A Magic Box From The Makers Of Coraline

By Peter ScirettaNov. 23, 2008 8:14 pm EST

Over the weekend I received a mysterious package from Portland Oregon. Turns out it was from the animators and puppeteers behind the upcoming film Coraline, the first stop-animated film shot in 3D.

Based on Gaiman's short children's novel of the same name, Coraline is a young bored girl who discovers that bricked-up wall behind a door in her house leads to another dimension, where she has a different mother, and different father. Directed by Henry Selick, the guy behind The Nightmare Before Christmas, James and the Giant Peach and Monkeybone. the film features the voice talent of Dakota Fanning, Ian McShane, Teri Hatcher, and Keith David.

I decided to record the opening of the box on video:

[flv:http://bitcast-a.bitgravity.com/slashfilm/trailers/coralinebox.flv 460 344]

I'm not sure where the other 49 boxes will turn up, and so far it seems very random. I've found photos on Toycutter and despoiler.

My box contained the code "puppetlove", which if dialed in on Coraline.com, you will get a video of director Henry Selick explaining how we look at puppets. Other boxes have included different codes, each which give access to different behind the scenes featurettes.

stopmotion – figures and sets

buttoneyes – the cast

moustachio A stop motion short about Bo Henry's dancing mustache

armpithair Suzanne Moulton gives the puppets armpit hair

sweaterxxs Althea Crome knits tiny sweaters

I want to thank all team behind Coraline for the wonderful gift!