The Art and Making of How to Train Your Dragon

Published by Insight Editions
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
LIST PRICE $17.99

About The Book

Fly alongside Hiccup and Toothless to the Isle of Berk in this captivating deep dive into the creation of Universal Pictures’ How to Train Your Dragon. Packed with never-before-seen concept art, exclusive interviews with the filmmakers and animators, and gorgeous on-set photography, this book offers fans a unique, insider look at this live action retelling of the beloved animated saga. Discover how the world of dragons was brought to life—from early sketches to the breathtaking final frames—and relive the magic of a story that soared into the hearts of audiences around the globe.

How to Train Your Dragon tells the incredible story of young Hiccup and his friendship with the formidable Night Fury Toothless on the stunning Isle of Berk. Writer-director Dean DeBlois returns to tell the young teenager’s story in a thrilling live-action reimagining, breathing new life into a beloved film.

Created in collaboration with Dean DeBlois, this deluxe book features hundreds of never-before-seen pieces of concept art, gorgeous images straight from the set, and exclusive interviews with key members of the cast and crew—including Mason Thames, Nico Parker, and returning actor Gerard Butler. This book takes readers on a comprehensive journey through the making of the film, detailing everything from the construction of sets and the creation of the film’s score to the process of bringing the dragons to life on-screen.

Including an exclusive preface by author Cressida Cowell and an introduction by Dean DeBlois, The Art and Making of How to Train Your Dragon will be sure to delight both new and returning fans of all ages.

NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN PHOTOS: Go behind the scenes of How to Train Your Dragon with exclusive photos of the cast and crew directly from the set of Berk.

GORGEOUS ARTWORK: Peruse stunning concept art and CGI renders of your favorite characters, dragons, and locations seen in the film.

INTERVIEWS WITH CREATORS AND CAST: Dive into the making of the film with exclusive interviews with writer-director Dean DeBlois, stars Mason Thames and Nico Parker, and other key creators as they discuss bringing their characters and Berk to new audiences.

EXPERIENCE THE CREATIVE JOURNEY: Follow the complete creative process––from the script and storyboards to the silver screen––of bringing the Isle of Berk to life through the lens of the filmmakers and cast.

About The Author

Jerry Schmitz is an independent marketing consultant and publicist whose list of clients include award-winning filmmakers, actors, and production companies. Prior to that, he spent nearly fifteen in the studio system as a marketing/publicity executive and production liaison at Amblin Entertainment, DreamWorks SGK, and Sony Pictures Animation/Sony Imageworks. The many books he has contributed to include The Making of Jurrasic Park: The Lost World, Men in Black: Behind the Scenes, The Art and Making of Monster House, and The Art of Open Season. He ghost authored Surf’s Up: A True Story for penguin surf icon Cody Maverick (Did you really think an animated character wrote the book?). He lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Insight Editions (June 13, 2025)
  • Length: 208 pages
  • ISBN13: 9798337400778

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