Star Wars is Here!

Although just the tip of the iceberg of David West Reynold’s Star Wars collection, the exhibit currently on display at the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library tells the story of the history of the film franchise and Reynolds’ own life journey. On display are a handful of Star Wars toys, games, and promotional material released for the original Star Wars film in 1977. While a student at Scribner Middle School, Reynolds made many stop-motion movies with these toys that were showcased in the library auditorium. Also dating to this period is a sketch Reynolds made in class of what he imagined the interior of a lightsaber might look like.

Fast forward twenty years later and Reynolds – while finishing up his PhD in archaeology – went on an expedition to Tunisia in North Africa to the original filming locations of Star Wars where he uncovered numerous lost props and film sites. Some of these props – such as the bone of a giant sand worm or pieces of Luke Skywalker’s house – are also on display.

Reynolds’ publication of his findings in Star Wars Insider got him a job with Lucasfilm – George Lucas’ film production company – which was then working on the production of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Reynolds became a location scout for that film and then worked for the company for years, publishing several Star Wars books. Stop by the exhibit to see a stormtrooper helmet created specifically for the publication of the Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary, a piece of the original Death Star, and the enormous electronic Millennium Falcon released by the Hasbro toy company and modeled after Reynolds’ design for the Falcon in Star Wars: Incredible Cross-Sections. Also check out the cutaway display of the lightsaber for The Visual Dictionary – it’s nearly identical to the sketch Reynolds made at Scribner.

Reynolds has worked a variety of jobs outside of Lucasfilm, including working on paleontological digs and for NASA. Recently he’s written and directed a documentary about his expedition into Tunisia twenty years ago – a film he’ll be presenting himself at the library Saturday, March 17 at 3 PM as part of the Star Wars Day celebration. Drop in anytime between 1-3 PM for the Star Wars party. There will be various activities and games for all ages including a stop-motion makerspace where you can make your own Star Wars movies. There will also be a representative from the L.A.R.P.ing group Amtgard leading a lightsaber dueling station as well as a host of professionally costumed characters from the 501^st Legion of Stormtroopers and more!

Check out these books by David West Reynolds at the library: