Who Magazine article

Who magazine wrote an extensive article on the filming in Australia which included numerous photos taken on the sly at the Fox Studios set.

The article mentions Ben Burtt's talk with film students last month. This marks the first appearance of the "rain scene" that many have speculated is a spectacular light saber battle featuring Ewan McGregor.

Star Wars fans won't forget Aug. 9. That evening, at Sydney's Fox Studios, Lucasfilm sound designer Ben Burtt began a talk to 150 film students and sci-fi fans by apologising for looking a little weatherbeaten. He had, he explained, just spent the day on the set of Star Wars: Episode II filming a complicated "rain sequence." At his words, a murmur of excitement rippled though the room. Until then, no-one connected with the top-secret movie had divulged a skerrick of information about what was being shot on the high-security set.

The high security nature of the production is mentioned.

Only Lucas, Burtt and a handful of Episode II insiders know the complete plot, and most cast and crew were made to sign confidentiality agreements binding them to secrecy about their involvement in the film, which began its Sydney shoot on June 26 and on Aug. 25 moved to Europe and Africa. "I have no idea what happens," says David Bowers, 41, a former WA fireman who two years ago decided to try acting and plays the Leader of the Senate. "We were only given the pages of the script that our characters appear on." But leaks have occurred and on Aug. 4 Sydney's Daily Telegraph published sneak photos taken from the window of a nearby building of Ewan McGregor in costume as Obi-Wan Kenobi. (So incensed was Lucas at the breach that he ordered all windows with a view of the set blackened out and forbade actors to wear their costumes outside the giant sound stages.)

The article talks to many of the Australian stars about the production. Seventeen year old Bonnie Piesse talks about working with Lucas, "He's actually a really nice guy." She says she is being sent on to the next two locations for filming. "I'll be flying on the Star Wars private jet from Naples to Africa," she adds.

Bowers would have to arrive as early as 3:30 AM to begin the work of applying his makeup. This would be followed by an extremely long day with only a break for lunch. "They never gave us breakfast," says Bowers, who adds, "This is the biggest thing that has ever happened to me." He describes his character as well, "I looked very evil." Joel Edgerton, who plays Owen Lars, laughs about the makeup. "I'm quite excited that I actually get to play a human." He had to spend four days listening to recordings of Phil Brown, who originally played the role in Star Wars: A New Hope.

Anthony Phelan had a strange experience in his role. He plays an alien that will be digitally animated later, so only his voice will be used.. Phelan appeared in scenes with Ewan McGregor wearing a big cardboard head of an alien to stand in for the yet to be added animation. "It was totally bizarre," says Phelan, but says the experience was "extraordinary."

Graeme Blundell, who the article says will be playing Queen Amidala's father, said, "It's fascinating to be inside the project. I've done 45 films in Australia of all kinds. All their budgets combined would total two days on Star Wars."

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