talking bay 94

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

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

Today I’m talking to Troy Denning, author of so many classic Star Wars novels, including Star by Star, Tatooine Ghost, the Dark Nest Trilogy and a ton more.

From the New Jedi Order bible to the deaths of Anakin Solo and Darth Caedus, we take a trip back to the Expanded Universe for some behind-the-scenes stories.

For more information about his latest novels and upcoming appearances, follow him on Twitter at @TDenningAuthor. His upcoming HALO book, Oblivion, is coming out this fall and can be pre-ordered here: https://www.amazon.com/HALO-Oblivion-Master-Chief-Story/dp/1982114762

Today I’m talking to Bill Kimberlin, who started at Industrial Light & Magic as a Visual Effects Editor on Return of the Jedi, working alongside Ken Ralston, on the infamous SB-19 shot … dubbed the most complicated VFX shot in motion picture history

We go through the history of ILM, the stories behind the movies and we even get into the Back to the Future sequels, which shouldn’t be a surprise if you know me at all.

For more of his stories, and to see some of the incredible pictures, drawings and scans we were discussing during the episode, check out his book, Inside the Star Wars Empire: A Memoir: https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Star-Wars-Empire-Memoir/dp/1493032313

This is my conversation with Kevin J. Anderson, one of the most prolific Star Wars authors of all time. From the beginnings of the expanded universe to Darksaber and the Young Jedi Knights series, we really go through the history of those original Bantman books.

And we talk some Dune, of course.

His latest epic novel, Spine of the Dragon came out on June 4, 2019 and is available anywhere books are sold. https://www.amazon.com/Spine-Dragon-Wake-1/dp/1250302102

For upcoming appearance information, as well as his next releases, head to www.wordfire.com

Today we’re talking with Mike Quinn, puppeteer and creature performer. From Jabba the Hutt’s eyes to Sy Snootles to Nien Nunb returning and then surviving to the end of The Last Jedi, we talk about it all.

I’ve been wanting Mr. Quinn on the show since the very beginning so it is SO exciting to have him on today. Check out his website: http://www.quinnzonestudios.com/

And pre-order Mr. Quinn’s auto-biography now: http://secretsofpuppetry.com/talk-to-the-hand/

This is my special LIVE FROM JABBA’S PALACE conversation with previous guests Gerald Home (Tessek and a Mon Calamari officer) and Simon J. Wiliamson (Max Rebo and a Gamorrean Guard).

We got to talk to them again, this time in person, to tell some of our favorite stories, as well as quite a few new ones in this special anniversary episode.

I can’t really believe it but, yes, this is the one year anniversary of this podcast. I wanted to take some time at the beginning of the episode to thank each and every one of our listeners, guests, partners and sponsors for making this first year a dream come true.

To celebrate, I partnered with the good people at Order 66 Toys to make this happen.

Gerald’s website: http://geraldhome.com

Gerald’s Rebelscum forum: https://forum.rebelscum.com/showthread.php?t=1069050

Simon’s website: http://simonjwilliamson.co.uk/

Order 66’s website: https://order66toyshop.com

LIVE from Star Wars Celebration, this is my conversation with Matthew Reinhart, author and creator of A POP-UP GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, as well as the upcoming THE ULTIMATE POP-UP GALAXY, from Insight Editions.

You’ll be able to tell very quickly, but he was an absolute joy to talk to and I enjoyed it very, very much.

His upcoming book is coming out in the fall (October), published by Insight Editions, can be pre-ordered wherever books are sold: https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Ultimate-Pop-Up-Galaxy/dp/1683834895

Visit his website, http://www.matthewreinhart.com/, and follow him on Instagram,https://www.instagram.com/matthewcreinhart.

A special thanks to Eric at Insight Editions for being so helpful and such a supporter of the show. Follow them on Twitter, @InsightEditions, and keep your eyes peeled for all the new, great Star Wars books they are producing!

This is my conversation with the legendary Paul Hirsch, Academy Award-winner for his editing work on the original Star Wars.

From working with Brian De Palma and John Hughes, to his time in the editing bay for both A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, side-by-side with Marcia Lucas, Richard Chew (and George), we go through as much as we can of his storied career.

Even more stories can be found in his upcoming memoir, A long time ago in a cutting room far, far away, which is coming out his November.

Pre-order it now on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Long-Time-Cutting-Room-Away/dp/1641602554/

“The shield will be down in moments, you may start your landing.”

Julian Glover is an incredible actor, who has appeared in numerous movies and franchises, including The Empire Strikes Back as everyone’s favorite AT-AT commander, General Maximilian Veers.

From being next door neighbors with producer Robert Watts to working with Irvin Kershner and Steven Spielberg, we cover a lot of ground in this short (LIVE) episode from Star Wars Celebration Chicago.

In addition to his work on Star Wars, we also touch on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (Walter Donovan), Harry Potter (Aragog) and Game of Thrones (Grand Maester Pycelle). He’s really been in everything.

As always, a huge thank you to one of the biggest supporters of this show, Mr. Derek Maki, and Coolwaters Productions, for helping arrange this interview during a very busy week.

Check out the Coolwaters website for the latest appearances of Mr. Glover, as well as celebrity autographs: https://coolwatersprods.com/