Weston Woods Studios

rdf:langString Weston Woods Studios

rdf:langString Weston Woods Studios

rdf:langString Weston Woods Studios

rdf:langString Weston, Connecticut, U.S.

rdf:langString Richard Robinson

rdf:langString U.S.

rdf:langString Weston Woods Logo.jpg

rdf:langString Thames Television, Saatchi & Saatchi North America, the Program Exchange

rdf:langString Publishing Company

rdf:langString Weston Woods Studios (or simply Weston Woods) is a production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children.It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded area near his home. The company's first project was Andy and the Lion in 1954, and its first animated film was The Snowy Day in 1964. In 1968, Weston Woods began a long collaboration with animator Gene Deitch. Later, they opened international offices in Henley-on-Thames, England, UK (1972), as well as in Canada (1975), and in Australia (1977). In addition to making the films, the company also conducted interviews with the writers, illustrators, and makers of the films. The films appeared on children's television programs such as Captain Kangaroo, Pinwheel, The Great Space Coaster, Lunchbox, Eureeka's Castle, and Mister Moose's Fun Time. In the mid-1980s, the films were released on VHS under the Children's Circle titles, and Wood Knapp Video distributed these releases from 1988 to 1995. Beginning in 1968, the company also made filmstrips and audio recordings synchronized to them, which became known as the Picture Book Parade. Many of these recordings were narrated by actor Owen Jordan and were often different or expanded recordings from the films. In 1996, the company was acquired by Scholastic Corporation.