A visual feast for Harryhausen fans, Ray’s Fantasy Scrapbook reveals a wealth of fascinating artifacts, many of which were only recently discovered in a garage in Los Angeles and have never been seen before. Featured herein are models from unrealised projects, such as dinosaurs from the unfinished film Evolution and prints of out-takes from various movies including The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms. The book abounds with early concept drawings and storyboards, colour transparencies of Ray at work, written artifacts such as letters and production budgets and a diary that details Ray’s first meeting with his mentor Willis O’Brien. There are also early film treatments and script extracts, publicity posters and brochures and much, much more.
Some of the items show Ray’s earliest artistic endeavours such as watercolours painted when he was 15 years old and marionettes of creatures from King Kong that he made when he saw the film in 1933.
Organised into themed chapters covering the different genres that Ray worked in, each film is given a brief introduction and every image has a detailed caption. In many cases images are juxtaposed to show how a creature or effect evolved or to compare a concept drawing with a still from the finished film.
The result is a treasure trove of rare artifacts and material which not only offer new insights into how Ray created particular effects, but bring the worlds of his films to life in a new way and paint a fascinating visual portrait of the man himself and his creative imagination. Believe me, this book is an absolute must for every Ray Harryhausen fan.
Ray Harryhausen’s Fantasy Scrapbook is published by Aurum Press and is available online with free worldwide delivery from The Book Depository and on the high street from Blackwell and all good book stores.
To mark the publication of Ray Harryhausen’s Fantasy Scrapbook, Aurum Press have teamed up with the Barbican and online community Don’t Panic to launch an animation competition with an incredible prize. Three winners will:
- Meet Ray at his London home
- Have their short animations screened at the Barbican during a special Ray Harryhausen event, featuring some of the UK’s leading animators including Nick Park, in spring 2012
- Receive an individual hour-long session with animation tutors at the National School of Film and Television
- Win a year’s free Yellow membership to the Barbican, including 20% off all films
- Bag signed copies of Ray Harryhausen’s Fantasy Scrapbook, The Art of Ray Harryhausen and A Century of Modern Animation
Entry to this spectacular competition is via a storyboard, rather than a finished animation. A selection of storyboard templates can be downloaded from the Don’t Panic website. Entrants should go to the same page to upload their finished entries – all on the theme of monsters. Finished storyboards will sit in a viewing gallery where visitors to the site can vote for their favourites. The ten entries with the most votes, together with up to two judges’ wild cards, will make it to a shortlist judged by a distinguished panel comprising:
- Robert Rider, Head of Cinema at the Barbican
- Helen Nabarro, Lead Animation Tutor at the National School of Film and Television
- Tony Dalton, Ray’s writing partner and curator of The Ray And Diana Harryhausen Foundation
- Jodie Mullish, Head of Marketing at Aurum Press
The competition closes on 12th February 2012 so if you fancy your chances, head on over to the website and get entering!