Hollywood turns a page

Not everyone is as optimistic about Walden's mission as Flaherty. "The history of Hollywood is full of outsiders with deep pockets who thought they could come and make movies and succeed somehow where the studios had failed," says film historian Joseph McBride. Beyond that, some naysayers suggest that Walden Media is living in a fantasy world. "It's a wonderful and noble goal, but I think it's doomed to failure," says Ray Greene, documentarian and film critic. "How many kids in the real world are going to see these films and then read the book versus demanding the DVD and watching that over and over again?"

But early (albeit utterly anecdotal) evidence suggests the company may have found an overlooked mother lode. Celebrated authors such as Carl Hiaasen to Kate DiCamillo are lining up to work on upcoming projects, while educators are using the Walden materials as a jumping-off point for their own projects. Walden has further demonstrated its interest in the educational process with its emphasis on science and math-themed projects such as "Aliens of the Deep," directed by James Cameron.

Walden hasn't ignored the arts, either. Anne Fennell, a music teacher based in Vista, Calif., was tapped to create online music lessons that will integrate musical themes, lyrics, and literary ideas into school lessons for teachers nationwide. "To have a large company realize that media is a vital part of our young people's lives and to do so with standards and integrity is a testament to the company," she says.

According to "Narnia" producer Mark Johnson, Walden is mining a simple truth Hollywood used to know but has forgotten in its rush to make the next big blockbuster: Kids aren't stupid. Mr. Johnson observes that C.S. Lewis, the author of "Narnia," felt strongly that adults shouldn't condescend to children. "Lewis disagreed with those who felt children should be protected from the evils of the world, but he felt it was really irresponsible to tell them about pitfalls and evils and not present hope," he says.

Mr. McBride says that the serious young-adult market has been underserved until now. But if there's a peril for Walden, it will more likely come from business challenges than lack of good ideas, says the film historian. Walden's challenge may be to make a name for itself, independent of the big film studios (such as Disney) it partners with to distribute its films. "Distribution is always the hardest part," says McBride. "You can make great movies, but if you can't get them distributed without giving away the bank, then you won't make it."

Flaherty knows many people perceive him as being on a fool's errand. "We know this isn't for the faint of heart," he says. But he says his model is fundamentally sound. "If we can stay with what teachers and those who know best are telling us the kids want to see, we think that's a 'north star' - and gives us a head start."

It doesn't hurt that he's already attracting top-tier talent. In addition to a slate of upcoming films starring, among others, Harrison Ford and Owen Wilson, Walden is already preparing its next big holiday release, a live-action adaptation of E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web," with Dakota Fanning.

Page: 1 | 2