Back when I started Oz blogging in 2005, the focus was a new film adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and possibly sequels. (Yes, "newwwoz" means "New Wonderful Wizard Oz.") While we've shifted gears over the past several years, I'd still very much like to see a faithful film adaptation that not only stays true to the source but also fully embraces the format it's being adapted to.
And lo and behold, it appears to be in the making!
Sean Gates wrote a screenplay based on the book and Clayton Spinney joined with him to direct the film as a fully independent project. Using CGI backgrounds and actual sets (some even on location), live actors, puppets, and digital creatures, the look of Oz will be pieced together in a very distinctive and original style. Dorothy is actually a little girl, the Scarecrow is actually a straw-stuffed man, the Tin Woodman's rigging has been designed to actually work in real life, and Toto is cute! (We've yet to see a proof of concept of the Cowardly Lion, but hopes are high.) Oh, and the Wicked Witch? Well, this one isn't going to be a star on Broadway!
Now, Clayton and Sean want to finish filming the live action elements soon so they can focus on getting the film actually put together, and they've estimated costs to be $5000. To help get this funded, they started a Kickstarter campaign to raise the money. I've already pledged, as have several others, and we are just over $3000. But with less than 10 days left, it's imperative that this is funded so they can actually get the money. With Kickstarter, it's your goal and any surplus or nothing.
It's not like you'll pay for something and that's it. Starting with pledges of $5, you get goodies! $5 will get you a free download of an ebook featuring artwork for the film (some of which has been put online and looks really good!), $10 will actually let you see the movie when it's completed somehow, and $25 will get you a DVD of the finished film! ($35 and up, you get Blu-Ray!) There's other cool rewards for higher contributions as well.
However, if they don't get the rest of the money pledged, they will get nothing, and neither will we, and the production of the film will be delayed even further as we Oz fans wait for an incredible film version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Anyone who can, please contribute!
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