I don’t normally promote Kickstarter projects on the site, as so many people I know do them it’s next to impossible to pick and choose. However, this project is just so cool I can’t let it slip by without doing what I can to raise awareness here. Adam Parr and Carl Cunningham, formerly of StarWarsFan.org (1995-2005), along with John Klinger have compiled an amazing STAR WARS reference book that covers all the U.S. filming locations of the films in great detail, along with many non-filming SW-related locations like Mann’s Chinese Theatre, the Lucasfilm Presidio complex, Skywalker Ranch, Big Rock Ranch, the Hamburger Hamlet & more. The best part? They’ve been to all of these spots personally, did all the field work, all the photography, all the research, all the travel. The finished product is visually stunning, and a truly beautiful, definitive reference on the subject. These guys are proud of the end result, and who could blame them. They sent me several images to share with you all to give you an idea of what the book will look like.
We see new STAR WARS books all the time, but this one is by fans for fans, and let’s face it – it’s pretty darn cool. These guys are using crowdfunding to get the project going at full steam, and there’s still a few days left to donate. Throw in a few bucks, will ya? Whether you’re a Lucasfilm fan or just a fan of Sci-Fi, this is an admirable and worthy cause. You can find more info at their Kickstarter Page or their Facebook page.
Here’s an official synopsis of the project from Adam Parr (pictures below):
We launched a Kickstarter fundraising effort to help meet some of the production costs we’ve already encountered bringing this book to market. There are 5 days left in the 30-day Kickstarter campaign. If the total pledges meet or exceed the $9,000 goal by the deadline days, then all the backers’ pledges will be charged, and we’ll begin to fulfill the various reward packages that we’ve put together. We really need any & every bit of help to get this thing funded, and inject some capital into this fledgling company of ours. We’re offering signed books, signed location photo prints and signed location/scene artistic rendering prints as pledge rewards, along with a number of other cool items. Be sure to check them out on the Kickstarter page.
I’m asking for your help with getting the word out there about this book. This isn’t some half-assed effort that was slapped together over a couple of months using other peoples’ photos and research. This is the product of over ten years’ work. It will stand shoulder to shoulder with many of the other tremendous Star Wars reference books available today, in terms of both the exhaustive body of info it presents, as well as the visual beauty with which it presents the content. Initial reactions to the very first proof copy have been overwhelmingly positive. We’re confident that the fan community as a whole is going love it. I’m proud to say that our good friend Steve Sansweet, formerly of Lucafilm, is backing the project and is spreading the word as well.
You can find more info at their Kickstarter Page or their Facebook page.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
As someone who helped fund this project (thanks to you for pointing it out, Mark!) I’m happy to report it met its funding goal over the weekend. That said, there are still several cool perks available to anyone who wishes to keep the funding party going.