Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth on 7th February 1812, the second of eight children. Dickens childhood experiences were similar to those depicted in David Copperfield. His father, who was a government clerk, was imprisoned for debt and Dickens was briefly sent to work in a blacking warehouse at the age of twelve. He received little formal education, but taught himself shorthand and became a reporter of parliamentary debates. Dickens is renowned for his vibrant characterisation and atmosphere, especially of London and its inhabitants. His novels include Oliver Twist, The Old Curiosity Shop, Nicholas Nickleby, Barnaby Rudge, Martin Chuzzlewit, David Copperfield, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Hard Times, A Tale of Two Cities, Great Expectations and Our Mutual Friend.Robert Zemeckis is a veteran film writer, director and producer. His credentials include the Back to the Future trilogy, Death Becomes Her and Forrest Gump . In 2007 Zemeckis began experimenting with motion capture technology for the film Beowulf. A Christmas Carol is now being brought truly to life with Disney Digital 3D technology and launches Disney's new studio partnership with Zemeckis.