Unproduced Darth Vader Lumicels - Animated Animations Co.
The Animated Animations Co. LLC unveiled its animation art creation, Lumicel, at ArtExpo 2002. The Lumicel, a patent-pending technique created by Animated Animations, is a conventional composite animation model sheet and art-quality serigraph, modernized with technology
With lighting, music and sound effects through its exclusive IOn technology, it features animation characters in a variety of poses, while further showcasing these characters in a central serigraphic image. The IOn is a special spot at the bottom right corner of the artwork that is constantly monitoring the several inches of space in front to detect the movement of a hand or other object in order to start the play. Once the IOn is activated with a wave of the viewer's hand, various sections of the model sheet are illuminated and an accompanying sound bite is heard.
Lumicels have been produced for every major character from Disney, Warner Brothers, Nightmare Before Christmas and Fox. The license was eventually granted to produce a series for Star Wars characters. The first character to be featured was Darth Vader, and was originally scheduled to be released along the Episode 3 time line. The initial release of 1500 Lumicels would have been first offered at Celebration 3 as an exclusive. For reasons unknown, the line was never completed and only the original concept art and reference material remain. It is truly remarkable that these pieces were saved, but even more so when you consider all the original reference material was kept as well. This is truly an exceptionally rare, and detailed look behind the scenes of the product development process for a high-end Star Wars piece.
The key components for each Lumicel are the main character image, and the interactive background layout featuring different scenes or art from various Star Wars productions. The
main inspiration for the background is original comic art, with the correlated dialoge for each scene.
The original LFL promotional catalouge, which shows information about the Lumicel, and the corresponding release information.
(Click on the image to enlarge)
Lumicel Master Darth Vader Template
This is the master template for the design of a Lumicel. The three
major design elements are the background layout, the center image, and location for the user activated trip area. The interactive function interface is blacked out at the bottom right corner and the background field and center art locations are mapped out. The overall size is defined, along with notations for comic sourced artwork.
Rough Concept Sketch with Center Image and Background Layout
This is the first rough sketch based off the mapping locations outlined in the Master Template. The medium is ink and pencil on paper. The rough sketch serves as a basis for ideas for the background layout, and center image. It also intergrates the interactive trip point into the art.
Concept #1
This is the first concept which incorporates all the design elements planned
for the functioning Lumicel. At this point an actual Darth Vader art cel is used
for the center image, and the background art is refined and detailed. Key scenes and major characters have been added at this point. Also featured here is a unique sticker applied over the main image; "Prototype - Not for Sale"
There are several editing notes, and corrections made.
Concept #2
In the second concept, the art for the center image has been changed, and the background layout is again refined and detailed. At this point the layout and diolouge points are mapped out. The lighting and diolouge would
have followed a rough clockwise pattern. Elements from Eps.IV, V and VI are
incorporated.
Concept #3
This concept is a revised version of the 2nd concept, using the same art
center image, while using different background and frame elements. The same background layout was transferred to this concept.
Concept #4
This is the final design concept, using an actual art cel for the center image, and background layout which has been refined a step further, and detailed. It also has the artists notes and signature at the bottom.
Concept #5
This is the final design, with the diolouge points mapped, and have been correlated to the diolouge for each scene. The art cel for the main image has
been modified, and this is a 1:1 scale rendering. This possibly would have been
the final product design. I have included a standard 18" ruler at the bottom so
you can visualize how large it would have been. Properly framed, this would
have been an amazing piece.
This is a video demo for the Lumicel, featuring Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. It shows
the interactive features, along with the lighting and diolouge.
