Star Wars at MegaCon 2002 Pt 1

This will be in two parts, so be sure to make sure you you check out next weeks articles. I saved the best pictures for last.

As with all my articles, words in parenthesis are meant to give you the meaning of what is being said, but are not the person's words.

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At 4 PM on Sunday, February 24 there was a panel session for Star Wars at MegaCon 2002. In attendance were (from left to right) Mike Quinn, David Prowse, and Kenny Baker.

When I give the backgrounds here please remember that all three are from England and grew up there.

At the beginning of the session David provided the audience his own lyrics to the Star Wars theme song.

Star Wars

Made a fortune

Paid of the mortgage

Bought a new car

As the session began, David suggests participants give a five-minute resume on themselves. Kenny began the session with his remarkable story.

Kenny - There was life before Star Wars, and there was life after Star Wars. Star Wars gave us a great lifestyle. We are all basically the same (in what we want in life). We want to (be appreciated, have a job and a family, and provide for our family).

(When I was in High School, I didn't give much though to what I was going to do after school.) It was 1950 and (I answered and ad in acting) for a mission review in town all English. I joined the show for five pounds a week. I survived and had a great time. In 1953 that was the year TV (was introduced to England). (I worked in TV and the circus). I got into Michael Sullival's Ice Shows. I played for 20 years ice skating in shows. I had two boys and wife Irene. I got into the Star Wars movie. (They) sent me to see George Lucas and George said, "Yeah, he'll do". I was doing TV at the time (so I wasn't sure I wanted to commit to the movie). I was in and out of special effect (department the day I went to see George. And at the end of the day they said "You have to do it, we can't find anyone else that will fit" (into the droid character).

Mike - I was (always) a muppet fan, I was obsessed. The Muppet Show was a huge hit in mid to late 1970's (in England). I would practice in front of a mirror. I found that they were shooting in Happence. (The guard) knew me as a muppet fan, I would bribe him with chocolate and cigars and I got to know Jim Henson. It was the summer of 1980, and Star Wars was right across the road (from where the Muppet folks were shooting). I had my job application to Jim and he tried (me) out on the job to do a background puppet and I learned from Jim and Frank (Oz). (I did a puppet make over for the 'Dark Crystal" movie). Jim had the ability to see potential in people and he will be missed. George Lucas stole a bunch (of puppeteers from the muppets) to make Jabba's palace. (In Jabba's palace) there are wonderful creatures in the background, behind the (Jabba) mask. Everything was built for real - full size - and I can make that Mask. I did the puppet next to Lando in the second Star Wars movie.

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