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| Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013) storyboards by Dave Lowery |
Sam Raimi directed the Wizard of Oz prequel film based on original concepts, but was heavily influenced by the 14 novels written by Frank Baum. "We wouldn't have even made the movie if we didn't all love the Wizard of Oz movie so much," Raimi told NPR. "We're trying to nod lovingly in its direction and make our own original, fun, wacky, emotional story that lives on its own."
The film was successful and grossed $493 million worldwide, including $149 million during its opening weekend. A huge challenge like this took many talented artists and one of them is Dave Lowery.
Dave Lowery is a professional storyboard artist who's worked on Hollywood films like Jurassic Park , Iron Man and Spider-Man since 1988.
Check out the rest of the images after the jump (click to enlarge).
Lowery has worked with director Sam Raimi on several films including Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3 and talked about working with him in the June - July 2013 issue of Perspectives Magazine.
“Sam Raimi’s movies are unique in that he allows his storyboard artists a long, long run at collaborating with him to hone his vision as we approach the shoot." Lowery said. “I was on Oz for almost two years, including many months’ prep in Los Angeles, eight months on location for the prep and shoot, and a couple of months back in Los Angeles for the reshoots.
“Raimi works harder than just about anybody I’ve ever known; and with that level of dedication and passion for the project, he inspires the same in you. You become an integral part of his process of making the movie. He also challenges you to be better, in a way. For instance, when he hands you the script for the first time, he says, ‘I want one thousand notes from you on this script.’ Now THAT is a challenge.
“Sam will use several storyboard artists, assigning various sequences to us, as he deems appropriate to our style and expertise. He will describe his vision for each scene and describe the most important elements of story, plot, character and action he wants us to capture. As we’re developing the scene, we’re encouraged to add as much invention, energy and wit as we can bring to it. This process goes on all the way until the movie is being shot. Sam is the most amazing director in that way—always searching, willing to add a new and better ‘beat’ up to the day it shoots.”
See more of Dave Lowery's work on films at http://dlstoryboards.blogspot.com/.
Click on the links if you want to see more of Dave Lowery's work and Oz: The Great and Powerful on my blog.
Official Oz: The Great and Powerful Summary
Disney's fantastical adventure "Oz The Great and Powerful," directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.
Directed by Sam Raimi
Cinematography by Peter Deming
Production Design by Robert Stromberg
Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King, Tony Cox, Michelle Williams
Release dates: February 14, 2013 (El Capitan Theatre), March 8, 2013 (United States)
© Copyright 2013 Walt Disney Pictures, Roth Films. All rights reserved
What do you think of the storyboards? If you've seen Oz: The Great and Powerful, what did you think?
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I love the 1939 film and have read the first two books. I enjoyed The Great and Powerful, though I think of it as more of a guilty pleasure, collector's item than genuine Oz.
ReplyDeleteI love Lowery's description of Saimi's process.