InByTheEye Sprinkles Us With "Stardust"

Have you ever felt lost and far from home, wondering if the light inside you is doomed to go out, or if you can nurture it enough to bring magic into unfamiliar places?

Injury from the fall

In the latest photo story from InByTheEye, Director and Producer Lisa Stock has personified this overwhelming feeling of homesickness and 'other' through the character of Neil Gaiman's Yvaine, created for his original, novel-length fairy tale Stardust.

Tending to the wound

This is the second of his works that Gaiman has given Stock permission to explore with his blessing, (the other being a street play interpretation of Snow, Glass, Apples) and seeing her results, you can understand why. While her writing, direction and photography pay lovely tribute to Gaiman's own creations, fittingly expanding their story forms, these works are uniquely her own, and feel at once mythic and personally accessible. This photo series captures the artistic photographic storytelling and mythic world view Stock so naturally employs in all her projects, while bringing to the lens something personal that engages the viewer, bringing worlds and emotions "in by the eye", just as her company name states so succinctly.

A star never stays up so late as the sunrise

Here's her introduction as she debuted her new series:

I'm excited to share my latest photo project, YVAINE - inspired by Neil Gaiman's "Stardust".  This is a photo series that brings the fallen star into the modern world, a story about longing for home, and carrying your own light with you. - Lisa Stock; InByTheEye

At the sign of the Chariot

She also shared a little bit of background in creating the series on her blog. Here's an excerpt:

If there was one fictional character I’d like to catch a glimpse of in the current world, it would be Yvaine from Neil Gaiman’s “Stardust”.  She is a star fallen to Earth and the way she observes our society (and that of Faerie) is refreshing – she speaks her mind, questions what she deems nonsense, and relishes the potential for good in mankind.  Above all, “Stardust” is a story of home, where you come from and where you truly belong. Her fate in the book is different from the film, but I won’t give up any spoilers. I love them both equally, however, my Yvaine is inspired more by the book, and Charles Vess’ gorgeous illustrations of her. 

...With my own pull for home ever present on my mind, I created an Yvaine photo story – Where would I see her and how would she “fit” into my world?

Rest until star-rise

You can read the rest of Lisa's post on bringing Yvaine to life in our world, and her inspiration to do so HERE.

Below is the rest of the series, with our two favorites up next:

The light of the water, the light of home

A visit with her sisters

Remembering home

Shining before the Wall

To see more of Lisa Stock's beautiful magic realist work (and get some special glimpses behind the scenes from time to time) you can view her Instagram HERE and follow her on Twitter HERE. Her Patreon supporters HERE have the best seats in the house, however, with exclusive previews, pre-debut sneak peeks and inside looks that give you a glimpse of the amazing world you can see "InByTheEye". By supporting this Indie filmmaker from as little as a dollar up to $25 per month you guarantee the creation of more magic in the world.

"Trick of the Tale" illustrated by Tomislav Tomic

While April Fool's Day isn't really connected with tricksters in the tale sense of the term, we all have them on the brain during the day. We do our best to not be gullible and not be fooled, so I thought highlighting a lovely collection of trickster tales (which might give us a few clues about what to do - or not do - next year, since today is pretty much over at minutes to midnight), was appropriate.

Trick of the Tale: A Collection of Trickster Tales by John & Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic
Description:

Celebrate the slyest trickster tales from around the world in a lavish volume that gives a well-loved story tradition its rightful due. 

Enter (carefully) the world of the tricksters, those wily creatures who lie their way out of trouble, cheat when they get a chance, and devise elaborate tricks to get what they want —- with delightfully unpredictable results. This truly diverse, elegantly illustrated collection follows such clever characters as Anansi, Coyote, Brer Rabbit, and others who play a role in a multicultural array of storytelling traditions, from African to Inuit to European, Tibetan to Native American to Japanese.

This collection of trickster tales, retold and edited by John & Cailtin Matthews (a writing pair you see often with regard to fairy tale and folklore collections), is illustrated by Tomislav Tomic, whom you may know from his beautiful work in illustrating the special edition Lang Orange Fairy Book for the Folio Society.

Can you match the titles to the illustrations?

And I'm so glad to see at least one Anansi story here! There is persistent confirmation that Neil Gaiman's Anasi Boys really will be making it's way to screens in the foreseeable future too, as a multi-part mini series of hour long episodes by the BBC... (*whooping and cheering*). Expect a revival of trickster tales when that  - eventually - happens too!

I always greatly approve of stunningly illustrated collections. Yes, of course, I adore beautiful illustrations but every book that captures the attention of people brings these lesser known tales more into focus and back into circulation. More please!

Look What's Coming Soon From Neil Gaiman & Lorenzo Mattotti: Hansel & Gretel

A unique Hansel and Gretel by Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti! Lots of pics and a video to entice you.. 

The illustrations have been around for a few years (I remember seeing them for the first time back in 2009) but now they're being partnered with Neil Gaiman's words.... *heart*!

The release date is October 28, 2014 - the perfect Halloween present (and isn't it just!).

This all happened a long time ago, in your grandmother’s time, or in her grandfather’s. A long time ago. Back then, we all lived on the edge of the great forest.

Neil Gaiman and Lorenzo Mattotti both remember the horror and fascination with which they read the Grimm Brothers’ “Hansel and Gretel.” The writer and the artist now join forces for a brilliant reimagining of one of humanity’s most enduring tales. Be brave, be bold, and keep your wits about you–Gaiman and Mattotti are welcoming you into the woods.

From the Press Release:

“TOON Graphics are comics and visual narratives that bring the text to life in a way that captures young readers’ imaginations and makes them want to read on—and read more. Children also develop their aesthetic sense when they experience the relationship of text to picture in all its communicative power. Vetted by our team of educational experts, TOON Graphics introduce great storytelling traditions from around the world.”

Directly related is a set of audio recordings of Neil Gaiman, speaking on why scary stories appeal to us and the art of fear in children's books. You can find the whole set HERE.

And now the promised illustrations... just amazing and so very vivid, despite them being in black and white.

This is in Italian but you get to watch Mr. Mattotti paint! Just amazing.

Lorenzo Mattotti and some of his illustrations

Who's pre-ordering besides me?

Sources: HERE, HERE , HERE , HERE, HERE & HERE

Theater: "How To Survive A Fairy Tale"

How To Survive A Fairy Tale Poster design by Eamonn Donnelly 

Note: Please excuse any weird layout and formatting issues. I'm having difficulties getting the fonts, their colors and the image anchors to stick.

If you were dropped into the middle of a fairy tale, how would you survive? What if you had never been allowed to read them?

Inspired by Neil Gaiman's Instructions, Lifeline Theater's Jim Grote (Click, Clack Moo: Cows That Type, Dooby Dooby Moo and Duck for President created with composer/lyricist George Howe) has written a new non-musical family play that I hope will not only have a long run but become popular and be performed by other theaters everywhere.

 

“How to Survive a Fairy Tale” is about a kid named Jack whose parents are a princess and a frog. Because their fairy tale did not turn out as it should have, they shield Jack from fairy tales. Although well-read — the family library contains tomes on all manner of subjects — Jack knows nothing about fairy tales. In his home they are verboten.

One night Jack’s parents go out and a book that Jack has never seen before beckons to him from the bookshelf. As Jack reaches for the book it bonks him on the head, sending him into a deep sleep. He awakens in a forest in the middle of the “Red Riding Hood” saga. The play evolves into a madcap romp through fractured versions of “The Three Bears,” “Three Billy Goats Gruff” & “Hansel and Gretel.” Jack learns a survival tip or two in each fairy tale, & in the end those tips allow him to solve his parents’ dilemma.

 "It (Gaiman's "Instructions") just kind of got the wheels going in my head,” Grote said. He thought, “Wouldn’t it be interesting if you had a kid who had no knowledge of fairy tales and was suddenly thrust into that world and how would he deal with it?”

You can read the rest of the article HERE and see the main website for the play HERE.

There's a nice blog entry HERE by the artist who did the poster for "How To Survive A Fairy Tale" in which he talks about being inspired by Bill Willingham's Fables graphic novels and by Arthur Rackham's color palettes. I really like the Fables nod and hope teachers, parents and students will see the poster and make the connection that fairy tales are not just for kids. 

So many "fairy tale theater" productions have this (awful) amateur feel to them (argh!) and add to the idea that fairy tales shouldn't be taken seriously by thinking adults. The notion that any fairy tale not playing on Broadway (or in a Disney World/Land) or staged by a world class opera or ballet company just isn't worth seeing (or spending your hard-earned money on) is both incorrect and sad.

Hopefully, both the production of How To Survive A Fairy Tale, the presentation via the Fables-esque poster, the acknowledged inspiration of Neil Gaiman's Instructions (I wonder if Mr. Gaiman is aware of this?) and the reportedly smart and layered writing of the show gives people a reason to reconsider this.

There is a short preview clip at the bottom of the website page HERE (that I wish had much better production value for many reasons!) in which you can see the tone the play takes - one that's clearly aimed at younger children but doesn't (appear to) talk down to them. It's a hard balance to achieve and is the reason successful family plays and musicals, such as Once Upon A Mattress remain rare but popular. While How To Survive A Fairy Tale isn't really in that league, especially as it was written with a specifically very audience in mind, I do wish Lifeline the best with what promises to be a great play.

Now if only I could go see it!

In the meantime, I'll have to go re-read Instructions again... and again...

How To Survive A Fairy Tale, performed by Lifeline Theater, opens at their Rogers Park venue in Chicago IL on January 7th and runs through February 26th. Visit their website HERE for booking information and more.

Fairy Tale News New Year's Bumper: General (& latest) fairy tale news headlines (that I haven't seen posted elsewhere)

• Hunt for 'giant Cinderella' by a shoe store to fill size 15 Wellingtons/rain boots - free to anyone they fit.

Athena by Carlos Dunn

• Neil Gaiman introduces Neverwhere - article in which Neil Gaiman tells how Neverwhere (his novel about London-below, the parallel fairy land universe) came to be and was developed. Comments and 'conversation' on the subject and with Mr. Gaiman are encouraged during January 2010.

• A modern Brother's Grimm hunting down (and recording) Emirati fairy tales. Fascinating article with excerpts from wonderful tales included, as well as their roots in history - awesome! If anyone can figure out how to get a copy of his collection, "Kharareef", I'd be very interested in getting a copy.

• Bluebeard costumes and photoshoot by Sidhe Etain - beautiful costumes and shoot! Photography by Frank Tuttle. One of the best fairy tale photoshoots I've seen in a while - highly recommend clicking the link and seeing all the photos and story in sequence, along with the text by Walter Crane. (Via Told This Time LJ Community)

• Bryan Singer now in negotiations to make Jack the Giant Killer as a 3D movie (thanks to the success of Avatar).

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