The original sculptor of the Stormtrooper?
- Thread starter Helmetman
- Start date
Hi Guys
I met Brian Muir and his missus today. What lovely people.
Didn't learn much new stuff really, he confirmed he sculpted ALL the pieces MINUS the helmet.
He used clay to sculpt the bits onto an 'average size' body cast. The suit was then taken away and made costume worthy. He didn't specify who too.
He was alot younger than I pictured him. Probably late fifties.
I asked him about AA. He says his gut feeling is that AA sculpted the helmet. He said no-one else has come forth to 'claim' they have and due to AA's artistic training and experience in forming - he thinks AA is the man who did it.
However, he thinks AA has gone about things the wrong way and certainly the suit he sells now 'does not look like the one I was involved in'. Which of course we know it isn't ;p
He went on to say that if AA had been more honest about things, he would have had more chance with Lucasfilm and the court case.
He was incredibly humble and friendly and seemed unaware of the buzz that surrounds such things. I think this is due to the fact he is an still ultra busy prop maker. He has just finished the new Harry Potter.
Andrew Ainsworth was there with his stand. There seemed to be alot of Battle Spec helmets there. It's the first time I have had a look close up at one. The construction looks OK. However, the vocoder is a badly applied piece of rubber, even if you took it off - the detailing underneath would be weak as hell.
Detailing was missing from the ear pieces too. Crucial things really. You could apply them yourself but for 295 pounds, you shouldn't really have to do ANYTHING to a helmet to make it better.
I also spoke to the chap who runs the 'Prop Store of London'. What a nice guy. I was asking him about his original ANH helmet. The really beaten up one with missing ears and a split up the back. Some of you may be pleased to know that he has decided NOT to restore it (even though it has been half restored already).
I also met the dude who won the original 'Move Along' helmet
He was telling me lots about it.
I'm sorry if there were certain elements or questions you would like to have asked of Brian Muir that I failed to do. You had your chance to ask him stuff through me today via this thread. Specific questions that are probably outside my realm of knowledge on the subject - but would have been useful to know.
However, most of you chose to use this thread as another school yard scuffle between pro AA guys and anti AA guys. You should be ashamed of yourselves
A real shame and a missed opportunity.
Thanks for looking.
Steve
I met Brian Muir and his missus today. What lovely people.
Didn't learn much new stuff really, he confirmed he sculpted ALL the pieces MINUS the helmet.
He used clay to sculpt the bits onto an 'average size' body cast. The suit was then taken away and made costume worthy. He didn't specify who too.
He was alot younger than I pictured him. Probably late fifties.
I asked him about AA. He says his gut feeling is that AA sculpted the helmet. He said no-one else has come forth to 'claim' they have and due to AA's artistic training and experience in forming - he thinks AA is the man who did it.
However, he thinks AA has gone about things the wrong way and certainly the suit he sells now 'does not look like the one I was involved in'. Which of course we know it isn't ;p
He went on to say that if AA had been more honest about things, he would have had more chance with Lucasfilm and the court case.
He was incredibly humble and friendly and seemed unaware of the buzz that surrounds such things. I think this is due to the fact he is an still ultra busy prop maker. He has just finished the new Harry Potter.
Andrew Ainsworth was there with his stand. There seemed to be alot of Battle Spec helmets there. It's the first time I have had a look close up at one. The construction looks OK. However, the vocoder is a badly applied piece of rubber, even if you took it off - the detailing underneath would be weak as hell.
Detailing was missing from the ear pieces too. Crucial things really. You could apply them yourself but for 295 pounds, you shouldn't really have to do ANYTHING to a helmet to make it better.
I also spoke to the chap who runs the 'Prop Store of London'. What a nice guy. I was asking him about his original ANH helmet. The really beaten up one with missing ears and a split up the back. Some of you may be pleased to know that he has decided NOT to restore it (even though it has been half restored already).
I also met the dude who won the original 'Move Along' helmet
He was telling me lots about it.I'm sorry if there were certain elements or questions you would like to have asked of Brian Muir that I failed to do. You had your chance to ask him stuff through me today via this thread. Specific questions that are probably outside my realm of knowledge on the subject - but would have been useful to know.
However, most of you chose to use this thread as another school yard scuffle between pro AA guys and anti AA guys. You should be ashamed of yourselves
A real shame and a missed opportunity.
Thanks for looking.
Steve
Too Much Garlic
Master Member
Cool... Helmetman, you are my hero of the day. :thumbsup
Ghost Host
Sr Member
pics? How about the Harrisons?
Hi
Thanks for the kind words. It would appear that either I missed the Vader lid on the Elstree stand with the excitement of it all, or they didn't bring it.
The only Vader related thing that I saw was an old box in front of Brian Muir which contained the original tools that he used to sculpt the Vader suit (and I'm guessing the trooper suit too).
I took a shot of that and a shot of Brian with me. I can post these later if anyone is interested. Sorry to disappoint. If I'd seen the Vader lid there, I would have gotten pics for you
In addition to the SW chat we had, we also got onto Alien. Brian mentioned that he didn't have much contact with Ridley, although he saw him milling around from time to time. But he spent a good amount of time with Giger. He said he was a 'strange man'.
He did say that he had a good laugh with him at times. They had a 'local pub' which they visited every lunchtime for a 'pub lunch'. Imagine that
Also at the Elstree stand was the full size repro Landspeeder which looked pretty good. A few droids which looked new builds and a Battle Droid which looked to me like the BD that a UK prop maker 'G' (not sure if he is a member of this board) made a few years back.
I also met a guy called 'Paul Weston'. A stunt man who has worked on more films than I've had hot dinners. He was a DUDE too. He was there at the 'Bond' stand but I went to speak to him about his work on Aliens and ROTJ. He was stunt co-ordinator on Aliens and various Sarlacc bound Skiff Guards in ROTJ, namely 'Nikto'.
I asked him of Cameron was a hard 'task master' as his rep suggests. He said that he was 'alright back then'. Cameron gave all the other crew members a hard time apart from the stunt dept. Paul was in charge of co-ordinating the collection of actors that controlled the Alien queen and also got into the Alien suit numerous times. He still owns an original Alien suit minus the head.
As if this wasn't enough though, next to Paul was an old Bond stunt guy named George Leech. He looked kind of bemused by the barrage of geeks breezing past him clasping signed photos of Dave Prowse and Doug Bradley.
I almost missed him, then saw that on his table in front of him, he had the opening shot from SW of the Tantive corrider, Vader in the middle, Stormtroopers all around him. Turns out he was on SW for 5 weeks.
And although he couldn't remember a great deal about the shoot - he was one of the Stormtroopers blasting through the doorway. 'Oh yes, I was one of them' he said. 'We just turned up for work every day, put the white uniform on and fell over when told to'.
That scene was BIG for me so obviously I was chuffed to meet him. I got a photo signed
I can post some of my photos of the day if you would like - just holla.
Thanks
Steve
Oh...by the way, Sithlord. Brian says Hi.
I mentioned I was a member of this board and he named you as his contact. Both Brian and his wife said you are a really nice chap and to say Hi when I got back.
All the best.
Thanks for the kind words. It would appear that either I missed the Vader lid on the Elstree stand with the excitement of it all, or they didn't bring it.
The only Vader related thing that I saw was an old box in front of Brian Muir which contained the original tools that he used to sculpt the Vader suit (and I'm guessing the trooper suit too).
I took a shot of that and a shot of Brian with me. I can post these later if anyone is interested. Sorry to disappoint. If I'd seen the Vader lid there, I would have gotten pics for you
In addition to the SW chat we had, we also got onto Alien. Brian mentioned that he didn't have much contact with Ridley, although he saw him milling around from time to time. But he spent a good amount of time with Giger. He said he was a 'strange man'.
He did say that he had a good laugh with him at times. They had a 'local pub' which they visited every lunchtime for a 'pub lunch'. Imagine that
Also at the Elstree stand was the full size repro Landspeeder which looked pretty good. A few droids which looked new builds and a Battle Droid which looked to me like the BD that a UK prop maker 'G' (not sure if he is a member of this board) made a few years back.
I also met a guy called 'Paul Weston'. A stunt man who has worked on more films than I've had hot dinners. He was a DUDE too. He was there at the 'Bond' stand but I went to speak to him about his work on Aliens and ROTJ. He was stunt co-ordinator on Aliens and various Sarlacc bound Skiff Guards in ROTJ, namely 'Nikto'.
I asked him of Cameron was a hard 'task master' as his rep suggests. He said that he was 'alright back then'. Cameron gave all the other crew members a hard time apart from the stunt dept. Paul was in charge of co-ordinating the collection of actors that controlled the Alien queen and also got into the Alien suit numerous times. He still owns an original Alien suit minus the head.
As if this wasn't enough though, next to Paul was an old Bond stunt guy named George Leech. He looked kind of bemused by the barrage of geeks breezing past him clasping signed photos of Dave Prowse and Doug Bradley.
I almost missed him, then saw that on his table in front of him, he had the opening shot from SW of the Tantive corrider, Vader in the middle, Stormtroopers all around him. Turns out he was on SW for 5 weeks.
And although he couldn't remember a great deal about the shoot - he was one of the Stormtroopers blasting through the doorway. 'Oh yes, I was one of them' he said. 'We just turned up for work every day, put the white uniform on and fell over when told to'.
That scene was BIG for me so obviously I was chuffed to meet him. I got a photo signed
I can post some of my photos of the day if you would like - just holla.
Thanks
Steve
Oh...by the way, Sithlord. Brian says Hi.
I mentioned I was a member of this board and he named you as his contact. Both Brian and his wife said you are a really nice chap and to say Hi when I got back.
All the best.
TK7903
Active Member
Hi guys,
I also got to speak with Brian and his wife on Sunday, along with AA.
I can't add much more than what Steve has said already.
Although, Brian told me that the suit moulds for vac forming DID go to AA, but has no idea about the helmet.
He remembers seeing a helmet in clay one day. then seeing a vac pulled version a few days later.
He mentioned a few peoples names that were also involved with the Stormtrooper armour but I can't remember who they were.
He said he has been contacted by lucas's lawers, and he's told them the truth as far as what he knows.
Had a good chat with Andrew and his wife, the imperial gunner lid is now ready to sell, and the X wing helmet and rebel fleet trooper will be ready next year. He says there maybe some issues with the decals on the X wing helmet.
The conversation with AA was long and intresting, he is now thinking of having a monthly newsletter on the front of his website to keep people informed of the court case etc.
I have more info but don't know what people know etc.
I also got to speak with Brian and his wife on Sunday, along with AA.
I can't add much more than what Steve has said already.
Although, Brian told me that the suit moulds for vac forming DID go to AA, but has no idea about the helmet.
He remembers seeing a helmet in clay one day. then seeing a vac pulled version a few days later.
He mentioned a few peoples names that were also involved with the Stormtrooper armour but I can't remember who they were.
He said he has been contacted by lucas's lawers, and he's told them the truth as far as what he knows.
Had a good chat with Andrew and his wife, the imperial gunner lid is now ready to sell, and the X wing helmet and rebel fleet trooper will be ready next year. He says there maybe some issues with the decals on the X wing helmet.
The conversation with AA was long and intresting, he is now thinking of having a monthly newsletter on the front of his website to keep people informed of the court case etc.
I have more info but don't know what people know etc.
Trooper TK409
Sr Member
Does Brian Muir have a website or email contact? (I haven't found one) I'd love to interview him about the C-3PO finishing work he did.
Jumpin Jax
Sr Member
Right on, nice pics Helmetman.
JJ
JJ
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Trooper TK409 @ Nov 27 2006, 11:52 AM) [snapback]1366183[/snapback]</div>
Expect to see a website in the future. There will be all kinds of tidbits like that on it with more to come. The admin contact for the website is:
brian@muirmoviesculptor.com
Expect to see a website in the future. There will be all kinds of tidbits like that on it with more to come. The admin contact for the website is:
brian@muirmoviesculptor.com
Trooper TK409
Sr Member
Awesome, thanks SL.
Hey guys
On with the pics as promised:
Full size Endo - Didn't say much, slightly grumpy
Lightning Bear - Stormtrooper ANH, Stormtrooper ROTJ, Biker Scout ROTJ
Paul Weston, Stunt Co-ordinator 'Aliens', Nikto - ROTJ
Mr George Leech - Tantive Stormtrooper ANH, also various Bond stunts
The tools to sculpt Vader (and I suspect Trooper armour too.) - Elstree Stand
And last but not least, the great man himself - Brian Muir, sculptor of Vader and the Stormtroopers. I made sure to tell him how much he contributed to all our childhoods
Hope you like. Cheers, Steve
On with the pics as promised:
Full size Endo - Didn't say much, slightly grumpy
Lightning Bear - Stormtrooper ANH, Stormtrooper ROTJ, Biker Scout ROTJ
Paul Weston, Stunt Co-ordinator 'Aliens', Nikto - ROTJ
Mr George Leech - Tantive Stormtrooper ANH, also various Bond stunts
The tools to sculpt Vader (and I suspect Trooper armour too.) - Elstree Stand
And last but not least, the great man himself - Brian Muir, sculptor of Vader and the Stormtroopers. I made sure to tell him how much he contributed to all our childhoods
Hope you like. Cheers, Steve
MandalorFett
Active Member
Thanks Steve. Great photos.
:thumbsup
:fettrotj
:thumbsup
:fettrotj
