A museum-worthy piece of cinematic history: an original two-page technical storyboard schematic by the legendary Carlo Rambaldi, created during the 1981 production of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. This is not a reproduction or a souvenir lithograph; it is a working production document straight from the workshop of the three-time Academy Award-winning special effects master. The two-hole-punched landscape pages (measuring a substantial 12" x 9.75") bear the authentic wear of a working studio environment and feature Rambaldi’s hybrid notes in both his native Italian and English, offering an unfiltered glimpse into the genius that brought the world's most beloved alien to life.
This two-page set comprises a total of 13 detailed panels (6 on the first page, 7 on the second), meticulously mapping out the biomechanical "anatomy" of the puppet. The schematics move from the micro to the macro: Panel 46 offers a surgical close-up of the eye and brow actuators, while the adjacent Panels 47 vividly illustrate the iconic "full goose neck effect" (collo ha pieno effetto "collo d'oca") and lateral head tilting, described by Rambaldi as "very, very mobile." The true heart of this collection, however, lies in Panels 49 through 51, which diagram the puppet's expressive hand gestures—directly referencing the film's most poignant scenes where E.T. mimics the "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" pose, with notes meticulously labeling the actions as "mani coprono gli occhi" (cover eyes), "la bocca" (cover mouth), and "le orecchie" (cover ears).
While original movie posters and scripts are common, the actual engineering blueprints from Carlo Rambaldi’s personal archive are virtually unobtainable on the open market. This set is a tangible piece of the technical magic that predates CGI, showcasing the analog brilliance that won the 1982 Academy Award for Visual Effects. Whether you are a serious collector of Hollywood memorabilia, a student of animatronics, or an investor in pop-culture artifacts, this original storyboard offers unmatched provenance and intimacy with the creative process. It is a conversation-starting centerpiece that documents the very mechanics of how a puppet became a cultural icon.