We sometimes forget how much work goes into making a blockbuster movie. Visual effect are especially easy to take for granted, despite the fact that teams of people are responsible for creating the fantastic things we see on screen from scratch. In a recent VICE video, we get a glimpse into the work of one of the greats in the visual effects industry: Phil Tippett.
Tippett is responsible for some of the most memorable creature designs in some of the best films ever made, and has the Academy Awards to prove it. He spent his childhood idolizing the be-all and end-all of creature design, Ray Harryhausen, and making so many stop-motion shorts for his family that they considered seeking professional help to tone down his obsession.
Thankfully, Tippett persevered and eventually found himself working on films like Star Wars and Jurassic Park. Without Tippett’s work in creature design, we may never have had the iconic Mos Eisley cantina scene, Hoth’s Taun Tauns, or Luke fighting off the Rancor at Jabba the Hutt’s palace. Oh, and we should mention that we wouldn’t have had Jabba himself either!
The brief documentary shares some shots from Tippett’s career, as well as current interview footage where he talks about his latest endeavor, Mad God (which even Tippett himself states is hard to sum up). The four part series—the first episode of which you can purchase here—is a breathtaking stop motion film that’s as beautiful as it is extremely creepy.
What do you think of Vice’s documentary? How fast did you click the buy button snag yourself part one of Mad God? Let us know in the comments below!
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Images: Vice
