Ken Ralston: The Effects Magic of Star Trek, Back to the Future and Return of the Jedi
What hasn’t Ken Ralston done? Whether talking through his early days working on the Original Trilogy, Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock and a host of Bob Zemeckis classics (including the Back to the Future trilogy), Mr. Ralston is full of incredible, historic stories, a living legend.
Strap in for visual effects conversations about working with the Dykstraflex, Videomatics, motion capture, and Ceti Eels.
Sam Witwer: Playing Starkiller, Voicing Maul and Hyping The Siege of Mandalore
You may know Sam Witwer as Starkiller from THE FORCE UNLEASHED and, of course, the voice of Maul in THE CLONE WARS, REBELS and SOLO.
But, right before we talked (just a few days before the first episode of THE SIEGE OF MANDALORE premiered), he tweeted “this may be the best thing we’ve ever done”, so we had to talk about that first.
After that, though, just buckle up for almost an hour of incredible stories, lore and the importance of “George Lucas Star Wars”.
You can find him on Twitter at @SamWitwer and on Instagram at @switwer1, as well as his website: samwitwer.com. His newest album, REVENGE OF THE CRASHTONES is some great music to blast while working from home.
Corey Dee Williams Returns: Even More Stories from the Sail Barge
This May is the two year anniversary of TALKING BAY 94, so, as a special bonus episode, I have invited on my very first guest, Corey Dee Williams, as well as his manager, Derek Maki from Coolwaters Productions, who made those first interview even possible.
Check out some new stories from the both of them, and thank you all so much for two years of support!
And, to sign up for Coolwaters’ upcoming In-House Con, just go to their website: https://inhouse-con.com/
This weekend is the first installment, featuring Corey, Dave Barclay from Episode 16, as well as Deep Roy and Julius LeFlore.
Thank you all again for a great year!
Duwayne Dunham: Editing for George Lucas and David Lynch
Duwayne Dunham is an editor, a director …. and he is the original, original Boba Fett.
Whether working with Marcia Lucas, watching Eraserhead with Stanley Kubrick or his multiple decade working relationship with David Lynch, I was blown away by the talent and enthusiasm that Mr. Dunham has for his art, during this interview. And, yes, we talk about The Clone Wars episodes he directed, too.
And, if you haven’t watched Twin Peaks: The Return yet … buckle up and get ready to have your life changed.
Next week, gearing up for the end of the Siege of Mandalore, is a Star Wars 101 deep dive with the legendary Sam Witwer. You won’t want to miss it.
Roger Guyett: The Visual Effects of the Sequel Trilogy
Roger Guyett is a Visual Effects Supervisor and Second Unit Director at Industrial Light and Magic.
From the early Harry Potter films to the models of Revenge of the Sith to his relationship with JJ Abrams over 5 films, we go through his journey to The Force Awakens, The Rise of Skywalker and so, so much more.
Listen for discussions on sand snakes, Maz Kanata, Millennium Falcon chases and filming on location. It is a great companion piece to the recently released documentary on the TROS Blu-ray.
Steve Sansweet: Inside the Largest Collection of Star Wars Memorabilia
Chairman and President of Rancho Obi-Wan and former Fan Relations advisor for Lucasfilm, Steve Sansweet is a Star Wars legend in any sense of the word.
From the writing of the Star Wars Encyclopedia to QVC shows to columns in the Star Wars Insider to the setting up the famous Rose Parade, we dive deep into Mr. Sansweet’s incredible history with the galaxy far, far away.
For more information on how to become a member of Rancho Obi-Wan and how to support it, head to RanchoObiWan.org, or follow them on Facebook: facebook.com/RanchoObiWan
And to hear about the very start of Star Wars Celebration 1 and Mr. Sansweet, head on over to the good guys at Blast Points, Episode 164: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/blast-points/e/59788814
Anthony Skordi: Acting the Empire in Star Wars Video Games
Admiral Garrick Versio himself is on the show today … Mr. Anthony Skordi, best known from Star Wars Battlefront II.
This is a quick conversation about his work on the game, his experience in the mo-cap suit, and his latest project. It’s a good one! (And, yeah, let’s get this Mandalorian Season 2 rumor going, huh?)
For more information about his one-man show Onassis, check out the IndieGogo campaign: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/an-evening-with-aristotle-onassis#/
Follow Anthony on Twitter and Instagram for some great BTS content from Battlefront, and so much more: https://twitter.com/AnthonySkordi
Jake Lunt Davies: Designer of BB-8, the Porgs, D-0
As a creature concept designer, Jake Lunt Davies has his exceptionally creative fingerprints all over the most recent Star Wars movies.
From helping to design BB-8 and the Luggabeast in THE FORCE AWAKENS, the Porgs and Thala Sirens in THE LAST JEDI, Pao in ROGUE ONE, collaborating with his daughter for SOLO and, of course, working on D-0, Space Horses and the Aki Aki for THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, we go through so much.
(And, stay until the very end to hear the story of how Snaggletooth made his way into Episode IX.)
The signing and sketch opportunity that we mentioned is closing orders very soon: http://www.eliteautographs.co.uk/product-category/jake-lunt-davies-private-signing/
Follow Jake on Instagram for an even closer look at his designs: https://www.instagram.com/jakeluntdavies/
And, of course, check out Phil Szostak’s incredible “Art of” Books from Abrams for more, with The Art of The Rise of Skywalker hitting shelves on March 31: https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/art-of-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker_9781419740381/
Dennis Muren: The Man With the Most Oscars Alive
Well, this is wild: today’s conversation is with an absolute effects legend … 9-time Academy Award winner, Dennis Muren.
This is honestly a dream come true and our conversation did not disappoint: from the landmark achievements of original trilogy’s space battles, the Temple of Doom‘s mine car chase, Willow‘s morphing, Terminator 2‘s liquid metal and more … we dive into so much of Mr. Muren’s incredible career.
From Star Tours to the prequels to the future of CG and movies, I feel very fortunate to have been able to talk to him. I hope you all enjoy hearing his stories and experiences (and I hope you were able to tell that I was smiling so hard the entire time).
TyRuben Ellingson: Art Director for A New Hope (Special Edition), Jurassic Park
TyRuben Ellingson is an exceptional Visual Effects Art Director who has worked on a ton of projects, including Star Wars: A New Hope (Special Edition).
Whether breaking his arm on Jurassic Park or drawing floating Jabbas, we dive into his story and career … and what George Lucas really said in that first Special Edition meeting. (He also goes on the record about his involvement, or lack thereof, on Greedo shooting first.)
From working with Guillermo del Toro and James Cameron to Tron 3 and Neil Blomkamp’s Alien 5, he tells such inspiring stories about his career and his journey.
His website with more of his designs and projects is definitely worth a vist: alieninsect.com