You've been reading for months about stars from all six films of the Star Wars saga, about a Musical Edition and Star Wars in 30 Minutes and One-Man Star Wars. You know Rick McCallum is coming to Celebration III with a special surprise from Episode III, and of course you know that George Lucas will be at the Indiana Convention Center on Saturday, April 23. The Insider's Guide to Celebration III will help you make the most of all four days of the convention. The shows, attractions, and entertainment in the Insider's Guide have not gotten a lot of press to date, but really should not be missed. Share this list with your friends and help them make the most of their weekend, too. And there are so many things happening at once during Celebration III that you will probably need to split up the list and compare notes later!

Thursday, April 21
1:30 -- 2:15 pm Mystery Ewok Theater 2005. Join Warwick Davis in the Saga Stage (Hall G) for commentary and fun, during an extremely rare screening of Return of the Ewok, a film that he shot as a young man while filming Return of the Jedi. Davis may have another Celebration III exclusive surprise in store too, so don't miss out!

2:30 -- 3:30 pm The Making of Revenge of the Sith with author J.W. Rinzler, in room 109 with MC Doug Steves. Jonathan Rinzler spent countless sessions on the sets of Episode III on three continents, and amassed insights into the making of the film that few have. Come hear him talk about the art of compiling all this amazing information into one best-selling volume.

3:00 -- 5:00 pm Stormtrooper Olympics. Where else in the galaxy can you watch stormtroopers tossing Ewoks? Fan Fair Hall.

3:30 -- 4:30 pm Lorne Peterson: Building the Saga. Lorne Peterson started working with George Lucas on the models and effects for the first Star Wars film, and has worked on every film of the saga. The talented modelmaker has a fascinating film career and plenty of entertaining stories. Join him, with MC Tom Berg, in the 500 Ballroom.

3:30 -- 4:30 pm Droid Building 101. Sure you can see all those great droids in the R2-D2 Builders' room, but don't you want to build one yourself? Here's how to get started. Fan Stage, Wabash 3.

4:00 -- 5:00 pm Technologies and Environments of Episode III with Ryan Church. When Concept Design Supervisor Ryan Church designs a new world for the Star Wars universe he considers every aspect, from technologies to weapons to dwellings, and makes sure they all blend together in a seamless whole. Join him in Room 109.

4:30 -- 5:30 pm Creature Makeup Live Demonstration with Dave & Lou Elsey. A member of the audience will be chosen to be transformed into one of the amazing alien species from Episode III, while the Elseys share the wisdom and fun of their art form on the Sagamore Stage.

5:00 -- 6:00 pm Building Star Wars Props at Home. After you've learned how to get started building a droid you can stay at the Star Wars Fan Stage and hear from Dean Plantamura and Scott Will of the 501st and Rebel Legions how to build your own first-class props.

5:30 -- 6:30 pm Dan Gregoire: The Vision Before the Film. Dan Gregoire and his team provided the previsualization for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith that helped director George Lucas make countless creative decision. Get a rare inside view of this vital portion of the filmmaking process from the Previsualization/Effects Supervisor for the films on the Behind-the-Scenes Stage (Room 109).

6:00 -- 7:00 pm Rebels vs. Imperials! Celebrity MC Warwick Davis has something very special planned for Richard Le Parmentier, Michael Sheard, Ian Liston and Garrick Hagon. Come watch them square off live on the Saga Stage!

6:30 -- 7:30 pm ILM Model Shop -- 30 Years of Practical Magic. Lorne Peterson, Don Bies, and Danny Wagner, veterans of one of the most amazing special effects houses in the world, will share their Star Wars stories in the 500 Ballroom. Rare insights from three of the industries' most talented creators.

6:30 -- 7:30 pm Star Wars Trivia Game Show in Wabash 3. James Floyd will lead a rousing round of trivia, and the winners will walk away with a set of Klipsch Limited-Edition Star Wars THX speakers! What a great way to start out the Celebration III weekend!

7:00 -- 8:00 pm Matt Stover: Writing Revenge of the Sith. Matthew Stover's novelization of the upcoming Revenge of the Sith is garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Come hear the best-selling author talk about how he crafted the intense themes of the story into one great read. Room 109.

8:30 -- 10:00 pm Opening Ceremonies! Steve Sansweet, along with the a cast of hundreds will kick off the Celebration III weekend with a bang! Expect exclusive peaks from Lucasfilm, live music, and a few surprises. Hall B.

Friday, April 22

10:30 -- 11:30 am What's New at Hasbro. There's no place like Celebration III to hear what's coming in the Star Wars line from Hasbro. Join the toymakers in Wabash 3 and be ready to ask some questions.

11:00 am -- 12:00 pm Star Wars Fan Film Confidential. Hear tales and hot tips from award-winning Star Wars fan filmmakers on the Behind-the-Scenes stage (Room 109). Filmmakers Jeff Allen, Amy Earhart, John E. Hudgens, Mark Rusciano, Trey Stokes, Wendy Woody, and Scott Zier, and AtomFilms' Chris Albrecht will share what it takes to produce a film that grabs the audience (and the judges).

11:30 am -- 12:30 pm and 1:00 -- 2:00 pm Episode III Spectacular with Rick McCallum. It's true, this has been in all the announcements, but if you don't do anything else during Celebration III make sure you get into the 500 Ballroom to see this Episode III footage at some point. And if you can make it while Producer McCallum is talking about it all the better!

12:00 -- 1:00 pm Bounty Hunter Costuming. Learn how to get that coveted Mandalorian look from the experts of the 501st Legion in the Star Wars Fan Stage in Wabash 3.

12:30 -- 1:30 PM Creating Incredible Cross-Sections. Hans Jenssen and Richard Chasemore, creators of the amazing cross-section Star Wars books will share the inside story on creating the detailed books. Behind-the-Scenes Stage, Room 109.

1:30 -- 2:30 pm Meet the 501st Legion. See if you have what it takes to join Vader's Fist, the fighting 501st. Wabash 3.

2:00 -- 3:00 pm Mood Lighting for Revenge of the Sith. Erik Tiemens, Concept Design Supervisor for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith will share breathtaking views into the creation of worlds and landscapes for Episode III. You may be fortunate enough to glimpse scenes in Tiemens' presentation that will not appear in the film, too. Room 109.

3:00 -- 4:00 pm Imperial Officer Costuming. Not into armor? You can still join the Imperials. Learn from the 501st Legion experts in Wabash 3.

3:30 -- 4:30 pm Knoll Vision: Inside Revenge of the Sith. Get the real look inside Episode III production with John Knoll, Visual Effects Supervisor for the prequels. Knoll, an accomplished photographer, will share his personal slides from the set. Keep your eyes open. There may be a few "blooper" surprises thrown in from the wickedly talented visual effects team. Room 109.

4:30 -- 5:30 pm Droid Building on a Budget. Not all droids have to be expensive. The experts from the R2-D2 Builders group can show you how to save money, find bargains, and substitute materials while not compromising the finished droid. Wabash 3.

4:30 -- 5:30 pm Meet the Episode III Art Department. Six masters who helped create the look of the Star Wars galaxy in Episode III will be on stage together, with time for questions and answers. Expect some fantastic images from their forceful, creative process. Sagamore Stage with Jay Laga'aia.

5:00 -- 6:00 pm Matthew Wood: Episode III Sound Design. Matthew Wood may be getting the most press as the voice of General Grievous in Revenge of the Sith, but he has been a designing genius behind the aural landscapes of the film, and of the prequels. Hit this session and hear about the creative process and the work that goes into collecting and creating all the sounds that make Star Wars both unique and thrilling. Room 109.

6:00 -- 7:00 pm The Sights of Star Wars. Jeremy Beckett and Brandon Alinger have traveled the world over in search of filming locations and other sites significant to Star Wars fans. Take advantage of all the gas they have burned and the mileage they've racked up and enjoy Star Wars travel from a comfortable chair in Wabash 3. Tonight they'll take you on travels through the United States. Come back for their Saturday presentation at the same time for a journey through International locations.