Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Recommended to fans of stop motion animation, November 20, 2009
This review is from: The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox: A Film by Wes Anderson Based on the Book by Roald Dahl (Hardcover)
Length:: 0:26 Mins
Hands up if you have not read any of Ronald Dahl's books, alright, those of you who have your hands up, you seriously need to press the "BUY" button when you see any on Amazon, like in the upcoming link.
Fantastic Mr. Fox was published in 1970, written by Ronald Dahl. The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox is for the visual companion for the stop motion animated movie based on that book, directed by Wes Anderson.
This is a 192-page hardcover book with a nice dust jacket. The low gloss pages are filled with character sketches from the conceptualisation to the making of the models for the animated film.
A short introduction to the Dahl estate starts the book, which is then divided into several chapters which focus on the various characters of the film. Alongside the sketches and art, there are little notes that explain the consideration taken when designing the models, how each part is to be handled and the significance in the final film.
This book a treasure trove of knowledge on stop motion animation. It shows much of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into the final film, how each and every character is modeled, the making of the sets - the farmhouse, the foxes' tree burrow, the town square, how the fire in the street scene is done and many more.
There are plenty of detailed photos of the models of the buildings, like how each chicken should look down to the bread in the bakery etc. Alongside these photos are notes by the artists talking about the scenes where the models are used.
Each character has its own chapter. You can see how the director's interpretation the characters' look, traits and behaviours, are all reflected in the creation of the models. There are concept art from the initial character design to the final selected design, and the different expressions, their clothings, textures -- hair, fur, wrinkly skin, etc.
In the later parts of the book, alongside the pictures of the models for the settings and locations, there are interviews with Wes Anderson, Liccy Dahl (Roald Dahl's wife) and various production staff.
Fans of stop motion animation would enjoy this book and through it, appreciate this way of movie making.
(More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
For fans of any type, February 4, 2010
This review is from: The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox: A Film by Wes Anderson Based on the Book by Roald Dahl (Hardcover)
You should purchase this book if:
1. You enjoyed/liked/loved the film "Fantasic Mr. Fox"
2. You are an animation fan/historian/buff.
2a. Specifically, stop-motion animation
2b. With created puppets.
3. You like reading or collecting "Making Of" books about films.
Well, I loved this film, I'm an animation fan, and I qualify for item three. At first I was hesitant to get this book, but it was the option to not have to pay shipping if I bought this book and the soundtrack and had them shipped together which convinced me to get the book as well.
The book itself is amazingly detailed. There are interviews with Liccy Cahl (Roald's wife), Eric Anderson (voice of Kristofferson and brother of Wes), Jason Schwartzman (voice of Ash), and even Wes Anderson himself (interviewed by Michael Specter, who also wrote the book's introduction). The book is broken into sections based on "chapters" in the film - not necessarily the chapters as they are divided on the DVD. What I find amazing to look at, though, is the concept art for the film, particularly the characters. The art by Félicie Haymoz, Huy Vu, and Chris Appelhans really stands out too, especially Félicie's.
One last interesting tidbit other reviewers may not mention: The font and back endpages contain interesting bonuses that may interest some people: The front endpages have a dope sheet used by animators to mark out the timing of puppet movements, as well as camera and lighting changes, for the "Kylie, is he telling the truth?" scene. The dope sheet details every single frame of that scene, what shape/sound the character's mouths need to be making, the frames in which something moves, and the waveform (sound) of the actor's voices.
The rear endpages show us a segment of Alexandre Desplat's orchestral score for the "Whack-Bat Majorette" track in the film. As a piano player, I was intrigued to see the parts for every single instrument a segment in the song as I listened to it.
Anyway, to sum up, this book makes an excellent add-on on top of a purchase of the film and/or its soundtrack. It makes a great gift to someone you know who likes the film!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING FILM! AMAZING BOOK!, December 25, 2009
This review is from: The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox: A Film by Wes Anderson Based on the Book by Roald Dahl (Hardcover)
not only is wes anderson's film one of the best of 2009 but it is one of the best film's ever. it is a truly imaginative and cozy world that you enter from the first moments of the movie. it is as much for adults as it is kids because it hits the mark in capturing that childhood sense of wonder and exploration. the book itself is a gorgeous piece that wholly captures the detailed process that the creative team went through in making the movie. i highly recommend it. got it for christmas today and started to read it in front of the fire. i am 31 years old and i haven't wanted to be an animal living in a cozy animal world since i was a kid. this books and the film brings me back to that time and feeling.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|