Overread's thread on classic fantasy movies made me think of this man and about how he doesn't seem to get the recognition he deserves. He appears all but forgotten nowadays.
So who was he? He was a pioneer in stop-motion animation (one thing that the classic fantasy movies relied heavily upon). Not only that, he perfected such techniques as Miniature Rear Projection (which was used to great effect in the 1933 King Kong).
Miniature Rear Projection in 1933's King Kong
Luckily for the world of cinema and many years before he died, he took a young animator under his wing. That protege animator was Ray Harryhausen.
So, when you watch these old Harryhausen movies, spare a thought for his mentor.
Willis H. O'Brien - Wikipedia
So who was he? He was a pioneer in stop-motion animation (one thing that the classic fantasy movies relied heavily upon). Not only that, he perfected such techniques as Miniature Rear Projection (which was used to great effect in the 1933 King Kong).
Miniature Rear Projection in 1933's King Kong
Luckily for the world of cinema and many years before he died, he took a young animator under his wing. That protege animator was Ray Harryhausen.
So, when you watch these old Harryhausen movies, spare a thought for his mentor.
Willis H. O'Brien - Wikipedia
