Karel Zeman
- Directing
- November 3, 1910 · Ostromer u Nové Paky, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary [now Czech Republic]
- April 5, 1989
Biography
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.
Known for
Filmography
- Film Adventurer Karel Zeman · Self
- La magie Karel Zeman · Director
- Sindbad · Scenario Writer
- The Tale of John and Mary · Writer, Director
- Karel Zeman for Children · Self, Director
- The Sorcerer's Apprentice · Director, Screenplay
- Tales of 1,001 Nights · Director, Screenplay
- On the Comet · Director, Art Direction
- The Stolen Airship · Director, Art Direction
- The Jester's Tale · Director, Screenplay
- The Fabulous Baron Munchausen · Director, Story
- The Magic World of Karel Zeman · Self
- Laterna magika II · Director, Writer
- Mr. Prokouk, The Acrobat · Writer, Set Decoration
- The Fabulous World of Jules Verne · Director, Production Design
- Mr. Prokouk, Detective · Screenplay, Animatronics Designer
- Black diamond · Story, Screenplay
- Strakonický dudák · Special Effects
- Journey to the Beginning of Time · Screenplay, Director
- Mr. Prokouk, The Animal Lover · Writer, Director
- The Treasure of Bird Island · Animation, Director
- 110 Years of the Pilsen Brewery · Director, Cinematography
- One Hundred and Ten Years of the Pilsen Brewery · Director
- King Lavra · Director, Screenplay
- Inspiration · Glass Blower, Director
- Mr. Prokouk, The Inventor · Screenplay, Story
- Mr. Prokouk, The Filmmaker · Screenplay, Story
- Mr. Prokouk, The Volunteer · Director, Animation
- Mr. Prokouk, The Office Clerk · Director, Animation
- Mr. Prokouk in Temptation · Director
- Cukr · Special Effects
- The Hamster · Director, Screenplay
- Mr. Prokouk: A Horseshoe for Luck · Director, Screenplay
- A Christmas Dream · Director, Animation