GBODOOO [OS = 2 -\ 71 0090608 ar INTERVIEW: IRVIN KERSHNER SW_ So you decided that economies forced you away fom the small inmate film and into the more commercial? Last summer, prior to his departure for London, we interviewed trvin ik and the crazy way it ook longer to make the small, intimate fn Kershner ("Kersh fo his tends and associates) about his back: than Itdid the big’commereiat tims, The Flim Flam Man took {ground and about what he expected to encounter as the Director of me one year from script through editing and distribution. The ‘The Empire Sirkes Back. The following is an excerpt Luck of Ginger Coffey took me almost three years. Im begin from that interview. ning to enjoy making bigger films and fims for a wider audi ‘ence. One of the reasons | did Raid On Entebbe with Peter SW I haven't been able fo find a lot of background material on you. Fiich and Charles Broncon is bacatise [ wemed to work fatter IK man unknown man. | stay away from mass media as much as and reach a bigger audience. It was a three-hour film shot in 32 n. It a choice that | make-I don't think that people have 10, days. Then | did Return of a Man Called Horse. | felt was a know about me. All you do is sell yourselt and I'm not interested Chance to show the spiritual development of the American in in that. dian which had never been done before. On Eyes of Laura Mars filmmaking, aes : : write, then shot the whole picture and edited it, I'm working on my own peels ight row. One of emf a huge hn whch IK | was a musician first a classical musician. | studied vio, Bee ee er cesar ae viola, and compost. | played prolesseraly but Soci that characiers. | didn't want io be a musician, so | went into painting and 5 Ee sculpture. Later | decided | was not going to be 2 painter, s0 | SW This is after The Empire Stites Back tumed to photography and became quite successtul.| was IK Fight ‘being published and had exhibits al aver the world. Then by cchance | met Dean Croen, the Dean of Communications at USC. He wanted me to teach there, 60| started teaching pho- ‘ography. It was at USC that | became interested in movies for the first time and began taking courses ‘SW _ When was this? IK This was in 1949.1 got into documentaries after that, | directed and photographed hundreds of them. Finally, | came back trom ‘wo years in the Middle East making films and got into televi Sion. I did a documentary series on television, Paul Coates Confidential Fie. It was the fist real documentary show that was syndicated all over the country This was on in about 1953-55. Then | made my frst feature, Stake Out On Dope Street. That was it. | just started working and doing my thing ‘SW. What brought you into doing features? 'K They wouldnt let me in the Cameraman's Union, the Editing Union, or the Art Director's Union, so | said there's only one thing to do—diteot | co-wrote a fim, raised the money and di rected it. | used to travel with the vice squad for Confiden How did you get involved with The Empire St File and | knew a lot about dope addiction and addicts, | George and Gary asked me if| was willing to undertake it. 1 ‘ought, why not do a film that used my knowledge. It cost thought about it overnight, thought about the pres and cons, $830,000, complete. It was a very successtul venture, | just con- and finally said, ‘yes, 'd love it” I'm glad I'm doing i tinued making films and trying to do my own type of film, which Its alte harder this time because i 7 itle harder this time because you've got a base was outside of the establishment most of the time that you're working trom, ala lot of people are strongly SSW. What type of fm do you think is your type? altached to, | Up until about four years ago, my type of fim was the small, in- Well, 'm respecting that base; I'm not walking away from it. All timate fim—a film that dealt with social issues, human drives the characters are there, The story is really an ongoing story and needs. Every director at one point, coming out of the The bad guys are certainly better defined. The base is stable background that | came of—the university and documentaries and we're just building another story hopes for a film where you have a degree of honesty, a degree of ruth. This was the kick | was on. I's much of the style mak- ing @ realistic, human film as itis making a Star Wars. They are How do you expect The Empire Strikes Back to be dilteren fom Star Wars. both siystic. One appears to be real and ane to be hyper-real, {As | sald, the story is an ongoing one and has some new but they are both simply a style. Bul you find that there is a Characters. It has a great deal of action, Weil, we have a won: ‘rnall ecienoe and you cannot teach a erhall eadlcnes be dertul active ending also, which I can't tell you about but it wil 1use of the large cost of advertising and distribution, the be different studios feel that for the same amount, you can sell something SW Do you expect The Empire Strikes Back to be a superficial pic- that is more commercial ture? P.O. BOX 8905, UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 91608 soca VES,IK Absolutely not. I's a very profound picture. Its a very deep pic- tute, but on one level i's beaulifully simple and on one level its ‘a delight. Its simple, is clear, i's easy to read, and below that, i's supported by some wonderful ideas and wonderful feelings. Some of the effects have never been tried before. There are not [ust spaceships going through space. The people are very well defined and interesting, including the robots, In the first Star, Wars you had to figure out who everybody was, but now you'll have instant recognition. Now | can play with further com- plexites of the characters. | can make things funnier more ‘easily I can make danger more easily because you already love these people. Som going to take advantage of the tamilarity—and use it. By the way, you will ike the story of The Empire Sirkes Back. Its very exciting, | guarantee it. | love it, ‘SW How do you feel about the principal cast members? IK think they are all highly individualistic. Hartson is terilic. 1 think that Mark has terrific qualities —ingeniousness and ea- gemess. | think that Carte is sweet and has an interesting Strength, without being petulant. We do a lot more with C-3PO, 2-D2, and Chewbacca in this film, plus new characters and ew creatures. George is very funny and we've had a ball We've had some great sessions and laying out things, He can get very excited, ‘SW. What do you feel about the science fiction field in terms of mo- tion pictures? IK _ I happen to love science fiction and I've been reading science fiction since | was a kid. | feel that, in the past, science fiction Pictures have not been done too well, excepl for 2007. Stanley (Kubrick) attempted something that no one else altempted—to 0 it right. Usually science fiction pictures have been cheapies and have been sort of litle soap operas. There are often in- teresting stories. | think that 2001: A Space Odyssey was a very interesting science fiction film; so was Forbidden Planet. The Day the Earth Stood Stil was good current science fiction—at the time it was a very good idea. The science fiction pictures. that are uninteresting are the ones that depend on hardware, except for 2001. The ones that depend an ideas are exciting, and science fiction offers a way of probing contemporary prob- lems, contemporary sensibiities, and doing them in such a way that won't frighten you because its not the real world, so you. can say and do and explore any area. Of Course, | feel Star Wars is as much fairy tale as its science fiction—-even a litle more, and that the fairy tale is a very exciting aspect because fairy tales deal with universal morality, universal concems, uni- versal emotions, and universal fears and thats why Star Wars is 0 beaullul because it deals with those almost iyrical fay tale aspecis of experience. That's why, in any country, you ean read and understand it ‘SW Well the fans will be very pleased that you are a science fiction fan, Ik te read tons of it SW Your background does not reflect science fiction or, for that ‘matter, much in the way of an action/adventure fim. IK But, if youll look in my films, you'll see some teriic action’ adventure sequences. | have just stayed away from that type of Picture. But | love to do actioniadventure, and | certainly know how to do it. | have just preferted not to do them, that's all | tke to get into people. ‘SW. That's important. If you can capture the people at the same time as the action, IK That's what we are going to do! Now that Kersh has been at work for several months, actually work- ing with the cast and crew, we asked him to provide us with a final comment-one that might help us fo understand the pressures he is Lundéer. This was his reply. IK: To do a good story on flim is a challenge, to make a world on film is @ miracle. The other day | found myself talking to my garbage pai. | couldnt understand why its top didn't close when Fasked ito aS STELLA OIE “EMPIRE” PROGRESS REPORT ‘Work on the sequel to Star Wars is proceeding at a dizzying pace both at the EMI-Elstree Studios in London, where principal photog- raphy has been taking place, and at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) in Northern California, where most of the special effects work is done Principal photography began in Norway on March 5, 1979, On ‘March 6, there was an avalanche. While this avalanche did not detay filming very much, it did cause some difficulties. Instead of coming in via snow-ttuck, people had to be helicoptered in. ‘Attor work was completed in Norway, the cast and crew returned, to the relative safely and comfort of the English studios, 17 miles out- side of London Production continued there for several months, finally wrapping in early August. Meanwhile, work on the construction and filming of the special effects is expected to continue until sometime in early March, 1980. Amazing things are being done in The Empire Strikes Back — some things more fantastic than the sights seen in Star Wars, Imag- ine, i you wil, a fullsize version of the Millennium Falcon. This ver- sion of the sleeiclined craft weighs 40 tons, stands 16 feet high, and has a diameter of 60 feet with a mandible giving it an overall length of 80 feet. And it fits off under its own power. Or a sound stage so large that two cifferent scenes can be filmed simultaneously without intertering with one another. Mark Hamil, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford are returning to re- create their oles of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa, and Han Solo. Also retumning are Dave Prowse (Darth Vader), Anthony Daniels, (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca). ‘Joining dur band of adventurers wil be Billy Dee Willams as Lando Calrissian, an old friend of Han Solo's who now runs the mining col ony of Bespin Irwin Kershner will be working as Director (see “Interview: Irvin Kershner” elsewhere in this issue), with Gary Kurtz returning as Pro- ducer, and George Lucas acting as Executive Producer. John Wiliams is once again doing the music ‘Taking over as Special Effects Supervisor will be Brian Johnson, whose previous credits include 2001: A Space Odyssey (working with Ooug Trumbull), The Day the Earth Caught Fire, The Return of the Pink Panther, the television series Space: 1999, and the recent blockbuster motion picture, Alien. Brian will be working at the ILM headquarters in Northern California, The screenplay was written by Leigh Brackett, a long-time master Of science fiction, as well as a top Hollywood scriptwriter, and Lawr- ‘ence Kasdan, a highly talented newcomer to screenwriting Lucasfilm Ltd. and the Official Star Wars Fan Club are sponsoring slide show presentations on The Empire Strikes Back at several sci- fence fiction and comic baok conventions. You can see it at one of the following 1979 conventions: August 23-27, Season/World Sci- lence Fiction Convention in Brighton, England: October 5.7, Windycon in Chicago, llinois; and November 23-25, Creation Con in New Yor, New York. Later presentations will be announced in the next issue of Bantha Tracks. The Empire Strikes Back wil be released in London on May 17, 1980, and in the United States and Canada on May 18, 1980.“STAR WARS” COMIC STRIP ‘Appearing in over 300 newspapers across the country, the “Star \Wars* comic strip has became a hit with fans everywhere. One of the major reasons for the comic strip’s success is the tertilic work of at ist Russ Manning Russ was chosen over dozens of possible arlists as the best suited to depict in comic strip form the characters and the universe created by George Lucas, {Best known in recent years for his work on the “Tarzan” comic sirip, Russ previously wrote and ilustrated his own science fiction comic book, “Magnus, Robot Fighter” for Goid Key Comics, Currently, the comic sirp is running twa separate stories, with one appearing Monday through Saturday, and the other appearing on Sundays only. The current daly story will end on September 8, and the current Sunday story will end on September 9, Starting on Sep- tember 10, a new story wil start which will be running seven days a week This exciting now story is being written by Steve Gerber. Steve worked with Marvel Comics for six years, and is best known for Creating and writing “Howard the Duck’ Future stories will feature the work of other writerg including Rey Thomas, who currently writes ‘Conan, the Barbarian” comi¢ books and who, until recently, was editor-in-chief of the entire Marvel Comics Group line, If you enjoy the “Star Wars” comic strip, write your local paper let- ting them know. Newspapers use the letiers they receive as a barometer to tell them how people feel about each comic sttip, and whether or not to continue carrying it If you want to see the “Star \Wars" comic strip continue in your paper, please remember, send your local paper a letter teling thern, Speaking of local papers, starting soon your local paper will be running information on a cartoon contest, similar to the one run by the Oficial Star Wars Fan Club. This contest will be run through the ‘Star Wars’ comic strip, with prizes being awarded at the local level by each paper, as well as big, national prizes. FAN CLUB REORGANIZATION ‘As with any new venture, we have experienced many unexpected problems and complications. Some of the things we thought would ‘work haven’, and some of the things welve done as an afterthought have become our biggest successes. We've undergone some iran: sitions and suffered through some growing pains, and now feel that we can offer what we set aut to do last year We're going to do everything possible to make this fan club work. We want it to be a forum of communication for Star Wars fans ofall ages. Not just for children. Not just for adults. Write to us and let us know what you want and what you don't want. Help us make this the organization you wanted it to be when you joined The Official Star Wars Fan Club is not being run to make money — it's being run as a service to those fans of Star Wars wha care enough and are interested enough to join. The money taker in through membership fees will be going right oul again as benefits Very S00n, we are going to start offering special, limited edition mer- chancise, available only to club members. This wil include special Cast-and-crew items such as tee-shirt transfers, decals, and Patches. While these items won't be tree, we will be seling them at 48 near to cost as possible, because of the membership fees cover- ing the overhead of running the Fan Club. Well also be able to run ‘more contests and compettions, such as the Cartoon Contest men tioned elsewhere inthis issue, ‘And don't worry about renewing your memberships. Because we feel responsible for the problems that developed with the Fan Club, we are extending everyone's membership. The date printed on your mailing Iabe! will tel you when your membership will expire. No one’s, membership wil expire for atleast six months. For those people who haven't been assigned a Force number look at your mailing label. Use that number whenever you write fo us, particularly i you are moving, This number helps us serve you better And let us know your new address if you move, When you wite to Us, for any reason, please either type your letter or print it neatly. Next issue, the Question-and-Answer column will be returning. It you have any questions about Star Wars or The Empire Strikes Back, send them to us now. saa SIRS US CARTOON CONTEST WINNERS Earlier this year, the Star Wars Fan Club sponsored a Cartoon Con- test. The rules were simple—any member could enter by sending in ‘one or more one-panel cartoons based on Star Wars. The entries ‘were judged based on their humorous content and not on how well they were drawn. First Prize was an all-expense-paid trip for two to England and a Visit tothe set of the Star Wars sequel, The Empire Stkes Back Second Prize was an all-expense-paild trp for two to the United States promiore of The Empire Sikes Back, Third prize was a set of four signed and numbered, limited edition lithographs by Ralph McQuarrie and Joe Johnston. A panel of juciges went through the thousands and thousands of entries and narrowed the selection down to 10 finalists, These 10 car toons were then sent to George Lucas, who made the final decision. Be EEE ce 1a lee Sua eae First prize winner, Matthew Pak (a college freshman at Virginia Polytechnic Insitute in Blacksburg, Virginia), took his mother, also @ Star Wers Fan Club member, with him on his prize trip to London ‘Along with a tour of the sets, Prop department, Special Effects Shop, and Make-up Department, Matthew and his mather were treated to special luncheon at the EMl-Elstree Studios commissary with Mark Hamil, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Peter Mayhew, By winning the contest, Matthew and his mother have become something of celebreties” Anicles appeared about them in both their hometown Paper and in Matthew's college paper. When we asked Matthew how he liked his trip, he replied, “Great! | ‘can't think of words to describe it, I's amazing!" And about his mother’s reaction, he added, "She was stunned”Second prize went to Mary Jo Fletcher of Ridgewood, New Jersey. Upon receiving notification of winning, Mary Jo sent the fan club a lovely card she drew hersell."Your letr informing me that | have second prize in the Official Star Wars Cartoon Cantest has been one of the happiest moments in my life! | had been hoping for some kind of reply, and when | saw your envelope my heart almost stopped Transmission tapes? Lidon,t know what youre taking Guy Haines, Jr, of Clear Springs, Maryland, received the Third Prize. Guy is 24 years old and a part-time college student. He's had his prize of the four limited edition lithographs framed and has them hanging up in his home. ‘The other finalists were Shirley Barrett of San Diego, California, Jim Lambert of Urbana, Ohio; Ron Mileti of Rocky River, Ohio; Gary Grit fith of Davenpon, Florida; Todd Nix of Lubbock, Texas: Benny Park of Alameda, California, and Robert Ronning of Thousand Oaks, Califor INTRODUCING: BOBA FETT Not much is known about Boba Felt. He wears part of the uniform of the Imperial Shocktroopers, warriors from the olden time, Shacktraopers came fram the far side of the galaxy and there aren't many of them lett. They were wiped out by the Jedi Knighis during the Clone Wars. Whether he was a shocktrooper or not is unknown, He is the best bounty hunter in the galaxy, and cares litle for whom hhe works—as long as they pay. Part of what makes Boba Felt as good as he is are the special ‘modifications he has made to his Shocktraoper's armor. Examine the equipment and youll know what makes nim the best Flame Thrower and Dart Gun Rocket Pack Controls Frocket Pack Camel View & Finder Grappling Hook Digital Life Support ‘System Readout 7 Wookiee Scaips 8 Utiity Gun Belt rage Pack 10 Knee Darts 11 Tools 42 Climbing Spikes 18 Laser Fille S—~ 4 Add years o! practice and experience to this list of equipment and you have Quite a formidable enemy. Boba Fett frst appeared on The Star Wars Holiday Special late last year, in the employ of Darth Vacer. He will be elurning in The Empire Strikes Back, sil in Darth Vader's employ, and stil after Luke ‘Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and the leaders of the Rebelion. John Barry, the British fim designer who received an Academy ‘Awatd for his work on Star Wars, died June 1, 1979, in London al age 43, He was directing second unit on The Empire Strikes Back, the continuation of the Siar Wars saga, atthe time of his death Barry was born in London and began his career as a draftsman on the epic fm, Cleopatra. The quality of his early work soon eared him designer status on the Stanley Kubrick film, A Clockwork Orange. His credits include Superman and Saturn il, for which he ‘wrote the original story. It is currently before the cameras at Shepper ton Studios in London Upon receiving the American film industy's high for his set designs on Star Wars, Barry said."It was without a daubt the high point of my career as a designer. The number of foreign film technicians who have been honored in this way ilustrates the ‘generosity of the Academy and the truly international nature of the industry" est honor in 1977 Gary Kurtz, producer of Siar Wars and The Empire Strikes Back, said of Barry: "We all mourn John Barry Apart from his exceptional hich the success of Siar Wars owes much, he was the most lovable of men, who carried very lightly and disarmingly bis great wealth of experience and creativity ust a few days before his death, he told an interviewer on of The Empire Strikes Back, “I'm happy to be with the Star Wa company again. It's tke coming home’ Bantha Tracks, he newsletter of the Oficial Star Wars Fan Ci, vo! uma two, number one, whole number 5, Sumer 1979, Published quar tetly by Black Falcon Ltd Edited by Craig Miler Copies avaiabio to members ofthe Ottis Slar Ware Fan Club. Ente contents copyrighted 1979 and Vademarks of Black Falcon. Lis ‘STAR WARS IS BACK: August 15—September 5 P.O. BOX 8905, UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA 91608,