Doug Chiang out of Episode III

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-13 12:32am

http://www.swmovies.net/episode-iii/new ... 0930,00275

This link goes directly to a site pulled from The Force.net. Doug Chiang is confirmed to not be heading up art production for Episode III. He says he hopes to contribute something. Yeah, phat chance pal. So, you still want to tell Ralph you could make a BETTER X-Wing. I would like to present Evidience A. The N-1 Starfighter. So far advanced than the X-Wing that the astromech doesn't actually fit. I rest my case...

Crown · Post by **Crown** » 2002-09-13 12:34am

Mixed blessing, on one hand he had no concept of dimensions and spacial perception, on the other his designs did look cool though. That's just my opinion.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2002-09-13 12:35am

Actually, I thought that the N-1 was a cool design, but... better than the X-Wing? No.

Also, some of the things he said outside of the movies kind of bothered me. I wonder who will replace him.

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-13 12:38am

On that link, it says Ian McCaig will be back to help. He was present during TPM and AotC. So hopefully something of relevence will surface. Better than the X-Wing MoO. I think it was either an Insider, or no, better yet, one of the Jedi Council answers from Chiang. Said he first watched Star Wars, and immediately went home and started improving on the X-Wing starfighter. Here's a term that I used on Darkstar that applies...ready...Bull-Fucking-Shit. One more thing, AotC PISSED in his 'conceptual' bowl of fruit loops. Yeah, remember how he helped with the Essential Guide to Droids. Oh yeah, R2's rockets? Get some...

Post by **Vympel** » 2002-09-13 03:19am

So what exactly did DC do that was soooo horrible exactly?

What about Joe Johnston? Maybe they'll get him back *fingers crossed*

SPOOFE · Post by **SPOOFE** » 2002-09-13 03:35am

So what exactly did DC do that was soooo horrible exactly?

He's responsible for the "form over function" look of a lot of the prequel ships. The "too small for an astromech" N-1 starfighter, the "can't even CARRY an astromech... OR hyperdrive" Jedi Starfighter...

This guy needs to be slapped upside the head and told to stop trying to build a better mousetrap.

Post by **Vympel** » 2002-09-13 04:16am

Oh I see; good point. In the end though its up to Lucas though isn't it?

Ted · Post by **Ted** » 2002-09-13 09:22am

SPOOFE wrote:
So what exactly did DC do that was soooo horrible exactly?
He's responsible for the "form over function" look of a lot of the prequel ships. The "too small for an astromech" N-1 starfighter, the "can't even CARRY an astromech... OR hyperdrive" Jedi Starfighter...

This guy needs to be slapped upside the head and told to stop trying to build a better mousetrap.

He must've been a Star Trek fan as well, notice how the designs look alot like Federation ships.

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2002-09-13 09:45am

YEEEEHAAAWW!!!!!!!
VICTORY FOR EPISODE III!!!!!!

Smiling Bandit · Post by **Smiling Bandit** » 2002-09-13 12:15pm

He's responsible for the "form over function" look of a lot of the prequel ships. The "too small for an astromech" N-1 starfighter, the "can't even CARRY an astromech... OR hyperdrive" Jedi Starfighter...

Confusion here...

Err... Im pretty sure I saw Astromechs in the Naboo N1's. AM I missing something? The on-set models looked more than large enough.

The design of the Jedi Starfighters is odd, but it is carrying an astromech driod, albeit off-center.

I think Chiang's fighter designs are too small, but other than that there isn't anything particularly objectionable.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2002-09-13 12:33pm

Smiling Bandit wrote:
He's responsible for the "form over function" look of a lot of the prequel ships. The "too small for an astromech" N-1 starfighter, the "can't even CARRY an astromech... OR hyperdrive" Jedi Starfighter...
Confusion here...

Err... Im pretty sure I saw Astromechs in the Naboo N1's. AM I missing something? The on-set models looked more than large enough.

The design of the Jedi Starfighters is odd, but it is carrying an astromech driod, albeit off-center.

I think Chiang's fighter designs are too small, but other than that there isn't anything particularly objectionable.

Sure, they had them in the N1, the problem lies in getting the droid out. The opening is too small for the droids head to fit back down, and the fusselage is too small for the body of the droid. If you look at the ICS for TPM, they show the droid squashed up to fit, and his neck way extended, but the head would still not fit(this just sounds dirty). The seal around the droids head is too tight and squeezing his head through would rip all the sensors off its head.
The Delta 7, kind of fixes this by intergrating the droid, but is still to small for a hyperdrive. While I think these designs are interesting if not flawed they do not hold a candle to original fighter designs.

Cpt_Frank · Post by **Cpt_Frank** » 2002-09-13 12:42pm

While I think these designs are interesting if not flawed they do not hold a candle to original fighter designs.

RIGHT! And that's why Doug Chiang must DIE!!!! DIIIIEEEE DOUG DIIIIEEEEEEE!!!!! *stabs him repeatedly in the face with dagger*
DIIIIEEEE DIIIIEEEE DIIIIEEEE!!!!!!! MUUUUHAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Man what a useless post.

Evil Jerk · Post by **Evil Jerk** » 2002-09-13 12:57pm

Some people have presented those designs as "proof" that the Old Republic was more advanced than the Empire.
Yeah, SURE.

Personally I hated the N-1, a flashy good-for-nothing toy.
Good riddance to a talentless hack.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2002-09-13 05:36pm

Well, if the new artist can make a ship that can fit what is seen, fine with me. Chiang would be better in the ST art department.

Jim Raynor · Post by **Jim Raynor** » 2002-09-13 08:05pm

Now, I know that we all hate ST and its crappy "form over function" designs, but wasn't that what was intended for the Naboo ships? I thought that they were trying to portray the Naboo as an artistic, cultured, and militarily feeble people.

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-13 09:54pm

He could have made a way to make all that work. Lucas basically tells then what he wants, or what he thinks of when he was writing. however, there was much that they design as well. If you watch the TPM DVD making of docs you'll see what I mean. The Jedi Starfighter does not fit an astromech. It is only the upper head portion. In fact, in the AotC novel there is a series were Jango is asking Boba about his thoughts on the astromech they use. My thoughts on the Jedi Star Fighter. Lucas could have left the mech out, but I myself would want one to be present. He also told Chiang to 'wedgie' it out. So instead of thinking originally he obviously tries to make it resemble an ISD. Where as, he could have wedgied it out, made it resemble an A-Wing and would have had a way of putting a full astromech comfortably behind the cockpit. The N1 is just a lost cause though. I'm not sure if Lucas came up with the ideas of how the craft would look, but I sure as hell know I could have come up with a better starfighter 'form over function' design that would have accomodated an astromech.

Jack Lain · Post by **Jack Lain** » 2002-09-13 11:07pm

Wow. I guess I am in the minority, but I like what he did. I thought his designs of the pre-empire ships were pretty cool.
They don't bristle with weapons, they are extravagant and opulent. Something that the Old Republic is criticized for. Made sense to me. -?-

These are not warships. Did he not design the pre-SD? The one that Saxton based his ICS on? Acclamator? (sp)

Oh well. Personally I think it's too bad. I mean he said he watched and looked at the original ship designs and tried to take them back in time to contribute to an evolution oriented ship design. He tried to incorporate continuity in the older designs and what they might become in the OT.

I don't really want to debate this, but I'm surprised that so many dislike the ships and other sets we saw in the TPM and ATOC.

Jack Lain · Post by **Jack Lain** » 2002-09-13 11:14pm

Ok, I cannot edit. I mean to say AOTC. erg!

My beer for an edit option. :)

Cal Wright · Post by **Cal Wright** » 2002-09-14 12:06am

I'm not sure how much of it was his concept for the Acclamator. But then again, if he did like the Jedi Starfighter, and 'use' reference from the OT then it's no surprise it looks the way it does.

Doomriser · Post by **Doomriser** » 2002-09-17 06:36pm

Good riddance! That man pissed all over everything that made SW entertaining. When I saw TPM, I thought I was in the wrong theatre! AOTC didn't pick up until we saw the Acclamators. I don't know if DC designed it, but who cares. It's only cool because it resembles the OT ships, and because it has 200 GT HTLs, of course. DC really would be better off working for ST.

Doomriser · Post by **Doomriser** » 2002-09-17 06:39pm

Yes, it's true that I resigned earlier this year to work on another film. It was a very hard decision especially after 13 years with the company. However, if my schedule allows I will try to contribute some designs for ep 3

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

CmdrWilkens · Post by **CmdrWilkens** » 2002-09-18 12:16am

Jim Raynor wrote:Now, I know that we all hate ST and its crappy "form over function" designs, but wasn't that what was intended for the Naboo ships? I thought that they were trying to portray the Naboo as an artistic, cultured, and militarily feeble people.

They were trying to do that but even form over function people tend to recognize certain basic needs then design around them. Look at modern skyscrappers for that. You must have a vast number of supporting steel beams (or whatever metal) which tend to not be that artistic a sight, yet true designers reconize they must have them and seek ways to make something so neccessary look sleek and stylish. In other words even amongst artisans and craftsmen there will be thsoe who recognize the need for navigational and diagnostic aid, if you want to use R2 units then give them enough damn room to work and design the ship so that the lines still flow naturally.