Lorne Peterson: Legendary VFX Artist Behind Escape Pods, Tauntauns and the Millenium Falcon
This is an actual dream come true: today we’re talking to Lorne Peterson, visual effects artist and modeler for Industrial Light & Magic.
Working on the first six Star Wars films, Lorne goes through his experience building escape pods out of paint cans, manning Guatemalan outpost towers made out of trash cans and sourcing Tauntaun fur (which you have to hear to believe). And I am legitimately giggling the entire time, which is very embarrassing.
We barely scratch the surface of the incredible work that Mr. Peterson has done over the past forty years, so definitely check out his book, Sculpting a Galaxy, which is available from Insight Editions: https://insighteditions.com/product/sculpting-a-galaxy/
(There is also a super limited edition version of the book, which has been tempting me for years now, so buy it and make me very jealous.)
I want to give a huge thank you to Eric Chang and the rest of the great Insight Editions team for arranging this interview. We have some cool stuff in the works with them, including one more interview which was very fun.
Rob Bredow: The Visual Effects of SOLO (from L3-37 to Hyperspace)
SVP, Executive Creative Director and Head of ILM, Rob Bredow was also the co-producer of SOLO: A Star Wars Story, working side-by-side with Ron Howard to bring the story (and its visual effects to life).
We go through it all: L3-37, working with Tippett Studios with the new Dejarik pieces and, of course, the breath-taking in-camera work for hyperspace and more. We discuss his previous work with ILMxLab, as well as his vision for the future of the legendary company.
Mr. Bredow is the author of the newest Abrams Books release, Industrial Light & Magic Presents: Making Solo – A Star Wars Story, which comes with my highest recommendation and can be purchased at the following link: https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Light-Magic-Presents-Making/dp/1419737538
Be sure to follow him on Twitter, as well, to keep with his next projects and the cutting-edge stuff that ILM is working on: https://twitter.com/rbredow
A huge thanks to Maya Bradford and Abrams Books for arranging this interview and making it possible. It was a huge honor.
Marc Thorpe: Builder of Bespin, Ewok Wrangler
Marc Thorpe was an ILM Model Maker for movies like The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and the Indiana Jones Trilogy.
We go through a quick deep dive of his career, including his work on LucasToys and the creation of Robot Wars. He was a true delight to talk to and such a gracious teller of stories and experiences.
I really enjoyed my conversation with him, especially learning what exactly an “Ewok Wrangler” is.
Check out his website to see even more examples of his craftmanship, art and ideas: http://www.marcthorpe.com/
Christian Alzmann: Conceptor of BB-8 and Maz Kanata
Christian Alzmann‘s unique art style and incredible design work has influenced the looks of The Force Awakens, Rogue One and even Star Wars: Rebels. From BB-8 to Maz Kanata, we explore the path to the big screen, including the stories behind the haunting “evil” Luke imagery and “The Jedi Killer”.
Bust open your copy of The Art of The Force Awakens by Phil Szostak, because we went through nearly every page of concept art, from Han Solo’s beard to Vader’s castle. It is a conversation I have wanted to have for such a long time and Mr. Alzmann was a real delight.
Follow him on Instagram to see even more examples of his art and ideas: https://www.instagram.com/calzmann
Paul Freeman: Belloq from Raiders of the Lost Ark (Bad Dates)
“Who knows? In a thousand years, even you may be worth something.”
No need to speak Hovitos, Mr. Freeman gave some incredible insight into filming the greatest adventure movie of all time: Raiders of the Lost Ark, as well as his time on set for Young Indiana Jones and Hot Fuzz.
Please check out the incredible work he is currently doing in Uganda (with the UK Friends of Healing Focus), and donate if you can: http://ukhealingfocus.org/
And, as is is most often the case with our live interviews, a huge thank you to Zachery McGinnis and Galactic Productions for coordinating this great conversation: http://www.galacticproductionsevents.com/
Anthony Forrest: "Move Along" Sandtrooper and Luke's Friend Fixer
“These aren’t the droids we’re looking for … move along.”
Anthony Forrest played two different key roles in the original Star Wars. As a Sandtrooper on Mos Eisley, he was the first on-screen recipient of a Jedi mind trick. And, in the legendary Anchorhead deleted scenes, he stood out next to Biggs and Luke, as Fixer, to look to a potential space battle.
We talk about a lot, including his passion formusic, as well as relationship with the fandom and conventions. He will be appearing in April at Celebration Chicago, which you can now purchase autograph / photo-op tickets for from Topps: https://store.epicphotoops.com/star-wars-celebration-chicago/2019/anthony-forrest
To check out Mr. Forrest’s incredible music, please visit: https://anthonyforrest.bandcamp.com/
And a very special thank you to dear friends of the show Mr. Gerald Home (Tessek, from Episode 3) and Derek Maki from Coolwaters Productions for working so hard to coordinate this interview.
Check out the Coolwaters website for the latest appearances and celebrity autographs, including who else they will be bringing to Celebration: https://coolwatersprods.com/
Michael Carter: The Man Who Played Bib Fortuna in Return of the Jedi
Die wanna wanga?
Michael Carter portrayed the Major Domo of Jabba the Hutt … the creepy, great and wonderful Twi’lek: Bib Fortuna. Live from Madness Comics in Plano, TX, we got to talk to him all about working with Richard Marquand on the set of Return of the Jedi.
In addition to his work on Star Wars, I couldn’t help but ask him about his iconic scene in John Landis’ American Werewolf in London (which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ss0nT5DGHw).
Seriously, for how short this episode is, we pack in some great, great stuff.
Thank you to Zachery McGinnis from Galactic Productions for coordinating this interview. Check out his website for the latest appearances and celebrity autographs, including a stacked lineup at Pensacon (this weekend) and Star Wars Celebration: http://www.galacticproductionsevents.com/
Craig Miller: Founder of the Star Wars Fan Club
Craig Miller was the Director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm from 1977-1980. As you might be able to guess, there was a lot going on in the early Star Wars fandom during that time, from churning rumors in Starlog to creating the Fan Club and Bantha Tracks to crashing Illinois 800 numbers.
Mr. Miller has some great stories about what it was like to market this brand new sci fi movie called … Star Wars.
Some great panels that Mr. Miller has moderated at previous conventions can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hie7EIO9S44
Howie Weed: The Man Inside the Wampa Suit
Howie Weed was a model maker and effects artist on both the Star Wars Special Editions and the Prequels, as well as designing and performing as the Wampa and various Cantina aliens.
But, this is our first episode of SEASON 2 … so of course we don’t just talk about Star Wars … we hear his incredible stories from working on Captain EO, Ghostbusters 2, The Ewok Adventure.
And with stories about being on set with Steven Spielberg and getting directed by George Lucas, himself, you really don’t want to miss this season premiere.
Laurie Goode: Setting the Record Straight on the Stormtrooper that Bumped His Head
Setting the record straight, we’re speaking with Laurie Goode, who played numerous roles in the original Star Wars. From falling asleep on the Cantina set as Saurin, to bumping his head on the Death Star as the infamous Stormtrooper, Mr. Goode is full of great stories and great insight into the filming at Elstree Studios.
To listen to Mr. Goode’s great song about, well, bumping his head, definitely check it out on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/who-was-the-stormtrooper-who-banged-his-head-remix/1435822385?i=1435822631