Isobelle Carmody 2003
Distributed by Chip Taylor Communications, 2 East View Drive, Derry, NH 03038-4812; 800-876-CHIP (2447)
Produced by VEA Productions
Directed by John Moss
VHS, color, 35 min.
Jr. High - Adult
Biography, Children's Literature, Women's Studies, Writing
Date Entered: 05/05/2004
Reviewed by Brad Eden, Ph.D., Head, Web and Digitization Services, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las VegasThis video, part of Chip Taylor’s English Studies Series, interviews writer Isobelle Carmody, who is a leading writer of teenage fiction. Her works include The Gathering, The Obernewtyn Chronicles, Dreamwalker, Scatterlings, Green Monkey, and Dreaming. The writer talks about her childhood experiences, from which she draws her ideas for writing her books, and her beliefs and attitudes regarding death, truth, bleakness, and fantasy. The filming of the interview is very innovative, in that the writer discusses her life in front of various locations that were important to her writings and her attitudes towards life, including her childhood home, the next door neighbor's house, some trips she took as a teenager and young adult, and experiences in school. The camera and filming techniques used are also interesting, using a wide variety of color, b&, and different angles during the interview.
This video is recommended for teens and adults wishing to know more about this author, and about writing, specifically in the area of teenage fiction. The container for the video says that the film is 55 minutes long, but it is actually only 25 minutes long.