The EMPIRE monthly April 2013

Editor’s column

Editor-in-Chief: Alyona Varivonchik SL-10010 Russian Outpost CO Legion PR Liaison: Brian Troyan TB-8968 LPRO, Midwest Garrison CO Design and layout: Kir Tikhomirov Idea: Joey Eguia TK-2126 Outpost Bolivia CO Contributors: Aimee Jorgensen TB-101 Todd Lacey TD-5766 Lindsay Muir Joey Eguia TK-2126 Brian Troyan TB-8968 Artists: Jared Nomak Cover photo: Craig "Hyper" Provine TK-4408 Taken by Lance Neilson N1 (1) 2013, April Published 09.04.2013

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Dear reader! We’re very happy to present you the first English issue of the official web-magazine of the 501st Legion Russian Outpost The EMPIRE monthly!

This project actually hasn’t been born from nothing.

Yep, it has a little story. The initial idea of making a magazine was born in a conversation between Alyona SL10010, Russian Outpost CO, and Joey TK-2126, Outpost Bolivia CO. The purpose of this magazine was quite simple — to explain to Russian fans about the 501st Legion and its rules, and to help people to create costumes. So it was a kind of local web-magazine made by the Russian Outpost exclusively for Russia. And it was done — on the 24th of January, the first issue of the Russian Outpost webmagazine “Empire Today” was published. It featured a few articles about basics like recasting and measurements and an interview with one of the Russian Outpost applicants .

Before publication, the magazine was shown to Brian Troyan TB-8968, PR Officer of the 501st Legion.

He approved the idea and later proposed to make an English version of the magazine.

And now, after two months of work, it is done.

This first issue will feature six sections: Legion Command, Mission Report, Interview, History, New-

The first cover of the Russian Outpost web-magazine

bies Help, and Special Guest. The Legion Command section will feature an article from one of the Legion Officers. Mission Reports will tell you about various events and charity missions of the 501st units. Regular 501st members will be our guests in the Interview section.

From the History articles you will learn more about the story of Star Wars costumes. Our Newbies Help section will be a good source for those who are thinking about joining the 501st, and the Special Guest section will be an interview with the Legion Honorary Members and Friends of the Legion.

But that’s not all! We are working on expanding our magazine. We would love to hear your suggestions. But it would be even better to involve more 501st units and members in our work — so, Garrison Commanders and PR Officers, tell us if you have a mission report, future event announcement, or charity work you want to highlight. We would love to share it in THE EMPIRE monthly magazine, so all the fans of the 501st will see your work!

Imperially yours, Alyona Varivonchik SL-10010 and Brian Troyan TB-8968

Contents LEGION COMMAND

Legion Commanding Officer Aimee Marton Jorghensen, TB-101 A message to all fans of the 501st Legion all around the world from the first female Legion Commanding Officer in the history of the 501st Legion.

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MISSION REPORT

Carolina Garrison: a friendly visit to Noah and Hunter Members of the Carolina Garrison made a visit to see 8-year-old Noah Stanley and 4-year-old Hunter Tallent. Both experienced near-death events recently.

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INTERVIEW

BH-6683: one of the first Bo-Katan in the Legion A beautiful but dangerous Bo-Katan appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars series on January 2012, but only half a year passed until TK-6683 appeared as a real life Bo-Katan at Star Wars Celebration VI.

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HISTORY

Creators of the Legend The Stormtrooper is a true symbol of the Star Wars Universe. And yet many people don’t know who created the final look of its iconic armor. We take a deep look and learn about the creators of the Legend.

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NEWBIES HELP

Recast: what it is and why you shouldn’t buy it!

Recasting is actually a very gray area of our hobby, and it cannot be answered in terms “black or white”, “right or wrong”.

We tried to make a research what it is — a recast and what to do with it.

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SPECIAL GUEST

Brian Muir: Vader maker and Stormtrooper sculptor An interview with famous movie sculptor Brian Muir, Honorary Member of the 501st Legion, who sculpted Darth Vader and Stormtrooper armour, as well as the Death Star droid.

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH

Yves Ho TD-9815, member of the Canada: Badlands Garrison, prepares to climb 48 floors of stairs during the event “Vancouver Stair Climb for Clean Air” on the 3rd of March at Sheraton Wall Center Hotel. The goal of the event was to raise money for lung health. Yves was joined by the TK-8394 and two recruits — Katie and Kurt in the Imperial Officer uniforms.

TD9815 made his best and finished with the time 8:49. Photo taken by Kurt and Katie.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

TROOPER OF THE MONTH: JANUARY 2013

HEIRESS TO THE EMPIRE

Congratulations Dan Bergeron, TK-3967 of Wisconsin Garrison, our Legion Trooper of the Month for January!

Dan was recently diagnosed with cancer, and his treatments have confined him to home, but even as things have become difficult, he has helped three prospective new members to construct their costumes.

Dan draws inspiration from a young boy he met while trooping, whose cancer was in remission. That boy never gave up and fought on. Now, months later, Dan is in his shoes, fighting cancer, and remembers the lesson he learned: Never give up, and fight on! We're with you in your battle, Dan. Your courage and dedication to the Legion, even in the face of personal hardship, embodies the spirit of the 501st Legion, and we are honored to call you Trooper of the Month.

Our thanks also go out to Arnaud Miralles (ID-1462) of French Garrison, Philipp Steinhauer (TD-7076) of German Garrison, and Steve Szyndrowski (ID-3052) of Midwest Garrison, who all displayed service to the Legion deserving of recognition! Keep up the great work, troopers!

Aimee Jorgensen, TB-101, has assumed command of the Legion on March 1st. Aimee has been a member of the Legion since 1999, has served as Commander of the Midwest Garrison for four years, and will be the first female LCO in the history of the Legion! The members of the Legion wish her the best of luck with her new duties, and we express our deep gratitude for the countless hours of work that Kris Kuipers, RC-6247, our outgoing LCO, has given to the 501st over the last two years.

A TRIP AROUND THE LEGION Since November 2012, the Russian Outpost has been on a “Trip around the Legion,” interviewing members from around the world. Read all about it at the Outpost blog: russianoutpost.blogspot.ru With more interviews coming up, Russian Outpost is proud to announce that this project will be soon be available as a digital magazine! Every ten interviews will be united in one issue, featuring interesting stories about 501st units from all over the world.

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¡FELICITACIONES, SKULL GARRISON! After ten years of building their forces and trooping hundreds of events, our Legion brothers and sisters in Mexican Garrison have officially expanded to form a second garrison in their country! Vader's Fist is proud to welcome our newest unit: Skull Garrison!

Visit them online at skullgarrison.com and be sure to Like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/501stSkullGarrison ¡Buena suerte, soldados!

LEGION COMMAND

Legion Commanding Officer Aimee Marton Jorgensen, TB-101 Hello, members and fans of the 501st Legion!

I’m Aimee Jorgensen, TB-101, the newly-elected 501st Legion Commanding Officer. This year promises to be one of the most productive and exciting years in the history of the 501st, and I am excited and honored to lead the Legion for it!

With the second Celebration Europe (CEII) right around the corner, we are embarking this year on a course to bring more attention to our international members by highlighting their local contributions to the 501st Legion's mission through social media and the www.501st.com site.

We are requesting mission reports, video, and photos from our members and those in the public, which can be shared with us through various methods, including the feedback form on the main 501st website, or through localized message forums.

Be sure to Like and Share our official Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/The501stLegion and www.facebook.com/501stCharity) and follow us on Twitter @501stLegion to get our latest news and @501stCharity to read about the many amazing charity events and appearances that we do. And if you like your news on the go, don't forget about the 501stCast, the Legion's official podcast, with new episodes releasing every month at www.501st.com/podcast 7 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

If you attend any comic or pop culture conventions, stop by and say hello to us and be sure to take a photo. Or participate in some of our activities like "Blast a-Trooper" and the everpopular "Droid Hunt!"

In addition to conventions and large scale events, our members work tirelessly to help promote and raise money for several charities and causes around the world. Giving back to the communities where our members live and putting a smile on the faces of children and adults is a large part of what we do. Community programs include visiting children’s hospitals, library days, school fairs and assemblies, and much more! Last year alone, the 501st Legion helped raise millions of dollars directly and indirectly for charities worldwide.

If you are hosting an event and would like the Legion to support you, you can submit a request for an appearance through our website at www.501st.com/request.php Finally, With new Star Wars films being planned for release by Disney, we can expect to see the Legion grow in size and force over the coming years, as more and more people are introduced and re-introduced to the franchise we all know and love. New movies will bring with them new characters and costumes which will help the Legion grow in ways we have not seen since the release of the Prequel Trilogy.

For those interested in joining us, the 501st has Legion and Garrison Membership Officers who are available to lend support to aspiring troopers, and can put you in touch with our costumespecific Detachments, where you can get specialized guidance for creating a screen-accurate costume.

All of the information you need to join the Legion can be found on 501st.com And for those Star Wars fans who are 17 and under, the Galactic Academy provides an introduction to the world of Star Wars costuming.

You can find out more at www.galactic-academy.com We look forward to meeting you at a local event or perhaps even welcoming you as a new recruit in our ranks! The future looks bright for the 501st Legion, and as Lord Vader once said, “We would be honored if you would join us!”

Aimee Jorgensen, TB-101 Legion Commanding Officer

LEGION COMMAND

Opposite: TB-101 rides in style at the 2005 Chicago Southside Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Top: TB-101 (front row, left) with members of the Midwest Garrison at Chicago’s Cloud Gate in 2003. Right: Aimee and other members of the Legion Command Staff are greeted at All-Con Dallas 2013. Bottom Right: Aimee shares a smile with Czeslawa Kays, CSL-0483 of the Galactic Academy. Bottom Left: TB-8968 and TB-101 at C2E2 2011.

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MISSION REPORT

Carolina Garrison: a friendly visit to Noah and Hunter

Todd LACEY, TD-5766 Members of the Carolina Garrison made a visit to see 8-year-old Noah Stanley and 4-year-old Hunter Tallent. Both experienced near-death events recently in their lives.

A little over a month ago Noah ran through a plate glass window not realizing it was closed. He was rushed to the local ER. Having lost nearly all his blood and his vital signs weakening, he was MedEvaced to Carolina Medical Center and the Levine’s Children’s hospital. Noah went through a monthlong recovery and is still recovering from his wounds.

The story of little Hunter actually started last year when he contracted the E-Coli virus from the 9 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

county fair. Hunter was all over the local news and was put on kidney dialysis. There were times when his family wasn’t sure if he would make it.

A fire fighter and good friend of mine contacted me and relayed the information. We got the ball rolling and got the troopers in motion to cheer little Noah up.

Along with about twenty of their friends, and all of their parents. The Carolina Garrison made their day. Both Hunter and Noah received honorary memberships in the Carolina Garrison as Imperial Cadets and lots of Star Wars goodies. Fun was had by all, and we made tons of new Star Wars fans.

Hunter's mom, who is also a fire fighter had this to say. “Wanted to send a big thank you out to Carolina Garrison and all the Star Wars characters for coming out and giving these children a very special day. It will be a day we will never forget. This is a very special thing they do for children and their charity, Make-a-Wish, which blesses so many children. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for all your kindness.”

Today, both Hunter and Noah are healthy and recovering from their ordeals.

Troopers in attendance: Tom Gardner TK-5940, Lorne Ward BH-4413, Todd Hoyle TI-6212, Todd Lacey TD-5766, Kenneth Jordan TB-1345, David Jordan TB-6559, Ryan Ricks (RL) Chewbacca.

MISSION REPORT

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INTERVIEW

BH-6683: one of the first Bo-Katan in the Legion

SL-10010: Hello, TK-6683! Or should I say BH-6683? Thank you for accepting my interview offer!

TK-6683: Absolutely, it is my pleasure.

SL-10010: I can't wait to ask you about your Bo-Katan armour, but let’s do all the things in the right order. How and when did you join the Legion?

TK-6683: I joined The 501st Legion in the summer of 2006. My husband and I originally put together an Imperial Stormtrooper, which was easily converted to a “Femtrooper.”

SL-10010: When you first saw BoKatan, did you immediately fall in love with her? Why did you choose to create her costume?

TK-683: When I first saw Bo-Katan in the [Star Wars: The Clone Wars] Season Four episode “A friend in Need,” I was hoping we would see more of 11 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

her in future episodes. She had a strong personality and was very sassy. I liked that. She was also able to hold her own in a fight. She resurfaced during the Clone Wars panel

TK-6683: Luckily, I am surrounded by talented people. My husband and our good friend decided that they were going to help me make BoKatan become a reality in three

TK-6683: “After seeing an image of Bo-Katan with her helmet off, I knew that I was going to build her for Star Wars Celebration VI”. at San Diego Comic-Con 2012. After seeing an image of her with her helmet off, I knew that I was going to build her for CVI. SL-10010: Please, tell us about the creation of Bo-Katan. I bet it was a tough job - you had to do all the things from nothing, there was no CRL for Bo-Katan at that time.

weeks time. Nearly every piece was hand-sculpted and carefully assembled to allow for hours of wear without any “costume malfunctions.”

We were very short on time, so I didn’t even have time for a dress rehearsal. The first time I had everything on, I was out the door to the con floor.

INTERVIEW

SL-10010: Three weeks — that’s really fast! What was the most difficult part of the suit?

TK-6683: The most difficult part was getting all of the LEDs and electronics correct. Due to the time crunch, things were challenging to get exactly right. We had to really be creative with the assembly and installation of the electronics. I used 16 LEDs to bring BoKatan’s headband, blasters and gauntlets to life.

SL-10010: I know that you first appeared in that armour at Celebration VI. How did fans react to your Bo-Katan?

TK-6683: The response that I received from the fans was amazing.

Even more amazing was the response I received from the Lucasfilm cast and crew. They loved it. I was even approached by the director of The Clone Wars, Dave Filoni, who asked if he could have a photo with me. He later invited me up on stage to show off the armor during the Season 5 Clone Wars Red Carpet

Premiere. It was amazing. It was extremely nice to know that all the hard work was appreciated.

SL-10010: Was it really hard to get the 501st approval? What did you have to change in your suit by the request of the Legion Membership Officer?

TK-6683: It took about six months to get finally approval for my Bo-Katan due to discussion on specific colors.

The problem was that there were no existing CRL’s for Bo-Katan making it difficult to set the standards for her armor. I am very pleased to be approved by The 501st Legion and have been asked to be used for the Legion CRL. It is quite an honor.

SL-10010: Have you got anything else to say to everyone who is reading this interview right now?

TK-6683: I would like to thank everyone for the compliments and kind words that I have received both online and in person. It is amazing to be a part of such a great community and a positive influence for young female Star Wars fans.

SL-10010: Thank you for coming, it was really interesting to talk to you.

Let me wish you good luck and hope to see you soon in person!

TK-6683: My pleasure.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to share.

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HISTORY

Creators of the Legend

Lindsay MUIR Alyona VARIVONCHIK, SL-10010 When you look at a stormtrooper, it is easy to see how that set of armour was created by not one person, but a whole “family” of talented artists. The stormtrooper has a grandfather, father, mother, and even an uncle... Ralph McQuarrie, Brian Muir, Liz Moore, and Roger Christian.

Mr. McQuarrie is an iconic person for all Star Wars fans.

This wonderful artist embodied Lucas’ ideas in pencil. But the picture is just a sketch on paper, it can not be put on the actor.

Scullptors must translate these concepts into our threedimensional world. This work was done by Brian Muir and Liz Moore - young but very talented artists in their own right.

Both of these gifted sculptors were working at Elstree Studios in 1976. Brian started his career as a sculptor's apprentice at Elstree (at that time named Associated British Production Corporation). At the age of 20 he went to work in London, where he was engaged in various prestigious 13 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

projects. After three years in the capital of the United Kingdom, Brian was invited to return to the studio and to take part in Star Wars. He was responsible for creating the stormtrooper and Darth Vader armour, as well as the Death Star droid.

Work on A New Hope was the first step for Brian, for true

The image of the devoted soldier of the Empire could not be completed without a helmet, however. The honor of creating this element of the stormtrooper uniform went to Liz Moore.

Unfortunately she is no longer with us, but her work continues to delight Imperial and Rebel fans, alike.

The stormtrooper was brought into reality

by Brian Muir and Liz Moore — young but very talented artists... recognition of his talent in the world of cinematography. Star Wars was followed by Alien, Alexander, Planet of the Apes, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and even James Bond films. Brian is still a popular and wellrecognized master, but fame does not prevent him from communicating with the 501st Legion’s United Kingdom Garrison and many fans all around the world. His work on Star Wars and many other films has been published in his autobiography In the Shadow of Vader.

Prior to Star Wars, Liz worked on such iconic films as 2001: A Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange. Moore was originally tasked with crafting C-3PO’s body from the neck down. After finishing work on C-3PO, Liz left Elstree Studios and went to Holland to visit her boyfriend. But the movie team needed help again - John Barry, Star Wars’ production designer, who coordinated the creation of costumes and surroundings, asked her to craft a stormtrooper helmet.

Brian Muir made the armor, but

HISTORY

the helmet was made by Liz Moore. She organized a workshop in the Netherlands and in quickly brought the helmet to its final form. Liz returned to England and took the almost finished helmet to the studio to Lucas, who asked to make a few minor changes - and the stormtrooper helmet was approved. Liz Moore tragically died a few weeks after the start of filming, not seeing her creations on the screen, but fans will always remember her contributions.

There is only one stormtrooper “parent” left: Roger Christian.

But with the armor and helmet approved, what remained to be done? During the work on Star Wars, Roger was a set designer, but John Barry asked him to put together a weapon for these merciless footsoldiers — the stormtrooper blaster, later dubbed the E-11 blaster rifle in the Star Wars universe.

Roger says himself, that he simply went to the local gun shop, picked out a Sterling submachine gun, slightly “improved it” by mounting a WWII tank scope and a few other features like coils on it, and then showed it to Mr. Barry. His design was approved, and the image of the iconic stormtrooper was finally complete.

We should be grateful to Ralph McQuarrie, Brian Muir, Liz Moore and Roger Christian for creating the stormtrooper, the backbone of the 501st Legion and a true Star Wars icon!

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NEWBIE HELP

Recast: what it is and why you shouldn’t buy it!

Stormtrooper armour is probably the most copied Star Wars costume in the world

Joey EGUIA, TK-2126 Brian TROYAN, TB-8968 Among the Legion and the prop making community one can often run into a very strange word, a word which can't be translated easily: “Recasting .”

Generally speaking, “recasting” is the process of obtaining copies of an item and capitalizing on someone else’s creative work, often for personal profit. In the most common instances, at least as far as Star Wars costuming is involved, recasting occurs when someone buys a suit of plastic armor and then uses it as a cast to reverse-engineer a mold in order to pull additional suits of armor. The recaster has paid the artist who sculpted the original molds for one suit of armor, and then, by performing a fraction of the work involved, he gains the ability to create 15 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

a virtually unlimited number of “counterfeit” copies of the kit that he purchased, which he can then sell for his own profit.

As you might guess, it is very heavily frowned upon by many in the costuming and prop-making community.

While that sounds simple on the surface, recasting is actually a very grey area of our hobby, and a subject that cannot be easily answered in black and white, right or wrong terms. Talking about recasting is like talking about religion and politics.

There are many ideas, concepts and opinions that are rarely agreed upon by people. It delves into ethics and morality, which also naturally vary from person to person.

On its face, recasting is very much like plagiarism. While plagiarism happens when someone pur-

loins someone else’s words, presenting their ideas as one’s own, recasting is often viewed as stealing another person’s creative work in sculptured form. In both cases, it is taking some else work, and stating that it is yours (or not saying anything, and passing it off as yours) and then making a profit with it.

Now here is where recasting gets complicated. Like so many things in the galaxy, it depends on a person’s “point of view.”

Some may say that if you don’t profit from selling the item then it is okay to recast something. Others might say that if you only do it for your personal use, then it is okay to recast. It has also been said that if you get permission from the maker then recasting is fine.

NEWBIE HELP

Let’s take for example the hovering training drone laser sphere that Luke used to train with his light saber. Now a days, thanks to thousands if not more hours of interviews, internet research, and interviews with the prop makers, many parts used to make this prop are actually known today. Most of the

to make these props. If you purchase the item and then you cast it, in some aspects it is similar to the examples above, but the main difference is that you are stealing from the work that someone else has done ahead of you. But you can say that you still spending time making molds and casting it.

“Recasting” is the process of obtaining copies of an item and capitalizing on someone else’s creative work… prop was comprised of plastic pieces from planes, tanks and other model kits. As you can imagine, these specific kits are very hard to find and jealously guarded by Star Wars fans and model prop builders. Also, since these kits are not made anymore, making the price of these specific model kits very expensive. This is one reason why some people decide to make casts from these hard-tofind pieces. By recasting the authentic pieces, more people can get access to them, and more members of the community can make or obtain the accurate props that they want.

As another example, Imperial Code Cylinders were actually real-life dosimeters from World War II. These items are no longer made and also hard to find, putting the real item in high demand. Some people would say that if you happen to find the item, you could cast it to make it available to others. At the same time, some would only say it was okay to cast the real item if you got it from a non-Star Wars source, but if you bought the real item from a prop person and then decide to cast a mold from it, then that would be a breach of trust in the costuming community and considered recasting.

The last example relates to metal or CNC-made items and props. People invest time, money and research

But there are other people who will say that all of the situations we have outlined above are morally wrong, that any and all props should be done from scratch. Research, make the molds, perfect the molds, make the prop (whether by thermoforming, CNC, cold-casting or some other method). Then and only then have you created a legitimate prop replica, and only the true maker may cast their work for others.

Certainly going to those lengths is enough to claim the moral high ground, isn’t it?

Maybe not. There are some that will say that even if you are 100% responsible for the entire process of the prop, that it is still wrong, as only the real artist from the movie has the rights to the item.

The ethical lines set very fuzzy boundaries on this subject.

The 501st Legion’s official stance on recasting is laid out in one of our Resolutions: The 501st Legion does not condone, support, or encourage re-casting. It is, however, outside of the scope of this club's mission, charter, authority, jurisdiction, and purview to consume our time and energies as a volunteer organization in efforts to prosecute those who, of their own volition, choose to engage in recasting.

So, really, the Legion’s stance is that we do not encourage it, but we cannot police it.

Ironically, the Legion is itself representing characters that are the intellectual property of someone else, namely Lucasfilm LLC. Due to the 501st Legion’s agreement with LFL, we have been granted permission to use their creative property in our pursuit of recreating the characters of the Star Wars saga, with the very strict understanding that we will never make a personal profit from our costumes. We do not own the likenesses or creative appearance of any of the Star Wars characters, so aren’t we all, in a way, capitalizing on someone else’s creativity? If you trace the lineage of the first Stormtrooper costumes utilized by the earliest members of the 501st, they are all, in a way, recasts of an original screen-used costume.

In a way, aren’t all costumers “recasting” the work of the men and women who created the costumes for the films?

So with all that said, the 501st Legion strongly recommends that you: - Do your research on the costume you want researching the detachments www.501st.com/ members/displayUnits.php#detachments - Use the Costume Reference Library www.501st.com/databank/ Costuming:CRL - Consult your local 501st unit. List of the units can be found here www.501st.com/maps/ index.php - Consult your local Garrison or Outpost officers before purchasing your own armor. Our Membership Liaison Officers are highly skilled and experienced, and they can explain everything about stormtrooper armor and Legion-accepted Costumes.

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SPECIAL GUEST

Brian Muir: Vader maker and Stormtrooper sculptor

SL-10010: Hello, Brian, thank you for accepting our interview offer!

I’m very pleased to have you as our special guest.

Brian Muir: Thank you, Alyona. It was a pleasure to have done it for you.

SL-10010: Let's start from the very beginning. You're a well-known sculptor now, but how you were attracted to sculpting? How did it became your life’s work?

industry for a long time, impressing us with your outstanding work Star Wars, James Bond, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and many more.

How have you achieved this? How do you keep yourself "in good shape" for more than 45 years?

BM: Work in the Studios is on a freelance basis. It used to be that I would contact the Art Director or Production Designer showing my portfolio of work to get a start on a film. Today it tends to be the Head of Department sculptor or Construction Manager who make the decisions on who should be employed. I'm not sure if by 'good shape' you mean physically or my skills. To answer both - I was always a sports enthusiast and played basketball from the age of 11 to the age of 49! As far as my sculptural skills, although each film and project is totally different, with over 45 years experience, any challenge can be overcome.

SL-10010: Yes, I was asking about your skills, but thanks for both answers! We have an idiom in Russian that sounds like "you can't lose

part in Star Wars? Did you know anything about this project or George Lucas himself before that? Why did you agree to work on a totally mysterious and new project like Star Wars?

BM: I received a phone call from my old mentor, Arthur Healey, who asked if I was interested in working on a science fiction film to sculpt some futuristic characters.

Brian Muir: “I became interested in art when I was 13 years old, realising I could actually draw”.

BM: I became interested in art when I was 13 years old, realising I could actually draw. In my final year at school I carved a small wooden totem pole, which I was quite proud of at the time. The local film studios, now known as Elstree Film Studios, required an apprentice sculptor and my application was successful. I am now in my 45th year of working in the film industry.

SL-10010: Thank you for this note— that perfectly bring us to the next question! You have been in the film 17 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

skills and talent". Do you agree with that? Or could it be true only if you are facing new challenges and tasks again and again?

BM: In England we have a phrase “If you don’t use it, you lose it” but that doesn’t apply to your talent or skills. It may take a little while to get back into it if you have had a long break, but the skill’s always there.

SL-10010: Back in 1976, when work on A New Hope started, how were you invited to take

I knew nothing of George Lucas or the film before starting on Star Wars. I was happy to take the job as I had been working outside the film industry for a few years and was glad to come back to the work I loved.

SL-10010: The final design of Darth Vader is dramatically differ-

SPECIAL GUEST

Brian Muir working on a sculpture for a James Bond film

ent from the initial Ralph McQuarrie concept. How did you come to make all these changes? Did you discuss it with McQuarrie or Lucas?

BM: The reason for the differences between my sculpt and Ralph McQuarrie's original concept is because I didn't work from his drawings. I was given a simple lined drawing by costume designer, John Mollo as reference. It was my job as a sculptor to create the sinister look of Vader from 2D to 3D and make it work from all angles, which comes from experience. George Lucas gave the ultimate approval but I worked under the guidance of the Production Designer, John Barry.

SL-10010: Let me ask you about the Stormtrooper, your other famous creation. Did you see its testing?

What did you feel when you saw your creation on a stuntman?

BM: I didn't see the testing of the Stormtrooper at the time, but I do now have a DVD of the filming taken in March 1976. When I saw the many Stormtroopers around the Studios, I thought the suit worked very well and was pleased with my contribution.

SL-10010: You created the armour kit, but didn’t have enough time to sculpt the helmet, so it was created by Liz Moore. What kind of a person was she? How was she able to create a helmet that fit your armour perfectly, while being far from you and the other crew?

BM: Liz was a lovely, gifted sculptor who was very well liked.

I'd met her at union meetings and was happy to work with her on Star Wars. She would have been given a plaster head of the model used for the Stormtrooper to sculpt the helmet.

SL-10010: You're an honorary member of the 501st Legion and you're known to have warm relations with the Legion. How did you learn about the 501st Legion?

When did that happen and how?

BM: A Vader collector, who found me back in 2006, made me aware of the 501st Legion. Before that I had no idea of the Star Wars fandom, conventions or the 501st!

The first time I met members of the 501st was at Memorabilia, Birmingham, England. It was quite a surprise to see so many troopers and Vader, of course, but I soon began to realise the fun they brought to the event.

SL-10010: Have you ever thought that the evil Darth Vader you created would visit kids in hospitals and do charity work?

BM: No, I had no idea that the character I sculpted all those y e a r s a g o , w h o h as b e THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013 18

SPECIAL GUEST

come the world’s most recognised villain, would be responsible for so many acts of kindness. He and all the othe r t r o o p e r s a n d S ta r W a r s characters spend so much of t h e i r o w n m o n e y , t im e a n d e n e r g y b e i n g i n v o lv e d i n fund raisers for worthwhile charities.

S L - 1 0 0 1 0 : M a y I as k w h y charity is so common and welcomed by people in the Western culture? Why don't you just sit and wait for help from the government?

BM: Although the Governm e n t b u d g e t s o u r t ax e s i n t o t h e H e a l t h a n d C a r e s y s t em , it is never enough, so we c h o o s e t o h e l p t h r o ug h c h a r ity donations. It may be for specialised equipment or to give terminally ill children an experience of their dreams.

19 THE EMPIRE monthly 1/2013

SL-10010: Is there any chance we can meet you at Celebration Europe in Essen this year?

BM: I don't know yet if I'll be invited as a guest at Celebration Europe. But as I had such an amazing time at Celebration VI in Orlando last year, spending time with fans from all over the world, I'm hoping to go anyway.

SL-10010: I need to say sad words: our interview is coming to its end.

Is there anything else you want to say to Star Wars fans and troopers of the Legion all around the world?

BM: I'd like to say how proud I am to have been made an Honorary Member of the 501st. After more than 30 years from working on the Star Wars production, it was quite an emotional experience to be acknowledged and appreciated for my contribution, particularly as it was presented to me by the Makaze Squad in Florida, my sec-

ond home. I have had the pleasure to meet fans and troopers from all over the world and it has become a very enjoyable part of my life.

SL-10010: Thank you very much, Brian, that was a really interesting and wonderful interview!

We wish you good luck and all the best!

All photos were kindly presented by Brian Muir.

THE EMPIRE monthly The official web-magazine of the 501st Legion Russian Outpost

The 501st Legion is an all-volunteer organization formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. The Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work.

The Legion was founded in 1997 and now has more than 6,500 active members in more than 40 countries all over the world.

The 501st Legion is a worldwide Star Wars costuming organization comprised of and operated by Star Wars fans. While it is not sponsored by Lucasfilm Ltd., it is Lucasfilm's preferred Imperial costuming group. Star Wars, its characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. ©2013 Lucasfilm LLC. & ™ All rights reserved. Used under authorization.

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