Whoa, they made a film? Outta my books!?
Angela and I just returned from the Los Angeles and New York premieres of The Spiderwick Chronicles movie. We watched the film in both venues (this makes it my 6th time seeing it) and celebrated its completion with Holly and the cast and crew. It was a whirlwind of interviews, photographs and fancy clothes…and in the blink of an eye it was over (that is, until we head out to promote it in the United Kingdom next month).
So, as many have asked, what has this been like? How does it feel to have a film adapted from your books, stories, characters and art? Many words come to mind:
Surreal
Mind-blowing
Incredible
Fantastic
Awe-inspiring
..but I don’t think they quite convey the mixture of emotions that myself, Angela (and Holly) have gone through. So I’ll tell this little tidbit of a tale in hopes that it illustrates how I truly feel about all of this.
Back in the summer of 1982, I made a little book called Gondwanaland. In it, a group of scientists discover an island full of fantasy creatures and record their habits, habitats and images. It was written and illustrated by a 12 year-old incarnation of me, and it came from a naturalist’s perspective. I was greatly inspired from the game Dungeons & Dragons, books like Brian Froud & Alan Lee’s Faeries, and films like Star Wars and The Dark Crystal - all things I’ve rambled on about in this blog before.
I forgot about the book for some time, but returned to it in the 90’s while I was contributing regularly as an artist for D&D and the Planescape role-playing game. I began redoing some of the illustrations and approached TSR about publishing a field guide to faeries, trolls and goblins. They declined, and I moved on to achieving my dream of creating books for children.
I did some picture books, won a couple of awards, and (at last) had the opportunity to create my field guide with the help of my good friend, Holly. On top of the Arthur Spiderwick myth, we told the story of Jared, Simon and Mallory Grace - and how dangerous the real world of faeries can be. We had no idea if children would like it, but we sure enjoyed crafting the tales.
To our delight, the books were well received: teachers, librarians and critics loved them, kids and parents loved them, and Nickelodeon & Paramount Pictures loved them - I figured I was dreaming: I was still 12 years-old, and my mom would wake me up for school any minute.
Mark Waters signed on as a director (fresh off of his hit Mean Girls). John Sayles wrote a draft of the script. Phil Tippett and Industrial Light & Magic came on to create the special effects for the film. Celebrated actors like Nick Nolte, Martin Short, David Strathairn, Mary Louise-Parker, Sarah Bolger and Freddie Highmore signed on to play the roles of characters Hol and I created - and all the while, all I could think was “My mom is going to wake me up any minute now.”
In short, the final film is fantastic. It breathes the same air the books do. It’s dirty, organic, richly visualized, and fast paced. There are no glittery tinkly faeries here, just celluloid spirits re-forged from the old folklore that had inspired me all these years. It’s a thrilling, raucous ride with a little heart and soul, and I feel like…like…a 12 year-old when I watch it.
Maybe I am dreaming - or simply, this is what it feels like when a boyhood dream comes true.
I hope you enjoy the faeries (and the film).
February 8th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Congratulations Tony, I really look forward to seeing the film and sharing in your dream-state ! I bought the books for myself, and then multiple copies to give away to nephews and nieces, and every time the reaction has been fantastic. The kids are going to love seeing your creations on the big screen, even if it may give them a bit of a scare, sort of like I remember when I first saw the dragon in Sleeping Beauty or that huge devil in Fantasia
February 8th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Simpy awesome Tony. My son just discovered your books a month or so ago. How amazing it was when the very day we brought them home from the library we saw a commercial for the movie on TV. Of course he had all the books read in just a couple of days. I loved to hear him laugh while he spent nearly every minute after school snuggled up with his dog reading (Instead of playing video games). I haven’t been able to read them yet, but I’ve looked at the illustrations, simply amazing.
Anyway, it does sound like a dream come true. Congratulations, life can be pretty amazing.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Congratulations! It is so wonderful that you are living your dream. We can’t wait to see the movie and I am not sure who is more excited - me or me son
February 8th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I’m gald your wishes have been fullfilled. I look forward to seeing the movie and all upcoming projects your involed with.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Tony,
Well done. A wonderful story with a even more wonderful, happy ending.
Congratulations on the film & books as well.
Thanks for letting us all have a glimpse.
-c.g.young
February 9th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Hey Mr. Terlizzi!
I’m a big fan of your work, as it has inspired me to accomplish my own dreams of becoming an illustrator one day. I’m going to enter college soon and hearing your story of seeing your creations made into a film is truly inspiring and gives me hope for my own stories! I can’t wait for the film, congratulations on all that’s been accomplished. Thanks for sharing your dreams and imagination with me, and I hope to inspire other people to go for their dreams as you have inspired me!
-Claire
February 9th, 2008 at 10:47 am
As a fan since Planescape, I’m over the moon with joy for you. It’s good to see an illustrator treated like the celebrity He ought to be. I certainly hope you have time to produce lots more books!
February 9th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
That’s an amazing journey Tony! You’re living your dream! To think, every day, more and more kids, adults, parents and teachers will be falling in love with your books. The movie is, of course, going to generate even more interest in your work. What an amazing ride this must be for you and Angela. Your fans thank you for sharing it with us all the way…
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February 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
That’s really fantastic Tony, thanks for sharing your earliest conceptual sketches! I just started exploring the website, and I’m eager to get my hands on the books so I can read them before seeing the movie. I remember the long lines when they were introduced at Gencon, I wish I had picked them up then!
February 10th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
4 days and counting! We can’t wait!!
February 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Tony Hey, I love your work your pictures and I read all the books you have written and holly, I agree with all 5 of spiderwick stories, and I have read the manual for the fantastic world around you, I am a real fan, I come from germany and I have the trailer for the film spiderwick seen but unfortunately only in English do you know whether the film in German? I hope very much i would really be sad if i could not see the film in your german.congratulation to be! I am sure you all over the world have fan’s!
I hope it’s you and holly good!
Love greetings
Sonja
February 15th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Saw the movie last night! It was part of my must-do Valentine requirements. Fun! Very fun! How exciting for you! Love the characters and the field book! I want one!!
February 15th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Congratulations Tony and much continued success!
February 15th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Congrats on a great movie adaptation! We saw it today… Must be a scary thing to place your baby into other people’s hands. Fortunately the end result was super! Again, Congrats Tony!
February 16th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Can’t wait until the film comes to the UK.
February 18th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Wow. ok you are officaly my Idol!! i LOVE to draw the faeries out of the field guide, i got it for my little sister- she introduced me to the Spiderick Chronicals- for christmas and i’m pretty sure i’ve used it more than she has (heeheehee!) And i was astounded by the detail! i love your work it’s soo great. oh and congrates on the MOvie!! i saw it and loved it!
February 18th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I just saw it. It was a grand movie and I enjoyed it but the books are always better. You and Holly are the true masters! The origanal artists! The creators! I thought the acting was very good, the effects amazing and Hogsqeul great! However I was a little put off that my two other favorite charcters The Knocker and The Phooka were left out as well as the elves and the dragon. But all in all it was a good movie! I thought Mallory and Aurther were the best portrayed humans.
Thanks again, to you and Holly for creating the Spiderwick saga and I look forward to whatever comes next!
February 23rd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Tony,
Congrats! My daughter and I just saw the movie and we LOVED it! My family and I have read all of the books and we loved them first. (you know its tough to top the book version) I thought that Hogsqueal and Thimbletack were teriffic. It must be awesome to see your characters come to life. Your hard work and creative vision has paid off. I wish you and your family much more sucess and we are looking forward to the next book.
Take Care-Jennifer
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I didnt see the movie yet but i am reading the books and i love them i hope to see the movie that i hear is great, the spiderwick chronicles soon,
You And Holly Make Great Books That I Love To Read!!!!
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:03 am
yoDUDE YOU ROCK I LOVED THE MOVE
June 30th, 2008 at 5:07 am
i hope my book turns out to be as good as yours. I decided to call it PUCK & ME: An inside look at faerie.