Disney Releases <em>Frankenweenie</em> iBook

Glendale, CA -- Disney Publishing Worldwide announced the release of Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book, based on Walt Disney Studios’ highly anticipated stop-motion animated film directed by Tim Burton, Frankenweenie, in theaters October 5, 2012. Capturing the creative process from concept to completion, the interactive book integrates videos, vibrant music, and original sketches to offer readers a fully immersive behind-the-scenes look into the making of the movie.  Available on the iBookstore, this book is Disney Publishing’s first to be created with Apple’s iBooks Author.

“We’re thrilled to give fans a look at how Tim Burton and his creative team brought Victor Frankenstein and Sparky to life in the town of New Holland,” said Lyle Underkoffler, vice president, Digital Media, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “Using iBooks Author, Disney Publishing was able to include more digital content than ever before—including previews of animated storyboards documenting the transition from sketch to screen.”

Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book http://iTunes.com/Frankenweenie [1] incorporates a brief history of the 1984 live-action short film and details the upcoming full-length stop-motion animated feature, including a foreword by Academy Award-winning actor Martin Landau (the voice of Mr. Rzykruski in the film) and introductions to over 200 resident puppets of New Holland (with a special introduction to Victor and Sparky), as well as a look into “The Art of Frankenweenie Exhibition,” now on tour.

A chapter on the film’s music includes previews of each track from the original motion picture score by Oscar-nominated and GRAMMY-winning composer Danny Elfman and from Frankenweenie Unleashed!, a 14-song compilation of music from and inspired by the film, featuring artists including Karen O, Neon Trees, and Kimbra.  Both albums will be available from Walt Disney Records on September 25 and can be purchased directly from within the book.

Using Apple’s iBooks Author app, Disney Publishing was able to include video, audio, multi-touch, and 3D widgets to create a robust storytelling experience that enlightens Frankenweenie fans of all ages.  Readers can watch interviews featuring producer Allison Abbate and executive producer Don Hahn and explore the art of stop-motion animation with Tim Burton, while younger fans can create their own “chalkboard collage” using the film’s characters.

“Thirty years after he first visualized Frankenweenie as a student at CalArts, Tim Burton has finally made the movie he dreamed of making way back then,” said Martin Landau, voice of Mr. Rzykruski in the film. "The eBook reveals how a truncated, live-action version made by Tim three decades ago evolved into the 90-minute, black-and-white, stop-motion (Tim’s favorite animation process), 3D motion picture that he visualized all those years ago.  It’s wonderful that Tim has managed to keep Victor and his friends young, energetic, and alive for 30 plus years."

In addition to the eBook, Disney Publishing Worldwide has released several print books in support of the feature film, including Frankenweenie: A Cinematic Storybook, Frankenweenie: A Novel, and Frankenweenie: A Monstrous Menagerie of Stickers!  A graphic novel and a visual companion will also be available at retail in the coming months.

Frankenweenie: An Electrifying Book http://iTunes.com/Frankenweenie [1] is available for free exclusively on the iBookstore in 32 countries around the world.  

Source: Disney Publishing Worldwide