08th Jun 2007 - King Kong makes an appearance in Motherwell

Students studying the art of filmmaking and animation at Motherwell College are being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with an exact replica of the very original King Kong - one of only 500 known to exist worldwide.

The film, made in 1933, brought the giant gorilla to life using 18-inch models constructed on metal skeletons with ball-and-socket joints and covered in rabbit fur. Using a cinematic process known as stop-motion animation the models were photographed one frame at a time while intricate miniature sets provided the backdrop.

And now for the first time ever college students are being given the chance to work with the precious model - bringing Kong back to life experiencing the art of stop-motion animation. Only a handful of the replicas have ever made it to the UK from the studios in America, and most are in the hands of private collectors.

David McShane, Motherwell College's Head of Department for Creative Arts, Media and Design said "This is a wonderful and rare opportunity to allow students to study up close the work of cinematic geniuses such as Willis O'Brien and Ray Harryhausen - creators of work such as King Kong and One Million Years B.C.

As one of Scotland's leading providers of courses in filmcraft and animation we are keen to introduce students to traditional animation techniques such as stop-frame alongside computer animation".

Students travel from throughout the UK and beyond to undertake animation courses at Motherwell College. Boyang Zhao has travelled from Beijing to undertake Motherwell College's prestigious HND Filmcraft and Animation.

The replica is owned by Motherwell College Curriculum Leader Helen Lawson.

Anyone interested in filmcraft or animation courses starting at Motherwell College this August should call 01698 232425.