The Crafting of Narnia : The Art, Creatures, and Weapons from Weta Workshop

• Foreword
• Introduction
• The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
• I. Into Two Worlds
• II. Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve
• III. The Hundred-Year Winter
• IV. The Coming of Spring
• The Chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian
• V. A Changed World
• VI. The Call of the Horn
• VII. The Wild Army of Narnia
• VIII. The Grand Army of Telmar
• Afterword
• Art Credits
• Book Credits
• Weta Workshop's Film Credits
• Acknowledgments

Before you can film a fantasy movie, you must create an authentic world. What kind of weather is found within, what would the buildings be made of, what creatures populate its land, and what is the history behind its people? For every stunning frame of film, there have been countless hours of work to create such majesty. And what a task to bring to the screen one of the world's most beloved children's series, C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.

This book, written and designed by the artists of the Academy-Award winning special effects house Weta Workshop, chronicles the stunning concept drawings, designs, and props that helped director Andrew Adamson shape the world of Narnia in cinematic glory. With detailed photography, hundreds of never before seen drawings and sculptures, and commentary from the artists and craftspeople of the workshop, discover the intricate work and exhaustive research and detail that went into each piece, prop, and weapon made by Weta Workshop for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. This beautifully illustrated collector's edition follows the journey of ideas, from initial sketches through finished designs to final, exquisitely hand-crafted props, armor, and miniatures. Witness firsthand the intricate models for the creatures in the White Witch's army, the difference between a Boggle and a Harpy, how Mr. Tumnus evolved, how dwarves and Centaurs were armored, and much, much more.

The Crafting of Narnia provides a unique window into the movie-making experience.

WETA WORKSHOP is a film and television effects studio based in Wellington, New Zealand, best known for their work on The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Under the direction of five-time Academy-Award winner Richard Taylor, Weta Workshop specializes in design, special make-up effects and prosthetics, creatures, armor, weapons, miniatures, prop building, large-scale sculpture, display work, and costuming.

"That's what is wonderful about this book. It is not just about the finished film, but the collaborative process that got us there. The good ideas and the bad. The exploration and discovery. All the things that make the creative process exciting... Looking through this book brings me fond memories of that journey and reminds me of how lucky I am to have worked with such a talented group of artists who were willing to join me."
- from the Afterword by director Andrew Adamson

Written and designed by the artists of Academy Award winning special effects house Weta Workshop, this indispensable book chronicles their stunning conception and design of the world of Narnia for Andrew Adamson’s The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the forthcoming The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (May 2008). With detailed photography, hundreds of never before seen drawings and sculptures and commentary from the artists and craftspeople of the workshop, this beautiful four-color collector’s edition follows the journey of ideas, from initial sketches through beautifully finished designs to final, exquisitely hand-crafted props, costume pieces, and settings.

Armed with a wealth of fascinating facts and unique imagery, The Crafting of Narnia promises to be a striking, essential companion to The Chronicles of Narnia.

Weta Workshop is a multi-award winning conceptual design and physical manufacturing facility based out of Wellington, New Zealand, servicing the world's entertainment and wider creative industries. Weta Workshop is also a multi-disciplinary facility, with crew members expert in a diverse range of disciplines all housed under the one roof. These services include conceptual design and the manufacturing of weapons, armor and chainmail, specialist props, custom vehicles, specialty costumes, miniatures and models, special makeup and prosthetics, and public art installations or displays. The team at Weta enjoys engaging in projects holistically, from preliminary technical analysis and conceptual design through to manufacture across all departments and the final delivery of product and crew to set, anywhere in the world. Drawing on more than twenty years of filmmaking experience, five-time Oscar-winning design and special effects supervisor Richard Taylor is intimately involved in all projects from concept through to delivery. Best known for the company's design and effects work on award-winning film projects, including The Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar, District 9, and The Adventures of Tintin, Weta Workshop is not limited to film and television, offering services to creative industries worldwide.