StarWars: Hello and welcome to the thirteenth of our Star Wars
StarWars: chats, brought to you by Lucasfilm and Talk City.
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StarWars: Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson will be our guest today.
StarWars: Neeson has starred in critically acclaimed films such as
StarWars: Spielberg's "Schindler's List" and Jordan's "Michael Collins"
StarWars: as well as the Broadway drama "Anna Christie" which garnered
StarWars: Neeson a Tony Award nomination. He will also be starring in
StarWars: the upcoming Jan De Bont film, "The Haunting of Hill House."
StarWars: .
StarWars: Our series of chats is designed to gain insight into the
StarWars: production of the newest of the Star Wars movies and to
StarWars: allow fans the chance to ask the questions they have always
StarWars: wanted to know about their favorite Star Wars actors and
StarWars: creators.
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StarWars: But first, EPI producer Rick McCallum will join us to talk about the London Premier!.
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StarWars: Welcome back Rick!!
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RickMcCallum: How are ya?
ASKLucasfilm: KatMK says: Tell us about the Premier in London!!! Please... what is it like?
RickMcCallum: It's absolutely insane! You can feel the anticipation... it's Star Wars everywhere! They're so excited. I think the film will open very big here!
ASKLucasfilm: queen-jenvaz says: Hi Rick, How is casting going?
RickMcCallum: We haven't started casting yet for Episode II. That won't happen until George finishes the script, sometime we hope in September. So we will begin casting in the fall.
ASKLucasfilm: jedi-garindan says: has location scouting started for episode II?
RickMcCallum: Yes, we actually have gone out on locations yet, but we start next week. We are going to Australia, Tunisia and Italy during the next two months.
ASKLucasfilm: jedi-go2fast says: what will be different about the production of e-i versus e-ii?
RickMcCallum: We are going to try and make it for less money, in less time, but make it bigger. We learned a lot in the last two years.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-EethCough says: Rick : Do you have something else planned before you do ep2? or is it straight into it?
RickMcCallum: It's relentless. We're on our way.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Lai-Kal says: When will you start working on StarWars in Australia Rick?
RickMcCallum: We won't start until June 2000, but I leave for Australia next week.
ASKLucasfilm: JazzyEric says: Rick, have any locations been chosen yet for e-ii? returning to Tunisia perhaps?
RickMcCallum: We haven't chosen any specific locations, but we know we will be shooting in Tunisia and Italy again.
ASKLucasfilm: Metallicano says: Hi, Rick! How did C-3PO move around in Episode 1, as opposed to the original trilogy where Anthony Daniels could wear a suit? Was this done manually or was it another one of your amazing special effects?
RickMcCallum: It was done with a special technician-performer, who was using rods, dressed up in a blue-screen suit, performing the robotic version of C-3P0. We removed him then in post-production. Then, the lines were done by Anthony Daniels, who was on the set, but off-camera.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-YoungAnakin says: Rick, people say Lucas is not concerned with the acting as much as special effects, from your experience how do your respond to that?
RickMcCallum: It's totally untrue. He loves actors and dealing with them, but there are so many other elements in the day-to-day process of making a film as complicated as Star Wars, so he has a lot to deal with every day, unlike a movie with just two people talking to each other.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-AdiGallia says: Rick, would you rather be a Jedi or a Sith Lord?
RickMcCallum: In my heart I prefer to be a Jedi, but, sadly, my job makes me a Sith Lord.
ASKLucasfilm: QueenLadeda says: Have you had any type of summer break?
RickMcCallum: No, I took a week off when the film opened, and went to Mexico, which was very relaxing. I stopped smoking, but other than that, no break at all.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Carl says: Rick, what is it like to be a producer?
RickMcCallum: On this film, it was awesome. I have to be the luckiest person in the world. It was so much fun, so much hard work, and I had such a great opportunity to meet so many great people. I traveled all over the world -- what could be better?
ASKLucasfilm: a_mandolin says: Rick, Is Jar Jar Binks going to be in Episode 2?
RickMcCallum: We don't know yet.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Gordo says: Rick, what impressed you the most about George Lucas' vision for the prequels?
RickMcCallum: His imagination, the quality of it.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Ghe says: Hello Rick, i hear lots of "hidden" things were placed in the galactic senate, but I've seen the movie a few times and still cant find them! Could you give me a hint of where/when to look?
RickMcCallum: Ask me the same question after you've paid to see the movie ten times! *grin*
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-YoungAnakin says: Rick, what was it like working with Liam Neeson?
RickMcCallum: Awesome! He's so hard-working, so professional, so dedicated, it was a dream for us! And check out those action sequences! And speaking of Liam... he's just walked in the door here in London. I would like to introduce him to you... here he is, to answer any questions you may have!
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Jaina-Solo says: Mr. Neeson, how did you get involved with Episode I?
LiamNeeson: I had heard through a friend of mine that George Lucas was going to direct for the first time after 18 years....not only direct, but direct Episode I of Star Wars. I had heard too that there were possibly two Jedi parts in this story, and I got my representatives to find out if it were possible for me to be in this film. And could I meet George and Rick , which eventually happened in London.
ASKLucasfilm: KWANYU says: Hello Mr. Neeson. You were amazing in TPM! What were some of the things you enjoyed most about the movie?
LiamNeeson: I loved the vision of it, and I loved being part of that whole creative team. I have to say it was the main thing. As actors we are part of a luxurious Persian carpet. We are all part of the stitching, and I love being a team player.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Anakin2002 says: What was your favorite scene in The Phantom Menace?
LiamNeeson: I like the opening very much, with the spacecraft coming in to land, and the two hooded figures, myself and Obi-Wan, are shown into this boardroom. You see the world that's been created, and have a sense of mystery with these two cloaked Jedi warriors coming in, with tension. It starts in a good place.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-BlackViper says: What is the transition from Star Wars to a horror film like Hill House like? Is it hard to make such a huge acting leap?
LiamNeeson: In a way, it was easier with "The Haunting." There was very little blue screen work I had to do, even though there are very extraordinary special effects. It seemed like a walk in the park compared to shooting "The Phantom Menace."
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Arcabouco says: According StarWars ' s site, you had originally sought a career as a teacher, is it true?
LiamNeeson: I trained as a teacher, for two years, at a college in the north of England. In college, I got very heavily involved in the drama workshops, and spent most of my time in that program. We did plays at Edinburgh, and many other productions, and that kind of cut into my 'teaching time' and you could say the theatrical bug "bit".
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Ruh-Man says: Mr. Neeson. You are a great addition to the cast that comprises the Star Wars Universe. Did you have any reservations about taking on a role in the most anticipated movie ever?
LiamNeeson: I didn't, because first and foremost I wanted to work with George Lucas. I have been a fan since "American Graffiti" days, and while I hadn't read the script (until I committed to the film), I knew it would be an extraordinary journey, so I had no qualms about doing it or not doing it. And I HAD to find out what it was to twirl a lightsaber! Especially a GREEN one!
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Ruh-Man says: Mr. Neeson. How and when did you start your successful career? I'm looking forward to seeing your newest film, "The Haunting".
LiamNeeson: I've been acting since 1975 in Ireland, which was theatre, in Belfast and Dublin, and then John Boorman saw me in a production of "Of Mice or Men" at the Abbey Theatre, and he was casting for "Excalibur" and on the strength of that, he offered me the part of Sir Gwain in it. And that's when the theatrical bug grew into the movie bug.
ASKLucasfilm: farfd says: Liam, how difficult was it to shoot the fight scene in Tunisia? Because of the heat, but also because you had your cloak on.
LiamNeeson: That was a concern, but Nick Gillard, our fight arranger, worked out a series of parries and attacks. Ray Park and I really rehearsed that scene, so we could have literally have done it in our sleep. If we got our lightsabers caught up in our cloaks, George would always just re-shoot. We covered it with three cameras, though, and we did it in two or three takes.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Katie-Gon says: Hello Mr. Neeson! You were absolutely terrific in "Les Miserables" and "Star Wars Episode 1. "What types of roles attract you, and do they bear any resemblance to your personality?
LiamNeeson: I'm always motivated by good writing, no matter what the genre is. It's not that I am looking for a particular type of character to play per se, but I am just motivated by good scripts. And you always bring your own character to bear on any part you play, because you cannot stop being who you are, you know? You can change it, alter it, but you can't really stop it from emoting itself.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Zhaz says: Hi Liam! When you started filming, did Lucas give you much background info on the character of Qui-Gon?
LiamNeeson: Not so much background, but he would tell me quite a bit about how he saw these Jedi's, and what they stood for. How it compared to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. A code of ethics, one similar to the samurai tradition. They were like Wild West marshals too, regulators, who kept the peace, and were equally respected and feared.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-knoxy says: What was it like working with so much blue screen and talking to things which weren't even there
LiamNeeson: It was quite difficult. It was a new technique to be learned, I have to admit. I wanted obviously to make the scene real and give a sense to an audience that this is an everyday occurrence, that I talk to these creatures all the time, no matter what they look like or where they are from. This is life on these planets, and as natural as me talking to you. So I wanted to keep my acting very simple, straightforward, and truthful.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-Qui-Lynn says: Hello Liam... I'd like you to settle a little debate that has arisen amongst the Jedi in the JediTemple... (hehe) Was your long hair a wig in Episode-I????? :)
LiamNeeson: Yes. It was designed by myself and my makeup lady, Morag Ross. We worked together on a few films, and when we worked in Prague on "Les Miserables" we started designing this look. We wanted something strong, noble and to look good. We always want to look good! *grin*
ASKLucasfilm: R2-C_Plus_Plus says: Mr. Neeson, who are your role models in life and why?
LiamNeeson: I don't really have any role models. I don't try to emulate anybody. I just try hard to be good. I get energized about reading about someone who has done some wonderful, unselfish act for someone or a cause, and I find that inspiring, but I don't have a particular role model.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-PEMMASTER3 says: Mr. Neeson, do you have any Qui-Gon Jinn action figures? How does it feel to be brought to life as an action figure?
LiamNeeson: I'm staring at one as I speak, that when you press a button, it speaks and turns and wields a lightsaber. I am about to put my signature on it so it can be auctioned for a children's charity. I do get a kick out of it, to have your kids point at it and say "Da-da!"
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-THX1138591 says: Mr. Neeson, have you ever done or considered other work, such as directing?
LiamNeeson: I've no interest in directing at all. I could see myself producing down the line, though. I like putting people together, but directing, no.
ASKLucasfilm: a_mandolin says: How many hours a day did you spend shooting Episode 1?
LiamNeeson: 14 -15 hours a day, maybe. That counts the drive to the set, and preparation time. Learning lines, getting into the mood of that day's work.
ASKLucasfilm: Senator-1138 says: Liam, Welcome. I was wondering what movie projects you are working on at this time.
LiamNeeson: I just finished "The Haunting" in May. Now, I am taking some time off until the fall. Nothing is definite yet for that time, though.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-Mum says: Have you had any special training in sword-fighting or martial arts? If so, how did it help?
LiamNeeson: Not martial arts. I was an amateur boxer for six years. I always have kept physically fit. And starting with "Excalibur" I had a good grounding in sword fighting. Mainly, with Williams Hobbs, who was the fight arranger on "Excalibur" and later in "Cyrano de Bergerac" He also did the sword fights for "Rob Roy" So I learned a lot from him.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-THX1138 says: What qualities do you admire the most in George Lucas, as a director?
LiamNeeson: I admire his use of his knowledge. He's a consummate storyteller on camera, and his knowledge of cameras is quite phenomenal. And he has infinite patience. He's quite laid back. And on top of that, he's a really good bloke. I like him very much.
ASKLucasfilm: Darth-ASH says: Hi Mr. Neeson. What are your plans once you retire from the movies?
LiamNeeson: Well, there is a rumor that I'm going to retire, but I am not. But if I were to, it would be to fly-fish. I would do that anywhere there is a river. I did a film with Jodie Foster a few years back called "Nell" in North Carolina, and we filmed this on a big beautiful lake, and I started to fly-fish between setups. And I developed a passion for it. I tie my own flies, and I try now to get on a river as much as I can.
ASKLucasfilm: Jedi-warble says: Do you feel differently about the roles you might take now that you're a father?
LiamNeeson: I certainly think that being a Dad influences everything you do. Even how you tie your shoelaces. I am influenced by that, because someday they will see it on the big screen, or on a videocassette, and I would hate for them to say, "Gosh, Dad, why did you do this?" I don't think everything has to carry a wholesome message, but you do have to be responsible for it, something that potentially millions will see.
ASKLucasfilm: KatCCC says: Liam, thank you so much for being with us today! Is there something you would like to say to our audience before we sign off?
LiamNeeson: I've never done this before. It's a first for me. I just want to thank everybody for their allegiance to Star Wars, to the films, and I know we are all looking forward to Episodes II and III!
StarWars: Thank you for joining us.
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StarWars: A special Thank You to Liam Neeson and Rick McCallum for chatting with us!
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StarWars: The Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novel is
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StarWars: All of us wish you a fantastic evening and we look forward to seeing you
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