The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

CONCEPT ART LENDS TO THE VISUAL DEPICTION OF IDEAS THAT GIVE HOPE TO A GREAT FILM.
Star Wars: The Art of The Force Awakens
Vader Castle
Artist: Brett Northcut

The Force Awakens brought Star Wars back to the big screen as it kicked off the sequel trilogy. It also marked the first Art of Star Wars books with The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which also was my first Star Wars art of book. While diving into the film itself is not on the docket, what is, is the art.

The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is heavy on earth tones. Lots of brown’s, gray’s, beige really set the tone, while there are other colors such as red and orange it is the earth tones that override this art book. That is in no way a bad thing as much as an observation.

The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Castle Alien C050
Artist: Ivan Manzella

The Force Awakens Art of book is actually very vehicle heavy with less character art, which again is fine. There are characters but ships tend to stand out.

Looking at this book for the first time in a while was refreshing as was watching the film. I like to really dig into the artwork and then watch the film or streaming show to see how the art translated. In the case of The Force Awakens the film was much more beige than I remembered and more so than the art in the book.

Yet it is the early concepts that really evolved from the drawing table to finished product. The book offers vehicle’s and characters that started off looking one way and ended up totally different which is the allure of The Art of Star Wars books if you are into both films/ shows and art.

The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Old Trooper Barfly
Artist: Gyln Dillon

The newness of, at the time a brand new Star Wars trilogy was met head on by the Lucasfilm art department who as illustrated in the book saw artist visions change into something else at end product.

No matter how you feel about The Force Awakens or the sequel trilogy for that matter, The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is worth checking out.

 

Next up, The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 2)

CONCEPT ART LENDS TO THE VISUAL DEPICTION OF IDEAS THAT GIVE HOPE TO A GREAT FILM.

 

As far as the Art of Star Wars books go, The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 1) was much darker in tone than the previous Star Wars Art Books. I was very much looking forward to The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 2) to see if that dark tone would continue or if it would lighten up a bit. The answer was yes and yes.

There were more desert screen time so that naturally lightened the tone up a bit, also more daytime screen time helped out as well. Do not let that fool you, if you enjoy darker toned art there is plenty in the book.

Once again the Lucasfilm art team did a fantastic job and as per usual some of the art that did not make the final cut left me scratching my head as to why it was left out. I am not in on those decisions, I am just a Star Wars and art fan.

What stands out in The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 2) is the art is more telling of the story and not just an idea put down. There are action art work as well as the more customary standing still (character) art work.

This book makes you really see how the show and episodes were crafted from the art, more so that the previous books discussed here. If there is one thing I would change is I would have made the book more pages, but that is the movie and art fan in me.

The art in all of The Art of Star Wars books is at times breath taking and at times thought provoking. This is part of the joy looking through them and reading the snippets on the art. Every time (which is often) I look through one of the books I notice something new or that I missed before.

The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 2) is a must have art book, more so than Season 1. Do yourself a favor and get a copy.

 

Up next The Art of The Force Awakens.

 

The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 1)

CONCEPT ART LENDS TO THE VISUAL DEPICTION OF IDEAS THAT GIVE HOPE TO A GREAT FILM.

 

Back when George Lucas was making Star Wars he thought it would be a good idea to have concept art to sort of frame in thoughts and to help the creative process of movie making. That idea has grown and now concept art for any movie is now a staple part of the final product. So it works for movies, but how about shows?

Decommissioned Stormtroopers
The Art of The Mandalorian
Artist: Brian Mayyas

The Mandalorian premiered, November 27, 2019 and became the must see show. Before the show could be, Lucasfilm and its art department started to bring ideas to life. In what very well could be the best concept art book, The Art of The Mandalorian offers outstanding concepts and as always some was used some ended up on the cutting room floor.

What sets The Mandalorian art book apart from other Star Wars art books is it is darker in tone. That is not a bad thing, after all the first season was a bit dark. Another aspect of the book that separates it from the others is that there is much more character concepts. In the other Art of Star Wars books there is a balance between characters, ships and planets. In the Art of The Mandalorian it is character heavy.

Mudhorn Sculpt Revised
The Art of The Mandalorian
Artist’s Doug Chiang and Tony McVey

As in most art books knowing the artist and the work they do comes by understanding what they excel in. While everything fits under the Star Wars umbrella, all the artists are truly unique and no artists work can be mistaken for another. That is part of the joy of these books, getting to know an artist and the skill-sets they have.

Kenner Vehicle Front Version 02
The Art of The Mandalorian
Artist: Ryan Church

The Art of The Mandalorian (Season 1) is a beautiful book, the art is stunning and it is easy to see why the concept art sets up what is shown and what is not. this is a must have for any Star Wars or art fan.

Up next: The Art of The Mandalorian Season 2

 

The Art of Rogue One A Star Wars Story

CONCEPT ART LENDS TO THE VISUAL DEPICTION OF IDEAS THAT GIVE HOPE TO A GREAT FILM.

 

"Saw's Pilot" artist-Luke Fisher
The Art of Rogue One A Star Wars StoryOne of the better Star Wars films is Rogue One A Star Wars Story (2016). Sure it filled in the back story of the stolen Death Star plans but it was fantastic storytelling. Like all Star Wars films, Rogue One started as a story and then the art department stepped to being to shape and bring the story to life. The Art of Rogue One A Star Wars Story is one of two Art of books that offer a lot of material that never saw the light of day which is in some cases a bit sad really.

By and large Rogue One is a darker story with a predictable yet melancholy ending that leads to light (Star Wars A New Hope.) What really stands out about the film is the darker tone set up by the dark art in the book.

Krennic Shuttle Details Version 1: Artist Ryan Church
The Art of Rogue One A Star Wars StoryFor starters the movie takes place on multiple different planets all with different environments and backgrounds. While Star wars films do tend to visit different areas Rogue One really went to a bunch each more interesting the the planet before.

The droids are fantastic and many have never been seen before Rogue One, so a tip of the hat to Doug Chaing and his art department for the creativity in each unique droid brought to life from art. Director Krennic, who in a very early concept had facial scars. There is an Underworld Alien, that never made it onto the screen which is a shame. The list goes on and on.

To fully grasp the movie making process, one must take in the concept art it takes to help the finished product. The art and artists do not disappoint in the Rogue One book. While it does have a lot of art that did not make the final cut it offers the reader a chance to view it soak it in and ponder if it was the right thing to leave concept art brought to life either in or or out of the film.

"Mustafar Meditation Chamber 1" artist Ryan Church
The Art of Rogue One A Star Wars StoryThe Art of Rogue One A Star wars Story is a must have for not only Star Wars fans but movie fans and art fans as well.

 

Up Next: The Art of The Mandalorian.

 

 

The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story

Concept art lends to the visual depiction of ideas that give hope to a great film.

 

“The ‘muddy trooper’ Glyn Dillion artist, The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story

Star Wars and art seem like a perfect partnership. Sure the same can be said for other movies and movie franchises and art, but Star Wars is so visual that the art is part stunning and often overlooked. The Art of Star Wars books offer plenty of concepts some which are used in films and some that never see the light of a movie screen. In the series of articles to come we will go in depth of the Art of Star Wars books, starting with Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Doug Chaing who is the Senior Vice President and Executive Designer of Lucasfilm, is counted on heavily to orchestrate not only the concept art but also how it fits into a film or show. Idea’s, characters and environment’s all need to be brought to life.

Ron Howard did a solid job with the film which is vastly underrated as Doug Chaing and his team did a tremendous job with the concept art. What should and needs to be stressed is not every concept makes it’s way into the final product. But the Art of Star Wars books places many of those art drawings into the books.

“Super Hauler” Vincent Jenkins artist, The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story

It is the art that is cut that the reader either agrees with it being in the film or thinks it should have been in the film but was cut out, that is the beauty of art and film (which is a form of art.) One aspect of Solo the film is it is filmed in dulled out colors and then brighter color throughout the film.

“Maverick 009” Ivan Manzella artist The Art of Solo: A Star Wars Story

Sometimes the art does not do the film justice and sometimes the film does not do the art justice with Star Wars, Doug Chaing and his art department nail it every time. The films are subjective to the fan as far as like/ dislike but the art is on point time and time again.

For Solo, much of the art in the book presents early stages and not the finished product although final product is shown. The is the interesting part of this book, it really shows the process. Flipping through the pages and seeing how the movie turned out is a fun adventure.

If you are a Star Wars fan or an art fan who also likes films, The Art of Solo: a Star Wars Story is a good way to introduce a very good balance to both.

 

Up next The Art of Rogue One A Star Wars Story

Fall mean hockey season

Four seasons, four seasons each unique in design. Winter, cold wet grey skies abound for the most part. Spring is the season of renewal and the promise of warmer weather is moving in. Summer hot, cookouts activities abound. Fall this season gives us color, cooler temps, and hockey. That’s right hockey.

Fall happens to be my favorite season. I love the fall colors and the cooler temps powdered doughnuts and apple cider (it’s the Michigander in me.) I enjoy hockey…….. ANY hockey. little kids, high schoolers, college, minor league, NHL. It is a great fast-paced game.

A dramatic photograph of a hockey stick and puck on textured hockey ice. There is plenty of copy space.Click on an

This week saw the puck drop on the 2023-24 NHL season, a sure sign fall is in the air and winter will follow. This year is a bit different for me as I have been blessed to have been asked to cover the Columbus Blue Jackets with full media credentials from the press box.

I have been able to separate the fan in me to be completely unbiased offering a balanced assessment of teams that I have an do write about. It is about finding that balance. There is no cheering in the press box as both home and away teams have representatives.

The view from the box is outstanding the game looks slower from up there unlike in lower bowls of arenas. In covering the Blue Jackets you will get blunt assessments both bad and good without a hint of fandom.

The Undrafted News has given me this opportunity, my goal is to represent The Undrafted News, my family, the Columbus Blue Jackets, and the 5th line well and in a way that is honest and true to the team and the city of Columbus Ohio.

Part of a Day and night series:
Columbus Skyline in daylight showing the Broad Street Bridge over the Scioto River and the Scioto Greenways mile. Several skyscrapers are visible in the skyline including the Ohio Supreme Court and the LeVeque Tower.

Time will tell how this year’s Blue Jackets team will adjust to a new coaching staff and new system. But much like enjoying the leaves changing color enjoy the hockey season.

 

Lando no longer intended to be a streaming show, it will now be a movie

As you may be aware Solo: A Star Wars Story is a favorite of mine. The movie was unfairly panned by fans due to poor box office reception of The Last Jedi. Donald Glover who portrayed a young Lando Calrissian was one of the standout performances of the film. It was said that a Lando show was being developed by Disney/Lucasfilm and now that project has turned into a full length feature film.

Lucasfilm logo displayed on a phone screen and The Walt Disney Company logo displayed on a screen are seen in this illustration photo taken in Krakow, Poland on August 20, 2022. (Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Donald Glover and his brother Stephen who is a screenwriter revealed on the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast the revelation the beloved Star Wars character would be returning to the big screen.

No development or negotiation of the film is taking place right now as the writers strike is raging on. That has not fully stopped the project as the Glover brothers had already done development and continue to write and rewrite as they are a duo.

The Lando show was first announced in 2020 with screenwriter Justin Simien who since has been replaced by Stephen Glover. What the now movie will focus around is anyone’s guess.

I will venture my own guess, I believe what could be at the core of the show is how Lando Calrissian wins control of Cloud City from Baron Administrator, Dominic Raynor in Calrissian’s favorite game, Sabacc. Raynor was so enraged he hired Bounty Hunter Bossk to inflect revenge on Lando.

Not that the show will focus on that but it would be interesting and would also help the overall Sta Wars story. Still it is exciting to hear that Lando Calrissian will be headed back to the big screen and this could be the right move.

The Last Jedi is getting some love from Ahsoka

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is perhaps the most controversial movie not only in the Sequel Trilogy but all the Star Wars films. Near the end of the film a child uses the Force and moves a broom into his hand setting the fan base into a revolt. Yet, in all reality it jives with what Star Wars is about also what George Lucas has said about the Force.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 07: George Lucas attends MoMA’s Party in the Garden 2022 at The Museum of Modern Art on June 7, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Museum of Modern Art )

In 1981, in The Making of Return of the Jedi book George Lucas, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan along with director Richard Marquand were going over the story line:

Kasdan: The Force was available to anyone who could hook into it?

Lucas: Yes, everybody can do it.

Kasdan: Not just the Jedi?

Lucas: It’s just the Jedi who take the time to do it.

Marquand: They use it as a technique.

Lucas: Like yoga. If you want to take the time to do it, you can do it; but the ones that really want to do it are the ones who are into that kind of thing. Also like karate.

The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson was right to use a child to illustrate what Lucas had said 41 year’s prior. Now Dave Filoni is diving deeper into this aspect of the Force on Ahsoka.

Sabine Wren, who is being trained by Ahsoka is not a Force user or a Jedi she is a Mandalorian, remember the Force exists well everywhere according to Yoda;

A life-size figurine of Yoda from the Star Wars series is displayed at the Star Wars Identities exhibition during a media preview at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore on January 28, 2021. (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The fact is anyone can access the Force given enough training and will. George Lucas fully supports the decision made by Filoni to double down on the anyone can use the Force.  “A lot of people get confused about the Force. They see it as some special thing that you can find and pick up and put it on your head and suddenly, you have the Force. Whereas it’s always been designed so that every living being has the Force,” Lucas said.

The amount of Force in living beings depends on how much they train. While The Last Jedi ruffled feathers Ahsoka is staying in line with the Force and what Star Wars creator George Lucas has said. So really fans lack of understanding was the real issue all along.

Would the Detroit Tigers make a big trade?

The Detroit Tigers are sitting in third place in the AL Central Division eight and a half game behind division leader Minnesota. During the course of the season the Tigers have seen OF- Riley Green, OF- Kerry Carpenter and 1B- Spencer Torkelson emerge as a core trio that looks to be around for a while. With top prospects Colt Keith, Justin-Henry Malloy and Parker Meadows awaiting callups, First round draft pick Max Clark is still a ways away from Motown. Would Tigers team President Scott Harris consider moving a top end prospect of current player to get more bats into the Tigers system? That is the question.

Rebuilding teams are not fun to follow and ballpark attendance generally dips during a retooling timeframe. The Tigers are rebuilding back-to-back which adds to fans misery. One thing that can speed up rebuilds is trades. Nothing should be off the table to make a team better sooner.

The Tigers have a surplus of left handed hitting outfielders and could use an influx of right handed bats in that group. Parker Meadows who looks to be a prospect who can make an impact could be moved but the return would not be one that moves the needle as much as other players.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JULY 23: Kerry Carpenter #30 of the Detroit Tigers at bat against the San Diego Padres at Comerica Park on July 23, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Let’s say Scott Harris (assuming he does not hire a GM before the Winter Meetings) decides he wants to bring in some high end young controllable bats to help the rebuilding process and goes big, as in really big. He could trade Riley Greene or Kerry Carpenter. Greene who looks like he is going to be an above average MLB player and Carpenter who has enjoyed success would be great trade chips.

If Harris wanted to go really big and trade for top prospects he could package Greene and pitcher Tarik Skubal. The return for those two would certainly be huge and would/could speed up the rebuild.

MIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 28: Spencer Torkelson #20 of the Detroit Tigers at bat against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at loanDepot park on July 28, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Will that happen? I do not believe that Greene will be moved and will be offered an extension this offseason. Greene is the type of player you build around as is Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson.

Still nothing can be counted out and nothing should be off the table to improve the team sooner than later.

The Detroit Tigers prospect rankings update

MLB Pipeline and their group of scouts are among the most reputable, trustworthy that cover and rank prospects. For the Detroit Tigers looking to gain momentum in terms of high end prospect talent four prospects landed on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects which also meant a change for the Tigers rankings as well.

First let’s take a look at where the four Tigers prospects landed on MLB Pipeline’s top 100. OF- Max Clark came in at #15, 3B/2B Colt Keith came in at #26, P-Jackson Jobe was listed at #59 and 2B-Jace Jung was ranked the #72 prospect in all MLB.

Now how do those four rank in the Detroit Tigers top 30 prospects and what does the future hold? Those four ranked in the MLB Pipeline top 100 (Clark, Keith, Jobe and Jung) also represent the top four in the Tigers organization. Four in the top 100 is not bad, yes more talent is needed but when considered Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson are young the four prospects give the Tigers some promise.

Max Clark who the Tigers drafted third overall in this years MLB Draft has all the tools to be a special talent and future all star. Graded:

60-Hit, 50 Power, 70-Run, 65-Arm, 60-Field for an overall 60 makes Clark the top Tigers prospect. Clark is a contact hitter who uses the gaps very well. He has the plate discipline scouts drool over. Clark is a very good fit for Comerica Park.

LAKELAND, FL – FEBRUARY 24: Colt Keith #81 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a photo during the Detroit Tigers Photo Day at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday, February 24, 2023 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Scott Audette/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Colt Keith drafted in 2020, has been injured so this season is a better look as to what he brings to the table.

55-Hit, 60-Power, 45-Run, 60-Arm, 45-Field, 55-Overall, in short Keith has All-Star ability he has cut down on strikeouts and is developing a better eye at the plate which is why he made the top 100 prospects.

Jackson Jobe is a pitcher who has the stuff to reach a #2 in a rotation. After a rough start last season the real Jobe began to show and has carried over.

65-Fastball, 65-Slider, 55-Changeup, 55-Cutter, 50-Control, 55-Overall, with a fastball that sits at 95-97 MPH and a changeup that dips to the low 80’s it’s easy to see why Detroit is high on the young pitcher. Again, if he develops he can be a valuable #2 and fringe All-Star.

Jace Jung  is a player who can impact the future Tigers lineup with his plus power to all fields.

55-Hit, 55-Power, 40-Run, 45-Arm, 45-Field, 45-Overall.  Jung has the ability to be an impact hitter for the Tigers. His numbers in terms of grades should change the more seasoning he gets.

DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 17: A general night view of the main entrance of Comerica Park during the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 17, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Indians defeated the Tigers 10-3. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The Detroit Tigers have players who will fit nicely in Comerica Park. The hitters are all gap first power second hitters. That is not an issue. Colt Keith has the most power upside, while Max Clark and Jace Jung should get on base with some power, about 20 homerun ability each.

It has and will take time but the Detroit Tigers have some nice talent, more is needed.