Neil Gaiman is bloody awesome, and the adaptation of his children’s fantasy novella, Coraline, will hit theaters on Febrary 6, 2009. Upon its release, this film will have been in production for eighteen months, which I guess is about right for a stop-motion animation flick, but it still feels like forever since I am a huge fan of Neil’s writings. In fact, one of my most prized possessions is a signed copy of the final manuscript for his American Gods novel. However, none of his novels have received nearly as much of my playtime as his Sandman comics, since the graphic representation of his writing never fails to be unmistakeably vivid. Live-action just doesn’t manage to do justice in the same way as far as Neil’s writing is concerned, so I’m looking extremely forward to Coraline when it arrives in theaters.
You know what I love most about Neil Gaiman though? Well, he was born as a second-generation Scientologist, so he pretty much had no choice in the matter throughout his childhood and teenage years. However, in his early twenties, Neil managed to extract himself from the cult. In 1983, Scientology declared Neil Gaiman to be a “Suppressive Person,” which, in comparison to remaining as a mind-washed drone and loaded gun for the cult, is quite the prestigious title.
Imagery: Focus Features
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It’s my understanding – I could be wrong – that the only reason Gaiman isn’t a vocal critic is that he may still have family or friends inside the cult.
Active participation on his part against Scientology could lead to this criminal organization declaring those people “PTS” (Potential Trouble Source), since they are connected to him in some way. That can send a person into the Rehabilitation Project Force. Something else to Google.
This cult must die.
i love me some neil gaiman writings and adaptations! looking forward to this…
i saw the preview and was like wow im so excited to see this, i swoon for neil gaiman (those sandman comics changed my life!). haahha, and it was ironically right before HSM 3 (i still want those two hours of my life back). coraline has the creator of the nightmare before xmas involved and sorta has the look of other film gaiman created awhile back…(i forgot the name, but totally cool looking movie albeit a little slow)…yeay….!
[...] The one that got away – ABH [...]
Looking fwd to it. What did u think of British fantasy flick Mirrormask? I loved it, but a lot of people didn’t….
Mirrormask, of course, written by Gaiman. See Close to You sequence here
[...] Be careful what you wish for… [...]
Neil Gaiman did not manage to extract himself from the Scientology, his father David Gaiman was declared suppressive and went back in and by 1988 Neil Gaiman was taking Scientology courses (three to be exact). You have this backwards, Neil Gaiman isn’t “out” of Scientology staying silent, he’s involved in Scientology and doesn’t want to lose his income from people who find Scientology to be a dangerous cult.
Neil Gaiman is definitely a Scientologist. I found this “Neil Gaiman’s family members are all high-ranking Scientologists; father David Gaiman was head of the Guardian Office and is active in Russia, sister Claire Edwards is an executive in Scientology Missions International (recruiting end of Scieno), wife Mary Gaiman is listed as “clear” in 2002, Mother Sheila Gaiman is a big time Scientologist with her own site and is also active in Russia. Other sister Lizzie Calcione “runs a Scientology practice in East Grinstead , that is a mixture of auditing and WISE delivery.” The Gaiman Family USA were awarded Scientology’s “Founding Patron” and “Patron” status for 2004 & 2006. This award is only given to people who donate significant amounts of money to “clear the planet.” According to Celebrity Scientology blog-writer Grahame when asked about Neil’s scientology current status: “My answer is that I heard from a close relative of his that he (Neil Gaiman) is taking services at Flag.”