 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film |
| Founded | 1953 Weston, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Founder | Morton Schindel |
| Headquarters | , U.S. |
Key people | Richard Robinson (CEO) |
| Parent | Scholastic Corporation (1996-present) |
| Website | www |
Weston Woods Studios (or simply Weston Woods) is an American production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children. [1] It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded area near his home. Weston Woods Studios' first project was Andy and the Lion in 1954; its first animated film was The Snowy Day in 1964. [2] 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 Australia (1977). In addition to making the films, Weston Woods also conducted interviews with the writers, illustrators, and makers of the films. The films have appeared on children's television programs such as Captain Kangaroo , Eureeka's Castle , and Sammy's Story Shop. [3] 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.
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Beginning in 1968, Weston Woods also made filmstrips and audio recordings synchronized to them, [4] 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, Weston Woods was acquired by Scholastic Corporation. [5]
