Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our twenty-fifth guest is the `Rock Star of Illustration’ – Matt Busch.
Lightsabre – Matt, welcome to Lightsabre.
MB – Great to be a part of this, Thank you.
Lightsabre – You’ve done many things during your life and career, from being a trained musician and a member of one of Detroit’s hottest bands, to film-making and onto your art. But clearly Star Wars has been a staple all through the process of whatever you have done. Explain your love for Star Wars?
MB – I think Star Wars just hit me at the magical age of four. I would be drawing and dreaming Star Wars just the same, whether it was a job or not. The fact that I have been able to be a part of the galaxy far, far away career-wise is still (after 11 years) a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself.
Lightsabre – Tell us something of your career. How did you begin your life as an artist and what path led you to where you are today?
MB – You know, my blessing and my curse has always been that I can never just pick one thing that I want to do. Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to make movies, draw comic books, write stories… You name it! But I never found a job where you can do all of the above, so I ended up just crafting my own career into being able to do all of these things.
Lightsabre – You’ve worked on many movie and TV campaigns during your years as an artist. Are they projects that you enjoy?
MB – Most of them, sure. When I first got into the business, I was still struggling, so I said yes to every project that came my way. These days I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pick and choose, so lately I’ve been into every project 100%.
Lightsabre – What has it been like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon?
MB – It’s been breathtaking. Star Wars has single-handedly brought my work to an international audience. But it’s also humbled me, as I realize I’m one of many artists who work on their fantastic licensed products.
Lightsabre –Â You have a distinctly cinematic eye and have completed your directorial debut Conjure. Tell us something about this project?
MB – Conjour is kind of the culmination of all of my work and experiences over the last 15 years or so. I’ve worked behind-the-scenes in films for so long in many different aspects of the movie business. This is my first attempt to take everything I’ve learned and do a completed picture myself. I’m very proud of it and I think many will find it entertaining. Of course, you can always find out more about it at www.ConjureTheMovie.com.
Lightsabre – As a young man you had a freak accident, falling into a canyon and almost dying. What do you remember of that, and more importantly, how do you think that close call changed your outlook on life?
MB – That was a long time ago, so I don’t know how much it affects my life now, but I remember for years after really trying to live every day like it was my last. I still try to do that I guess.
Lightsabre – What were your feelings on Revenge of the Sith? Many feel, as George Lucas himself said it would, that as well as linking the two trilogies together it validated the less popular two prequel films. How do you feel about it?
MB – I’d agree. I think it makes Episode I and 2 better, for sure. I really enjoyed the first two, anyway. You know, it’s almost difficult to compare them to the original trilogy. It’s a different story with mostly different characters. I loved Sith and can’t wait for it to come out on DVD!
Lightsabre – What would your ultimate Star Wars project be?
MB – I’ve always wanted to do Star Wars comics for Dark Horse. It’s probably the only Star Wars licensee that I haven’t worked for, which is funny, because comics are such a passion of mine. My favorite series was the first Dark Empire. I’d love to do something like that with the Original Trilogy characters post Jedi…
Lightsabre – You did a large amount of work for West End Games, the original roleplay licensees. How exciting a time was that for you, to be finally working on an official Star Wars product, something most fans can only dream of?
MB – Words couldn’t describe. I never dreamed I’d be working on official Star Wars material. I really felt like if nothing cool happens with my career again, I can always say I drew for Star Wars! It’s funny – nothing IS better than Star Wars. For example, I just started on doing new package illustration for G.I.Joe… Which is really, really cool. But can you ever top Star Wars?!
Lightsabre – While attending conventions and shows do you enjoy the interaction with Star Wars fans?
MB – Yes. I’m a huge Star Wars fan myself, so I’m just as excited to be there as anyone else. And knowing that folks appreciate my work is just satisfying to no end.
Lightsabre – On your site you go through a step-by-step slideshow of how you design and ultimately draw a piece of artwork. Is this process the same every time, or do pieces sometimes drop into your head `complete’ without the need to draw multiple roughs?
MB – The Darth Maul Step-By-Step is pretty typical of how I’ll put an illustration together. There are always exceptions to the rule, and every job is different, but that’s usually how it is.
Lightsabre – What lies ahead for you in the future?
MB – Well, I’m not giving up my day job of being an entertainment illustrator, but I think you’ll see me getting more behind the camera, and creating more independent movies, as well as being part of larger Hollywood ones.
Lightsabre – A quick question about Lightsabre. Any comments?
MB – I love it! Great questions that you ask your guests, and I’m honored to be among such cool talent!
Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview, and thanks for being our guest. Just one final question. Dave Grohl, George Lucas and Bill Cosby are all calling you constantly to do a drawing for their latest venture, but you only have time to do one. You can’t chose, so you get them all together in a room and propose a round-robin Thumb Wrestling contest. Who wins?
MB – Grohl puts up a good fight, but come on, Lucas rules all, especially in Thumb Wrestling! Hey, did you know that Dave Grohl’s parents almost named him Hans, and since he was such a Star Wars fan growing up, his friends used to call him Hans Grohlo?! Too Funny!
This interview was originally posted on lightsabre.co.uk on 2nd October 2005.
