Walden Media
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Walden Media is a film production and publishing company best known as the producers of The Chronicles of Narnia film series. Its films are based on notable classic or award-winning children's literature, compelling biographies or historical events, documentaries and some original screenplays. The corporate headquarters of Walden Media are located in Los Angeles, California, and the Education, Outreach, Interactive and Publishing office is in Boston, Massachusetts.
Company historyWalden Media was created in 2001 by Michael Flaherty and Cary Granat. Granat was president of Miramax's Dimension Films division, and Flaherty came from the world of education. Flaherty was called an “entrepreneur in education” by the Boston Globe for his work with innovative programs meant to help underprivileged students gain access to quality education.[1]. The two were housemates at Tufts University before following different paths and then reuniting to form Walden Media[2] as a movie, television, publishing and Internet enterprise whose goal is to teach and entertain kids. The company is owned by the Christian conservative Philip Anschutz, who has said he expects their movies "to be entertaining, but also to be life affirming and to carry a moral message."[3] The company's notable releases include Holes in 2003, Because of Winn-Dixie for Twentieth Century Fox in 2004, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 2005, How to Eat Fried Worms and Charlotte's Web in 2006, and Bridge to Terabithia, released by Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media in 2007. All of these films are adaptations of popular children's books. Currently in development are movies based on Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Jeanne DuPrau's The City of Ember, Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series, and the April 2008 release Nim's Island starring Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin. On August 8, 2006, Walden Media announced a joint venture with 20th Century Fox. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium and The Dark Is Rising will be the first films released under the venture. Previously announced films at other studios will remain in place.[4] Education programWalden Media is unique among film production companies in that it works with teachers, museums, and national organizations to develop supplemental educational programs and materials associated with its films and the original events and/or novels that inspire the films.[5] Walden Media offers in-class teaching tools like educational guides and teacher kits[6] and sponsors seminars and forums for teachers to discuss their craft and to trade ideas on using media in the classroom. Directors, writers, and stars of the productions participate in these events. In 2006, Walden Media sponsored the "Break the World Reading Record with Charlotte’s Web". At noon on Wednesday, December 13th, 547,826 readers in 2,451 locations, 50 states and 28 countries read an excerpt from Charlotte’s Web, breaking the world record of 155,528 students from 737 schools in the United Kingdom who read William Wordsworth’s poem, "Daffodils" in 2004.[7] CriticismAfter the release of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, rumors flew that Walden Media was a means for fulfilling Anschutz's Christian agenda:
In July and August of 2007, Walden Media came under fire from fans of the Dark is Rising book series for liberties the company is purported to have taken with the plot in its forthcoming movie of the same title [8]. As one critic noted:
There is considerable speculation that the changes are due in part to the evangelical Christian beliefs of director David Cunningham, and of the 'Christian mission' sometimes attributed to Walden Media itself. The implications of this speculation, however, seem to be inconsistent with Christian values. Etymology and logoThe company is named after Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Its logo is a rock skipping across a pond. Filmography
Published Books
Upcoming Books
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