Thursday, March 28, 2024

AdvertiseDonateSubmit
NewsSportsArtsOpinionThe QuadPhotoVideoIllustrationsCartoonsGraphicsThe StackPRIMEEnterpriseInteractivesPodcastsBruinwalkClassifieds

Former Bruin brings artistry to “˜Star Wars’ prequels

By Daily Bruin Staff

Aug. 5, 2001 9:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Doug Chiang Design director Doug
Chiang
and Industrial Light and Magic builder
Chuck Wiley work on the pod arena set of "Star
Wars: Episode I."

By Kenny Chang
Daily Bruin Contributor

Not so long ago, and in a galaxy known as UCLA, there was a
student by the name of Doug Chiang.

He may not be as famous as the stars in the movies he works on,
including “Star Wars: Episode I ““ The Phantom
Menace,” but without his designs these blockbusters would be
deemed flops.

With a following of design students watching his every creation,
and an Academy Award under his belt (for 1992’s “Death
Becomes Her”), Chiang is currently working as design director
for the three “Star Wars” prequels.

It all started when Chiang, at the age of 15, saw “Star
Wars: A New Hope” while living in Michigan.

“I’ve been enamored with film for as long as I can
remember, and also with art,” Chiang said. “But I
wanted to combine art with film. I wanted to do something else with
art, and make it move.”

Seeing he could make a living at this, Chiang began working on
animated shorts.

“I just started building and making my own sets and movies
in my basement, honing my craft, to some degree. My whole career at
that point, I wanted to be another Ray Harryhausen,” he said,
referring to the famous stop motion animator whose credits include
1981’s “Clash of the Titans.”

Arriving at UCLA in 1982, Chiang studied film production and
worked as an illustrator for the Daily Bruin.

While Chiang attended UCLA, he sharpened his skills. By the time
he left in 1986, just three quarters shy of graduation, Chiang had
created a small legacy. He drew the dragon logo that the
Association of Chinese Americans still uses today, he won several
awards for his short animated film “Mental Block,” and
he had moved up to art director of the Daily Bruin.

“UCLA was probably one of the best training grounds for
me,” he said. “In many ways I admired the film program
because it was very self-motivating. Whatever you wanted to put
into it, you got out of it. The more you put into it, the more you
got out of it. That worked very well for me.”

Chiang wasn’t the only one who felt this way. Dan
McLaughlin, currently the chair of the animation department, was
Chiang’s professor when he was attending UCLA.

“Doug was extremely creative,” McLaughlin said.
“He was very good at laying out and designing the
storyboards. Undoubtedly one of the best students that have come
through.”

Chiang recommends that all students, not just those who are
seeking a career in the design field, should take advantage of the
resources at UCLA.

“UCLA was wonderful for the general education which I am
appreciating quite a bit now,” Chiang said. “If
there’s one recommendation that I can give to students, (it)
is to learn everything out there ““ take every subject that
you can. Ultimately, it will help your career. You may not know how
it will help your career, but it definitely does,” he
said.

Fast forward 15 years, and Chiang’s hard work has paid off
with a job that takes him back to his original inspiration.

As the head of the art department for the “Star
Wars” prequels, Chiang is involved in all aspects of
production, from before filming begins to the end of
post-production work. His job includes conceptualizing, designing,
building prototype models and working on the set.

Along with the “Star Wars” series, Chiang is also
working on a production of his own, “Robota: Reign of
Machines,” a project that explores the relationship between
nature and technology.

Its format is that of an art book on film, using still pictures
to tell a story. “Robota” is due to be released in the
summer of 2002.

After 15 years of work, from animating the refrigerator on
“Pee Wee’s Playhouse” to winning an Academy
Award, and even designing the opening logo for the premiere of
“The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Doug Chiang’s work is
globally recognized, and he still loves what he does.

“This is where I wanted to be, back when I was in Michigan
when I was 15 years old after “˜Star Wars,'” he
said. “I don’t know where it’s going to lead now,
but I feel fortunate that I am one of the people that can get paid
for doing something I enjoy. It is a pretty amazing experience
to get paid to draw bizarre things.”

Share this story:FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
COMMENTS
Featured Classifieds
More classifieds »
Related Posts