The Art and Making of How to Train Your Dragon

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.

Author: Jerry Schmitz
Publisher: Insight Editions
Published: 06/13/2025
Pages: 208
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 3.25lbs
Size: 10.20h x 11.30w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9798886639308

About the Author
With over twenty-five years of experience in the entertainment industry, Jerry Schmitz is the author of multiple books that delve into the art and making of film. Most recently, he authored The Art of DreamWorks The Wild Robot. His other author credits include The Art and Making of The Peanuts Movie, The Art of DreamWorks Trolls, The Art of Shrek Forever After, and a sting as ghost-author for Surf's Up: The Art and Making of a True Story on behalf of the film's lead character, "Cody Maverick." He also served as the project manager on Spielberg: The First Ten Years by Laurent Bouzereau. Schmitz began his career in film in 1993 at Steven Spielberg's production company, Amblin Entertainment, and has been a part of the DreamWorks family since the storied company's inception in 1994. To learn more, visit his Instagram, @JerSchmitz.