Star Wars Clone Wars Television Series

[Talon Karrde]

"Lightsabers, starships, creatures and characters -- in 1977, Star Wars introduced a host of screen icons that helped define the cinematic landscape. Now, more than 30 years later, Lucasfilm Animation is re-imagining the distinctive look of "a galaxy far, far away" for an all-new, weekly animated TV series -- Star Wars: The Clone Wars. For supervising director Dave Filoni -- a diehard fan himself -- this was no small task, and not something to be taken lightly.

"We had to stay true to the spirit of Star Wars and the look that had been established in the movies," Filoni said. "There was fantastic work done by production designers like John Barry, Norman Reynolds and Gavin Bocquet, and it was our job to reflect that, but through animation. But The Clone Wars shows us more of the galaxy than we ever saw in the live-action films, so we had to forge plenty of new ground, as well."

The first step was the most difficult -- developing an overall look and feel for the series. Filoni and executive producer George Lucas decided on a radical departure. Rather than re-creating the photo-realistic world of the live-action films, they would design a stylized galaxy that instead embraced the essence of the Star Wars Saga. With striking angles and an aggressive, innovative "shooting" style, the result is both cinematic and distinctly animated.

"We wanted to create something unique and fun," Filoni explains. "The movies are so recognizable, and we wanted to capture that flavor, but we also wanted our series characters to live on their own. With 30 years of history, there are a lot of expectations that come with a new Star Wars installment, and we wanted to be clear that this was going to be different from what had come before."

One of the most striking design elements is the use of noticeable textures in every frame. "Many of the backgrounds look painted, while the characters and physical objects look almost like they have been created by hand," Filoni said. "Working in computer animation, it's easy to make everything look clean, but imperfection is far more interesting."

In addition to the unique design and meticulous attention to detail, Star Wars: The Clone Wars ushered in a new way to conceive and produce stories on a weekly basis, said producer Catherine Winder.

"Since the earliest days, animation has been produced using two-dimensional storyboards to plan out the action," she said. "With The Clone Wars, George Lucas wanted us to try something totally new, a process he had utilized extensively on the live-action movies."

Story artists working on Star Wars: The Clone Wars "sketched" every scene using a computer program that allowed them to visualize the action in three dimensions. The result, Filoni said, allows greater experimentation and offers the creative team unprecedented flexibility. "We can pre-visualize each shot like never before, which allows us to dive into the action and do things that, before this, were literally impossible. That's the beauty of designing a new type of Star Wars entertainment: virtually nothing is impossible."

Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts on Cartoon Network Friday, Oct. 3, at 9 pm. (ET/PT)." - Homing Beacon, www.starwars.com

[Talon Karrde]

"Delving into an all-new adventure every week, Star Wars: The Clone Wars provides a high-spirited and richly expanded look into the Star Wars universe. In just the first few episodes, viewers will see the broad scope of the series, through characters and stories only touched upon in the live-action films.

"This is an enormously vast galaxy, and the Clone Wars affect almost every corner of it," explained Dave Filoni, supervising director. "We can finally show the adventure, heroism, treachery and intrigue that was happening throughout the conflict. Now that Star Wars is no longer constrained by the Skywalker saga, the possibilities are as limitless as the universe itself. I'm excited to take fans into aspects of Star Wars that haven't yet been explored on-screen."

Told in half-hour chapters, the weekly format gives Filoni and Lucasfilm Animation an opportunity to focus more intensely on individual aspects of the Star Wars Saga -- from the epic space battles and dynamic lightsaber duels to the noble philosophies of the Jedi Knights. At the same time, Filoni said, Star Wars: The Clone Wars will uncover new adventures and fresh perspectives on classic Star Wars conventions.

Among the stories explored in the first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars:

Jedi Master Plo Koon -- a character barely glimpsed in the feature films -- rises to prominence as he discovers a mysterious threat that could cause immense destruction -- and the evil secret behind it.
Ambushed by Ventress and her droid army, Jedi Master Yoda teaches his clone companions that the Force touches all living things and that hope is never lost.
On a distant planetary outpost, a squadron of rookie clone troopers find themselves struggling to survive and also learn the meaning of sacrifice.
The Bothan home planet of Bothawui, never before seen on screen, comes to the forefront as a heroic ally falls prey to the sinister plot of General Grievous, and his friends must fight to rescue him.
Senator Padmé Amidala faces a life-threatening showdown with her nemesis, Separatist Viceroy Nute Gunray, the victim of ultimate deception by the leader of a desperate planet.
"The Clone Wars are a time of enormous struggle and also great heroism," Filoni said. "As a longtime Star Wars fan, it is exciting to be able to bring these stories to life, stories we've only wondered about. We're going to learn just why the Clone Wars become the stuff of legend in the Star Wars galaxy."

Star Wars: The Clone Wars debuts on Cartoon Network Friday, Oct. 3, at 9 pm. (ET/PT)." - Star Wars Homing Beacon, www.starwars.com

[Talon Karrde]

Announced at http://www.starwars.com:

"Although the final original episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars have aired for the remainder of 2008, there's no dearth of Clone Wars fun available at StarWars.com to keep fans busy until January 2nd, including the first-ever online "marathon," which begins on Monday.

Starting December 22, all 10 episodes of the hit Cartoon Network series that have aired to date will be available online at the official Star Wars website and at CartoonNetwork.com. What's more, each episode features a video commentary by supervising director Dave Filoni; a web comic; and a detailed episode guide containing concept art and additional insights into Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

The online marathon ends on Monday, Jan. 5.

And on Friday, January 2nd, the first new Clone Wars episode of 2009, "Dooku Captured," debuts at 9 p.m. on Cartoon Network.

Just in case that's not enough for Star Wars fans, StarWars.com offers three exclusive online games providing unique, challenging experiences.

In "Sharpshooter," players can partake in some clone training, as they try to hit targets that range from holograms of battle droids to rolling destroyer droids. As the levels get progressively harder, "Sharpshooter" throws in some tricks, ranging from blast shields that make it difficult to hit your target to decoys that players need to avoid. It's classic arcade-style action whose increasingly difficult levels will pose a challenge to gamers of any age.

"Live Fire" is a keyboard-based game in which players take on the role of a clone trooper -- and can even customize his gear. By finding and collecting datapacks, while avoiding a phalanx of Separatist droids, players can unlock exclusive Clone Wars content, including images, videos and sounds. But beware, because the Separatist droids encountered on these missions to Christophsis and Teth are bent on success.

"Clones vs. Droids" offers the option of playing live against another player -- or practicing solo. Squads of droids and clone troopers are pitted against each other, and it's up to players to strategically prepare for both attack and defense during the game's 10 rounds.

The Clone Wars experience isn't just online, of course. In fact, during the holidays Cartoon Network will offer encore showings of Star Wars: The Clone Wars with more opportunities than ever to enjoy the intergalactic adventure.

Here is Cartoon Network's holiday schedule for Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Unless noted, all programming is half-hour episodes.)


Monday, Dec. 22 -- 10 a.m. (one-hour block), 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 23 -- 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (one-hour block)
Thursday, Dec. 25 -- 4:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 26 -- 8 a.m., 6 p.m. (one-hour block), 9 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 27 -- 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 28 -- 9 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 29 -- 10 a.m. (one-hour block), 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30 -- 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (one-hour block)
Wednesday, Dec. 31 -- 9 a.m. (one-hour block), 3 p.m.
All times listed are ET/PT.

Don't forget -- the next original episode of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Dooku Captured," airs at 9 p.m. Friday, January 2. Until then ... may the Force be with you! "

[Talon Karrde]

From starwars.com: "Coming off of the record-setting first season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Cartoon Network announced today it will premiere Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Decoded, a full slate of 22 enhanced episodes from season one of the CG-animated series from creator George Lucas and Lucasfilm Animation. Using text windows to provide in-the-moment insights into all aspects of the sweeping galactic conflict -- from trivia to background on characters and storylines -- Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Decoded enhances each episode with exclusive content created by the Lucasfilm Animation talent responsible for the show itself.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Decoded is Cartoon Network's first-ever season-long commitment to enhancing the content of existing series episodes. Offering a new twist on the beloved series and serving as an unprecedented primer for faithful fans as well as new viewers, Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Decoded premieres Friday, May 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT only on Cartoon Network. This full season of enhanced episodes will continue each Friday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, the regular time slot for Star Wars: The Clone Wars, leading up to the fall 2009 premiere of season two.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars has emerged as the preeminent sci-fi series on television, combining the expansive scope of the Star Wars Saga with exciting weekly adventures. Ranking #1 on all television -- broadcast and cable -- with the key demo of boys 6-11, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a thrilling, weekly 30-minute "mini-movie" created by the talented artists at Lucasfilm Animation.

On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old join favorite characters such as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, along with brand new heroes like Anakin's Padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains -- led by Count Dooku and General Grievous -- are poised to take over the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights and their brave clone troops. Star Wars: The Clone Wars continues the tradition of thrilling stories and astonishing visuals that have always been the hallmark of the Star Wars Saga."

[Talon Karrde]

Clone Wars: Season One Coming to DVD!

From Starwars.com: "From Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video, Four-Disc Set Includes Companion Featurettes For All 22 Action-Packed Episodes, and a Blu-ray Exclusive - Jedi Temple Archives
After wowing TV audiences with a cutting-edge, animated look at "a galaxy far, far away," Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is coming to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc November 3 from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Warner Home Video.

Live the adventures again and again, and dig deeper into the first season of The Clone Wars with a comprehensive look behind-the-scenes of the popular animated series. Uniquely packaged with an exclusive 64-page production journal, the four-disc set contains all 22 episodes from the groundbreaking first season -- including seven extended Director's Cuts -- as well as companion featurettes for each episode. And exclusive to the Blu-ray disc, The Jedi Temple Archives provides in-depth access to an extensive database of creative materials.

"I'm a longtime Star Wars fan, and the same's true for a lot of the guys working on the show," said supervising director Dave Filoni. "And as a fan, I know that Lucasfilm can be pretty secretive. They're famous for it. But we're all so proud of the work that's gone into The Clone Wars, and we wanted to share some of our production tricks, and open up the vault and reveal our efforts. You're going to get unprecedented access, to see the nuts and bolts of our series -- from concept to finished animation."

Created and executive produced by George Lucas, the first-ever TV production from Lucasfilm Animation explores the tumultuous time between Episodes II and III of the live-action saga, expanding the scope of Star Wars beyond anything seen in the feature films.

"The live-action saga was just the beginning. The universe is vast, and there are so many more stories to explore beyond Anakin's fall and redemption," said Lucas. "The scope of the war gives us the perfect vehicle for a weekly series, allowing us to look at how the conflict has affected the farthest reaches of the galaxy, including characters, creatures and races we only glimpsed in the feature films. Animation has allowed us to visualize the worlds and characters of Star Wars in all new ways."

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One will be available November 3 for the suggested retail price of $44.98 for DVD and $59.99 for Blu-ray.

Special Features:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars The Complete Season One is presented in widescreen with English, Spanish and French 5.1 DTS audio and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:

• Seven Director's Cut Episodes: Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Lair of Grievous, Rookies, Storm Over Ryloth, Innocents of Ryloth and Liberty on Ryloth
  
  
• 22 Episodic Featurettes that go behind-the-scenes with Supervising Director Dave Filoni and crew about the making-of each episode
  
  
• Spectacular 64-page production journal that includes early sketches, artist notes, and concept art from each episode from Season One
  
  
• Blu-ray Exclusive -- The Jedi Temple Archives: An extensive database exploring test footage, early concept art, 3-D character and object turnarounds and early animation. The Archives is a rare look at the assets in various stages of creation for The Clone Wars, with a wealth of surprises and never-before seen moments sprinkled throughout."