Karel Zeman
Karel Zeman was a brilliant pioneer of special effects in film. Despite his artistic talent, his parents insisted he study business. At the age of 17, he went to Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, where he studied advertising design. In 1943, the film director Elmar Klos offered him a job at the Bata Film Studios. Zeman often had to struggle against difficult conditions in the technically ill-equipped Kudlov Studios. Many of the workers with whom he started had no particular experience of filming. They, like Zeman himself, had to learn everything on the job. Journey to the Beginning of Time, released in 1955, became Zeman's breakthrough film, his first to combine live action, animation and puppetry. Four years later, Invention for Destruction saw him shoot to world-wide success. Zeman continued to develop his highly successful use of special effects in The Fabulous Baron Munchausen and the two Jules Verne adaptations that followed. In the 70's, Zeman returned to making strictly animated films. In the late 70's Zeman was threatened with the loss of his sight, but he overcame the disease and continued working. In the final stages of his life he suffered from heart problems.
Photos
Movies (34)
Film Adventurer Karel Zeman
2015 · Self (archive footage)
La magie Karel Zeman
2015 · Director
Sindbad
2001 · Scenario Writer
The Tale of John and Mary
1980 · Writer, Director, Art Direction, Animation
Karel Zeman for Children
1980 · Self, Director
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
1978 · Director, Screenplay, Art Direction
Tales of 1,001 Nights
1974 · Director, Screenplay, Art Direction
On the Comet
1970 · Director, Art Direction, Screenplay
The Stolen Airship
1967 · Director, Art Direction, Screenplay
The Jester's Tale
1964 · Director, Screenplay, Story
The Fabulous Baron Munchausen
1962 · Director, Screenplay, Story, Art Designer
The Magic World of Karel Zeman
1962 · Himself
Laterna magika II
1960 · Writer, Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat
1959 · Set Decoration, Writer
The Fabulous World of Jules Verne
1958 · Director, Production Design, Special Effects, Screenstory, Screenplay, Art Designer
Mr. Prokouk, Detective
1957 · Screenplay, Animatronics Designer, Story
Black diamond
1956 · Screenplay, Story
Strakonický dudák
1955 · Special Effects
Journey to the Beginning of Time
1955 · Screenplay, Director, Story, Art Designer, Special Effects
Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover
1955 · Director, Writer
The Treasure of Bird Island
1953 · Animation, Director, Screenplay
110 Years of the Pilsen Brewery
1952 · Director, Director of Photography
One Hundred and Ten Years of the Pilsen Brewery
1952 · Director
King Lavra
1951 · Director, Screenplay, Adaptation
Inspiration
1949 · Glass Blower, Director, Writer
Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor
1949 · Screenplay, Story, Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker
1948 · Screenplay, Story, Director
Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer
1947 · Director, Screenplay, Story, Animation
Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk
1947 · Director, Animation, Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk in Temptation
1947 · Director
Cukr
1946 · Special Effects
The Hamster
1946 · Director, Screenplay
Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck
1946 · Director, Screenplay, Story, Director of Photography
A Christmas Dream
1945 · Director, Animation, Art Designer
TV shows (0)
No credits available.