How Did Gaston and Le Fou Meet? (Disney Enlists Kids To Create Stories Inspired by BatB, and Turns Them Into Short Films!)

Possibly our favorite things about the gigantic release and popularity of Disney live action Beauty and the Beast, is the creativity boom in so many areas as a result, a large focus of which is on reading and storytelling. (Yay!)

Disney themselves are participating in encouraging this as well, which makes it even better. Some of their publications are focused on 'what you can read' if you want to read like Belle, or mining the earliest written forms of Beauty and the Beast (Villeneuve and Beamont) and republishing in various ways, not to mention emphasizing storytelling and eco-conscious creation through fashion and foot ware. The best of the initiatives we've seen to date, however, is likely a writing and filmmaking collaboration with non-profit group, Young Storytellers, who aim to give a voice to low-income students by helping them write their own stories, through a one-on-one mentorship, and see them brought to life on stage and screen.

Partnering with Young Storytellers* and Tongal**, Disney enlisted the creativity of kids by giving them a pre-release showing of the movie on the Disney lot, then asking them to come up with stories, or 'spin-offs', based on their favorite characters. (* Young Storytellers is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles. "Every child has a story worth telling." **Tongal is an independent creative network with a global community of more than 120,000 writers, directors and animators) 

The title of the project was 'Beyond the Castle: Stories Inspired by Disney's Beauty and the Beast'.

(T)hey were paired with their mentors to write scripts inspired by their favorite characters from the film. Tongal* then matched these Young Storytellers'** scripts with its network of creators who turned them into live-action and animated short films...The Young Storytellers got the added surprise of seeing their projects come to life on the big screen with a premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. After the screening, they were surprised by a video greeting with actors from the film, Luke Evans (Gaston) and Josh Gad (Le Fou). (Hollywood Reporter)

Four talented young people were chosen to have their stories made into short films. Here are three of them (we can't find Acacia's story and film, Cooking Catastrophe but have no doubt it's just as wonderful as the others and hope it will be available on the Young Storytellers' YouTube Channel to see soon!).

This one is by 12 year old, Robert Nelson, who imagined how Gaston and LeFou might have met.

“LeFouston” from “Beyond the Castle: Stories Inspired by Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’"

The video was created in stop motion by Tongal creator Kevin Ulrich, with music by Trevor Gomes.

"Pug in a Cup" from “Beyond the Castle: Stories Inspired by Disney's Beauty and the Beast"

Written by Hana Morshedi (age unknown) and directed by Tucker Barrie.

“Beauty and the Curse” from “Beyond the Castle: Stories Inspired by Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’"

Written by Tamara Sims (based on her short story “Changing Ways”, age unknown) and directed by Maya Rudolph.

Many congrats to Tamara, Robert, Acacia, and Hana!

Here's a peek behind-the-scenes of these young people's storytelling adventure:

A brilliant and successful collaboration thanks in large part to the ongoing amazing work by Young Storytellers, along with Tongal and Disney. We only wish more kids got an opportunity like this, or are being encouraged to do this themselves with their own resources.

You can find out more about Young Storytellers and how to help with wonderful programs like this, by clicking the link HERE.

"The Sad Little Princess" To Benefit Veterans

The Princess Who Never Smiled by Viktor Vasnetsov

Here's an unusual tale with some unusual affiliations: a lesser-known Russian fairy tale (usually titled The Princess Who Never Smiled) has been made into a special-release paper doll book (by an award winning doll designer) and after the hundredth copy has been sold, all the rest of the profits will go toward Hope for Veterans.

I'm not sure why this tale specifically, unless it's to do with bringing happiness back into people's lives, (which is definitely veteran related) or why paper dolls might be related to veterans (although it does say the designer supports this cause personally), but either way, it's wonderful to see.

And great to see a different fairy tale getting circulated too. The English version of this tale, The Golden Goose, (in which the townsfolk end up being stuck to each other in a long chain and dragged about town) used to be well and widely known but sadly doesn't seem to be anymore.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

Stacia McDonough, award-winning doll designer and CEO of Neva Dolls, has released her second book, “The Sad Little Princess.” It’s a collaboration between the Bedminster-based doll artist, and the late Tom Tierney, a prolific and talented paper doll artist.

The story is based on an old Russian fairy tale about Feodora, a beautiful, yet melancholy tsarina (a Russian princess), and the quest of her beloved father, the benevolent Tsar, who has offered half of his impressive kingdom to the suitor who can make his precious daughter happy.

McDonough’s verse aims to transport the reader into this whimsical land of make believe, in a tale told with an authentic Russian flair.

...“I am thrilled that this special edition book is being released to the public,” McDonough said. “It was an absolute joy working with the late, great Tom Tierney. He was the quintessential professional, and the absolute finest paper doll artist this world will ever see. Tierney’s dazzling renderings of my original Russian costumes are stunning. The vivid, eye-popping colors paired with my exotic Russian costumes are simply a luxurious treat for the eye to behold. Prepare to be enchanted!”

McDonough is known for her luxurious Neva Dolls. Each doll, “Handcrafted in Russia with Love,” pay homage to all Russian women throughout the centuries, from the farmer bride in the rural village, to the courtly tsarinas. Committed to preserving old-world style through fine detail and sophisticated style, these museum-quality porcelain dolls capture Russia’s history and grandeur with costumes created from genuine furs, exceptional fabrics, and the finest Russian porcelain. The opulent beauties are inspired by Russia’s history, its folklore and fairy tales, and its literature and ballets.

The Golden Goose illustration by Lancelot Speed from The Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

For further information or to purchase a book, go to Amazon.com or visit paperstudiopress.com.

UNICEF is "Giving Tales" To Help Children Around the World (With Some Help From Celebrity Friends)

Hans Christian Andersen's stories are getting retold to help children, with a little help from UNICEF and their celebrity friends. The project is called GivingTales.

Have a look at the neat behind-the-scenes promo video:

From LookToTheStars (emphasis in bold and underlined, is mine):

Developed in association with Sir Roger Moore, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, GivingTales features the voice talents of world-renowned actors including Ewan McGregor, Unicef UK Ambassador, Stephen Fry, and Dame Joan Collins. Hans Christian Andersen’s timeless fairy tales have now been modernised, condensed and paired with vivid illustrations that capture the universal and timeless life lessons synonymous with Andersen’s stories.

“I’ve been a long time admirer of Hans Christian Andersen’s work, and I think it’s a wonderful collection of fairy stories for children and adults alike,” said Sir Roger Moore.

..Three additional stories are available in the first series: The Emperor’s New Clothes (Dame Joan Collins, DBE), The Little Match Girl (Ewan McGregor, OBE) and The Ugly Duckling (Stephen Fry). 

Today’s children are increasingly accustomed to consuming content in one short sitting. While paper books may be giving way to digital versions, classic fairy tales never grow old. There’s a big need to adapt traditional stories into shorter, animated versions, so they can captivate and inspire another generation of young readers.

“Taking care not to lose the essence of what makes Hans Christian Andersen’s stories so great, GivingTales has condensed the stories down so they can be enjoyed in minutes, not hours. Using the voices of renowned actors gives them new life in a memorable and entertaining way,” Jacob Moller, CEO of GivingTales. 

“We’re overwhelmed by the initial support we’ve received, both from the celebrities affiliated with our project, as well as our ongoing relationship with the Unicef UK. Together, we hope to make a difference in the lives of many of children around the world,” said Klaus Lovgreen, Chairman, GivingTales.

These newly retold and illustrated/animated stories have been developed by an award winning team that creates digital entertainment content, by making apps for Apple's App Store and GooglePlay. The first stories are becoming available this weekend (the first with Roger Moore as the narrator, retelling The Princess & the Pea, is free), with more stories and content to come in future weeks and months.

As part of the company’s mission to educate and support children, GivingTales kft is committing 30% of its revenue to Unicef UK to help children around the world.