|
|
 |
  |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
COMPLETED
Creation: The Lost Worlds of Willis O'Brien, a feature length documentary devoted to the pioneering achievements and personal life of Hollywood's
proverbial “forgotten man.”
The title describes the film’s
basic premise. Credited as “Chief Technician” on the 1933 classic King
Kong, O’Brien’s legacy is not merely technical. He was an artist — producing memorable character performances
through his invention, stop-motion animation.
O’Brien’s backstory
is as fascinating as the fantasy movies he created. It’s packed with adventure, romance and tragedy… spanning
the dying era of the wild west to the formation of a fledgling company town called Hollywood.
NEWS
- September, 2004: We are pleased to announce an addition to the bonus supplementary material for the DVD.
A new chapter will feature the making of the King Kong & Kongfrontation theme park rides at Universal Studios in CA &
FLA. Bob Gurr, former Disney Imagineer and conceptual engineer of these thrilling rides has been gracious enough to grant
an interview and share his rare, behind-the-scenes pictures. We also expect video footage of the rides in action! (photo copyright
Randa Bishop)
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE PRODUCTION
There are three distinct segments to Creation.
1. Interviews
~ with many of O’Brien’s peers, fans and cinema historians. Among them are:
- Ray Harryhausen (O’Brien’s only apprentice; winner of the prestigious Gordon E. Sawyer
award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ® for his amazing canon
of fantasy films.)
- Dennis Muren (FX Supervisor for George Lucas’ Industrial
Light & Magic, multiple Oscar winner for most of the blockbuster films since 1977.)
- Phil Tippett (FX Animator, Oscar winner for Jurassic Park, Starship Troopers.)
- John Landis (Director: Animal House, Blues Brothers, American Werewolf in London, Trading
Places. A self-described "Kong nut.")
- Forrest J. Ackerman (Writer/Editor of Famous Monsters of Filmland,
a magazine which lasted 30 years as the chronicle of genre movies.)
- Bob Burns (Author of It Came From Bob’s Basement
and a lifelong collector of movie props/memorabilia, including the original armature of King
Kong.
2. Dramatic
Recreations: Using full period décor and actors, these scenes (set between 1900 and 1962) will present key moments
from O’Brien’s unusual life.
3.
Stop-Motion Demonstration: A demonstration of O'Bie's stop-motion techniques will be unveiled in a unique animated
sequence directed and performed by one of the industry's masters. The content of this scene is completely new — but
it holds a fascinating, notorious connection with King Kong.
These three segments will be tied together with: narration, film clips, vintage production artwork, and hundreds of
rare behind-the-scenes stills.
|
|
|
|
|
Positions are still open for archival researcher,
transcriber and grant seeker.
Send inquiries to:
Galt's Gulch Productions
6644 Burnet Avenue
Van Nuys, CA 91405
philnoir@earthlink.net
Use the phrase "Creation gig" in the subject line. No attachments, please.
|
|
|
|
|
|
