Hello Star Wars Friends,
I’m sorry it has been so long since my last blog. When I am away from the office as long as I was for Star Wars Celebration VI, there is always a lot to catch up on when I get back. I can now say that everything is pretty much back up to speed and The Clone Wars is moving forward, bigger and better than ever.
I hope those of you who attended Celebration enjoyed it as much as I did. There is something truly unique about an event where everyone has gotten together to share, experience, and cheer on the same thing. I had the pleasure of meeting fans from all over the globe, and the enthusiasm is contagious.
I think CVI was the best Celebration of the three that I have been to. I must really thank the staff at Lucasfilm who puts it all together, especially my friend Mary Franklin, who works tirelessly to make it all happen. To the behind the scenes people, the ones guiding you from panel to panel, the volunteers taking time to assist fans in need of direction and the stage crews who make all the panels flow smoothly – Thank you all for doing such an extraordinary job each day! You made the event a memorable and rewarding one for all of us.
This year, more than any other, I felt the love of the fans for The Clone Wars. I truly wish my crew could have been there to experience all of your cheering, and appreciation for their work. Joel (Aron) and I were amazed by how much you know about the show now. We were also really flattered by those of you who recognized us and came up to say hello. When I am at Celebration I hope you all know that I am there for you, the fans, and every moment I am at the convention I am dedicated to giving you the best experience possible. Every panel we did was packed and it is great to hear your reactions to what we have to present. You questions were, as always, both challenging and thoughtful. Thank you for that. I also really enjoyed teaching the Story Class. I am always trying to improve on that in the hopes that you can really take away a unique educational experience.
The costumes at CVI were AMAZING! I met Bo-Katan, Pre Viszla, General Krell, Ahoska, Captain Rex, Mother Talzin, Ventress and just about every clone in the show. Heck – even Stephen Stanton got in on the fun and dressed up as Tarkin, the character he voices on the show. Nightsisters resurrected Ventress on the convention floor, Rako Hardeen made an appearance, and my Wolf Pack was everywhere! I just love it. It’s so fun to see the costumes and meet the people who made them. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
In a truly crazy moment at CVI, I was walking outside the convention hall and I got a call from “the maker” himself. I quickly grabbed a pen and knelt down in the grass to take down notes George had on an upcoming episode. It was a pretty funny moment, and Joel Aron captured it on film. What you don’t see in the picture are the many fans who had gathered nearby to talk to me, none of whom had any idea who I was on the phone with, which made it pretty funny for me. If only they knew that a day later George himself would make an appearance.
George coming to Celebration was really great for both The Clone Wars and the newest Star Wars project, Detours. It was something that George decided to do on pretty short notice, so it was a closely guarded secret. George really felt that he wanted to go and give support to his two animated series, and we all really appreciated the gesture. George is the starting point for us. His vision and constant interest keeps us inspired and motivated. I think George was fantastic on-stage and I hope it was a fun surprise for all of you who were there with us. He even put my cowboy hat on – what a photo-op! It was a great moment for us, that’s for sure. A little piece of CVI trivia – when George watched the trailer with all of us in the panel, that was the first time he had ever seen it! It was exciting for me to watch his reaction to the trailer, which was edited by my friend Kevin Yost. George really loved it and we hope you did too.
I want to also take a moment to recognize my friends who have worked long and hard on Star Wars Detours, and express the pride I have in what they have accomplished. I have known Matt and Seth for a while now, and they have always been a great support to me and the entire Clone Wars crew. When I heard that Lucasfilm would be working directly with those guys on a new show, I was all for it. I knew that the love and respect they have for Star Wars would show up on screen, no matter how crazy the humor might get. Todd Grimes (Supervising Director), Jennifer Hill (Producer), and Brendan Hay (Lead Writer) crafted an incredible show with amazing animation. We all want everything we do at Lucasfilm Animation to be of the highest quality. I think Detours is a great addition to our studio, and I am extremely pleased that the Detours team had the opportunity to share the results of their hard work with you all at Celebration.
Speaking of hard work, I received some truly incredible gifts from many people I had the pleasure of meeting at Celebration. Some were handcrafted items, some were things that the artist spent their own money to have produced for Celebration. I have been fortunate enough to receive some really amazing gifts, but I have to say this Celebration was THE BEST! Two words – WOLF PACK! You guys hit me with more wolf pack swag than I thought possible. Custom T-shirts, custom coins, custom patches. AMAZING! I met Wolf Packs from Australia, Calgary and Florida, and heard of one in the UK. I think this is becoming a global phenomenon, and I want to fully encourage the formation of more Wolf Pack squads in the 501st – go for it! I’m going to get my local Garrison (Golden Gate) going with more West Coast Wolf Pack gear. For you hockey fans out there, I also got a signed Sidney Crosby puck!!! At a Star Wars Celebration!?! Gotta love my home town folks in Pittsburgh, PA. Thank you all for your kindness and generosity. It means a great deal to me. Check out the pictures for some of the amazing stuff.
And while we are talking about amazing and dedicated fans, I have to mention my friends Jason and Jimmy over at the Forcecast. I rarely get to see these guys in person, but when I do it’s always fun. These guys have been great supporters (and critics) of the show since we started, and it’s always fun to get their point of view, even when I’m messing with them. The day I was on the Forcecast happened to be Jason’s Birthday, so he wore a hat which (while not as cool as mine) made the interview more festive. Not to be outdone, Jimmy Mac decided to express his loyalty for the Wolf Pack by getting a tattoo of the wolf logo. His first tattoo ever! WOW! Would Kitster approve?
Many people have asked me what I enjoy most at Celebration. It’s always hard to pick just one thing. I just love being there. I love the feeling that everyone is there to celebrate one thing – our love of Star Wars. It’s great to meet the fans both young and old and it is great to meet Lucasfilm legends who worked in front of the camera and behind the scenes. The tribute to Ralph McQuarrie panel was a very special moment for me and many other fans. Watching George walk on stage to thunderous applause was another great moment. I even get to see people that I have known now for many years, friends of mine from my local Garrison of the 501st capture the imagination of other fans through the hard work they put into making some truly incredible and inspiring costumes. I got to finally meet more of the Emerald Garrison and saw Julian Checkley win an award for his Savage Opress costume. I could go on and on about the many inspirational fans I have met over the years. I guess what I am trying to say is that for me, watching everyone have such a great time at Celebration is the best part. Watching people come together and share in a positive light, something that inspires them, something they love, that is the most gratifying part of the whole thing. Well done Star Wars Fans. You have made another Celebration an amazing and memorable event. I hope you had as much fun as I did. I do my best to be there for you guys, meet as many of you as I can, answer as many questions as I can, and really make the trip to Celebration worth your while. So thank you again! Now, on to Germany!
Tags: Celebration VI, Costumes, Dave Filoni, The Clone Wars
Great blog post Dave and your right. C6 was awesome. And it was very cool hearing you on The Forcecast talking about star wars and star wars the clone wars. Keep up the great work on the clone wars Dave and may the force be with you. The Clone Wars is a awesome show and get’s better and better with each season. Looking forward to season 5.
Hi Dave,
We all had a great time at the Star Wars Celebration V1 and I was on a mission to find you for my Son to meet you. He’s a big Star Wars Fan and Star Wars The Clone Wars fan. You and George are his inspiration of becoming a big Producer in the future. I have an idea I’d like to submitt to you and George just don’t know where to send it. So proud of you both and we enjoy going to each and every Celebration and looking forward to 2014 hoping it will still be in Orlando. Keep up the great work.
P.S. Sean get’s his ideas for his movies from Star Wars and Star Wars The Clone Wars. He’s looking forward to the new season and has been counting it down. He’s so happy Momma is caught up on all the Star Wars things and I’m a big fan now and so is hubby.
Best entry on this blog!
Keep up the good work on The Clone Wars, Dave, and please remember about Labyrinth of Evil during the production of the final season!
See you in Germany!
Dave – my wife and I had an awesome time chatting with you during the Jedi Master VIP Meet & Greet session. And we’re so happy to hear the Alpha Wolf Pittsburgh Steelers jersey we made up for you has a happy home on Plo Koon! It sure was tough as Jets fans placing that order and having it arrive at our house!
Dave,
Thanks for being such a good sport about General Krell and Torrent Squad crashing your panel. It was a last minute choice when we saw that we had the opportunity, and we just couldn’t pass it up. Here’s hoping we have the chance to do it again!
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uRb-HQqX0FM
Great post, and my friends and I really really enjoyed everything you guys had to show at CVI! That Clone Wars Season 5 trailer was amazing, and I only wish I had made it to the Season 5 premiere.
By the way, did you see our “Disco Fett” costume? Seth Green seemed to like it, and we thought you might get a kick out of it.
Check out DiscoFett on twitter or FB!
Wow, awesome blog post Mr. Filoni. My friend Nate works on “Detours” and I am also very excited to see it. I wasn’t at this year’s Celebration, but it sounded so amazing in your blog post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on CVI with us!
Awesome post! Thank you Dave, for all your amazing work on the CW, and thanks to the rest of the clone wars team as well. I can’t wait for season 5, and I hope we will get to see the sixth season you are working on. Keep up the good work, and thank you for creating the creates animation show of all times.
PS: by the way, I would really love it if the CW team made an actual movie to conclude the show. A ”Clone Wars 2” movie to conclude after the final season (lets hope that that final season isn’t too close, though!) would be amazing, I have no doubt.
Coleman Kcaj!!!!
SWAG77 had a great time, too seeing you there! Liking the Bo-Katan helmet!
Hi Dave,
Great Blog and glad you mentioned our friends in the force, the Forcecast. Those guys are really there for the Global Fan Community.
I discovered them whilst I was working in Germany in 2007 and I have never missed a show . They are the only way I can truly keep up with the Clone Wars as the series don’t gt shown in Euope until at least 6 months after thier American air date.
I always love when you or members of your cast drop in:).
Anyway I returned to Scotland in 2010 and due to buying a house to just I’d not see my way I could get States side to experience a Celebration.
Now with the announcement of celebration Europe I will never have a better chance to get to a celebration. I aim to be there with my two sons.
I also hope to meet u in person to thank you giving us Clone Wars.
May the Force be with you …… Always!
Dave,
As your number 2 fan I have to say I have finally got
the Clone Wars bug looking at what is to come for Clone Wars season 5 at Celebration was very exciting, for the first time I’m excited about watching a freakin cartoonLol! Keep up the excellent work and you will have a follower for life!
Thanks for your thoughts, Dave – my friends and I tried to make every panel with you and Joel as possible, and were mostly successful.
We missed the storytelling session, but were 25 ferry from the stage when Lucas crashed the Clone Wars panel. I’ll call that even.
I was floored to find out you’re a fellow goalie. Have you designed your own mask? If you ever sketch a design that you’d like to see done, send it my way – I’d be honored to wear your art!
Great post Dave, you recapped CVI’s awesomeness pretty darn well! But don’t you mean ‘Captain’ Tarkin, not ‘General’?
Great blog Dave and I agree with all of your great observations about what made C 6 great…people loving the same thing.
My personal favorite memory was somehow fluking a seat next to you at the premiere for the new season. It was great to see you enjoying it and laughing at key moments along with everyone else. All the best from down-under Dave
I was the phase II Rex that crashed your panel. Thanks for being such a good sport, we really wanted to make it a memorable surprise for you, and we are so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for all your hard work, and can not wait for Season 5!
Dave.
It was an honor to meet you and get you one of our shirts we had made up for our trip to CVI. Our group has had the Clone Wars bug since you played the teaser at Celebration 4 and can’t wait till season 5 starts.
The picture is up on our website with you and the gang if you would like a copy.
http://www.calgaryfanforce.com
Thanks again for all you do.
Ryan
Chapter Rep Calgary Fan Force
Wonderfully written! Amazing photos. I really wish I was there
Well written and well received.
We appreciate the work you continue to do on The Clone Wars.
While we all have our favorite characters, I think most of us who have met you and the rest of The Clone Wars cast and crew think that the people behind the characters, from the writers and artists, to the animators and directors, to the incredible voice actors, and even the Supervising Director are best of all.
You’re making Star Wars, week after week, and not just a show that uses the name Star Wars or contains familiar characters and places. You’re making Star Wars — the way Star Wars should be.
And it makes sense, because you seem to be, first and foremost, a fan.
Thanks, Dave.
I have two dreams:
The Clone Wars: Shatterpoint (based on a novel written by Matthew Stover)
The Clone Wars: Labyrinth of Evil (based on a novel written by James Luceno)
Both in cinemas.
That could be the greatest gift for all Star Wars fans!
MtFbwy!
This is one of the best blogs I’ve ever read here. I wish I was there to experience this though. A shame. But have fun in Celebration Germany!
Hopefully in the near future (and despite me mentioning this a few times) we’ll have Celebration Australia here. I wish it was true, but we’ll see. Maybe then all of you guys would hit down under. =p
Was so great to see you at the TFN party, and we were happy to give you the Fandom Comics tee shirt! Your dedication to the fans has made watching TCW such a great experience, we felt it was the least we can do! We have a big charity giveaway coming up Friday on the site, BTW. You ought to check it out! Great wrap up of a great weekend!
why you don’t like jedis?
My young one absolutely loved your Young Jedi special presentation for the kids. It was her favorite part about Celebration. We hope Young Jedi will somehow make it’s way into our homes. We loved it, great job telling a story for the younglings.
Thanks for helping make CVI a great experience! I attended quite a few Clone Wars panels and each one had fresh information and great behind the scenes information. My favorite part was in the panel that the 501st Legion “crashed” and you said that you loved that something you draw on paper walks up and talks to you a year later and how amazing that is. Fun moment.
Also, I took a photo of Joel Aron taking the photo of George Lucas with your hat on so thanks for showing us Joel’s photo.
Dave,
Thank you for letting us fans, who didn’t get to go this year, to experience Celebration VI via “The Forcecast” and Starwars.com you tube videos!! My son and I are HUGE SW/CW fans. In fact, he is going to portray the “Notorious GL” in an upcoming “Biography Day”, through our family’s homeschooling co-op group! (Any tips would be MOST welcome!).
Keep up the good work – can’t wait for Season V! MTFBWY!
Dan, from MA
I wish I could have gone but sadly i couldn’t maybe someday i will come to one of the celebrations and meet you. I cant wait until the preimere of season 5. Im so excited.
Hope you enjoyed your custom Kitster Tshirt…
Hey Dave! I think it’s great that your directing the clone wars show because I love the Steelers, Wolves, and Plo-Koon! The show is just getting better and better. The only thing im skeptical about is how what really stuck out about Darth Maul was his acrobatic skills in combat. To me that’s why he’s so special, unfortunately it didn’t really seem to get into the show. If you ever have time to explain, please do. I’m sure there’s a good reason.
Hi Dave,
Your passion for Star Wars inspires even the most dedicated fans. We love you because you love us. Thanks!!
I just have to say, SWCVI was the best event I have ever been to, and I was just so lucky to be able to be there. I just can’t explain to you how much Star Wars inspires me, and how much all of you make me happy.
Who knew? Just walked in the living room, the Clone wars was on… I watched it. I’m a fan. X) The Force will be with you, always!
Dave…I photographed Julian Checkley as Savage for my local newspaper and his photo appeared in an on-line photo review of CVI…so happy to hear he won an award. It’s always great to see you and the cast and crew of The Clone Wars…you are all so welcoming and happy to pose and chat with us…thank you! Looking forward to CVII, as I will not be able to attend CEII. Good luck with season 5 of TCW…we’ll be watching! May the Force be with you….always!
so awesome!! I just love wolves and celebration vi!! May the force be with you!
Although not there in person (maybe next time) I was there in spirit with all the great coverage via the forcecast.net theforce.net and starwars.com. For that thanks everyone. For sure will be at Celebration Germany next year. Dave F, the show amazes me every time. The stories, characters, and animation is just mind blowing. You cram in so much in 22 mins and I always feel that I’ve seen a full hour! Please keep going beyond ROTS
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