Ray Harryhausen

Ray Harryhausen (1920-2013) was a special effects artist and animator, known for his work in stop-motion and contributions to several fantasy or sci-fi films. Usually creating mythical beasts and other creatures, he used models both for the stop-motion figures and for miniature sets (using a rear projection for skylines and to be matted with the live actors in the final film). 
After working as an assistant on Mighty Joe Young, Harryhausen headed special effects for The Beast of 20,000 Fathoms, Jason and the Argonauts (including the skeleton fight), three different Sinbad movies, The 3 Worlds of Gulliver, and Clash of the Titans. He made occasional cameos for later filmmakers including in Spies Like Us. 
On July 13, 2000, the Visual Effects Society held an 80th birthday party for Ray Harryhausen in Los Angeles. A video compiled birthday greetings from filmmakers and other creative friends. Jim Henson's Creature Shop contributed King Kong, with a birthday invitation, climbing the Empire State Building where he finds a dancing Kermit the Frog who delivered his birthday sentiments."Ray Harryhausen, A Celebration." Animation World Magazine. August 2000
In a 2005 interview, discussing how CGI had seemingly replaced physical effects work, Harryhausen suggested it might depend on the story being told: "Thunderbirds brought back string puppets, Kermit the Frog brought back hand puppets which go back to ancient Rome. So it depends on the story you’re telling. Some techniques are better than others for certain types of stories."An Interview with Ray Harryhausen. Offscreen. September 2005.
==References==
*The Jim Henson Hour episode "Monster Maker" opens with footage from a fantasy movie, as a giant monster on a shore fights humans in medieval/ancient-style garb and weapons. The composition of the scene recalls encounters with the giant Talos in Jason and the Argonauts and the Kraken in Clash of the Titans. The in-story credits reveal effects by Chancey Bellow, a Harryhausen style maker of monsters for fantasy films. Later, although puppetry is used, creatures are shot on a table top model set with a projected screen background à la Harryhausen.
==Sources==
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Category:Movie References