Paul Dini / Stephen Langford: Legendary Writer of Batman: The Animated Series, as well as Ewoks and Droids
For those who do not know, my day job is as VP of Marketing for FANGORIA (the horror movie magazine and production studio). And, as part of that job, I interviewed Paul Dini (BATMAN:THE ANIMATED SERIES) and Stephen Langford (FAMILY MATTERS), who both scripted one of the episodes of Shudder’s CREEPSHOW.
But, of course, I had to ask them about EWOKS and DROIDS. Dini was an associate producer on both, as well as writer, and Langford was a writer and collaborator (including, non-chronologically, the final episode of EWOKS: “Malani the Warrior”.)
They both were great sports about the curveball question and I thought I would clip it out as a special Sunday bonus episode for TB94. Enjoy!
Bill Hargreaves: Designer of IG-88, EV-9D9, Probe Droids, Mynocks and B'omarr Monks
Today we are talking to prop maker and droid creator, Bill Hargreaves. From EV-9D9 and probots to B’omarr monks and mynocks … to, of course, IG-88, we go through his start working on Alien all the way to his tortuous coat hanger creation for Raiders of the Lost Ark.
I want to stress here: the coat hanger story is a masterpiece.
Again, a huge thank you to Zack McGinnis and Galactic Productions for coordinating this. Go to GalacticProductionsEvents.com to check out when Mr. Hargreaves will be coming to a town near you.
Phil Tippett: The Legendary VFX Artist, on the Cantina, AT-ATs and the Rancor
Today is the 50th episode of TALKING BAY 94 and, to celebrate accordingly, we’re talking to one of my heroes, one of the people who has been at the very top of the list to have on this show from the very beginning … two time Academy Award winner, the legend: Phil Tippett.
From the Cantina reshoots to the Dejarik chess table to the AT-AT stop motion to the ILM Return of the Jedi creature shop, Mr. Tippett was one of the driving forces of, not only the Star Wars world we know and love, but also the visual effects landscape as a whole.
It is really an honor to have him on the show. I haven’t stopped smiling since. It was literally a dream come true.
Be sure to visit MadGodMovie.com for information on how to watch his latest project and be sure to seek out Mad Dreams and Monsters, the new documentary about him, coming soon.
It’s been fifty episodes and I am so grateful to you all for the listens, support and love. This has been an incredible journey with you all and, really, we’re just getting started.
Angus MacInnes: In the Cockpit with Gold Leader ("Dutch" Vander)
I’m talking to Angus MacInnes, who played Dutch Vander in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. You might know him better as Gold Leader.
We go through some fascinating stories about being on the set of Rollerball, his experience with the Canadian actors that populated the original trilogy, working with George Lucas and Stanley Kubrick, and (of course) his triumphant return in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Again, a huge thank you to Zack McGinnis and Galactic Productions for coordinating this. Go to GalacticProductionsEvents.com to check out when Mr. MacInnes will be coming to a town near you.
Juan-Luis Sanchez: Bringing Yoda to Digital Life in Attack of the Clones
Today I’m talking to Juan-Luis Sanchez, visual effects artist who worked on clothing, digital stand-ins and so much more for Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith.
From working at Industrial Light and Magic to trying his hand at the sound stages, Mr. Sanchez’s time in the VFX industry is full of incredible stories and equally incredible passion.
(He also stood in for Count Dooku’s hands … so just buckle in for a fascinating conversation.)
For more information about his work, both visual effects and not, head to www.juanluis.com or follow him on Twitter at @juanluissays. Next week, we’re talking to Gold Leader …
Alan Harris: The Man Behind Bossk, Boba Fett, Han Solo in Carbonite
Alan Harris is perhaps most famous for portraying one of the most iconic aliens in Star Wars: the fearsome bounty hunter Bossk, in The Empire Strikes Back.
However, he had roles in each of the Original Trilogy, as well as returned to the saga briefly, two decades later, to appear in The Phantom Menace. From being the first person to wear a Boba Fett costume (now the famous white “Prototype Fett“) to becoming the mold for Han Solo in Carbonite, Mr. Harris’ contributions to the saga are both so surprising and so important.
Thank you to Zachery McGinnis from Galactic Productions for coordinating this interview. Check out his website for the latest appearances and celebrity autographs: http://www.galacticproductionsevents.com/
Jock: Iconic Comic Book Artist, Designer of Luke's Crait Robes
Today I’m talking to Jock, who not only is one of the best comic book artists in the world, but also was one of the Costume Concept Designers of The Last Jedi.
From Luke Skywalkers’ hermit gear and Crait robes to General Organa’s collar to Rey’s poncho, we go through the process of so many of the iconic outfits he helped to design. So pull out your The Art of the Last Jedi and follow along as we go page-by-page through the creation of DJ, Rose Tico, Resistance Bombers and so much more.
For more information about Jock’s upcoming projects, please visit www.4twenty.co.ukor follow him at www.twitter.com/jock4twenty
And pick up the retrospective on his career thus far, in this incredible book from our friends at Insight Editions: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Jock-Will-Dennis/dp/1608878058
Jason Fry: The Last Jedi Novel Writer, on Luke's Wife, Han Solo's Funeral
In this episode, I’m talking to one of my favorite current Star Wars authors, Mr. Jason Fry, who not only wrote the incredible novelization of The Last Jedi, but has been contributing to the universe for many, many years.
Learn more about how Incredible Cross-Sections are put together and find out the details behind Luke’s wife, Han Solo’s funeral and deleted scenes of the Master Codebreaker. (I also, of course, had to bring up the re-canonization of Dash Rendar at the end of the episode.)
For more information about Mr. Fry’s upcoming projects, please visit www.jasonfry.net or follow him at www.twitter.com/jasoncfry
To read more about The Jupiter Pirates (which you definitely should), visit: www.jupiterpirates.com
Bill Slavicsek: Influential Writer of the Star Wars RPG
Today’s conversation is with one of the most formative voices in Star Wars, as we know it today, Mr. Bill Slavicsek, writer, game designer and Creative Director for West End Games and Wizards of the Coast.
From naming alien creatures like Ithorians, Quarrens and Sullastans to shaping what we now consider to be the “voice” of Star Wars, we take a fascinating look at the early Expanded Universe and the journey from the sourcebooks to The Clone Wars and Rebels.
If I didn’t gush enough about his memoir, Defining a Galaxy, below are links to purchase both the physical and digital copies in the description. It is truly worth your read.
Physical: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/249649/Defining-A-Galaxy
Digital (Amazon): https://www.amazon.com/Defining-Galaxy-Bill-Slavicsek-ebook/dp/B07JYPZTV9
Galactic Innovations: Marcia Lucas, Ben Burtt, Dennis Muren, John Knoll and John Dykstra
So, I did something dumb.
When The Academy announced a panel featuring Marcia Lucas (!!!!), Ben Burtt (!!!!), John Dykstra, Dennis Muren, John Knoll, Harrison Ellenshaw (TB94 Episode 18), Richard Edlund(TB94 Episode 19) and many more … I bought a ticket. And then it sold out.
The event was in Los Angeles on a Thursday and I, well, live in Dallas. So I booked a flight, flew out to California and ended up having the time of my life.
Here’s a fun, quick listen about my trip, both my experience and some snippets from the panel. It is probably the closest I’ll ever actually get to getting Marcia Lucas on this show.
And definitely check out The Academy and all of the great events they are doing: https://www.oscars.org