Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop - Hardcover

Peterson, Lorne; Lucas, George; McCallum, Rick; Tippett, Phil

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1933784032 ISBN 13: 9781933784038

Publisher: Insight Editions, 2006

Synopsis

The Star Wars films have provided some of the most iconic images in modern filmmaking - from the incredible shot of the Imperial Star Destroyer that opened the first film in 1977 to the Podrace in The Phantom Menace and the epic battle on the volcanic world of Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. In each of these cases, and literally hundreds more, the model-making wizards of Industrial Light & Magic were instrumental in creating a universe full of glorious, heart-pounding illusions. In Sculpting a Galaxy: Inside the Star Wars Model Shop, Lorne Peterson, one of the founding members of ILM, takes the reader on a journey through thirty years of incredible adventures, telling never-before-published stories, explaining how classic scenes were created, and how beloved models were - often from the most unexpected of parts and ingredients. Paint buckets, model car parts, and walnut shells play important roles, alongside high-tech lasers and computer graphics, in creating the familiar yet fantastic components of a galaxy far, far away. Lavishly illustrated with more than 300 full-color photographs from the Lucasfilm Archives, this book provides an unparalleled look behind the scenes of a place that really has created magic. Lorne Peterson's warm, evocative voice and dedication to his craft inform every page, making this not just a stunning visual piece, but an epic history in its own right.

About this title

About the Author

Lorne Peterson is one of the founding members of Industrial Light & Magic. He was hired by George Lucas to help create the models for the first Star Wars movie in 1975. In 1978, Peterson was invited by Lucas to oversee the entire production of models for The Empire Strikes Back. His signature is evident on nearly every model used in the original trilogy. Peterson's work is also showcased in the entire Star Wars saga, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Galaxy Quest, and the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He was honored with an Academy Award® and a BAFTA Award for the special effects work in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. This is his first book.

From Publishers Weekly

This meticulous look at the models, miniatures and sculptures that make up the Star Wars movie universe is sure to make the short list for fans. Model and sculpture designer Peterson takes the reader through a guided tour of the Star Wars series, giving extra attention to fan favorites. Some of the more popular vehicles, such as the AT-AT Walkers and the Millenium Falcon get their own detailed gatefolds. Peterson's tight prose keeps the book on track, offering all sorts of trivia without dwelling on minutiae. While the later movies have certainly benefited from computer-generated special effects, he explains it was more cost-effective and realistic to create many of the sets, backgrounds and vehicles via sculptures and models. Readers will learn that the crowds watching the pod race from The Phantom Menace, for example, were not entirely computer generated-thousands of painted Q-Tips were used to fill out the stadium, "ultimately creating an image that looked very realistic." Peterson covers everything from how to create fake blood for a severed arm (raspberry yogurt mixed with tempera paint) to employing wheelchair motors in order to enable R2-D2 to navigate the gritty Tunisian desert where the first film was shot. Fans will find everything from the holographic chess set from the first film to Darth Vader's mask from Revenge of the Sith lovingly photographed and described in detail. Many of the models regularly tour museums, but this comprehensive examination offers fans a more informed appreciation for the work that went into the series.
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Edition details

• Publisher: Insight Editions
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1933784032
• ISBN 13: 9781933784038
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 224