff for the film. It is amazing to see that kind of skill.
Pardon: Thanks, it made me happy as well and I enjoyed being able to share it.
Nymeth: Thanks for the kind words, I still feel very lucky, believe me!
Deslily: No I won’t, nor my birthday. It was just too perfect that it arrived on my birthday.
JP: It really is very cool! You need to fly over here to view it in person.
Mariel: Thank you so very much, it puts a big smile on my face to know that you enjoy the site and I love having you visit!
Sally: Aww, thanks!
Chris: It is cool, isn’t it? Ambiance, great word. It certainly has that and the presentation is beyond cool.
Last week I read on another cool site that these amazing boxes were going out and I thought of you. I am so happy to see they were thinking of you too. I just can’t wait for this movie!
Tasses: I went and did a search this morning and found this site which is doing a great job with keeping track of the boxes:
http://www.animationarchive.org/2008/11/more-on-our-coraline-suitcase.html
Unfortunately this was also a sad discovery as the person collaborating this effort received a box with a letter that was meant for Dewey, who recently passed away. The person who received it emailed the Coraline team immediately about the error, this was before Dewey’s death I believe, and they responded back in a way that leads me to believe that this person got the right box with the wrong letter. I hope Dewey received hers as well.
And in case anyone is wondering just why it took me so long to share this bundle of joy, other than the fact that I was in shock, I was awaiting answers to a few questions from the Coraline Team before responding as I didn’t want to type anything grossly inaccurate in my exuberance.
OMG!?! That is like the best ‘birthday’ present evah! Really, how cool was it that it arrived on your birthday? Not that the box wouldn’t have been a wonderful surprise on ANY day of the year. Thank you for sharing it with us… Now I’m really looking forward to this movie more than ever!
Wow, I can just imagine how excited you were/are! Awesome gift!
You lucky, lucky guy!! I can’t wait to see this movie and I am sure you can’t wait either!
OH my!!! what a gift! I can see why you’re so giddy, I think you deserve it 100%. It’s wonderful that someone you admire so greatly noticed your website and decided to award you, I’m very happy for you:)
and thanks for sharing this wonders with us!
OMG! That is a gorgeous and thoughtful gift! AMAZING. I love creatively wrapping items for friends and family, and this year, I feel amiss because I’ve pretty much failed at it this year.
I am so happy for you. I know you will treasure it. You are LUCKY!
So cool. This is the second box I have seen. Both have been amazing and completely different from each other. I wonder who all is getting the rest of the 50 boxes made?
O wow…that is amazing! How generous and wonderful they are! But I have to agree, I love your blog as well and you deserve such a treat. I can’t wait to see Coraline when it comes out. 🙂
Amanda: Thanks…blushes…. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the film and was disappointed when it got moved from Christmas to February.
Mari: I put a link in a one of my comments above that goes to a site where they are tracking and placing links to posts showing who got boxes and what they got.
Serena: This has just been a very busy season, or at least it feels that way to me!
Valentina: Thanks, I am certainly thrilled to have been chosen.
Janet: Yes, I was, and frankly still am, pretty blown away by the whole thing.
Astaryth: I had a great birthday and got many wonderful gifts. I was very fortunate this year. It was an added bonus that this came on that day as well. I probably wouldn’t ever forget turning 40 anyway, but this will certainly keep the memory that much more fresh and alive.
Neat-o! We both got elements of Other Mother’s dress, but I have no idea which part yours is. Exoskeleton?
I can’t wait for this movie to come out!
Hello
I am maintaining a list of all the Coraline Mystery Boxes. I just added your box to the list. Congratulations!
Oh my goodness, Carl…that is just so incredibly amazing! It makes me feel so good that these amazing people were able to pass along their incredible generosity the way you always pass along yours! I’ve no doubt that it will forever be cherished, for they certainly chose the most perfect recipient!
By the way, you should be careful throwing out open invitations like that…you never know who might just take you up on it. 😉
Debi: Feel free to come visit, the lights will be on we’ll have food prepared! 🙂
That’s so cool! That’s really all I can think of to say on the matter. lol
What a treasure! Thanks so much for sharing it with all of us.
Thank you for sharing! That truly is a wonderful gift. 🙂
Carl, I’m really thrilled for you; what a wonderful thing!
Wow! That is just about the. coolest. thing. ever! Thanks for letting us share in the virtual opening and discovery. I feel like I just participated in a supremely successful treasure hunt!
Your box truly is amazing. I’ve seen a few others crop up on blogs, and I’m in awe of the creators’ devotion to their craft. What a wonderful, personal way to get the word out about the movie AND show the fans how much they’re appreciated!
Hey Mr. Carl, you do realize that you’re on Neil’s site…again!?
Chris: No I didn’t, but that is freakin’ awesome! Thanks so much for the great news!
oh my good god how I covet these boxes
What a wonderfully amazing and ingenious thing to do for people!
That is simply amazing! I’m so happy for you! Reading this post made me vicariously reliving the time you spent mulling over the email up until the time you realized that Henry Selick’s autograph was on the paper 🙂
Thank you for posting about it with wonderful pictures to boot!
Wow! That is just… well pretty damn awesome Carl.
How incredible!!!! That is an amazing gift! And so well-deserved!!!
You got a Coraline box! I’m insanely jealous!
I had seen the comment on Neil’s sight about the other eleven (at the time) boxes that had surfaced. I remembered the Coraline comment to one of your posts, and was really praying that that meant you were gonna get one. HURRAH and congratulations! See, other people than just us devoted few have noticed Stainless Steel Droppings! I’m sure it was a heart-swelling moment for you and to have came on your birthday! I’m so pleased for you, terrific!
cheers, later – susan
Hi! So happy to hear from you on my blog. As if this wonderful gift wasn’t enough, we all have the added bonus of finding even MORE kindred spirits in the 49 others who received one! Thanks for leaving the link – I’m so much fun checking out everyone else’s experiences!
Uber Cool.
I said last year that you had one of the best blogs on the web. It’s nice that you are getting the recognition you deserve for the time, effort and thought you put into your musings here.
A fabulous gift from some amazingly talented people. The gesture alone restores your faith in human goodness doesn’t it?
I wish the film makers every success with Coraline. Looks like it will be an amazing film.
Wow. I hope Coraline comes to Dubai.
Welcome to the family! Your post is fabulous and your box is, too [why does that sound a little rude?]. Thanks for the kind words about my box [again with the rude?] — I keep watching the animation at the Coraline site just to look at it move. I can’t wait to see all our little parts come to life on the screen.
Okay, I’d better stop writing now. Everything I write is coming out naughty.
Wow. Just wow.
Wow, that’s a really fantastic gift. Lucky you! 🙂 I can’t wait for the movie to be released, thanks for sharing your own little special “sneak preview.”
Holy cow! What a wonderful gift to someone truly deserving. I am so happy for you, Carl. And on your birthday! It almost seems like a dream…..
Wow! I can only repeat it, again. Kudos to you, Carl, a very deserving fellow. I must let Mysfit and OldBen know about this and have them check SSD out. I am sure they’ve been away awhile.
Cyn
fabu…
Oh that exquisite!!! What a joy to receive this gift and so well deserved. Enjoy!!!
What pure delight. Thanks for sharing!
Howdy! You have a Christmas Spirit Award waiting for you at my blog…
wow this is incredible!!
Hi Carl, you sucked me in to seeing Stardust when it came up, even though I’m hugely skeptical of favorite books turned into movies. And I loved it. This time you tricked me with a reverse. Based on your post here, I picked up a copy of Coraline thinking it might make for a good holiday present for my kid. Heck, no! Instead I read it in two sittings and neglected my holiday shopping. And it is way to scary for him anyway. Shame on you, Carl, for tricking me into losing hours of my holiday prep time for this book. (And, thanks.)
Fantastic box! The drawings and dress model are great – gives a great idea for the feel of the movie! So exciting!
how utterly delicious….and thank you for the post, it’s gained the film at least another 4 viewers!
Happy New Year,
India
Remarkable. I’m not familiar with any of this, just following a link, but this has me curious. Are you? Is there something all of you know that I just haven’t read yet?
It seems that I see allot of skeleton keys with different passwords on. And the last paragraph of your letter is intriguing.
Ahh, yes, now I see. What a brilliant thing, it even caught me up and I’m neither a fan (or wasn’t) nor did I have time tonight, but I couldn’t resist checking just a bit farther to see that all’s right in the world. 🙂
I’m glad you did some more checking, Amaranthar. Feel free to shoot me an email or leave more comments if you have any questions. I hope you see the film when it comes out and if you haven’t read the book I would highly recommend it.
Carl, I most assuredly will watch the movie and read the book. This is very promising entertainment.
I’m just impressed by this marketing idea. These folks have that something special going.
Me too, that kind of creative promotion is something I would like to see more people do.
Yes, I agree. The costs are a little higher, but if you hit it right, it lasts generations.
In the early 1900’s Coke began an ad campaign that not only made their cola the huge business it became, but changed the face of the largest holiday in the world. Santa Claus, before then, was shown wearing various colors of suits. Red, green, and even black. There also was no real “look” to the jolly old elf. But Coke’s ad campaign changed all that, and changed the face of Christmas forever.
The Budweiser Clydesdale bar light was a huge thing. The original models were great works of art. They were prominent when hung above the bar, and when they were no longer made, especially the early models were highly prized.
The Timex watch display that was filled with water was another big one.
The barn sides painted with “Mail Pouch”.
Inspired people doing inspiring things. It’s great.
i highly doubt this, but do you still have that e mail adress to the company that sent you that box. if you do can you please email me that adress to aro_mis00@yahoo.com. i want to ask them something, so if you can please do me the favor. thank you.