Howard Berger from the KNB EFX Group, Inc., responsible for prosthetics and animatronics in the making of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and he has a unique view on the creation of the film. He also shared several incredible pictures of the animatronic Aslan. Major Spoiler Images!! Here are some highlights, for the rest, visit the source link:
NW: The book mentions many different types of evil creatures in the Witch’s army. Are there any more creatures that the public has yet to see or have they simply been cut from the film?
Howard Berger: We created 23 individual species for the film. We have Minotaur, Minoboars, Cyclops, Ogres, Satyrs, Fauns, Boggles, Male Goblins, Female Goblins, Giants, Red Dwarves, Black Dwarves, Hags, Male and Female Centaurs, Gorillas, Bears, wolves, beavers and of course Aslan.
NW: How did you differentiate the Narnian creatures from the Lord of the Rings creatures and did you find this a difficult process using many of the same people with similar styles? What response would you make to people who suggest this film is just a copy of Lord of the Rings?
Howard Berger: Narnia is a whole different world then Middle Earth. Andrew Adamson’s vision is very different then Peter Jackson’s. KNB’s work is very different from WETA’s, so of course it would all be very different. That’s like saying will KING KONG be like RINGS as it is all the same people involved. They are all very different films on every level.
NW: What design was used for the Dryads in the movie? The book describes them as people, but people who look tree-ish. Where did you take your inspiration for the movie design?
Howard Berger: Actually, in the 11th hour the Dryads became CGI effects that effects supervisor Dean Wright and his team are handling. I think there was not a clear idea yet while we were filming what they might be, so it was decided that they be actors in flowing wardrobe filmed, but then replaced digitally later on in post.
NW: How did you get to work on this movie? For those interested in your career path what is the best advice you can give them?
Howard Berger: I have to thank my best friend Richard Taylor. He really pushed me and KNB on Andrew, who soon fell in love with us as I feel we delivered like gang busters, plus I really got to spread my wings and be more then just the makeup effects guy, but a major part of the film making experience. Andrew really allowed us to do what we felt was best under his supervision. I have to say it was the greatest film experience I have ever had as it was pure happiness and joy every day and I was allowed to immerse myself into the world of CS Lewis 100%, which I don’t get to do on other films. As for following a career path, well that is easy: just follow your heart and dreams. That may sound corny, but it is true as that is what I did and look at me now! My father always said that if you want something bad enough it will happen, and so far all my dreams, hopes and desires have come true. I feel very lucky everyday I wake up and go to work at KNB with my business partner Greg Nicotero as I get to have fun all day and get paid for it.
NW: Have you begun work on the next movie?
Howard Berger: No not yet, but I have re-read the book and have been thinking a lot about it. I feel we will need to handle the dwarves a lot differently as they are very large acting parts. On LWW we had 7 little people from Thailand and India who were great and also Kiran Shah who plays Ginarrbrik the Fat Dwarf, but I feel we may want to think about scaling down full size actors for these parts and go from there. I am just guessing and it will be up to Andrew ultimately, but that is what I feel right now. I also know exactly what I want to do differently on all the other creatures as I learned so much from the first film.
