ST Ralph McQuarrie Influence on Episode VII

The OT had "forms" or "silhouettes" that were basic, sleek and clean (triangles, circles, spheres, rectangles, octagons). But those forms were filled with lots of industrial and analog stuff, which gave them that real-world feel.

In contrast, the "forms" or "silhouettes" in AOTC and ROTS were a lot less basic. Their shapes were often a mishmash of shapes, clashing together. Busy designs. But those complicated forms often had the industrial and analog details "covered up," which makes them look "shinier" and "sleeker" for a lot of viewers.

Ultimately, I think the OT was more successful because the designs really hit a home run in terms of compelling (and simple) silhouettes, while giving us fun industrial details within those forms. Strong silhouettes are a key component of good conceptual design, and I fear it was often violated in the PT (at least, by Ryan Church and his acolytes). Chiang, though, has a great eye, and I'm glad to see he's playing a huge role in TFA.

 

I'd love for more McQuarrie influence in TFA than was seen in the prequels. And I'd especially like to see the Imperial ships and equipment to look far more weathered and "lived in" than the Empire did in the OT. The Empire really got knocked in the teeth in ROTJ, and by all accounts has been in a state of war or cold war with the Alliance ever since, so I don't see why their equipment should not be almost as run-down looking as the Alliance's is at this point….

 

_ _ _ _

The look of some of these concepts even suggests to me that Chiang was, to an extent, trying to imitate Macquarrie's style. I'd definitely say that about the image with the destroyers and the image of the pod racing arena.

 

Yup. Chiang is indeed McQuarrie's heir. Can't wait to see his full output for the ST.

 

I think it's great that they're using a good deal of McQuarrie's concepts and Chiang will be helping to execute those. I hadn't realized just how much of McQuarrie's concepts they were implementing. It's lovely.

 

All credit goes to Lucas for the basic design of many of the things we see on screen.

 

i never realized it until recently, but chiang is awesome and makes me want to see more of his universe the same way mcquarrie did when i was a kid.
i loved mcquarries stuff so much as a kid i framed 2 of his pictures from his production design albums. if youre hardcore fan youll know its the probe droid on hoth and cantina pictures from the production designs.

on the other hand, i also realize now that it wasnt chiang that produced a lot of the aotc designs, am i right on this? and many of the designs for aotc and rotj i found way too busy where i liked a lot of the tpm designs.

 

http://www.starwarsunderworld.com/2015/04/more-ralph-mcquarrie-influence.html

 

Repurposed Star Wars Technology - Back from the Drawing Board, Part 2 | StarWars.com

great article about using unused concepts or other sw stuff.

 

Today is the Legend's birthday.

 

I wonder if we'll see something VII related in this release
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=830575670390791

 

How much it will cost? 500 bucks?!?!! hahahah

 

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/1...e?hootPostID=707041adcbd9bf1b58eadaf5aaefb1cf

 

I look forward to seeing some McQuarrie concepts make it to Episode VII. Chiang is the one who we are relying on so i hope his team of artist is up for the challenge. From the looks of it, recycled material will play a part and i think that is smart of Disney/Lucasfilm.

From all the concept that is believed to find a way on screen, what are you rooting to see. For me the Mon Calamari frigate or a modified cruiser would be fantastic to see.

 

Who are is doing the concept art for TFA?
And known names?

 

I'm not sure, can someone confirm who is? Going to see it tonight!

 

doug chiang and others.

 

I thought based on all the sketches, the movie truly included that McQuarrie feel. No wonder it has done so well and so loved by the true fans. Maybe not everyone but glad to see McQuarrie represented here and im sure...beyond!

 

Beyond meaning....all future films and spinoffs. Any art from him you would like to see? Mine would be his design of the Snowtroopers.

 

You're right. Ryan Church was responsible for much of the design landscape of AOTC and ROTS (Chiang was lightly involved in the former, and not at all in the latter). That's why AOTC and ROTS look so much worse than TPM, IMO.

 

Sure, they used several Mc Quarrie designs, like the Jakku portal-thing that MF crashes into, and of course, the X-Wings.
That's why we can assume that some cool designs present in the Art of TFA book will make it to EP VIII and IX. There is too much good things there that cost time and money, they will not just discard it.

 

I hope so. Love his work and look forward to seeing some unused sketch turn into a new TLJ toy.

 

McQuarrie and Chiang is the perfect mix.

 

Any idea on the roots for the Cantobight police speeder? Hasbro production designer Mark Beadreux wasn't sure where the inspiration was from after I asked if it was from McQuarrie.

 

Ralph McQuarrie is legend!