Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Pi, Potter And Hobbit



For those of you out there who are fans of movie magic Harper Design has just release three titles that should send your heart to fluttering.  I’m a huge fan of movies but show me a documentary or a book about how movies are made and you instantly have my attention.
It fascinates me how technicians, craftsmen, directors and the many other professionals that make movies are able to create special effects, both physically and visually, that fool the eye and thrill the viewer.

The Making Of Life Of Pi: A Film Journey from Jean Christopher Castelli, with a Foreword by Yann Martel and an Introduction from Ang Lee, chronicles the journey and adventures of a ship-wrecked boy and his unwilling passenger-a tiger.

The book begins with the genesis of the concept and proceeds to lead readers through the process of translating the book into a visually stunning movie filled with astounding visual effects and amazing stunts and dynamic acting sequences.

Behind-the-scenes interviews, glimpses of pre-production, production and post-production include illustrations, photos and more are all centered on how the movie magic was performed.
Learn about the cast and crew, 3D production, storyboards, sketches and photography and special portfolios from Mary Ellen Mark and Alexis Rockman are also included.  The book is an exhaustive investigation of the who, what, where and how of making movie magic.

Newly revised and expanded the Harry Potter Film Wizardry From The Creative Team Behind The Celebrated Movie Series is a dazzler of a book that offers a full chronicle on how the beloved Harry Potter book series was effectively translated to the Silver Scene.

Learn how the cast was chosen, where the films were made, how the physical and visual effects were achieved, the intense attention given to set dressing and costume designs and the careful attention given to each phase of production of each film.

Harry Potter fans will be blown away by the book’s encyclopedic volume of information in word, art and photos both in front of the cameras and behind them.  Lots of ‘extras’ are included bound in the book such as potion making instructions and other wizardly publications and secret instructions.  

As an extra added treat a special removable photo album is included containing never-seen-before images.  Readers can literally spend hours flipping through each page and immersing themselves into the imagery of the making of the Harry Potter movies.  It’s magic!

Equally impressive is The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey Chronicles book written by Daniel Falconer.

This beautifully hardbound book captures the look and feel of a Middle-earth tome.  Simulating a leather cover, the gold trim, earth tone book contains the secrets behind the making of the first film of the Hobbit movie trilogy.

Opening the book a Thorin’s Map is the first object seen.  Each step of the production of the movie is covered from physical to visual effects, character and costume designs, digital character development, design and final renderings, set dressings and designs, location scouting and habitat design and construction.

Brimming with sketches, art, photos and movie observations the book is the bible of the movie inspired by the classic book.

As an artist and designer I am impressed with the beautifully rendered designs right down to simple kitchen utensils and exterior Hobbit habitat.  The book is cleverly designed and well-thought out that takes readers from concept to completion of the highly anticipated film