Kevin Baillie and Ryan Tudhope Chat Transcript

StarWars: Hello and welcome to the sixth of our "Star Wars" chats,
StarWars: brought to you by Lucasfilm and Talk City.
StarWars: .
StarWars: "Star Wars" has become the most popular film series in history.
StarWars: This series of chats is designed to gain insight into the production of the
StarWars: newest of the "Star Wars" movies - Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
StarWars: .
StarWars: Our special guests today are two young animatics artists from
StarWars: the crew of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
StarWars: Kevin Baillie and Ryan Tudhope.
StarWars: .
StarWars: Kevin and Ryan were discovered by "Phantom Menace" producer
StarWars: Rick McCallum while they were still in high-school and began
StarWars: work on "The Phantom Menace" right after graduation.
StarWars: .
StarWars: And now...welcome Rick McCallum!

RickMcCallum: Hello everybody...I'm ready!

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-DrEvil says: How long did it actually take to film the actors, compared to the artistry and computer
technology?

RickMcCallum: We shot the film in 65 days of principal photography, in England, Tunisia and Italy. We finished that
part of the film in September of 1997, and completed the film 3 1/2 weeks ago. We spent 2 1/2 years preparing for the film
as well.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-monkeyboy says: As much as you can, what info is there on the next movie?

RickMcCallum: I can't give you any information, other than the fact that I think the story George has is fantastic,
complicated, and dangerous!

ASKLucasfilm: ltnfire1 says: Are you both going to work on the next film?

RickMcCallum: Yes, we are. We have started work on Episode II, and we will start shooting in June of 2000

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Liana says: The current rumour is Leo DeCaprio plays Anakin in Episode II. Please help confirm or
deny it...thanks!

RickMcCallum: Both George and I love Leo's work, but we haven't even begun casting yet for Episode II, and won't
until September or October.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-jordan says: Rick: I just saw the film and was really excited to see more color in this one (with
costumes, etc.). Was that a conscious effort?

RickMcCallum: I think so, to a degree. Remember, the first one takes place on two new planets, so we have a lot more
freedom to be able to express ourselves visually than in the original trilogy.

ASKLucasfilm: R2-RARengenade says: How many years did it take you to make "The Phantom Menace"?

RickMcCallum: 4 1/2 years, almost to the day.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-todd says: What is the general feeling working on "The Phantom Menace"? I'm sure it's more than a
job, but is it your life?

RickMcCallum: The only life I have! ;-) I have no more friends, my family doesn't speak to me, but I have "Star Wars"!

ASKLucasfilm: Dmx796 says: When does the newest "Star Wars" come out?

RickMcCallum: Episode II will come out in summer of 2002.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-JJBinks says: Mr. McCallum, as you know, Darth Maul is an extremely popular character. Any
chance we may see him again?

RickMcCallum: Not likely. But remember, (speaking sinisterly) the Dark Side has lots of characters.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-_Maul_ says: What possessed you to put ET's in the movie?

RickMcCallum: Who's ET? The Senate represents all creatures.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-DarkKnight1138 says: Rick, Are the rumors of the original "Special Editions" being re-done and
re-released to the theaters an actual possibility?

RickMcCallum: It is true that George did additional work after the "Special Editions." George would probably wish that
those "Archival Editions" may someday be seen in context with all six films.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-_Maul_ says: I could have sworn I saw Grim Fandango in the Podracer audience, is he really
there?

RickMcCallum: You'll have to see the film again.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-JJBinks says: Mr. McCallum, how far along is Mr. Lucas in his script for Episode II?

RickMcCallum: He started, but he's not far enough. But I'm hoping it will be finishedby September.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Marcus says: How many people are in the art department that worked on the film?

RickMcCallum: We had two art departments. The conceptual in the U.S. consisted of six individuals. The animatic
division consisted of four, and the United Kingdom art department side had about 35 people, and in addition, another
450 people constructed sets over a 10-week period.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-obiwan92 says: What were the cast members like?

RickMcCallum: All of them were SO easy to work with. So professional, so nice...I have NOTHING bad to say about
any of them.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Marcus says: what is the average background for the artists?

RickMcCallum: We had about three weeks of rehearsals for the cast.

ASKLucasfilm: SpiderCCC says: should we expect to see more female Jedi in future films?

RickMcCallum: Good question. Good idea. Perhaps. I hope so. Maybe. Wait and see.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-JJBinks says: Mr. McCallum, can we look forward to seeing such supporting actors as Hugh
Quarshie (Captain Panaka) and Pernella August (Shmi Skywalker) in Episode II?

RickMcCallum: Hopefully, yes. P.S.- didn't you think Pernella was great?

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-monkeyboy says: Rick, are the video presentations from the fan club in Colorado going to be
available? I missed them due to the incredibly long lines.

RickMcCallum: I'm sorry you missed them, they were a lot of fun. I am not sure they are going to be used again, but I
will check on it, and maybe next week I will have an answer for you.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Zoey says: Rick, who is your favorite character?

RickMcCallum: As a producer, I most closely identify with Darth Maul, but physically, I'm close to Jabba the Hut.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Zekk says: In creating the fighting sequences, how difficult was it to transpose Lucas' ideas to
paper??

RickMcCallum: The difficulty in getting them to film was taken on by stunt coordinator Nick Gillard, who's not only a
great fight arranger, but knew instinctively what George wanted to achieve.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-lynne says: What percentage of the movie was computer generated and how much was location
shooting?

RickMcCallum: Probably about 50/50, but virtually 95% of the movie has a digital effect in it, so even though we shot
on location, there's hardly an image that doesn't have a digital creature or set extension or painting in the frame.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-MERG says: What is the work on the film that you are most proud of?

RickMcCallum: Having just finished it and staying alive.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Neries says: to Rick, as the producer, how do you feel about all of the critics views of the film? :)

RickMcCallum: Well, the critics are pretty much split down the middle. We've gotten some really horrific ones, and
some really positive ones, but to tell you the truth, critics have never really 'gotten' the "Star Wars" saga. I prefer to put
my faith in the audience, which of course, is who we made the film for.
RickMcCallum: I am going now, but will be back on Monday, June 7, at 6pm, when I will join casting director Robin
Gurland. Let me meanwhile introduce today's next pair of guests -- two extraordinary people, Kevin and Ryan, who are
talented, young, animators who helped create all the animatics for the film.

Kevin: Thanks, Rick. Basically, animatics are a video-game-quality representation of what a final shot will be. It's a
blueprint for ILM to follow for their shot.

Ryan: In the early stages of our development, it's up to George and the editors to get the timing down.

Kevin: In the end, we have the rough quality together, before any work by ILM has been done.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-socko says: How would a typical day of design on the film go for you?

Ryan: We would generally receive a storyboard from the artists that would approximate how a shot would be, or get a
concept idea from an editor or George, and try to rough out a shot, to represent what George wanted to tell.

Kevin: Basically, we would do that two or three times a day. The most shots we did in a day was (for five people) 75
shots.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-mal says: I think that the new addition to star wars is spectacular compared to the others. I think
that you have done a great job. Can you reveal anything about the next prequel?

Kevin: Unfortunately, we can't. But it's very very cool.

ASKLucasfilm: R2-brandy says: What Questions do you get the most?

Ryan: How did we get where we are, how did we get so lucky, and what are we doing after.

Kevin: We got here because of a documentary done by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, which we were
featured in. Both of us, after "The Phantom Menace," plan to continue our schooling, but that may wait
until after Episode II.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-cokecan says: Was there a specific thing George wanted to be done that you had difficulty pulling
off?

Kevin: The sheer volume he wanted every day, which we were able in the end to do. But it was incredible. Handling that
was the most difficult thing to do. Most of the effects have been done before, but not in this quantity.

Ryan: Since there were only four animators on the team, and 2000 special effects shots, you see how many we each had
to do. And we did 5-10 versions of each shot.

Kevin: We did about 1500 shots (each of us) over two years.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-DrEvil says: Where did you get the ideas for Naboo? For example the landscaping.

Kevin: Most of that Doug Chang and his artists came up with, bythe direction of George. We had a little input in the
layout, but most of the direction came from them.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-jordan says: What did your friends think when you told them that you were selected?

Kevin: They were all pretty much in disbelief. They thought we were joking, until we called them from California. But our
friends, parents, were overjoyed.

Ryan: They were all very supportive.

Kevin: I have one friend in Seattle who hates my guts.(Hi, Jim!)

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Monkey says: What was it like working on one of the most anticipated movies of all time at such a
young age ?

Ryan: Obviously it was one of the most fantastic things I have ever done. To learn from these filmmakers, and we also
were huge Star Wars fans ourselves, so that made it all the more miraculous.

Kevin: Basically, it was as close to unreal as you can get, especially working on Skywalker Ranch.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-yongone says: Kevin and Ryan, can you please tell us how you both got into animatics? Do you
have any advice for future amimatic artists trying to get into the business?

Ryan: I would say above all, film basics, studying film.

Kevin: Film theory, composition, just taking film courses, the history of film.

Ryan: The tools will change, but the theories will never change.

Kevin: The computer is just another tool. So the film background is very important. We got into computer graphics as
freshmen in high school, on old 486's, and we taught ourselves. Anyone who is inspired enough and has enough
willpower to go out and give up aspects of their personal life, and to study anything, will get to where they want to be.
So put your heart and mind to it, and you'll get what you want.

ASKLucasfilm: Viceroy-Cank says: What kind of direction did your high school art teacher push you in or did you do
your own thing?

Kevin: We were self-motivated because our school wasn't doing what we wanted, but we got a lot of help from the
industry.

Ryan: Our teacher Rick Noreby gave us more importantly than direction, freedom to do what we wanted. And I think
that freedom will inspire those students to go out and find their own style.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Tneptune says: Are you guys employed full time for the long run by the company or is it a
free-lance life style?

Kevin: We are employed long-term by the company, and have been here during the last two years since we graduated
high school. (We're 20 now.) But we will be going back to school.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-monkeyboy says: What is the average length of a work day to create one of the animatic
characters?

Ryan: We get in around 8am usually, and if a light day, we might finish by 7 or 8pm. If a crunch, we may be there until
midnight...and we spent the night a few times. But we usually work a scene at a time, not just one character, and work the
scene until George is happy with it. We re-visit scenes and work on them to add details later. It's a hobby though, so we
enjoy it, and it IS "Star Wars" so no complaints.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-_Maul_ says: Was it hard making the changing lighting on the rendered characters in the burning
ceremony?

Kevin: ILM did those effects.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-obiwan02 says: Did you make the lightsaber effects?

Kevin: Yes, we did, for a small number of shots, 20 or 30. Our group did a little over 100 final effect shots, including
lightsabers, holograms, lasers, 3D puppeteer removal.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-MERG says: What are some major influences, especially outside Lucas Arts, that you draw ideas
from?

Ryan: We generally, in our spare time, after many sequences were finished, we helped with some of the easier shots,
rather than loading ILM with all of them.

Kevin: Just day-to-day life makes "Star Wars" so fantastic, and we relate to them due to the strong roots to reality. But
some is so fantastically original. It's finding that balance that makes "Star Wars" what it is.

Ryan: Everything from jet engines to cars to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, it all influences us.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Mauled says: What should I do in order to get started in the 3d special effects area of film making?

Kevin: Basically, there is a lot of cheap 3D software, and fast PCs are available for less than $600. Do the tutorials of
software packages, and create a portfolio from there, and send it to companies you are interested in working for.

Ryan: Especially if interested in a film career, watch a lot of movies. It's just as important as how much technology you
know. Strong film backgrounds are sought.

ASKLucasfilm: R2-RedGuy1 says: So, did you see "Star Wars" as a kid?

Ryan: Of course we did!

Kevin: We weren't born when the first film was out, and we get flak for that, but we both love the films, and we always
wanted to work on them. I have these large drawings of Star Wars scenes from when I was 6 years old, so it gives you an
idea of how much we were fans.

Ryan: We're trying to find those drawings, so we can implement them into a future film. *grin*

ASKLucasfilm: Animator-Inferno3D says: Did you guys even have a demo reel, since you were still in high school? Did
you have time to make one?

Ryan: We did a lot of our own projects, and we would indeed send a reel out, and found out this way what would work
and not work, and kept trying. Eventually, someone took notice of us.

Kevin: There are things at school that involve computer graphics, but also that involve school assignments. We used to
do five-minute animations for entertainment at school assemblies. Kind of killing two birds with one stone.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Padme` says: Did you get to meet anyone you've always wanted to because of working on this
film?

Ryan: George Lucas!

Kevin: George Lucas!

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Greta says: Where do you see yourselves going after your work with these films is done? Do
you think that you will continue to work in the movie business or go into another field?

Ryan: We've always felt that films are our biggest hobby, and what we are always interested in, so we are sure we will
stay in this industry.

Kevin: Aside from college, there are so many aspects of this industry, that you can't get tired of it. There's such a wide
variety of things to do in film, we won't ever get tired of it. We love entertaining people.

Ryan: We have much to learn yet, and we want to continue in this industry to discover those things.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Osirus says: Is the cave on Dagobah related to any of the prequel movies in any way?

Kevin: That's one for Rick or George, but I've kind of pondered that one myself. I'd ask them.

Ryan: No, we were hired on after the Special Editions were completed.

Kevin: We came on in July 1997.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Bman says: Are you guys of the opinion that we are standing at the threshold of a new age in
which filmmakers will be able to create anything they want?

Ryan: I think we are definitely at a new age of filmmaking, and no one knows yet where it will lead. We can only hold on
and see.

Kevin: George accomplished 99% of what he wanted in The Phantom Menace, and the only barrier in the future in
getting what they want may be money.

Ryan: As the creative minds and technology progress, we will find that the films being made and the ideas coming out
will be more interesting than in the past.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Ki_Adi_Mundi says: Are there any jokes or gags you added to the
film we should look for?

Kevin: Yes, there are. It was my idea to do the stumbling legs in the hangar scene, with no torso. This was when the
Queen was escaping from Naboo. There's so many things, you just need to see the film again to pick up on them all.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-EIrocks says: How much creative freedom were you give? How closely did you have to follow
pre-existing storyboards?

Ryan: Ultimately, we had to work within George's creativity, but within that, we got an extraordinary amount of freedom.
We were told "Go make something cool" and we were given freedom to do that. A lot of great shots were created from
that.

Kevin: The way that George worked is that he has a specific vision of what he wants to see or feel in a shot, but within
that vision, there's a lot of leeway, and he leaves that up to the artist. By doing that, he gets the input of 1000 persons,
rather than from just one. It helps the movie along, and it's wonderful for the artist too. Many have said George is the
best director they ever worked for in special effects.

Ryan: Being the ONLY film we have worked on, we'd have to agree. *grin*

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Iris says: What was it like when you first saw your names in the credits?

Ryan: It's a dream come true for both of us, to have our names attached to such a fabulous world.

Kevin: We got a lump in our throats.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Greta says: Were you ever tempted to let any of your friends in on secrets about the films before
they were released?

Ryan: No, we had more fun KEEPING the secrets from them!

Kevin: We were threatened with decapitation if we told anyone anything.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Korben says: Have you been given the story plotline by George for the next two movies?

Kevin: Nope, we haven't. A lot of people haven't yet. It's still a work in progress, and not done until September, so no
one knows yet.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Coffey says: At what age did you begin to use graphics programs and start making your portfolios?

Ryan: We didn't start about creating those until our junior year of high school, when we started working in the industry.
Before that, it was just a hobby.

Kevin: We were working for Microsoft then. We were doing product demonstration.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-3dsmaxlover says: What was the defining moment when you guys turned from amateurs to pros?

Kevin: I don't think there is any defining moment, but our first full-time job was working on this film, and we realized that
we wanted to do this, and hadn't just gotten lucky in the past with jobs.

Ryan: We don't know if that makes us pros or not....

Kevin: Meeting George Lucas and getting hired is about as close as you can get.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Greta says: What do you enjoy most about working at Skywalker Ranch?

Ryan: I would say working with some of the best people in the industry. Everyone is so fabulous, and the work
environment is unlike anything we have seen in our lives. It's been an amazing experience all around.

Kevin: The drive out here is one of the most enjoyable experiences, and the on-line chats are just wonderful.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-EIrocks says: Is there any single shot you would claim as truly 'yours'?

Kevin: Everyone who worked on the movie has at least one shot they came up with, and it ended up in the film. For me,
the whole sequence of the deployment of the droids in the battle scene, I was given a lot of freedom on that. Both Ryan
and I were given a lot of freedom with the space battle, too.

Ryan: A shot goes through so many persons by the time it reaches the screen, so it's hard to give one person credit for a
scene. ILM makes any shot look beautiful, so they get credit for that, too.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Phantom says: What do you think of all the hype built around this movie?

Ryan: We're incredibly pleased that the fans are so happy, and being fans ourselves, we understand why everyone is so
excited.

Kevin: It was great for us to have to keep silent about this for two years, then have all this hype and the interviews, and
be able to hang a Naboo Starfighter from my rear view mirror.

Ryan: It's weird to see things in aisles of stores that were hidden in the top floor here.

Kevin: I'd like to add that most of us wish that there had been no hype, so fans could go in, and see the film with no idea
what they would be seeing. But we've enjoyed every minute of the ride.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-MattUK says: Can you remember the very first shot you worked on?

Ryan: I remember the very first scene we started working on was in the hallway on the Federation destroyer, when the
droids are approaching the door. And wouldn't you know it, it got cut from the film! It was a shot of them shooting the
door before it opened.

Kevin: My shot DID make the scene, after the Jedi say "Let's go," it's when the destroyer droids begin to shoot, and
realize nothing is there to shoot at.

Ryan: It was a great time. We had just started, in awe, and we now had a storyboard in front of us, and told to create an
animatic scene for this. It just blew us away.

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Executor says: What were you guys working on that caught Rick's attention?

Kevin: It was something before Microsoft that caught his attention. If you want to see what he saw, you can go to the
George Lucas Educational Foundation (www.glef.org) and see our little five-minute piece is there in Quicktime format.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Nargaina2036 says: What inspired you to use the battle droids? And who designed them?

Ryan: The battle droids were designed by Doug Chang and his team. I personally thinks they were wonderful
replacements for Storm Troopers.

Kevin: That's one of the things I was most impressed with. They had a six-foot tall mockup sitting around, and it was so
intimidating. Bringing it to life was really cool, and with the help of the artists, it was cool.

ASKLucasfilm: Queen-Greta says: Have you two actually gone out to a local theater and seen the film with a big crowd
of fans?

Ryan: That was one of the things we were most excited about doing. And we went, as an art department, all down to a
theatre in San Francisco with the fans. We could watch it as fans, not just artists.

Kevin: I've seen it four times in public so far. Everyone has been great, they've all responded so well each time.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-sho says: Do you get to here the dialogue and/or music before you work on a scene?

Kevin: Generally, no we don't. It's in silence. The sound effects and music are last to be added. But on final shots, we had
a couple of times we would replace a mouth for a change of dialogue. So we did need to hear the voice tracks then. But
the movie soundtrack was not heard by us until the movie came out.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-willow says: What is your favorite memory from working on this project?

Kevin: I would have to say there were two: the first week of work was more amazing than anything I had gone through.
And then seeing the film in public the first time. Thanks to you all for your enthusiasm.

Ryan: Well said!

ASKLucasfilm: Darth-rage says: The sheer volume of animated creatures and droids is stunning! Did you guys have to
come up with all the 'critter' designs and placement?

Ryan: Again, all of that came from Doug and his artists. We are responsible for composition, and interaction of
characters, especially between animatic characters and real actors. ILM also handles much of that when they have time
to create the final shot.

Kevin: Initially, ILM handled Jar Jar and Watto more than we did.

ASKLucasfilm: Senator-Toodelooo says: For Nute Gunray and Lott Dod, did you digitally add there faces to a actor?
Because what they are wearing look very real.

Kevin: They were masks. There were a couple used.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-willow says: Do you ever wish you could see the movie without knowing what's coming next?

Ryan: That has always been one of the things that was a drawback for our situation, but seeing it in the theatre on the
big screen, with the music, all put together, was still like our 'first time'. A lot of final shots that ILM had done were not
seen by us until then. So seeing it that way as a whole was gratifying.

Kevin: One of the great things about knowing what was next was we would see things others may not have seen. That
includes things taken OUT of the film, things no one may ever see.

ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Darwan says: Is it difficult not to nit-pick your own work when you see the movie in public?

Kevin: Generally, it's difficult to a point, but then you realize there's only so much you can do. And most of the stuff we
and ILM did was taken to a point that we weren't really unhappy with it.

Ryan: We had, as Rick stated earlier, 4 1/2 years to work on the film. For most of the people, their ideas were VERY
refined by the time the film was completed, and George got a product he was very happy with. And it shows.
Queen-Satori says: What did you think of "The Phantom Menace" soundtrack as opposed to the other "Star Wars"
soundtracks?

Kevin: I loved it. And as I hear it again and again, it will become more of a classic, and will become as recognizable as the
others.

Ryan: I think that a lot of the sounds you hear in this soundtrack will foresee what will come in other episodes. It was a
great way to tie the "Star Wars" story together.

ASKLucasfilm: KatCCC says: Ryan and Kevin, thank you so much for being with us today! Is there anything you
would like to say before we sign off for the evening?

Kevin: We have told everyone that to get into this, chase your dreams. The only thing standing in your way is what you
think you can do. If you have enough passion and motivation, you'll get where you want to be.

Ryan: I'd like to thank the fans for being so supportive of our work here, and it was a privilege to work on a film as
incredible as this one. Rick wants us to tell you to go see the film a few more times. *grin*

StarWars: Thank you all for joining us.
StarWars: .
StarWars: A special "Thank You" to Rick McCallum, Kevin Baillie
StarWars: and Ryan Tudhope for chatting with us!
StarWars: .
StarWars: Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novel is available at
StarWars: shop.starwars.com
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StarWars: Copyright (c) Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM.
StarWars: All rights reserved.