Stop Motion Animation
How the 1933 Kong was animated frame by frame.
via Wikipedia: King Kong (1933 film) · see source
Stop-motion animation is the technique that brought Kong to life in the original King Kong (1933). The RKO film combined live-action sequences with stop-motion animation using rear-screen projection, and film historians generally agree that every scene involving Kong was achieved with animated models.
Quick Facts
- First used for kong
- King Kong (1933)
- Key animator
- Willis O'Brien
Willis O'Brien
Stop-motion animator Willis O'Brien, hearing that Merian C. Cooper wanted to make a gorilla film, painted a picture of a large gorilla carrying a woman and gave it to Cooper. O'Brien's ideas also helped shape the story, and Marcel Delgado built sample models of Kong, the dinosaurs and the people.
Effects and legacy
King Kong was groundbreaking in its use of stop-motion animation, matte painting, rear projection and miniatures, and its premiere in New York City on March 2, 1933, drew praise for the animation and Max Steiner's score. O'Brien also did the effects for The Son of Kong (1933) and, with Ray Harryhausen, for Mighty Joe Young (1949). King Kong Lives (1986) was the last Kong film to use suits and practical effects; later films used computer animation.
More in Mythos & Behind the Scenes
Elsewhere in King Kong
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