Epic animation: the Lord of the Rings films have set new standards for CG character animation in live-action films.(back drop)(interview with Randall William Cook)(Interview)

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King animation supervisor Randall William Cook won Oscars in 2002 and 2003 for animation and creature effects design and supervision on The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

Q When did you start working on the Lord of the Rings films?

A I was brought in originally to help director Peter Jackson design action sequences for the first film and was in charge of previz in 1998. Together, we designed the cave troll sequence and the sequence on the stairs of Khazad-Dum.

Q What was it like to work with Peter Jackson?

A Peter had his finger in every imaginable pie here. He was a versatile, multitalented moviemaker. He initiated the project and oversaw every facet of it in a way that I think is the ideal way to make movies as long as you have a director with insight and vision.

Q Why do you think the films are so successful?

A These films don't try to be Mad Magazine at the same time they're telling a story; there aren't wisecracking sidekicks. Peter took a classical and traditional moviemaking style that is highly kinetic and reinforced a notion, which had been out of favor, that a story can be told with complete sincerity without worrying that you'll lose the audience unless you inject cheap humor.