Ramin Zahed is the Editor-in-Chief of the Los Angeles-based monthly publication, Animation magazine. He has been covering the animation and visual effects world for over 15 years. Before joining Animag, he was a senior editor at Daily variety. His articles have also appeared in Variety, Hollywood reporter, The Los Angeles times and The Christian science monitor.
From Titan Books, The Art of Rise of the Guardians features over 400 pieces of meticulously reproduced art, including storyboards, character designs and visual development art, the book is an insider’s tour of the DreamWorks Animation’s dynamic development process. With a foreword by Alec Baldwin. Visit www.titanbooks.com for more information.
What is your favourite scene in the film? Hag age 8
There are lots of beautiful and involving scenes in the movie, but one of my favorites is the sequence involving Bunnymund and the little eggs in the colorful world of the Easter Bunny. I don’t think we’ve ever seen such an imaginative animated sequence and backstory about the Easter Bunny and how each one of the eggs get their patterns and colors in movies before!
Why did you make the reason that they are Guardians that they died? Con age 5
That’s a very good questions–and a really tough one to answer. I think Jack was simply waiting for the Man in the Moon to allow him to prove himself–to find his true calling in this world. Jack came back from the frozen world because he knew that he would make a good Guardian–and that he could make life better for children all over the world–as long as they believed in him and the rest of the Guardians. He came back because his mission wasn’t really finished.
What made you think of Jack Frost’s freezing snow staff? Hag age 8
I think that’s one of the most clever tools and gadgets in the movie. It’s amazing when you talk to the artists who came up with these devices and find out how many months and years they spend thinking about various tools.backgrounds.characters and inspirations for each one of the characters in the story. What we see in theaters is the result of such inspired, collaborative work by a very large group of people at DreamWorks.
Who is you favourite Guardian? Con age 5
I have to say that I have a soft spot for Sandy. I really loved the fact that he could get his thoughts and feelings across without having to speak, just through gestures and by the magic sand patterns that form above his head. He reminded me of all the great silent characters from the movies, like Harpo Marx or Buster Keaton.
Why do the elves look the way they do? Hag age 8
The character development artists for “Rise of the Guardians” wanted the elves to look different from some of the usual animated elves we have seen in movies and TV specials in recent years. That’s why they came up with the elves looking like little gremlins, who get in the way of things and mess things up. They provide great moments of humor, especially in their interactions with the hard-working Yetti, who do all the real work for Santa.
Why did you want to write the book The Art of the Rise of the Guardians? Con age 5
I am a very lucky guy, because I write about animated movies and TV shows all the time in my day job. I was also fortunate enough to have written the “Art of Puss in Boots” book, so I was familiar with some of the artists at DreamWorks. When I heard about this movie, I was thrilled to work on the Art of Book, because I am also a huge fan of William Joyce, the writer and artist who wrote the book on which the movie is based. Getting to talk to the talented artists who worked on the movie and learning about all their amazing art work and how they put the movie together was one of the highlights of my year.
And thank you for asking such smart and thoughtful questions. 😉
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The Rise of the Guardians is out on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray Triple Play and DVD on 25th March from Paramount Home Entertainment
