Production Designer Rick Carter Talks Episode VII

By: Benjamin Hart

Last month we were introduced to a large portion of the crew behind Star Wars Episode VII, and one of them was production designer Rick Carter. His previous credits include Jurassic Park, Avatar, Lincoln, and most recently, a consultant on another 2015 film, Jurassic World. He is now working on Episode VII and ComingSoon.Net has released part of their interview with him. Here's an excerpt:

""I offered my services to Kathy Kennedy," Carter says of Episode VII, "who I had known for a long time. I said, 'If you're going to get involved with 'Star Wars' in this new generation, I'd love to be a part of the dialogue and help'. She invited me in last January and that's what I've been doing ever since. Then J.J. [Abrams] came in and we hit it off."

The Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm production is taking an interesting approach to the film's design, teaming Carter with a younger designer, Darren Gilford. Carter explains that, by working in tandem, the pair can mix classic and modern sensibilities.

"We're kind of both production designing the movie as a team," Carter continues, "to help give J.J. the best of what his generation and the new generation can offer with Darren Gilford and also myself as a guide that takes us back to not so long, long ago, but to the 70's where I was around and making movies that old-fashioned way. Whenever we want to touch that level, it relates to something that's not just being made up as though it's new. It's being rediscovered.""

Be sure to check out the full interview on ComingSoon.net.

Star Wars Episode VII opens in theaters December 18th, 2015!