Post by Nienna Greenleaf of Mirkwood on May 10, 2008 8:40:46 GMT -6
Now let's be honest here, if it wasn't for Smaug, there would be no movie! Which is a round-about way of saying exactly what Del Toro discusses below. This thread will deal with anything and everything SMAUG.
Here's the latest on what Del Toro has to say about him...
“Smaug should not be “the Dragon in the Hobbit movie” as if it was just “another” creature in a Bestiary. Smaug should be “The DRAGON” for all movies past and present. The shadow he cast and the greed he comes to embody- the “need to own” casts its long shadow and creates a thematic / dramatic continuity of sorts that articulates the story throughout.”
He sparked a great deal of speculation by talking about not just Smaug but how he is revealed in the environment of his surroundings. It is clear he thinks in visuals.
”To me, Smaug is the perfect example of a great creature defined by its look and design, yes, but also, very importantly, by his movement and -One little hint- its environment - Think about it…”
Oh and we have been. In another post he went on to say,
“What I meant by the environment / Smaug relationship is about the way he is scaled, moves and is lit, limited or enhanced by his location, weather conditions, light conditions, time of the year, etc. That’s all I can say without spoilers but, if you keep this curious little summary you’ll realize several years form now that those things I had in my mind ever since doodling the character as a kid had solidified waaay before starting the shoot of the film.
“A big tool is also how and when he is fully revealed. I could give you specifics- beat-by-beat in fact (I’m geeking out to do it), but… I will say no more in order to save you from ruthless spoilerage (we have a few years to go, you now…?) and increased anxiety.
Keep this little note…”
Fantastic. ;D
He also goes on to talk about other dragons in cinema.
This one below, my favorite when I was a little girl, still lives on in cinema. Maleficent, the dragon from "Sleeping Beauty".
And this one below, Vermithrax, the dragon from "Dragonslayer," is also an excellent representation.
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And here's a little bit more on Smaug by Del Toro...
”One of the main mistakes with talking dragons is to shape the mouth like a snub simian one in order to achieve a dubious lip-synch . . .
“As to his voice- well, each reader has a Smaug voice in his / her head, just like you always do when “hearing” a great character in a book.
I have mine… and it will be revealed in time . . .”
Here's the latest on what Del Toro has to say about him...
“Smaug should not be “the Dragon in the Hobbit movie” as if it was just “another” creature in a Bestiary. Smaug should be “The DRAGON” for all movies past and present. The shadow he cast and the greed he comes to embody- the “need to own” casts its long shadow and creates a thematic / dramatic continuity of sorts that articulates the story throughout.”
He sparked a great deal of speculation by talking about not just Smaug but how he is revealed in the environment of his surroundings. It is clear he thinks in visuals.
”To me, Smaug is the perfect example of a great creature defined by its look and design, yes, but also, very importantly, by his movement and -One little hint- its environment - Think about it…”
Oh and we have been. In another post he went on to say,
“What I meant by the environment / Smaug relationship is about the way he is scaled, moves and is lit, limited or enhanced by his location, weather conditions, light conditions, time of the year, etc. That’s all I can say without spoilers but, if you keep this curious little summary you’ll realize several years form now that those things I had in my mind ever since doodling the character as a kid had solidified waaay before starting the shoot of the film.
“A big tool is also how and when he is fully revealed. I could give you specifics- beat-by-beat in fact (I’m geeking out to do it), but… I will say no more in order to save you from ruthless spoilerage (we have a few years to go, you now…?) and increased anxiety.
Keep this little note…”
Fantastic. ;D
He also goes on to talk about other dragons in cinema.
This one below, my favorite when I was a little girl, still lives on in cinema. Maleficent, the dragon from "Sleeping Beauty".
And this one below, Vermithrax, the dragon from "Dragonslayer," is also an excellent representation.
---------
And here's a little bit more on Smaug by Del Toro...
”One of the main mistakes with talking dragons is to shape the mouth like a snub simian one in order to achieve a dubious lip-synch . . .
“As to his voice- well, each reader has a Smaug voice in his / her head, just like you always do when “hearing” a great character in a book.
I have mine… and it will be revealed in time . . .”