A new book on a recent animated movie is a great source for anyone thinking about creating strange new characters and amazing new worlds. Paramount Pictures’ recent animated movie Rumble is the focus of Noela Hueso’s book Rumble: The Art and Making of the Movie. More than a survey of the concept artwork and development of the film, it’s a blueprint for designing creatures, aliens, and monster types. Practically a Monster Manual for dozens of new characters from concept artwork to final film stills as presented on the screen, Rumble: The Art and Making of the Movie is now available here at Amazon in a jacketed, coffee table-type hardcover. Take a look inside the book below.
The next level of books on film animation is here. But Klaus: The Art of the Movie, a behind the scenes look at the new Christmas movie from Netflix, doesn’t dig into the next advances of CG-animation. Instead you’ll find a story about a group of creators wanting to advance the style of animation before the advent of CGI. And that’s what they did, finding new ways to take hand-drawn animation forward in a way that will appear just as exciting and new to movie audiences.
Although you may be distracted from the background details by the stunning, innovative use of light and shadow in Klaus, this book features dozens of double-page artworks that allow you to take your time, marveling over the techniques used to create everything from snowy peaks to old, dusty floorboards. It’s then that you see the influence of the styles of Christmas classics from Rankin & Bass and early Walt Disney Studios on the artists that worked on the film. With decisions like having animal characters act like real animals instead of the typical talking comedy foil, stark contrasts in the direction of the story’s various environments, and vivid color choices, all the key production creators are able to point to what specifically sets their movie apart.
