With interviews that include R.L. Stine as well as noted scholars, folklorists, and family members of the author, this upcoming documentary will explore the true stories behind popular kids book series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/01/2016 -- With news that Guillermo Del Toro and the screenwriters from the Lego Movie are involved in a film adaptation of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark spreading like wildfire, there's a scarier story that almost nobody knows. The story about the books themselves is the subject of a documentary by filmmaker Cody Meirick. With the blessing of the author's family and interviews with notable authors and academics from every corner of the literary world, the documentary promises to get the inside look at the nostalgic title.
In a recent interview posted on entertainment website The Mary Sue, Meirick discusses his research and whether author Alvin Schwartz would have approved of the upcoming adaptation, seeing as he passed away in 1992. "I think [Alvin Schwartz] would have gotten a kick out of it," he says. "He ultimately wanted to give people and specifically children what they wanted... if he was told people wanted the stories told in a different medium, I think and I think his family thinks that he would have embraced it. He always stressed that folklore was a living, breathing thing that shouldn't be contained to the written page."
The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series is a 3-book collection of folktales and urban legends that are often known for their particularly ghastly illustrations by Stephen Gammell. There was a lot of controversy online when the illustrations were replaced in rereleased editions in 2010. The documentary intends to address the publication history of the books and the life the stories and illustrations have had over the last 30 years. The fact that the books have been challenged by parents and school boards many times over the years adds to this story.
Interviews in the upcoming documentary include family members of author Alvin Schwartz as well as a veritable who's who of authors, folklorists, and scholars. This includes Goosebumps and Fear Street author R.L. Stine just after the Goosebumps children's book series was adapted into a feature film themselves by Sony Pictures. Many are wondering how the Guillermo Del Toro adaptation will compare to that film.
The documentary is currently crowdfunding on Indiegogo until March 10th.
The Official Scary Stories Crowdfunding Campaign - http://bit.ly/1PrsUQF
The Official Scary Stories Website - http://www.scarystoriesdoc.com
Media Relations Contact:
Howard Sherman
888-983-1682
Web: http://www.crowdfundbuzz.com