Now that it’s “out there” for pre-order, I think it’s okay to mention what I have been working on for the past year and change: a book on Guillermo del Toro’s upcoming film adaptation of Frankenstein. I had to sign an NDA with Netflix so I really couldn’t say anything about anything, even when I “randomly” went to Scotland last fall for a “vacation”. I actually went to join up with the film being shot in Dundee/Arbroath/Edinburgh, and had to carefully share only the photos which didn’t reveal the gigantic movie crew all around me. Once the whole thing is out, movie and book, I’ll write up a little travel diary of it, because it really was so fun. Watching a movie of this size being filmed – with Netflix money – was a new experience! There’s a reason I saw almost nothing of Scotland while I was there (except for the Elvis Shakespeare bookshop, which I sought out on my one day off.)
My book features interviews with all of the participants: Guillermo, the actors (ahem), all of the department heads – production designer Tamra Deverell, costume designer Kate Hawley, makeup department head Jordan Samuel – cinematographer Dan Laustsen, plus special effects design team, sound design, concept artist Guy Davis, and the genius who designed the creature, Mike Hill. So many more people! Meeting these brilliant artists has enriched my life and I am so grateful they made time in their schedules to be interviewed, sometimes multiple times (including follow-up questions over email). Every single one of them is a master at their craft and I absolutely loved learning about their process. Huge thanks to producer Miles Dale, who facilitated everything for me in Scotland, sending out mass emails for everyone to come find me to talk (they all did), as well as moving me out of the out-of-the-way Airbnb into the hotel where they all were staying. “Oh, no, you need to be with us,” he said. He was so generous and his assistant Ashley was incredible, and so CHILL, considering how non-stop busy her job was. Everyone was, to a person, nice and kind and generous. And then of course there is Guillermo, who requested me for this project, an honor of which I am FULLY aware. He allowed me access to everything, he brought me into the mobile editing lab so I could watch him put together sequences, and we spent hours discussing the film and the book and Mary Shelley and everything else under the sun.
The book will be published October 14, 2025.
PHENOMENAL NEWS!!!
//there is Guillermo, who requested me for this project//
WOOOOOOW!!
such amazing news, hats off, chapeau – a project deserving of your talents. I will be keeping eyes peeled for the film and your book.
Helena – it’s been a hell of a secret to keep! That Netflix NDA is no joke!
Thanks so much – it’s been quite a project. GDT knows my love of all those Romantics so I think that had something to do with him wanting me for it. He knows everything. Really excited for people to get to see the film too!!
A little bit of Nightmare Alley was filmed in the building where my office was. I learned a ton about film making from watching the crew work, and it was especially cool because del Torro is an all-time favorite. How very cool for you to have been asked for!
Yes I interviewed him at Ebertfest maybe 11 years ago when they screened Crimson Peak – and he liked my review of it. we had a great time talking about it. so it was awesome to actually get to see him at work.
It’s been such a long process. I am really excited to see the layout – Insight’s books are stunning.
Thanks Bill!
So happy for you, Sheila. What an honour to be requested by del Toro himself.
Cannot wait to see the film and read your book.
Maddy
Maddy – yes, it’s all very exciting! I am not sure the actual release date of the film – I think Thanksgiving, or thereabouts.
Repeating my congrats from over on blooskie. Man, I would be quite daunted to learn that GDT had picked me out specifically, he is such a titan. Apart from all the movies, his entry in Criterion Channel’s “Adventures in Moviegoing” is my favorite of those that I’ve watched, nothing but bangers
Oh God, yes. it’s so good.
He’s seen everything! and he’s so enthusiastic – he’s one of those people who never forgot what it’s like to be a child. I think most of the great directors have that: they are very close to whtever it is that transported them when they were little.
thanks Mike! it’s been daunting but also… not … because everyone made me feel so welcome. Like, I was part of the team – they all made me feel like I was a part of it. it was amazing!
I remember he even says that about remembering what it’s like to be a child. One of his picks is Spirit of the Beehive, where the little girl is enthralled by Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein when it plays her little provincial Spanish town. (& she totally doesn’t know how to process it, which leads to complications.) GDT is all, “That little girl was me! I was overwhelmed by Frankenstein!” (Extremely not a verbatim quote, but that was the gist, & definitely the enthusiasm is a quote!)
Now I’m thinking Spirit of the Beehive should’ve been my pick for that meme where you love this movie, but mostly nobody’s heard of it.
Yes, I remember that!! His house is filled with Frankenstein statues, some of which he commissioned. when he loves, he LOVES! it’s so infectious. and his love of Frankenstein is so well known this project seems like a “done deal” – but it’s really more just like the dream project to end all dream projects. Like, you get your chance at taking a crack at your favorite story of all time … ?? It’s really cool!
Sheila, this is SO COOL! I’m so happy for the well deserved recognition of your expertise and talent. It makes perfect sense: a film maker creating from a place of endless enthusiasm recognizing a kindred spirit. Waiting for my June pay check to preorder at my local bookstore. Fuck yeah, congratulations!
Thank you!
It’s so inspiring to get to be around (however briefly) people who are really living their dream – especially the people behind the scenes. sets, cameras, sound, costume – just sheer elite excellence, the best of the best. and so generous sharing what they did and how they did it – it was a privilege to get to meet all of them. and yes, GDT – what a visionary!
W-o-o-o-ow!!!! Good on ya!!!! I just *knew* something BIG BIG BIG was up!!!
thank you Frances!! yeah it was big big BIG! Lol
I can’t decide if this is Number Two or Number Three on my List Of Times I’ve Been Incredibly Happy For You. The other contender for the second spot is when you got hired to write for Roger Ebert.
Number one, of course, is when you wound up a long post with “Oh, and I met Dean Stockwell.” :)
oh my gosh, yes, posting my travel pics of New Mexico and then just slipping that in at the end there hahahaha
thanks Kelly – this opportunity kind of just came to me – as so much has in this writing career – like people just come to me. like Ebert did. and I have no idea what even started it or how it happened but I’m just happy it did!
I’m so close to this book right now I barely have any idea what I wrote – I mean that’s an exaggeration – but once I passed it in it moved into the next phase. we’ve had rounds of edits since January, which has been fun (great editors). once it became an actual manuscript – a THING that existed – I felt relieved because so long I was just preparing to write it. I had to do 20 interviews first – there was a lot of “okay I need to block out next month to work on it”.
That was my fall and winter. and here we are now!!
How cool, Sheila! Congratulations on the book, on being chosen among many to write it, on having the opportunity to be there.
I can imagine the conversations, the information shared on Mary Shelley, the excitement at the hotel corridors and the actual sets!
I hope to read the book soon, there’s no one who writes like you.
Clary – thanks! yes it was amazing, and really inspiring to be thrust into the thick of that collaboration – literally 100s of people working on the same thing. I was just in awe!
thanks again!
Wow! Now this is exciting news. Did I say “Wow?” I meant to say “WOW!”
Thanks so much, DBW! I’m actually feeling a little excitement now that the majority of the work – i.e. writing the manuscript itself – is done. I so enjoyed meeting all of these people and getting a chance to say “tell me about your process” and then listening to them speak for an hour or more about their art and where they get their ideas and how they work with others and what their vision for the project is. Artists, all of them!
What a great experience, and I know you have captured all of it in your inimitable style. I’m very excited for you.
Once I have it in my hands I can truly relax and maybe throw myself a little party.
This is incredible; I’m just beaming with happiness for you!
Just: WOW — what a perfect matchup! An experience to cherish forever. I love that this happened!
rae – thank you so much!! You’ve been here since almost the very beginning – you and Kelly and DBW – decades (can you believe it?) – so your support really means so much. It is very exciting and I’m even more excited now since the hard work part of it is done. It was climbing a mountain – I think my family is secretly thinking “if we ever hear the word ‘Frankenstein’ again we might scream.”
Kelly’s “list of times incredibly happy for you” is very relatable, because same!
I actually first read this post on Monday while trying to recuperate from a feverish weekend— good old end-of-the-semester health crash — so on Tuesday I had to come back and make sure it wasn’t a fever dream. So glad it’s real! I can’t wait to read it.
// I think my family is secretly thinking “if we ever hear the word ‘Frankenstein’ again we might scream.” //
ha! like the horses reacting to “Frau Blucher” in Young Frankenstein. (Well, not quite like that, but it’s what came to mind; clearly I’m not fully recuperated yet!)
// on Tuesday I had to come back and make sure it wasn’t a fever dream. //
hahahahaha
the Young Frankenstein reference is apt for obvious reasons!
Congratulations! Looking forward to getting my copy and seeing the film!
thank you Dan! the fall is going to be so exciting – I don’t think there’s a specific release date but probably November!