Neil Gaiman's 'Coraline' coming to life

Here are some images from the Portland, Ore., set of "Coraline," the much-anticipated animated film version of Neil Gaiman's brilliant novella (which was also notably adapted as a graphic novel drawn by P. Craig Russell).

The photo above shows scenic painter Aaron Jarrett at work on the set of the film now being directed and produced by the ingenious Henry Selick, who along with Tim Burton brought the world the spindly magic of "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

These photographs were taken by David Strick, who has one of the greatest gigs ever: He's the set photographer who gets fantastic access and captures truly singular Tinseltown moments. You can see the building collection of his very special work over at Hollywood Backlot. It's a pretty astounding and deep archive, and every time I click through I find something new and compelling.

Coraline is due in theaters in February and features the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Ian McShane and John Hodgman. There's a simmering excitment for this film. Why?

Fans of director Henry Selick and writer Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" got an up-close look at Selick's upcoming stop-motion animated feature "Coraline" on the Comic-Con show floor.

Adapted by Selick from Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book of the same name, "Coraline" follows a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. The parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. Except when Coraline's fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother, voiced by Teri Hatcher) try to keep her forever.

Georgina Hayns, head of "Coraline" puppet department, accompanied the movie's maquettes to San Diego where they are displayed in the NECA booth. Selick allowed the models to journey from Laika headquarters in Portland, Oregon where he has been recording the stop-mo animation in native 3-D. "Coraline" is due in theaters February 6, 2009.

See a "Coraline" clip here and a trailer here. Character descriptions and another photo after the jump.

Photos: Ian Shive, courtesy Focus Features

Comic-Con: Henry Selick's 'Coraline' maquettes charm the 'Con

Fans of director Henry Selick and writer Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" got an up-close look at Selick's upcoming stop-motion animated feature "Coraline" on the Comic-Con show floor.

Adapted by Selick from Neil Gaiman’s international best-selling book of the same name, "Coraline" follows a young girl (Dakota Fanning) who walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers an alternate version of her life. The parallel reality is eerily similar to her real life – only much better. Except when Coraline's fantastical adventure turns dangerous, and her counterfeit parents (including Other Mother, voiced by Teri Hatcher) try to keep her forever.

Georgina Hayns, head of "Coraline" puppet department, accompanied the movie's maquettes to San Diego where they are displayed in the NECA booth. Selick allowed the models to journey from Laika headquarters in Portland, Oregon where he has been recording the stop-mo animation in native 3-D. "Coraline" is due in theaters February 6, 2009.

See a "Coraline" clip here and a trailer here. Character descriptions and another photo after the jump.

Photos: Ian Shive, courtesy Focus Features