Lawrence Noble and The TK Project
Next week at CV, The TK Project will debut featuring artist modifications to classic stormtrooper helmets. Much like The Vader Project, this exhibit will be a must-see event at CV. Our pal, legendary Star Wars artist/sculptor Lawrence Noble wanted ForceCast listeners to be the first to see his work and learn the in-universe backstory behind this amazing helmet. Take it away, Larry!
My Apprentice, Shane Curran, has been with me for the better part of ten years. He and I worked in collaboration on Noble Studio's Stormtrooper Helmet for the 501st TK Helmet Project. I realize that many artists were asked to do a helmet, however, ours is different. Here's why:
This is a story about an Apprentice coming into his own after ten years of working to get there. It's a story about mentoring young artists. We mature artists have a responsibility to the young ones, to help them in their journey in art. It's a story about dedication, determination and desire to fulfill a goal and the help one gets along the way. You see, this is Shane's Debut Work for Noble Studio, he has learned a lot, and it shows.
The name of our helmet is "Red Dog-3". We took the creative directive on this project further than most - we wrote a Back story that explains who Red Dog-3 was and how he fit into the larger Star Wars Universe. The title of the back story is "Dark Time: The Story of Red Dog-3 and the Lone Jedi". To us it seemed necessary to come up with a conceptual context within which our helmet was designed, and a justification for it's use.
We used the TK Helmet Project as an arena for the further education of a willing, and oh so deserving young Apprentice.
THE STORY OF RED DOG-3 AND THE LONE JEDI
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine’s "Special Order 66" was the result of a Special Session of the Imperial Senate, aimed at taking out the Jedi, and ruthlessly carried out.
One group, "E" Company, of Reconnaissance Battalion RB38, a unit in the 456th Outer Rim Defense Command (ORDC), chose not to follow the order. RB38, an elite force, had been battle testing the Empire’s new "Stormtrooper" equipment and field tactics. They loved their Jedi Leader… and she was not going to be sacrificed.
This mutiny was soon discovered by a Covert Ops Unit in the ORDC and a Brigade of Clones, ESF-17, led by Colonel Tyree, a hard driving leader who was fond of using Spartan Tactics and select torture techniques, was dispatched to bring them into line, or else. "E" Company decided to take a defensive position and fight, a valiant effort, however futile. The battle raged for three days.
The whole unit, save one trooper, "Red Dog-3", and his Jedi Leader, was wiped out in vicious hand-to-hand combat on the third day. Although wounded, the Lone Jedi and Red Dog-3 survived, yet were left stranded on a planet in the Outer Rim with little technology and few inhabitants. After the Empire’s Strike Force left, they managed to find shelter, and treat their wounds as best they could, and were even befriended by a few loyalists.
The decision was made to take these loyalists, train them and form a resistance force. Using available technology and salvaged parts, "Fox Fire One" was formed. Their mission: To fight rear guard actions against isolated Clone units, Guerrilla style.
Their technology, not advanced enough to signal the Empire’s Covert Ops Units, would be their concealment safeguard against the Probe Robots that they knew would come. Colonel Tyree would see to that.
For more information about the TK Project, visit their official site. And click here to learn more about the talent and passion of artist extraordinaire Lawrence Noble. And do not forget to visit The TK Project next week at Star Wars Celebration V!
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