Creating the Worlds of Star Wars: 365 Days


John Knoll - 2005
    This intimate, lovingly produced look at how the various environments in all six Star Wars movies were created contains literally 1,000 full-color behind-the-scenes photographs (some quite candid!) and insightful commentary by Knoll, as well as a bonus CD-ROM with cool QuickTime panoramas of some of the sets included in the three motion picture prequels. From the old-school motion-control photography in 1977's Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope to the revolutionary refinement of digital cinema in 2005's Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith, this book contains it all -- from creating low-altitude shots of the Death Star out of plywood to producing breathtaking digi-matte paintings of the Jedi Council Chamber skyline and aerial views of Coruscant and Naboo. Jaw-dropping surprises abound as well, including deleted scenes, a look into LucasFilm's archive buildings, and a rarely seen Darth Vader custom design concept from 1976. Chronicling the almost three decades between George Lucas's founding of Industrial Light and Magic in 1976 and the release of Star Wars: Episode III in 2005, Knoll's shelf-bending brick of a book (744 pages) is the equivalent of sitting down with an old friend and looking through a gigantic photo album containing stunning pictures of his travels abroad -- except in this case, the journey happened to be to a galaxy far, far away. Simply put, Creating the Worlds of Star Wars: 365 Days is one of the most enlightening and entertaining books Star Wars fans will ever come across. Prepare to be blown away. Paul Goat Allen

The Sounds of Star Wars


J.W. Rinzler - 2010
    But how many of them would be able to identify the lion's roar used in the sound of the Millenium Falcon's engine? In this aurally astonishing and visually engaging book, New York Times best-selling author J. W. Rinzler reveals the illuminating history of the sounds that make the Star Wars universe so believable, as recounted by their creator, legendary sound designer Ben Burtt. An attached sound module with an exterior speaker and headphone jack lets readers listen to more than 250 unique sound effects, and more than 300 photographs illustrate the epic's many memorable scenes. From the first films to the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars series, The Sounds of Star Wars is Star Wars as you've never heard it before.

Dressing a Galaxy: The Costumes of Star Wars


Trisha Biggar - 2005
    Actors, including Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson, provide commentary on their experiences during filming, while stunning photographs present the costumes in intimate detail.

Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy


Brandon Alinger - 2014
    For the first time, the Lucasfilm Archives is granting full access to the original costumes of episodes IV, V, and VI, allowing them to be revealed in never-before-seen detail. In over 200 new costume photographs, sketches, and behind-the-scenes photos and notes, based on new interviews, fans will get a fresh perspective on the creation of the clothes and costume props that brought these much-loved characters to life. Star Wars Costumes: The Original Trilogy affords both new and longtime Star Wars fans an intimate look at the unforgettable costumes from this classic series.

From Star Wars to Indiana Jones: The Best of the Lucasfilm Archives


Mark Cotta Vaz - 1995
    Thanks to Lucas's foresight and the dedication of Lucasfilm archivists, the artifacts used in the making of his films have been painstakingly preserved. "From Star Wars to Indiana Jones" presents some of the best of Lucasfilm's enduring creations, from Yoda and R2-D2 to the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. Now readers everywhere can take a tour of the marvelous world of the Lucasfilm Archives, with its incredible collection of costumes, props, puppets, models, and matte paintings used in the making of both the "Star Wars" and Indiana Jones movies. Veterans of the legendary first Industrial Light & Magic effects team that created "Star Wars" share their secrets, along with an astonishing array of behind-the-scenes production illustrations, storyboards, and prototypes--many appearing for the first time in book form--all accompanied by a lively text that tells the fascinating stories behind the art of movie-making. Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of full-color photographs and illustrations, this treasury captures the remarkable imagery, as well as the wonder, of the Lucasfilm universe in an essential acquisition for countless fans the world over.To the Official "Star Wars" Web SiteCheck out other Star Wars titles published by Chronicle Books!

The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens


Phil Szostak - 2015
    The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens will take you there, from the earliest gathering of artists and production designers at Lucasfilm headquarters in San Francisco to the fever pitch of production at Pinewood Studios to the conclusion of post-production at Industrial Light & Magic—all with unprecedented access. Exclusive interviews with the entire creative team impart fascinating insights in bringing director J.J. Abrams’s vision to life; unused “blue sky” concept art offers glimpses into roads not traveled.   Bursting with hundreds of stunning works of art, including production paintings, concept sketches, storyboards, blueprints, and matte paintings, this visual feast will delight Star Wars fans and cineastes for decades to come. The Art of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the definitive expression of how the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga was dreamed into being.ALSO AVAILABLE FROM ABRAMS IN FALL 2016:The Making of Star Wars: The Force Awakens by Mark Cotta Vaz. Forewords by J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy. ISBN: 978-1-4197-2022-2

Once Upon a Galaxy: A Journal of the Making of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back


Alan Arnold - 1980
    Good interviews with important members of the cast and crew; even includes Sir Alec Guiness. Especially illuminating chats with Lucas about the overall nine part structure of Star Wars. It's interesting to compare Lucas' initial ideas about the sequels and prequels with what was finally released. The highlight of the book is a transciption of a day spent following Irwin Kershner filming on the carbon freezing chamber set (Secrets revealed include the fact that Jeremy Bulloch as Boba Fett was actually desperate to use the lavatory throughout the whole day's shoot). As a collector of Star Wars related books, I have amassed over a hundred, but this remains my favourite.

Star Wars: The Magic of Myth


Mary Henderson - 1997
    For millions of viewers, the "Star Wars" epic presents a special vision that incorporates the wisdom and symbols of age-old myths in dynamic new ways that speak uniquely and unforgettably to our modern-day quest for meaning. Using hundreds of illustrations, "Star Wars: The Magic of Myth" presents the relationship between the creation of the movie trilogy and the mythic structure on which it is based. Here is a rich, detailed, and fascinating account of how characters, costumes, and settings were modeled on some of the most powerful imagery from the realms of history, myth, and the imagination. Incorporating elements from Greek mythology to Flash Gordon, "Star Wars" is not only entertainment in its grandest form but, like all great myths, a limitless source of imagery, insight, and universal emotion.

The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia


Stephen J. Sansweet - 2008
    In the ten years since the publication of the Star Wars Encyclopedia, a lot has happened in that galaxy far, far away: four new feature films, a host of official original novels, comics, video games, and more. Now, thirty years of information on all things Star Wars–ranging from science and technology to history and geography, culture and biography to ecology and cosmology–has been supplemented with an entire decade’s worth of all-new material. Abundantly illustrated with full-color artwork and photos, and now in a new three-volume edition to accommodate its wealth of detailed entries, the Star Wars Encyclopedia encompasses the full measure of George Lucas’s creation.Here’s just a sampling of what’s inside:• character portraits of both the renowned (Luke Skywalker, Queen Amidala, Darth Vader) and the obscure (Tnun Bdu, Tycho Celchu, Bib Fortuna)• the natives and customs of planets as diverse as Tatooine and Hoth, Dagobah and Kashyyyk• the rituals, secrets, and traditions of Jedi Knights and Sith Lords• a timeline of major events in Star Wars history, from the Clone Wars and the inception of the Empire to the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker and the invasion of the monstrous Yuuzhan VongScrupulously researched and written by leading authorities Stephen J. Sansweet, Pablo Hidalgo, Bob Vitas, and Daniel Wallace, this landmark work is the must-have centerpiece of every Star Wars library.

The Art of Star Wars: Episode V—The Empire Strikes Back


Deborah Call - 1980
    At the same time, these new editions of THE ART OF STAR WARS books will arrive in stores, packed with all-new material, including new "Special Edition" text in The Empire Strikes Back by Mark Cotta Vaz, author of the Industrial Light & Magic: Into the Digital Realm and The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire.

The Art of Star Wars Rebels


Dan Wallace - 2019
    The award-winning team from Lucasfilm Animation brought the beloved occupants of the Ghost into our homes five years ago, now, take a step behind-the-scenes to witness the journey from paper to screen with The Art of Star Wars Rebels. Featuring never-before-seen concept art and process pieces along with exclusive commentary from the creative team behind the show, Dark Horse Books and Lucasfilm proudly present the official look inside one of the galaxy's most beloved shows.

The Wes Anderson Collection


Matt Zoller Seitz - 2013
    A true auteur, Anderson is known for the visual artistry, inimitable tone, and idiosyncratic characterizations that make each of his films—Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The Darjeeling Limited, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Moonrise Kingdom—instantly recognizable as “Andersonian.”The Wes Anderson Collection is the first in-depth overview of Anderson’s filmography, guiding readers through his life and career. Previously unpublished photos, artwork, and ephemera complement a book-length conversation between Anderson and award-winning critic Matt Zoller Seitz. The interview and images are woven together in a meticulously designed book that captures the spirit of his films: melancholy and playful, wise and childish—and thoroughly original.

Star Wars Super Graphic: A Visual Guide to a Galaxy Far, Far Away (Star Wars Book, Movie Accompaniment, Book about Movies)


Tim Leong - 2017
    From a Venn diagram of Yoda's idiosyncrasies to an organizational chart of the Empire to a line graph of Grand Moff Tarkin's management decisions, Star Wars Super Graphic shines a new light on the much-adored universe. Equal parts playful and informative, this visual love letter to the vast Star Wars universe will enchant fans of all ages.© and TM Lucasfilm Ltd. Used Under Authorization

The Making of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace


Laurent Bouzereau - 1999
    Now, more than twenty years later, the visionary writer-director, his brilliant crew of special-effects wizards, and an exciting cast of talented stars have united to make the long-awaited and eagerly anticipated Episode I of the Star Wars epic.Star Wars: The Making of Episode I is your exclusive entrée backstage where the wonders of the newest chapter in the Star Wars saga are brought to life, including - A series of exclusive interviews with George Lucas as he discusses the genesis of the Star Wars story, from themes to scenes to dialogue- The development of such classic characters as young Jedi student Obi-Wan Kenobi and R2-D2--plus intriguing newcomers Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala, and Jar Jar Binks- The creation of new state-of-the-art creatures and special effects by the legendary Industrial Light & Magic team- Pre-production: from storyboarding, set-building, and model-making to costume design and the casting of pivotal roles - Post-production: Including editing, scoring, and combining computer generated effects with live-action footage- Shooting in England, Italy, and Tunisia, with stars Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman- Hundreds of drawings and photographsWitness all the movie-making magic behind the sensational Star Wars saga's newest episode!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History


Andrew Farago - 2014
    Bringing together the rarest art and artifacts from three decades of TMNT comics, TV shows, and films, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Visual History leaves no shell unturned!