Stop Motion Legend
RAY HARRYHAUSEN
visits the NFTS
When animation and special effects legend Ray Harryhausen came to the NFTS for a masterclass he brought one of his iconic fighting skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts and a dinosaur
from The Valley of Gwangi along for the ride.
Awarded a Lifetime Achievement Oscar, Harryhausen's pioneering work in special effects and animation includes The 7th Voyage of Sinbad One Million Years BC and Clash of the Titans.
He discussed his films with Tony Dalton, co-author of several books, explaining the system of rear projection he used to merge live action and animation shots.
Ray described how he was inspired by seeing King Kong to create his own model animation. He built and painted all the models himself, with his father creating the armatures. Almost all the models have survived.
Despite being over 40 years old the models were in remarkably good condition, though the skeleton lost his original sword - Ray had improvised a replacement created from a Spanish pickle fork!
After the masterclass he visited the set of one of the current NFTS model animation students to discuss techniques. It was a privilege and a pleasure to welcome such a distinguished and charming film-maker to the school.
Ray Harryhausen, Tony Dalton & the staff and students of the Animation Department.
