The Making of 'DragonHeart' (1997)

This documentary was first released on the laserdisc for DragonHeart, and was then re-released on both the Collector's Edition and Franchise Collection DVDs.

Introduction
"The Making of 'DragonHeart'" is a documentary that takes audiences on an amazing journey behind the scenes of the 1996 fantasy experience movie "DragonHeart". This documentary, released in 1997, showcases the innovative procedure of the filmmakers, the challenges they faced throughout production, and the groundbreaking special impacts that brought the dragon character, Draco, to life. Below is a summary of the crucial elements of the documentary, detailing the various aspects that contributed to the making of "DragonHeart".

Principle and Story Development
The documentary begins by checking out the initial principle and the advancement of the story. It delves into the inspiration behind the film, which combined middle ages mythology with a buddy-cop film dynamic, centered around the relationship in between the dragon Draco and the knight Bowen. The creators discuss their vision of bringing to life a story that stabilizes action, humor, and heart, with a focus on themes of honor, redemption, and relationship.

Character Creation and Casting
One of the highlights of the documentary is the production of the character Draco, voiced by Sean Connery. It offers an in-depth take a look at the character's design, going over the option of a dragon as a symbol of power and knowledge. The group desired Draco to have a personality that would resonate with audiences and invested a great deal in making him credible and relatable.

The casting process for the human characters is also covered, including how Dennis Quaid was chosen to play the worthy knight Bowen, and the chemistry in between the characters that contributes to the film's charm. The documentary highlights the value of casting to the film's success and the effort put in by the stars to bring credibility to their roles.

Unique Effects and Technology
A significant focus of the documentary is the innovative special effects utilized to bring Draco to life. At the time of its release, "DragonHeart" was a pioneer in computer-generated imagery (CGI). The documentary discusses the partnership with Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the restrictions of innovation throughout the mid-1990s, and how the group conquered these difficulties. It sheds light on the animation process, the creation of detailed dragon scales, and the combination of live-action video footage with CGI to create seamless scenes.

The filmmakers also touch upon the motion capture methods and making use of scale designs that played an essential function in animating Draco realistically. They explain how Connery's voice efficiency influenced the character's mannerisms and the synchronization work that needed to be done to match Draco's lip movements with the dialogue.

The Music Score and Sound Design
Music and sound design are important to the storytelling process of any movie, and the documentary does not overlook this aspect. It offers a glance at the development of the orchestral rating by author Randy Edelman that intended to evoke the film's grandeur and psychological depth. Alongside music, the documentary highlights the elaborate sound effects that were tailored to Draco and other aspects in the movie, deepening the audience's immersion in the dream world.

Legacy
Finally, "The Making of 'DragonHeart'" touches upon the legacy of the film. It assesses the film's influence on the future of CGI in movie theater and how it led the way for more sophisticated visual effects in later years. The documentary captures the devotion and enthusiasm of the filmmakers, the cast, and the team, and how their collaborative efforts culminated in a motion picture that caught the creativities of audiences worldwide.

In summary, "The Making of 'DragonHeart'" is an interesting expect fans of the movie and anybody thinking about the art of filmmaking, particularly in the realm of special impacts. It acts as a testament to the ingenuity and imagination that defined a significant minute in movie theater history.

Top Cast

  • Rob Cohen (small)
    Rob Cohen
    Self
  • Raffaella De Laurentiis
    Self
  • Patrick Read Johnson (small)
    Patrick Read Johnson
    Self
  • Charles Edward Pogue
    Self
  • Phil Tippett (small)
    Phil Tippett
    Self
  • Dennis Quaid (small)
    Dennis Quaid
    Self
  • Dina Meyer (small)
    Dina Meyer
    Self
  • David Thewlis (small)
    David Thewlis
    Self
  • Judith Weaver
    Self
  • Scott Squires (small)
    Scott Squires
    Self
  • Randy Edelman (small)
    Randy Edelman
    Self