Author: Jean-Christophe Castelli with Foreword by Yann Martel and Introduction by Ang Lee.
Publisher: Titan Books
Length: 160 pages
Binding: Hardback
RRP: £24.99
What’s good: Fully in-depth exploration into the whole process.
What’s not so good: No tigers
The Making Of Life Of Pi is written and edited by Jean-Christophe Castelli, a personal friend of Ang Lee, who joined him at the origin of the films concept and along the way was there to discover locations, actors and the realisation of 3D. The book is a highly impressive and fully encompassing journey from the page, through storyboards and then how it used the latest technology to bring Yann Martel’s ‘un-filmable’ novel to the big screen.
Castelli explores the adaption of the source material, keeping in the right balance of question to whatever religion or reality you choose to follow and very importantly, getting Richard Parker exactly as he should be. The Bengal tiger – and all the animals – were vital to this story coming alive and enticing the audience in. If there has been any doubt of realism through graphics or even intentions, then LIFE OF PI would fail.
The Making Of Life Of Pi is spilt into four sections through development to post-production and much like the film, takes logical steps with an easy to read guide, along with exclusive photos and interest insights from every part of the production. One specifically intriguing early part is Ang Lee’s changes to the usual style of screenplay. David Magee’s screenplay spilt the page in two, so the actors could simultaneously learn their perspective in the present and the future, or the past and the future depending on how you look at it! This kind of revealing detail keeps it intriguing, as it continues to truly divulge the full collaborative process.
The book tell tales of the continual bravery of Suraj Sharma, and how he’d quite literally throw himself into the role…and into the water again and again. They also speak to the visual effects team as they explain how “The ultimate goal…is to make it look like [we] did nothing all.” Although, that might sound like a sweeping or somewhat hollow statement, in truth, it’s the best effects make you believe that nothing has been done; that it’s all real without a second thought and, somehow, LIFE OF PI made 3D relevant in an era where it verges towards meaningless more than purposeful. Castelli also delves into that astonishing sequence of the Tsimtsum sinking, one that excelled my personal hopes and drowned everything of Pi’s life quite literally and was exceptionally affecting.
If you’re concerned that I may have given too much away, I haven’t, The Making Of The Life Of Pi is extensive, enlightening and if you’ve already dipped a toe into the swirling and calming seas of LIFE OF PI, then this book is a great addition to any collection.
Read our film review of LIFE OF PI by clicking here, and THE MAKING OF THE LIFE OF PI can be ordered through Titan Books now.
