Around the world in 30 days–again!

George R. Binks, proud Gungan whaler and not-so-proud father of Jar Jar

George R. Binks, proud Gungan whaler and not-so-proud father of Jar Jar

Another whirlwind month. A third trip to Los Angeles to interview more fan vidders, FREE ENTERPRISE writer/producer and Sci-Fi Universe/Cinefantastique editor/co-creator Mark Altman, and multiple Harvey and Eisney Award-winning Tony Millionaire–creator of the SOCK MONKEY and MAAKIES comics and, yes, of George R. Binks for STAR WARS TALES. Strangely enough, George R. Binks is listed in Wookieepedia as the canonical father of the bumbling space-frog (to quote Todd Hanson) we all know too well. The backstory that Tony created is hilarious, and we had the opportunity to film Tony drawing a portrait of the proud Gungan whaler, while ranting about his idiot son. It was also quite a treat to “hang out” with the original Sock Monkey and Drinky Crow puppets–two iconic characters of which I have grown extremely fond over the years–that Tony keeps in his office, along with all sorts of weird shit, for lack of a better word.

The marquee says it all!

The marquee says it all!

We were in Denver last night filming the first ever (and certainly not the last) George Lucas Poetry Slam at the Oriental Theater. A strangely entertaining evening that featured fifteen poets–highlights included a limerick retelling of the original STAR WARS movie, and a poem titled “George Lucas fingered my late adolescence”–and musical performances by the punk rock marching band Boba Fett & The Americans and Cocktail Revolution. Ultimately, the top prize (a George Lucas Collector Set, including a figure of George himself as Baron Papanoida) went to Matt Zambrano and Andrea Moore, whose performances were so exceptional that you’ll probably see them in the film. In any case, we covered the event with four cameras, and the show will likely be included on our DVD/Blu-Ray release in its entirety.

Danny Choo & co.

Danny Choo & co.

A week from today, we’ll have a completed rough cut of the film. In the meantime, Robert and I are off to Tokyo for a week to interview several Anime heavyweights, STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES fans, and Danny Choo–the inimitable dancing stormtrooper. We’ll be going with our new line producer and talented interpreter David Neptune–a young, up-and-coming filmmaker whom I was extremely fortunate to meet in Sapporo a month or so ago. More upon our return!

AOP