The Art of Ray Harryhausen
In this current era of CGI (Common Gateway Interface) special effects, the serious film student will often overlook the history of earlier animation techniques. This lavishly illustrated book chronicles the oft-forgotten work of the master of stop-motion animation, Ray Harryhausen. It discusses his techniques from rough sketches to final filming and explores his creations in bronze sculpture. All of his film work is represented, from his Mother Goose adaptations (1946) to Clash of the Titans (1981), with particular emphasis on the Sinbad films (1950s-70s). Of notable interest in this volume are the full-color photographs of Harryhausen's models and drawings, plus illustrations from works of his influences, including Gustave Dore and Willis O'Brien. Peter Jackson, director of Lord of the Rings and King Kong (2005), contributes the foreword and discusses the impact of Harryhausen on his own directorial style. A must for all film and 20th-century art collections, this is highly recommended for undergraduates interested in the technique of animation and sculptural modeling.