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1 00:00:01,585 00:00:04,588 Hey, this is Dave Filoni, executive producer of Star Wars Rebels. Hey, this is Dave Filoni, executive producer of Star Wars Rebels.
2 00:00:04,671 00:00:08,133 And we're going to talk about Wolves and a Door, And we're going to talk about Wolves and a Door,
3 00:00:08,216 00:00:09,968 one of my favorite episodes. one of my favorite episodes.
4 00:00:10,385 00:00:14,264 I like starting with these little lighthearted Loth-cat moments. I like starting with these little lighthearted Loth-cat moments.
5 00:00:16,558 00:00:21,938 I don't know, this is just something I enjoy very much, these images. I don't know, this is just something I enjoy very much, these images.
6 00:00:22,606 00:00:26,318 It kind of rounds out, I think, the whole feeling of the world It kind of rounds out, I think, the whole feeling of the world
7 00:00:26,401 00:00:31,406 for me to start from the point of view of these creatures and then go in. for me to start from the point of view of these creatures and then go in.
8 00:00:32,282 00:00:36,703 There were a lot of things to figure out in this episode, There were a lot of things to figure out in this episode,
9 00:00:37,579 00:00:41,416 as I wrote it. This scene was a lot longer. as I wrote it. This scene was a lot longer.
10 00:00:41,499 00:00:45,587 This opening scene was probably twice as long as I originally wrote it, This opening scene was probably twice as long as I originally wrote it,
11 00:00:46,046 00:00:47,714 and you're always juggling and you're always juggling
12 00:00:48,673 00:00:51,468 how much you're explaining versus how much you're feeling how much you're explaining versus how much you're feeling
13 00:00:51,551 00:00:53,845 "this is an actual conversation that could happen." "this is an actual conversation that could happen."
14 00:00:54,429 00:00:59,226 As it turned out, I could trim it down and trim it down to just its essentials. As it turned out, I could trim it down and trim it down to just its essentials.
15 00:01:00,143 00:01:01,186 But, man, But, man,
16 00:01:01,269 00:01:06,900 there were a lot of diagrams and charts that I had to make to try to figure out there were a lot of diagrams and charts that I had to make to try to figure out
17 00:01:07,525 00:01:10,904 how they open these doors and what's going on at the Jedi Temple. how they open these doors and what's going on at the Jedi Temple.
18 00:01:10,987 00:01:13,907 And this was a tricky episode. And this was a tricky episode.
19 00:01:13,990 00:01:18,036 But the opening part is... It was a fun part because I really was able But the opening part is... It was a fun part because I really was able
20 00:01:18,119 00:01:20,455 to get into some of these ideas to get into some of these ideas
21 00:01:20,538 00:01:24,459 with the wolves that I'd had, and some of their abilities. with the wolves that I'd had, and some of their abilities.
22 00:01:26,544 00:01:27,921 I think it goes without saying that I think it goes without saying that
23 00:01:28,004 00:01:33,468 I am obviously a very big fan of Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke. I am obviously a very big fan of Miyazaki's film Princess Mononoke.
24 00:01:33,551 00:01:37,764 I think it's unavoidable, you see the influence that it has, I think it's unavoidable, you see the influence that it has,
25 00:01:37,847 00:01:44,187 as far as how I approach these wolves in this show. as far as how I approach these wolves in this show.
26 00:01:44,271 00:01:46,398 But I've also had (CHUCKLES) a long history But I've also had (CHUCKLES) a long history
27 00:01:46,481 00:01:48,984 of liking wolves, as some people know, of liking wolves, as some people know,
28 00:01:49,067 00:01:53,613 that would go back to the film Never Cry Wolf by Carroll Ballard. that would go back to the film Never Cry Wolf by Carroll Ballard.
29 00:01:53,738 00:01:56,074 It was a very big influence on me as a kid, It was a very big influence on me as a kid,
30 00:01:56,616 00:02:02,122 and I've actually done quite a bit of research and study of wolves, and I've actually done quite a bit of research and study of wolves,
31 00:02:02,289 00:02:07,085 and how they fit into the world and how they fit into the world
32 00:02:07,168 00:02:11,881 and how we can have a role in their existence and how we can have a role in their existence
33 00:02:11,965 00:02:16,803 and how we can help their existence, or, just what their conservation means. and how we can help their existence, or, just what their conservation means.
34 00:02:16,886 00:02:19,306 If you want to really delve into that, If you want to really delve into that,
35 00:02:19,389 00:02:22,600 there are some great resources out there like wolf.org there are some great resources out there like wolf.org
36 00:02:22,684 00:02:25,687 where you can find out information. where you can find out information.
37 00:02:25,770 00:02:29,649 But, yeah, the wolf is an interesting creature But, yeah, the wolf is an interesting creature
38 00:02:29,733 00:02:36,614 because it creates such opposing forces in our world, our real world. because it creates such opposing forces in our world, our real world.
39 00:02:37,115 00:02:39,326 They are seen as an aggressive creature, They are seen as an aggressive creature,
40 00:02:39,409 00:02:41,703 and they're seen as a spiritual creature. and they're seen as a spiritual creature.
41 00:02:41,786 00:02:45,665 So, that's like the Force to me, light and dark. So, that's like the Force to me, light and dark.
42 00:02:46,458 00:02:49,085 And so much of that depends on our own point of view. And so much of that depends on our own point of view.
43 00:02:50,462 00:02:53,048 Zeb, I think he would be the least knowledgeable Zeb, I think he would be the least knowledgeable
44 00:02:53,131 00:02:54,758 of this whole thing with wolves, so, of this whole thing with wolves, so,
45 00:02:55,842 00:02:57,886 it's fun to play him a little comically. it's fun to play him a little comically.
46 00:02:59,554 00:03:01,723 And I love these wide vistas. And I love these wide vistas.
47 00:03:01,806 00:03:05,810 It's almost a sea of grass. It's almost a sea of grass.
48 00:03:05,894 00:03:11,024 This idea that they're going out into this vastness is always fun. This idea that they're going out into this vastness is always fun.
49 00:03:11,107 00:03:13,943 And now Ezra has his own kind of little language. And now Ezra has his own kind of little language.
50 00:03:14,027 00:03:15,236 That was a big moment 'cause That was a big moment 'cause
51 00:03:15,320 00:03:17,655 Hera had never put her goggles down until that moment. Hera had never put her goggles down until that moment.
52 00:03:17,989 00:03:20,116 We'd almost made it through the entire series without doing that, We'd almost made it through the entire series without doing that,
53 00:03:20,200 00:03:21,368 which would have been crazy. which would have been crazy.
54 00:03:23,536 00:03:24,996 It was very lucky that the wolf's head It was very lucky that the wolf's head
55 00:03:25,080 00:03:26,498 was big enough to actually pick Chopper up, was big enough to actually pick Chopper up,
56 00:03:27,165 00:03:30,085 so that was a fun thing, like a dog with a bone. so that was a fun thing, like a dog with a bone.
57 00:03:31,044 00:03:33,755 And then, this racing across the grass, And then, this racing across the grass,
58 00:03:33,838 00:03:36,383 which I had a couple different versions of, which I had a couple different versions of,
59 00:03:36,466 00:03:41,304 with dialogue here and there, a way to convey that they're moving swiftly, with dialogue here and there, a way to convey that they're moving swiftly,
60 00:03:43,014 00:03:46,434 that every one of the Rebels is now on board with this, that every one of the Rebels is now on board with this,
61 00:03:46,518 00:03:48,478 mainly because they're doing it for Kanan. mainly because they're doing it for Kanan.
62 00:03:49,646 00:03:52,774 So they're driven to some things that they might not normally do. So they're driven to some things that they might not normally do.
63 00:03:53,191 00:03:56,027 But they have no idea how deep this experience is about to get. But they have no idea how deep this experience is about to get.
64 00:03:56,986 00:04:03,493 And I wanted to play with this idea that the wolves are just so in tune And I wanted to play with this idea that the wolves are just so in tune
65 00:04:03,576 00:04:07,580 with the world around them that they can just glide with the world around them that they can just glide
66 00:04:07,872 00:04:09,082 right through the grass right through the grass
67 00:04:09,165 00:04:15,880 into the very fabric of matter in the universe here, into the very fabric of matter in the universe here,
68 00:04:16,339 00:04:20,385 and that our characters, if they're open to it just a little bit, and that our characters, if they're open to it just a little bit,
69 00:04:20,468 00:04:23,763 they're just swept up in this, this shot in particular, they're just swept up in this, this shot in particular,
70 00:04:23,847 00:04:26,182 where they just disappear under the grass, where they just disappear under the grass,
71 00:04:26,474 00:04:28,184 like disappearing into water. like disappearing into water.
72 00:04:29,185 00:04:31,062 It became quite a technical thing to do, but it was important to get you to this, It became quite a technical thing to do, but it was important to get you to this,
73 00:04:31,062 00:04:34,816 It became quite a technical thing to do, but it was important to get you to this, It became quite a technical thing to do, but it was important to get you to this,
74 00:04:34,899 00:04:37,193 which I just had this feeling which I just had this feeling
75 00:04:37,277 00:04:40,864 that within the planet itself, are all these moments. that within the planet itself, are all these moments.
76 00:04:41,531 00:04:42,824 You're in this kind of more... You're in this kind of more...
77 00:04:43,992 00:04:47,620 You're either unconscious or incredibly conscious, I can't decide. You're either unconscious or incredibly conscious, I can't decide.
78 00:04:47,704 00:04:51,958 But the characters are hearing these things. But the characters are hearing these things.
79 00:04:52,375 00:04:54,043 They're passing through their mind. They're passing through their mind.
80 00:04:54,794 00:04:59,299 They're passing just out of what they know as what they would call real, They're passing just out of what they know as what they would call real,
81 00:05:00,300 00:05:03,219 these experiences, a lot surrounding Kanan. these experiences, a lot surrounding Kanan.
82 00:05:04,762 00:05:08,183 And we see Ahsoka there mainly to set up And we see Ahsoka there mainly to set up
83 00:05:08,266 00:05:12,437 the idea that she is going to be appearing in short order in the show. the idea that she is going to be appearing in short order in the show.
84 00:05:12,520 00:05:16,024 And so I worked in a couple references to Ahsoka. And so I worked in a couple references to Ahsoka.
85 00:05:16,107 00:05:17,984 It begins in the previous episode, actually, It begins in the previous episode, actually,
86 00:05:18,067 00:05:20,737 where Ezra meets the Dume wolf, where Ezra meets the Dume wolf,
87 00:05:20,820 00:05:21,905 and he brings up Ahsoka. and he brings up Ahsoka.
88 00:05:21,988 00:05:25,575 So you have to lay these things in slowly to prime the viewer So you have to lay these things in slowly to prime the viewer
89 00:05:25,658 00:05:26,951 that this is going to happen, that this is going to happen,
90 00:05:27,494 00:05:29,412 this character will appear, and who is she? this character will appear, and who is she?
91 00:05:30,914 00:05:36,002 This, like waking up from a dream, I think, is an important moment as well. This, like waking up from a dream, I think, is an important moment as well.
92 00:05:36,377 00:05:39,923 Our characters have taken this step into a larger world. Our characters have taken this step into a larger world.
93 00:05:41,716 00:05:47,430 This all just, I thought, worked really wonderfully and really conveyed This all just, I thought, worked really wonderfully and really conveyed
94 00:05:47,514 00:05:49,849 what I was after in the story. what I was after in the story.
95 00:05:51,851 00:05:53,937 And you have a range within the characters, I think, And you have a range within the characters, I think,
96 00:05:54,020 00:05:56,022 of how much they're willing to believe any of this, of how much they're willing to believe any of this,
97 00:05:56,481 00:05:57,857 or how much they even understand it. or how much they even understand it.
98 00:05:57,941 00:05:59,776 I don't think most of them understand what's going on even. I don't think most of them understand what's going on even.
99 00:05:59,859 00:06:02,820 I don't think even Ezra understands what's truly going on here. I don't think even Ezra understands what's truly going on here.
100 00:06:03,696 00:06:06,324 But they're just giving in to this But they're just giving in to this
101 00:06:08,117 00:06:12,872 kind of spiritual journey because it's for their friend Kanan, kind of spiritual journey because it's for their friend Kanan,
102 00:06:12,956 00:06:16,876 and this is more a step in his world as a Jedi and this is more a step in his world as a Jedi
103 00:06:18,461 00:06:19,879 of the world of being more connected of the world of being more connected
104 00:06:19,963 00:06:24,133 to things, the world of impossible things. So... to things, the world of impossible things. So...
105 00:06:25,385 00:06:28,721 And these are my leanings as a storyteller, I guess, too. And these are my leanings as a storyteller, I guess, too.
106 00:06:30,890 00:06:33,351 Now this reveal, there had been an idea, Now this reveal, there had been an idea,
107 00:06:33,601 00:06:35,937 ever since, when I designed the Jedi Temple, ever since, when I designed the Jedi Temple,
108 00:06:36,020 00:06:38,231 I knew it raised and lowered from the ground, I knew it raised and lowered from the ground,
109 00:06:38,314 00:06:42,235 so I'd always had this instinct that we should at some point excavate it. so I'd always had this instinct that we should at some point excavate it.
110 00:06:42,318 00:06:46,364 And Henry and I had talked about an excavation of the temple And Henry and I had talked about an excavation of the temple
111 00:06:46,447 00:06:47,949 as early as Season 2. as early as Season 2.
112 00:06:49,409 00:06:51,619 But we'd never really hit upon the right thing. But we'd never really hit upon the right thing.
113 00:06:51,911 00:06:53,746 What's inside the temple? What's inside the temple? What's inside the temple? What's inside the temple?
114 00:06:53,830 00:06:54,998 It's always... It's always...
115 00:06:55,123 00:06:58,167 The first instinct of everybody is, "It's a weapon of some kind." The first instinct of everybody is, "It's a weapon of some kind."
116 00:06:59,419 00:07:02,964 Is it some kind of lightsaber? Is it... You know, what is it? Is it some kind of lightsaber? Is it... You know, what is it?
117 00:07:03,047 00:07:04,173 It's always something physical. It's always something physical.
118 00:07:04,257 00:07:07,176 And in the end, I didn't want to do any of that. And in the end, I didn't want to do any of that.
119 00:07:07,260 00:07:08,803 There wasn't anything that we could come up with There wasn't anything that we could come up with
120 00:07:08,886 00:07:13,641 that wouldn't seem a bit cliché, that wouldn't seem a bit cliché,
121 00:07:14,350 00:07:15,685 another holocron. another holocron.
122 00:07:16,894 00:07:21,274 It really is about the experience that Ezra has, It really is about the experience that Ezra has,
123 00:07:21,357 00:07:23,568 and the idea isn't that there's anything in the temple, and the idea isn't that there's anything in the temple,
124 00:07:23,651 00:07:26,279 but the temple itself is what's important, but the temple itself is what's important,
125 00:07:26,362 00:07:30,783 and the ability to enter into this world of gateways, and the ability to enter into this world of gateways,
126 00:07:30,867 00:07:32,827 this world of possibilities, this world of possibilities,
127 00:07:32,910 00:07:36,831 and what that could mean powerfully for good or evil, again. and what that could mean powerfully for good or evil, again.
128 00:07:36,914 00:07:39,375 So it's better when it's not something you expect, So it's better when it's not something you expect,
129 00:07:39,459 00:07:42,920 or something that's, I think, an object. or something that's, I think, an object.
130 00:07:43,713 00:07:50,553 Very simply, it's just too often the case. Very simply, it's just too often the case.
131 00:07:50,637 00:07:52,555 And we've done it quite a bit on this show. And we've done it quite a bit on this show.
132 00:07:53,097 00:07:54,098 In the last season, In the last season,
133 00:07:54,182 00:07:57,018 everything had to be a bit different and be a bit more meaningful. everything had to be a bit different and be a bit more meaningful.
134 00:07:57,769 00:07:59,771 And so, we found a way, I think, to do that. And so, we found a way, I think, to do that.
135 00:07:59,854 00:08:01,522 But that was a discovery process. But that was a discovery process.
136 00:08:03,232 00:08:06,653 The two-part arc of this episode and the next were... The two-part arc of this episode and the next were...
137 00:08:07,070 00:08:10,239 In the beginning it was one episode, and I actually had to split it in two In the beginning it was one episode, and I actually had to split it in two
138 00:08:10,323 00:08:12,992 because it took me the effort of one episode because it took me the effort of one episode
139 00:08:13,076 00:08:14,744 just to figure out how to open the door. just to figure out how to open the door.
140 00:08:15,286 00:08:19,749 It had to be a difficult task, and even then, to me, It had to be a difficult task, and even then, to me,
141 00:08:19,832 00:08:23,336 sometimes seems a bit too easy, how they figure out how to get in there. sometimes seems a bit too easy, how they figure out how to get in there.
142 00:08:24,504 00:08:30,718 Just for film buffs, there's probably some obvious influence from films Just for film buffs, there's probably some obvious influence from films
143 00:08:30,802 00:08:34,722 like Close Encounters going on in this episode, like Close Encounters going on in this episode,
144 00:08:34,806 00:08:37,183 a film that resonates within me. a film that resonates within me.
145 00:08:38,685 00:08:45,066 I just really enjoy it and the way they have Devils Tower, I just really enjoy it and the way they have Devils Tower,
146 00:08:46,693 00:08:49,904 the little setup. I took some inspiration from that. the little setup. I took some inspiration from that.
147 00:08:51,197 00:08:57,245 I just enjoy these... I spent a lot of time as a kid in museums growing up. I just enjoy these... I spent a lot of time as a kid in museums growing up.
148 00:08:58,162 00:09:01,833 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a lot of great museums, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a lot of great museums,
149 00:09:01,916 00:09:05,712 and I spent a lot of time there looking at artwork, and I spent a lot of time there looking at artwork,
150 00:09:05,795 00:09:09,006 looking at ancient ruins, looking at things from the past, looking at ancient ruins, looking at things from the past,
151 00:09:09,090 00:09:13,594 and history, and science, and so, and history, and science, and so,
152 00:09:13,970 00:09:18,599 maybe that's influenced a bit of what draws my attention to a story like this. maybe that's influenced a bit of what draws my attention to a story like this.
153 00:09:18,683 00:09:23,938 But Malcolm McDowell here was fantastic as Hydan. But Malcolm McDowell here was fantastic as Hydan.
154 00:09:25,606 00:09:28,192 I've been familiar with his work over the years, I've been familiar with his work over the years,
155 00:09:28,276 00:09:32,488 and I thought it'd be really fun to have him playing this kind of villain and I thought it'd be really fun to have him playing this kind of villain
156 00:09:32,572 00:09:35,116 that we haven't really had much of before. that we haven't really had much of before.
157 00:09:35,742 00:09:37,452 He's a little more of an intellectual. He's a little more of an intellectual.
158 00:09:37,535 00:09:39,454 There's nothing really physical about him as a villain. There's nothing really physical about him as a villain.
159 00:09:39,954 00:09:42,957 He's gonna try to out think you. He's gonna try to out think you.
160 00:09:44,125 00:09:45,793 He's a little more evil for it He's a little more evil for it
161 00:09:47,962 00:09:50,173 'cause you can't underestimate him. 'cause you can't underestimate him.
162 00:09:51,340 00:09:55,928 The old mind trick, always a good one. Ezra's gotten a lot better at it. The old mind trick, always a good one. Ezra's gotten a lot better at it.
163 00:09:57,054 00:09:58,181 (CHUCKLES) (CHUCKLES)
164 00:09:59,307 00:10:02,643 These troopers, there's so much debate over if they should actually speak These troopers, there's so much debate over if they should actually speak
165 00:10:03,603 00:10:06,439 in actual words or not, or just their coded messages. in actual words or not, or just their coded messages.
166 00:10:06,564 00:10:08,608 But I'll let the debate rage on. But I'll let the debate rage on.
167 00:10:09,484 00:10:11,486 I had a story to tell, so they needed to speak English. I had a story to tell, so they needed to speak English.
168 00:10:11,569 00:10:13,696 It's pretty... Sometimes the decisions It's pretty... Sometimes the decisions
169 00:10:13,780 00:10:16,240 are about as simple as that, I have to tell you. are about as simple as that, I have to tell you.
170 00:10:17,658 00:10:21,120 One of the exciting things in this episode, for me, One of the exciting things in this episode, for me,
171 00:10:21,204 00:10:24,499 was getting to work with Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine. was getting to work with Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine.
172 00:10:24,582 00:10:28,252 And that was new, we did not have him in The Clone Wars. And that was new, we did not have him in The Clone Wars.
173 00:10:28,336 00:10:31,547 But we were able to secure him for Rebels, But we were able to secure him for Rebels,
174 00:10:31,631 00:10:35,551 which is a real great thing for us. which is a real great thing for us.
175 00:10:36,511 00:10:41,140 It's just something special to have more performance It's just something special to have more performance
176 00:10:41,349 00:10:44,936 from any of the original actors from the films, from any of the original actors from the films,
177 00:10:45,019 00:10:47,355 and he brings real gravitas to our show here. and he brings real gravitas to our show here.
178 00:10:47,355 00:10:50,149 And he brings real gravitas to our show here. And he brings real gravitas to our show here.
179 00:10:51,275 00:10:54,070 Also, I'm trying to connect a lot of threads Also, I'm trying to connect a lot of threads
180 00:10:54,153 00:10:58,199 from the different stories that I've been a part of over the years. from the different stories that I've been a part of over the years.
181 00:10:58,282 00:11:00,827 So the Mortis Gods coming into play So the Mortis Gods coming into play
182 00:11:00,910 00:11:04,288 is really giving you a look back into Clone Wars is really giving you a look back into Clone Wars
183 00:11:04,372 00:11:07,708 and some earlier experiences of Anakin and Obi-Wan and their adventures. and some earlier experiences of Anakin and Obi-Wan and their adventures.
184 00:11:09,126 00:11:13,840 I think that's fun for the people that have been watching these shows I think that's fun for the people that have been watching these shows
185 00:11:13,923 00:11:17,468 for a while. And yet, if you've never seen any of that, for a while. And yet, if you've never seen any of that,
186 00:11:17,552 00:11:22,640 it just sets up this idea of an ancient civilization, which I also think is fun. it just sets up this idea of an ancient civilization, which I also think is fun.
187 00:11:22,723 00:11:25,017 You don't have to go back and watch those episodes. You don't have to go back and watch those episodes.
188 00:11:25,518 00:11:28,020 They don't really play a part in what's going on here. They don't really play a part in what's going on here.
189 00:11:28,104 00:11:33,943 But if you know them, you can understand the story on perhaps a deeper level. But if you know them, you can understand the story on perhaps a deeper level.
190 00:11:35,111 00:11:40,992 The Emperor, so evil for having Ian portraying him once again, The Emperor, so evil for having Ian portraying him once again,
191 00:11:41,534 00:11:44,662 and as you know, by the end I was able to have him even portray and as you know, by the end I was able to have him even portray
192 00:11:45,830 00:11:49,667 the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, not just the evil Emperor Palpatine, the Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, not just the evil Emperor Palpatine,
193 00:11:49,750 00:11:52,753 which is, I think, again, fun for him to do. which is, I think, again, fun for him to do.
194 00:11:53,504 00:11:55,756 This was a very important moment. This was a very important moment.
195 00:11:57,049 00:11:59,302 Kanan is not a Force ghost in this moment, Kanan is not a Force ghost in this moment,
196 00:11:59,385 00:12:03,514 it's not that kind of thing. This is a look inside Hera's mind, it's not that kind of thing. This is a look inside Hera's mind,
197 00:12:03,764 00:12:06,684 and how, up to this point, and how, up to this point,
198 00:12:06,767 00:12:12,565 she had never really felt the loss of someone like this. she had never really felt the loss of someone like this.
199 00:12:12,690 00:12:14,400 She had never really thought that She had never really thought that
200 00:12:16,235 00:12:20,656 they were ever going to fail or not come back from a mission. they were ever going to fail or not come back from a mission.
201 00:12:20,740 00:12:23,993 So now, the stakes going forward were so much higher So now, the stakes going forward were so much higher
202 00:12:24,076 00:12:27,830 because the reality is they can perish on these missions. because the reality is they can perish on these missions.
203 00:12:29,081 00:12:33,336 And I just thought it made a nice moment for her, And I just thought it made a nice moment for her,
204 00:12:33,669 00:12:37,590 to see that she's still thinking about Kanan, to see that she's still thinking about Kanan,
205 00:12:37,673 00:12:41,302 that she's being responsible then for these other people. that she's being responsible then for these other people.
206 00:12:43,638 00:12:44,764 You know... You know...
207 00:12:45,514 00:12:47,767 It gives you a powerful connection It gives you a powerful connection
208 00:12:47,850 00:12:51,854 between the two, even with him not there. between the two, even with him not there.
209 00:12:53,564 00:12:57,526 This is, again, just one of those moments This is, again, just one of those moments
210 00:12:57,944 00:13:01,822 where you just let the artwork kind of speak for you. where you just let the artwork kind of speak for you.
211 00:13:01,906 00:13:06,827 And I had drawn up this kind of star chart And I had drawn up this kind of star chart
212 00:13:06,911 00:13:09,080 with the Mortis Gods in the middle and just... with the Mortis Gods in the middle and just...
213 00:13:09,997 00:13:11,958 Kilian Plunkett did an incredible job Kilian Plunkett did an incredible job
214 00:13:12,041 00:13:15,628 at bringing that to life in a spectacular way. at bringing that to life in a spectacular way.
215 00:13:17,588 00:13:22,385 I love these constellation maps and star charts. I love these constellation maps and star charts.
216 00:13:22,718 00:13:28,015 There's something amazing about them. I've used them in Clone Wars. There's something amazing about them. I've used them in Clone Wars.
217 00:13:28,724 00:13:32,645 There's a fantastic map in the movie Time Bandits. There's a fantastic map in the movie Time Bandits.
218 00:13:33,020 00:13:38,985 There's just... There's something really inspirational for me There's just... There's something really inspirational for me
219 00:13:39,068 00:13:42,780 about this idea of traveling between the stars about this idea of traveling between the stars
220 00:13:42,863 00:13:45,533 and secret maps and secret ways and secret maps and secret ways
221 00:13:46,659 00:13:48,703 whether it be secret doors in a house, whether it be secret doors in a house,
222 00:13:48,786 00:13:54,625 or ways into the wood between the worlds in Narnia, or ways into the wood between the worlds in Narnia,
223 00:13:54,709 00:13:56,877 or through the wardrobe itself. or through the wardrobe itself.
224 00:13:58,629 00:14:01,924 I think it's something that kids really understand. I think it's something that kids really understand.
225 00:14:02,008 00:14:05,803 You travel through a thicket in the woods You travel through a thicket in the woods
226 00:14:05,886 00:14:08,472 and you come out the other side in a fantastic kingdom. and you come out the other side in a fantastic kingdom.
227 00:14:08,556 00:14:13,811 There's just these ways of moving through time and space There's just these ways of moving through time and space
228 00:14:13,894 00:14:20,026 that are quite magical and hidden and in our subconscious, really, that are quite magical and hidden and in our subconscious, really,
229 00:14:20,401 00:14:21,819 to believe in, so... to believe in, so...
230 00:14:23,029 00:14:27,241 Here, the kids are trying to figure out this puzzle, Here, the kids are trying to figure out this puzzle,
231 00:14:27,992 00:14:30,327 (LAUGHS) and very much I was trying to figure out (LAUGHS) and very much I was trying to figure out
232 00:14:30,411 00:14:31,912 how this all worked as well. how this all worked as well.
233 00:14:31,996 00:14:36,208 It had to be, as I've said, believable, difficult, It had to be, as I've said, believable, difficult,
234 00:14:36,292 00:14:38,544 but also easy to understand, but also easy to understand,
235 00:14:38,961 00:14:43,257 so that the audience can be right with them as they're figuring it out. so that the audience can be right with them as they're figuring it out.
236 00:14:44,884 00:14:47,720 It can't be something that's too obvious, It can't be something that's too obvious,
237 00:14:48,554 00:14:51,557 but it has to be just on that edge of understanding. but it has to be just on that edge of understanding.
238 00:14:51,640 00:14:53,434 And if somebody said, "Well, how did they figure it out?" And if somebody said, "Well, how did they figure it out?"
239 00:14:53,517 00:14:56,145 Hopefully somebody else in the room is getting it. Hopefully somebody else in the room is getting it.
240 00:14:57,271 00:15:04,111 I'd wanted to implement 2D animation for a long time in one of our shows, I'd wanted to implement 2D animation for a long time in one of our shows,
241 00:15:04,195 00:15:09,742 and my friends over at Ghostbot Animation did a great job and my friends over at Ghostbot Animation did a great job
242 00:15:09,825 00:15:15,122 at making these paintings come to life in a wonderful way. at making these paintings come to life in a wonderful way.
243 00:15:15,206 00:15:17,208 They've really stayed true to the artwork, They've really stayed true to the artwork,
244 00:15:17,958 00:15:18,542 and it's just a bizarre, and it's just a bizarre,
245 00:15:18,542 00:15:22,546 and it's just a bizarre, and it's just a bizarre,
246 00:15:23,255 00:15:26,467 wonderful moment when these things start moving, and... wonderful moment when these things start moving, and...
247 00:15:27,885 00:15:28,928 Just kind of... Just kind of...
248 00:15:29,011 00:15:32,598 Again, it's nothing that we've done before visually, Again, it's nothing that we've done before visually,
249 00:15:32,681 00:15:35,810 and I liked the opportunity to do that. and I liked the opportunity to do that.
250 00:15:37,603 00:15:41,524 So here, you know, is some explaining, but I think if you're drawn in enough, So here, you know, is some explaining, but I think if you're drawn in enough,
251 00:15:41,607 00:15:43,943 you really enjoy the explanation. you really enjoy the explanation.
252 00:15:44,485 00:15:49,281 I rewrote this so many times to make it work. I rewrote this so many times to make it work.
253 00:15:49,365 00:15:50,658 I had it working a couple different ways I had it working a couple different ways
254 00:15:50,741 00:15:52,910 and thought, "That's not complex enough, " and thought, "That's not complex enough, "
255 00:15:52,993 00:15:57,331 so again, if you're wondering, yes, a lot of work goes into this so again, if you're wondering, yes, a lot of work goes into this
256 00:15:57,414 00:16:03,003 and it is a challenge, as you're constantly running out of time and it is a challenge, as you're constantly running out of time
257 00:16:03,420 00:16:05,089 to try to figure out how to make this work. to try to figure out how to make this work.
258 00:16:05,673 00:16:07,800 I had longer versions of all these scenes, I had longer versions of all these scenes,
259 00:16:07,883 00:16:12,638 but you gotta distill it down into what's going to work here. but you gotta distill it down into what's going to work here.
260 00:16:12,721 00:16:15,975 You need tension between the guards coming and discovering them, You need tension between the guards coming and discovering them,
261 00:16:16,058 00:16:18,144 and Ezra actually figuring out how to open the door. and Ezra actually figuring out how to open the door.
262 00:16:19,562 00:16:21,897 So, this is just a fun adventure. So, this is just a fun adventure.
263 00:16:21,981 00:16:26,235 I really looked forward to writing this episode the whole season. I really looked forward to writing this episode the whole season.
264 00:16:26,986 00:16:31,740 It feels like something I've been trying to say for a long time, It feels like something I've been trying to say for a long time,
265 00:16:31,824 00:16:37,538 and the team just brought it all together so beautifully. and the team just brought it all together so beautifully.
266 00:16:38,956 00:16:42,042 I really enjoy these episodes. I really enjoy these episodes.
267 00:16:42,751 00:16:47,506 This kind of banter here is a bit tricky with the stormtroopers, too. This kind of banter here is a bit tricky with the stormtroopers, too.
268 00:16:48,757 00:16:50,801 The stormtroopers are all very methodical, The stormtroopers are all very methodical,
269 00:16:50,885 00:16:55,723 and they're dealing with reports and what would sound like paperwork, and they're dealing with reports and what would sound like paperwork,
270 00:16:55,806 00:16:58,517 and they have codes for everything, and they have codes for everything,
271 00:16:58,893 00:17:05,733 (LAUGHS) the complete opposite of a more artistic-minded community. (LAUGHS) the complete opposite of a more artistic-minded community.
272 00:17:06,275 00:17:10,571 Certainly it's a challenge for me to write all this bizarre dialogue, Certainly it's a challenge for me to write all this bizarre dialogue,
273 00:17:12,865 00:17:16,035 about military matters or archaeological digs, about military matters or archaeological digs,
274 00:17:17,369 00:17:19,163 but I think it comes across well, but I think it comes across well,
275 00:17:19,246 00:17:23,250 and Sabine is using her own mind to deceive these guys, and Sabine is using her own mind to deceive these guys,
276 00:17:23,334 00:17:24,752 to draw attention away from Ezra. to draw attention away from Ezra.
277 00:17:25,002 00:17:30,216 Very sacrificial here, very self-sacrificing to draw them away. Very sacrificial here, very self-sacrificing to draw them away.
278 00:17:30,299 00:17:33,886 Matt Wood, not very happy about Matt Wood, not very happy about
279 00:17:35,721 00:17:38,349 filling out his own report there as a stormtrooper. filling out his own report there as a stormtrooper.
280 00:17:38,641 00:17:42,394 He had a very funny line that we left in there. He had a very funny line that we left in there.
281 00:17:42,478 00:17:43,938 Matt, he's a good stormtrooper. Matt, he's a good stormtrooper.
282 00:17:45,022 00:17:47,983 But here's the moment where the painting comes to life, But here's the moment where the painting comes to life,
283 00:17:48,067 00:17:50,653 and this kind of stuff just really captivates me. and this kind of stuff just really captivates me.
284 00:17:52,446 00:17:56,867 It could have been more complex... If we were blowing this out in a movie, It could have been more complex... If we were blowing this out in a movie,
285 00:17:56,951 00:18:01,163 I would make this a lot more complex, not change the detailed elements of it, I would make this a lot more complex, not change the detailed elements of it,
286 00:18:01,247 00:18:04,792 but have a lot more moving parts to this transformation. but have a lot more moving parts to this transformation.
287 00:18:04,875 00:18:08,587 But I have to accomplish everything within a certain amount of time, But I have to accomplish everything within a certain amount of time,
288 00:18:08,671 00:18:12,174 and I think this tells the story well enough. and I think this tells the story well enough.
289 00:18:12,675 00:18:16,178 We had to match all the continuity in the painting as it's moving. We had to match all the continuity in the painting as it's moving.
290 00:18:17,179 00:18:19,682 In the background of shots to make sure it all matches up. In the background of shots to make sure it all matches up.
291 00:18:21,100 00:18:23,352 I got wolves in here every possible way. I got wolves in here every possible way.
292 00:18:23,435 00:18:28,440 I got actual wolves, painted wolves, (CHUCKLES) there's all kinds. I got actual wolves, painted wolves, (CHUCKLES) there's all kinds.
293 00:18:28,607 00:18:34,989 This is the be-all for the wolves in Star Wars for me, I guess. This is the be-all for the wolves in Star Wars for me, I guess.
294 00:18:35,197 00:18:39,368 You gotta do this stuff when you can, and it made sense in the story, so... You gotta do this stuff when you can, and it made sense in the story, so...
295 00:18:41,161 00:18:42,997 I love as they're walking along the wall there. I love as they're walking along the wall there.
296 00:18:43,080 00:18:44,540 It's just interesting. It's just interesting.
297 00:18:45,291 00:18:49,211 We had a great planetarium, again, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania growing up, We had a great planetarium, again, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania growing up,
298 00:18:49,837 00:18:52,506 and the school used to always go there on field trips. and the school used to always go there on field trips.
299 00:18:52,673 00:18:58,470 All this stuff must be bounced around in my head, and years later, (CHUCKLES) All this stuff must be bounced around in my head, and years later, (CHUCKLES)
300 00:18:58,554 00:19:01,765 It comes out in a Star Wars episode, which is kind of fascinating. It comes out in a Star Wars episode, which is kind of fascinating.
301 00:19:03,434 00:19:05,561 Again, trying to play a little humor in here, Again, trying to play a little humor in here,
302 00:19:05,644 00:19:08,981 especially with Zeb having eyes on the scene, especially with Zeb having eyes on the scene,
303 00:19:10,733 00:19:14,194 just to, if you're not believing in this all the way, just to, if you're not believing in this all the way,
304 00:19:14,278 00:19:15,946 then you're more on Zeb's side of things. then you're more on Zeb's side of things.
305 00:19:17,323 00:19:20,784 But just coming up with these magic moments, But just coming up with these magic moments,
306 00:19:22,244 00:19:28,167 I was describing this to the team when I pitched this whole episode, I was describing this to the team when I pitched this whole episode,
307 00:19:28,250 00:19:31,086 I was like, I felt like Indiana Jones I was like, I felt like Indiana Jones
308 00:19:31,170 00:19:33,005 explaining how the Ark of the Covenant works explaining how the Ark of the Covenant works
309 00:19:33,088 00:19:35,049 to those government officials. to those government officials.
310 00:19:35,132 00:19:38,469 I had a big whiteboard at the story meeting, I had a big whiteboard at the story meeting,
311 00:19:38,552 00:19:39,970 and Kiri Hart was there, and Kiri Hart was there,
312 00:19:40,054 00:19:43,849 and Carrie Beck was there, Henry, and Steve Melching, and Carrie Beck was there, Henry, and Steve Melching,
313 00:19:43,932 00:19:48,645 and I'm just describing this whole episode front-to-back, and I'm just describing this whole episode front-to-back,
314 00:19:48,729 00:19:53,484 I had diagrams of this Jedi Temple, and how they'd excavated, I had diagrams of this Jedi Temple, and how they'd excavated,
315 00:19:53,567 00:19:55,694 and these moving paintings are happening. and these moving paintings are happening.
316 00:19:55,778 00:20:02,368 And I can never tell in those meetings if they like what I'm saying, And I can never tell in those meetings if they like what I'm saying,
317 00:20:02,451 00:20:05,954 or if they're just like, " Just do it, or if they're just like, " Just do it,
318 00:20:06,205 00:20:08,040 "we know we can't stop you anyway." "we know we can't stop you anyway."
319 00:20:08,665 00:20:12,711 But they ask some great questions that get me thinking But they ask some great questions that get me thinking
320 00:20:13,379 00:20:19,802 on how to really solve for all of this and make it better. on how to really solve for all of this and make it better.
321 00:20:19,885 00:20:22,012 I mean, that's what the team effort is for. I mean, that's what the team effort is for.
322 00:20:22,096 00:20:24,765 You're a group trying to figure out these problems, You're a group trying to figure out these problems,
323 00:20:24,848 00:20:30,396 and you're a group trying to make these stories come across as best they can. and you're a group trying to make these stories come across as best they can.
324 00:20:30,938 00:20:35,025 That's why I tell these stories quite often to the crew working on them. That's why I tell these stories quite often to the crew working on them.
325 00:20:35,109 00:20:39,655 I work out a lot of problems talking with them and throwing ideas at them. I work out a lot of problems talking with them and throwing ideas at them.
326 00:20:40,781 00:20:42,366 I'll give them movies to watch. I'll give them movies to watch.
327 00:20:43,367 00:20:46,120 Just so we're all on the same page telling this story. Just so we're all on the same page telling this story.
328 00:20:48,247 00:20:52,543 There we are, look, I got a magic door with running wolves, There we are, look, I got a magic door with running wolves,
329 00:20:52,626 00:20:54,920 which is kind of fascinating. which is kind of fascinating.
330 00:20:55,003 00:20:58,465 But this was great effects that Joel and the team were doing, But this was great effects that Joel and the team were doing,
331 00:20:59,800 00:21:05,681 preparing you for the mystery of this gateway, whatever that means, preparing you for the mystery of this gateway, whatever that means,
332 00:21:06,557 00:21:10,269 as we're about to leap into the unknown. And who doesn't want to do that? as we're about to leap into the unknown. And who doesn't want to do that?
333 00:21:10,936 00:21:13,522 That's one of the bravest things that you can do is, That's one of the bravest things that you can do is,
334 00:21:14,523 00:21:20,154 just leap of faith through the material just leap of faith through the material
335 00:21:20,571 00:21:21,989 into the immaterial. into the immaterial.
336 00:21:22,739 00:21:25,576 It's practically like a Buckaroo Banzai thing in that moment, It's practically like a Buckaroo Banzai thing in that moment,
337 00:21:25,659 00:21:29,455 if you're familiar, but that's probably out of reach for some people. if you're familiar, but that's probably out of reach for some people.
338 00:21:29,746 00:21:33,584 But there you go. Well, that's a look at Wolves and a Door, But there you go. Well, that's a look at Wolves and a Door,
339 00:21:33,667 00:21:34,293 which is one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoyed it. which is one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoyed it.
340 00:21:34,293 00:21:36,420 Which is one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoyed it. Which is one of my favorite episodes. I hope you enjoyed it.
341 00:21:37,421 00:21:40,382 And I hope that you learned something maybe a little bit more, And I hope that you learned something maybe a little bit more,
342 00:21:40,924 00:21:43,385 with some insight into that particular episode. with some insight into that particular episode.
343 00:21:44,136 00:21:45,304 It's very fun to make, It's very fun to make,
344 00:21:45,387 00:21:50,142 and thank you very much for watching more of Star Wars Rebels. and thank you very much for watching more of Star Wars Rebels.
345 00:21:50,559 00:21:53,145 And, as always, may the Force be with you. And, as always, may the Force be with you.
346 00:21:53,228 00:21:55,230 (THEME MUSIC PLAYING) (THEME MUSIC PLAYING)