Walden Media

History

Walden Media was founded in 2000 by Micheal Flaherty and Cary Granat as a movie, television, publishing and Internet enterprise whose goal is to teach and entertain kids. Granat was president of Miramax's Dimension Films division, and Flaherty came from the world of education. The two were housemates at Tufts University before following different paths, and later reunited to form the company. The company's formation was officially announced in May 2001. During the summer of 2001, Walden entered into their first film deals; with Phoenix Pictures to finance and co-produce Holes, an adaption of the children's book of the same name, in July and with director James Cameron to distribute his documentary Ghosts of the Abyss, focusing on the remains of the RMS Titanic, in August. In December, Walden announced that they had acquired the rights to produce films based on The Chronicles of Narnia. In late 2001, Anschutz Entertainment Group purchased a majority stake in the company, leaving the founders as minority shareholders.

In February 2002, Walden entered into a partnership with Summit Entertainment who would pre-sell their films internationally. In September, Walden entered into a two-year first-look agreement with The Walt Disney Company following their acquisition of the distribution rights to Ghosts of the Abyss in North America and the United Kingdom, and Holes in a majority of territories. Walden's first film, Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey, was released theatrically that same month.

In July 2004, Walden signed a five-picture production and deal with 20th Century Fox.

On August 9, 2006, Walden Media announced an extension to their partnership with Fox Filmed Entertainment, which would release education-themed family-friendly pictures that would be released under G or PG ratings. All films would be released under the 20th Century Fox banner. The company, now named "Fox-Walden", announced the release of its first four films in May 2007.

In March 2008, Michael Bostick, formerly of Imagine Films, was hired as creative officer. Cary Granat was released from his co-CEO title effective December 1, 2008, with Bostick replacing him. On October 2, 2008, it was announced that Fox-Walden would reduce its staff and cease operations as a standalone company, being folded into 20th Century Fox as a division. This was after all the films released under the venture had flopped at the box office in North America. The downsizing of Fox-Walden did not affect the partnership between both Fox and Walden Media and they would still release family-friendly movies together under the Fox-Walden banner.

Frank Smith was named CEO in 2013 after working with the company for ten years. Prior to joining the Anschutz Film Group, Smith worked at New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features.

In April 2023, Benjamin Tappan, a former EPIX executive, was named President of Production for Walden, overseeing the company's film and television development and production.

Education program

Walden Media is unique among film production and distribution companies in that it works with teachers, museums, and national organizations to develop supplemental educational programs and materials associated with its films and the original events and/or novels that inspire the films.

Walden Media offers in-class teaching tools like educational guides and teacher kits and sponsors seminars and forums for teachers to discuss their practice and to share ideas on using media in the classroom. Directors, writers, and stars of the productions participate in these events.

In 2006, Walden Media sponsored the "Break the World Reading Record with Charlotte's Web". At noon on Wednesday, December 13, 547,826 readers in 2,451 locations, 50 states and 28 countries read an excerpt from Charlotte's Web, breaking the world record of 155,528 students from 737 schools in the United Kingdom who read William Wordsworth's poem, "Daffodils" in 2004.

Filmography

Feature films

Television series

Etymology and logo

The company is named after Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. Its logo is a stone skipping across a pond.

References

References

1. Berkowitz, Bill. [http://www.mediatransparency.org/story.php?storyID=97 "The movie, the media, and the conservative politics of Philip Anschutz"]. Media Transparency, 2 December 2005.
2. ''[[Charlotte's Web (2006 film). Charlotte's Web]]'' in 2006, ''[[Bridge to Terabithia (2007 film). Bridge to Terabithia]]'', in 2007, three adaptations of ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia (film series). The Chronicles of Narnia]]'' in 2005, 2008 and 2010, ''[[Ramona and Beezus]]'' in 2010, and both ''[[A Dog's Purpose (film). A Dog's Purpose]]'' and ''[[Wonder (film). Wonder]]'' in 2017.Between Hollywood and Godlywood: the Case of Walden Media by Nathalie Dupont, Peter Lang, 2015
3. [http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/Home/ChildrensImprints.aspx?TCId=100 HarperCollins Children's Imprints]
4. Eller, Claudia. (November 14, 2008). "Granat out at Walden Media". LA Times Blogs - Company Town.
5. Jensen, Jeff. [https://web.archive.org/web/20070222092150/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1186021%2C00.html "The Family Business"]. ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'', 28 April 2006: 58–61.
6. "Granat, Anschutz become classroom mates".
7. "Walden Media | Corporate".
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9. Goodridge, Mike. (August 10, 2001). "James Cameron is going back to Titanic". [[Screen International]].
10. "Walden Media | Corporate".
11. Poirier, Agnes. (25 April 2003). "Ghosts of the Abyss".
12. (September 30, 2002). "Disney digs Walden". [[Variety (magazine).
13. "Walden Media | Corporate".
14. "Walden Media | News and Press".
15. (9 August 2006). "Walden Media and Fox Filmed Entertainment Partner Up".
16. Borys Kit. (17 May 2007). "Fox Walden puts four on calendar".
17. (2 October 2008). "Fox Walden Is No More".
18. "Walden Media - Home".
19. (2023-04-18). "Walden Media Hires Benjamin Tappan as President of Production".
20. "Our Company". Walden Media.
21. Deahl, Rachel. [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6299375.html?text=%22walden+media+works+to+make+moviegoers+readers%22 "Walden Media Works to Make Moviegoers Readers"]. ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'', 16 January 2006.
22. Toomey, Shamus. [http://www.suntimes.com/search/index.html "I've Never Broken a World Record"] {{Webarchive. link. (February 23, 2011 . ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', 14 December 2006.)
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24. (December 7, 2023). "Russell Crowe, Rami Malek & Michael Shannon Set For James Vanderbilt's Historical Drama ''Nuremberg''".
25. (2020-05-08). "Netflix's 'Baby-Sitters Club' Adaptation Gets Premiere Date - Watch First Teaser Here (Video)".
26. Charm, Neil. (2 July 2020). "Netflix's adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club aims at homebound families {{!}} BusinessWorld".
27. (March 30, 2022). "Apple's Lincoln Assassination Limited Series ''Manhunt'' Finds Its Dr. Mudd In Matt Walsh".