The following is an interview with storyboard artist Richard Bennett (Zodiac, Star Trek, Avengers, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, Tron: Legacy, Spider-Man: No Way Home) regarding the recent launch of the Kickstarter campaign for Godzilla & Kong: The Cinematic Storyboard Art of Richard Bennett to be published by Clover Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Bennett about the inspiration behind this amazing collection, the incredible backer rewards available to supporters of the campaign, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: You recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for Godzilla & Kong in collaboration with Clover Press. What can you share with us about the genesis behind this incredible collection?
Richard Bennett: I’ve been working on the idea for a storyboard book for some time now. In 2019 we were talking with my good friend and colleague Dwayne Turner, and mentioned the idea to him. He told me about Clover Press, since he already had a deal on the works with them. Got in touch with them, pitched the idea to Ted Adams and Robbie Robins, and they loved it. The pandemic put things on hold for a while, but that gave us time to reformulate the type of book we wanted, as far as specific movies. Once we were able to get the process back and rolling, we decided to concentrate this volume on the Legendary Monsterverse films I worked on. Hank Kanalz from CP was also instrumental in making the book a reality. So, finally, we are ready to present the book. I’ve seen previews for the design, and I can proudly say I love it!
BD: With over 30 years of artistic experience spanning both film and comics, what have you found to be the most unique benefit to storytelling through the craft of storyboarding?
RB: It gives the project a way to plan out and explore different options and possibilities for the scenes in the movie. With a storyboard you can determine the flow of the scene, develop the rhythm of the sequence through the effective choice of angles, and editing. Also, personally, I like to put emphasis on the emotional tone of the characters, though expressions and body language.
BD: In Godzilla & Kong, you will have the opportunity to share never-before-seen deleted scenes of the films, Godzilla vs. Kong, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Kong: Skull Island, with longtime fans and new readers. What can you share with us about the process of deciding which new content would be featured in the book?
RB: The reason we decided to include unused scenes in the book would be to show the train of thought behind the scenes. Sometimes, scenes are re-written and that obviously calls for a new version to be drawn. In other cases, the scene is put together including segments from separate versions of the same sequence.
BD: What are some of the exciting backer rewards that are available to those who contribute to your Kickstarter campaign?
RB: We’ll have editions that include the volume with a dust jacket, prints of the artwork, signed copies, and original sketches!
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find out more about Godzilla & Kong: The Cinematic Storyboard Art of Richard Bennett and its Kickstarter campaign?
RB: Folks can follow Clover Press on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
