Episode III Update
February 13, 2003

"We're in go mode, we're making a movie," says an enthusiastic Producer Rick McCallum, now at Fox Studios Australia preparing for principal photography for Episode III to begin in just a matter of months.
Including himself, McCallum estimates that there are 30 other people currently active on the lot... a number growing each week. Most active are Costume Designer Trisha Biggar's department and Production Designer Gavin Bocquet's set crew.

Along with Bocquet, Art Directors Peter Russell and Ian Gracie, Set Decorator Richard Roberts and Construction Manager Greg Hajdu are preparing for construction to begin at the end of this week on the first set. "They're cranking on set drawings, breakdown of the furniture requirements, paint, everything," says McCallum. "They're taking approved concept designs and taking the huge leap to make them reality. How high? What width is the door? How do you get from one room to another? All the real stuff."

Having filmed Episode II at Fox Studios is making certain tasks easier, but still McCallum describes his typical day as "crazed." "We have to organize construction, costumes, get everyone housed, arrange lighting, electrical, and wiring of the buildings," he says. "One of those buildings is a brand new huge stage which we're really happy with. It will definitely help to make our lives easier."

Meanwhile, back in the U.S., a small team at Industrial Light & Magic have been doing research and development since September in all aspects of the post-production process. This includes High Definition Supervisor Fred Meyers continuing to push the boundaries of the digital cameras, while others refine visual effects methods. Another priority is bringing in new talent in the area of digital matte painting. "We're beefing up that department," McCallum reports, "because they're going to be stretched to the limit. We're going to try to get to the highest level of photo realism we can."

Other departments will be coming online soon. Dan Gregoire and the animatics team will start pre-visualizing their first sequences later this month. The art department expects to start storyboarding soon. Stunt Coordinator Nick Gillard will likely arrive in Australia in mid-March, while a sound crew will be assembled as production draws closer.

McCallum points out one area where no activity has begun. "We're not ready for casting. We haven't looked at or considered a single new cast member or extra." Returning actors Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Lee and Ian McDiarmid will all be in Australia this summer.

With a tight schedule, what does McCallum expect to change on the lot over the coming weeks? "It'll all be faster and more intense," he smiles.

**side note: I couldn't get teh full image from the article up but here is the hyperlink:http://www.starwars.com/episode-ii/news/2003/02/news20030213.html