PENCIL UNIVERSE! 'STAR WARS' STORYBOARDS: DAY SIX - "IT'S A TRAP!"

In eager anticipation of the UK release of the lavish new STAR WARS STORYBOARDS: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY hardcover by J.W. Rinzler, published by ABRAMS, AFICIONADO presents a six-day tribute to the incredible art works of the diverse visualists whose key contributions helped bring to life the defining three movies of 1977, 1980 and 1983.

Our Day Six finale showcases the impressive style of freelancer David Russell. Under enormous time pressures in their desires to create a spectacular ending to the saga with EPISODE VI, Joe Johnston and ILM were soon recruiting specially chosen outside artists to help with the vital storyboarding, especially on the films barnstorming second half and its numerous dramatic and action-packed conflicts taking place on the forest moon of Endor, or above with the ominous, weapons-packed Death Star II. As seen with this impressive frame, Russell would soon become a privileged member of a small and very exclusive club able to shape the thrilling live-action and special effects elements for the movie- an experience he found thoroughly rewarding, especially as a long-time enthusiast of George Lucas's universe.

Get hold of STAR WARS STORYBOARDS: THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY here: Star Wars Storyboards: The Original Trilogy: Amazon.co.uk: J.W. Rinzler: Books

ILM CLASSIC IMAGE: BALANCE TO THE FORCE!

Here's a few great effects reference storyboards by David Russell, circa December 1982, that we weren't able to incorporate for space reasons in our MAKING OF RETURN OF THE JEDI issue of a few years back, showing some of the previously filmed classic scenes of Luke's conflict against Darth Vader when he discovers the truth about his daughter and uses the knowledge against his son, plus the all-time classic emotional moment where Vader, back to the good side as Anakin Skywalker (of which we're all now cheering him on), throws the Emperor down the shaft (referred to in the boards as "The Pit of Death"!).

Check out David Russell's interview about his work on JEDI here: Exclusive Interview: Star Wars Storyboard Artist David Russell - The Movie Blog

Classic material, and we look forward to seeing more storyboard goodies and incredibly rare and unseen pre and post production art of all kinds when J.W. Rinzler's MAKING OF book comes out in 2013.

Meanwhile, in the long two year wait for the official book, head over to our back issues area and find out how to get out pretty exhaustive, and reader acclaimed, MAKING OF RETURN OF THE JEDI issue: BACK ISSUE PDF CATALOG