"We're in go mode,
we're making a movie," says an enthusiastic Producer Rick
McCallum, now at Fox Studios Australia preparing for principal
photography for Episode III to begin in just a matter of months.
Including himself, McCallum estimates that there are 30 other
people currently active on the lot... a number growing each week.
Most active are Costume Designer Trisha Biggar's department and
Production Designer Gavin Bocquet's set crew.
Along with Bocquet, Art Directors Peter Russell and Ian Gracie,
Set Decorator Richard Roberts and Construction Manager Greg Hajdu
are preparing for construction to begin at the end of this week on
the first set. "They're cranking on set drawings, breakdown of
the furniture requirements, paint, everything," says McCallum.
"They're taking approved concept designs and taking the huge
leap to make them reality. How high? What width is the door? How do
you get from one room to another? All the real stuff."
Having filmed Episode II at Fox Studios is making certain tasks
easier, but still McCallum describes his typical day as
"crazed." "We have to organize construction,
costumes, get everyone housed, arrange lighting, electrical, and
wiring of the buildings," he says. "One of those buildings
is a brand new huge stage which we're really happy with. It will
definitely help to make our lives easier."
Meanwhile, back in the U.S., a small team at Industrial Light
& Magic have been doing research and development since September
in all aspects of the post-production process. This includes High
Definition Supervisor Fred Meyers continuing to push the boundaries
of the digital cameras, while others refine visual effects methods.
Another priority is bringing in new talent in the area of digital
matte painting. "We're beefing up that department,"
McCallum reports, "because they're going to be stretched to the
limit. We're going to try to get to the highest level of photo
realism we can."
Other departments will be coming online soon. Dan Gregoire and
the animatics team will start pre-visualizing their first sequences
later this month. The art department expects to start storyboarding
soon. Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard will likely arrive in Australia
in mid-March, while a sound crew will be assembled as production
draws closer.
McCallum points out one area where no activity has begun.
"We're not ready for casting. We haven't looked at or
considered a single new cast member or extra." Returning actors
Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L.
Jackson, Christopher Lee and Ian McDiarmid will all be in Australia
this summer.
With a tight schedule, what does McCallum expect to change on the
lot over the coming weeks? "It'll all be faster and more
intense," he smiles.