Dave Filoni

Dave Filoni
Dave Filoni at the Star Wars Weekends
Born Dave Filoni
(1974-06-07) June 7, 1974
Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Nationality American
Alma mater Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Occupation Animation director, voice actor, writer, television producer and animator
Years active 1997-present
Known for Avatar: The Last Airbender
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars Rebels

Dave Filoni (born June 7, 1974) is an American animation director, voice actor, television writer, television producer, film director, and animator. He is most known for his work on Avatar: The Last Airbender and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He is also an executive producer on Star Wars Rebels for all seasons, and for the first 2 seasons he served as its supervising director. Justin Ridge succeeded him as supervising director in September 2016 when Filoni accepted a promotion to oversee all of Lucasfilm Animation projects.[1]

Early life

Dave Filoni grew up in Mt. Lebanon, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the Mt. Lebanon High School in 1992 and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1996.[2] Dave's father was an opera and a classical music fan, according to composer Kevin Kiner (who did most of the music for Filoni's Star Wars animated series The Clone Wars and Rebels); as such, he inherited appreciation for classical music and helped with the collaboration process, with Kiner crediting Dave for suggesting the organ in Grand Admiral Thrawn's theme from Rebels.[3] Filoni has also said that his grandfather and uncle were pilots, with the latter specializing in restoring planes. He cited this as a significant influence with regards to the concept of Star Wars Resistance.[4]

Early career

Prior to his work with Lucasfilm Animation, Filoni worked for Nickelodeon directing episodes of the first season of animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Star Wars

An avid Star Wars fan particularly of character Plo Koon, Filoni dressed up as the Jedi Master for the opening of Revenge of the Sith, and was dismayed at the character's fate in the film. Filoni left Nickelodeon after George Lucas offered him a job, helping him develop a Star Wars animated series. Whilst on The Star Wars Show Filoni revealed that he originally believed he was being pranked when given the Star Wars job.[5]

Directing

He is the director of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated feature film, and the supervising director of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series.

Filoni made an appearance at Celebration IV on Sunday, May 28, 2007 with producer Catherine Winder in the Celebration Theater (Room 408AB), to discuss the beginnings of the new television series and reveal how The Clone Wars is being created. At the time, he announced he would be writing for the Clone Wars monthly comic. Filoni voices the bounty hunter Embo during various episodes in different seasons. In February 2009, Filoni was inducted as an Honorary Member of the 501st Legion international costuming organization in recognition of his contributions to the continuing Star Wars saga.

Dave Filoni's office, as seen in the extra features on the Star Wars: The Clone Wars DVD, is filled with Plo Koon paraphernalia. He has a bust of Plo Koon's head, a model of Plo Koon's ship, an autographed portrait by the actor who played Plo Koon, a replica of Plo Koon's lightsaber on his desk, and his personal Plo Koon costume on display. Filoni also has a note book sized planner on his desk with Plo Koon's picture taped to the outside, and he has written the words "Plo Kool" on concept art designs for the Clone Wars, indicating that he liked those designs. Filoni also has a small model of the character Appa on his desk, from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Dave has attended all the Clone Wars premiers and attended the fifth season premiere in Orlando, Florida during the special event Celebration VI on August 24, 2012. He is the most associated with developing the characters of Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex.

Filoni is serving as an executive producer of Star Wars Rebels, which debuted in fall 2014, alongside Greg Weisman and Simon Kinberg.[6] For the first 2 seasons he also served as its supervising director. He appointed Justin Ridge as his successor for the remainder of the show, though he still remained as executive producer. Filoni departed as supervising director in September 2016 when he was given the job as overseer of all future and current Lucasfilm Animation projects.[7]

Voice acting

Dave Filoni provided the voice of the bounty hunter Embo in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. In the Star Wars Rebels season three episodes "The Holocrons of Fate" and "Legacy of Mandalore", Filoni voiced a Rebel Crewman, Stormtroopers, and Mandalorian Warrior, respectively. He also voiced Chopper for the entirety of the show.

Filmography

Year Film Credited as Episodes Directed Voice Role Notes
Director Writer Executive producer Voice Actor
1997-1999 King of the Hill No No No No Animation staff[8]
1999 Mission Hill No No No No
2001 The Oblongs No No No No
2002 Teamo Supremo No No No No
2003 Kim Possible No No No No
2005 American Dragon: Jake Long No No No No
The WIN Awards No No No No Animation director, TV Special
Avatar: The Last Airbender Yes No No No "Pilot", "The Boy in the Iceberg", "The Avatar Returns", "Imprisoned", "Jet", "The Blue Spirit", "The Fortuneteller", "The Northern Air Temple", "The Siege of the North, Part 2"
2008 Star Wars: The Clone Wars Yes No No No Supervising director
2008–present Star Wars: The Clone Wars Yes Yes No Yes "Rising Malevolence", "Lethal Trackdown", "Padawan Lost", "Wookiee Hunt", "A Friend in Need", "The Wrong Jedi", Embo (Season 2-5), Jakoli (Season 4), Spots Podal (Season 5)
2014-2018 Star Wars Rebels Yes Yes Yes Yes "Path of the Jedi", "Fire Across the Galaxy", "The Lost Commanders", "Twilight of the Apprentice", "Twin Suns" Chopper, Rebel Crewman, Stormtrooper Creator (based on characters by George Lucas), Supervising director (Season 1-2, 4), storyboard artist
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens No No No Yes Screaming Jakku villager Voice cameo[9]
2016 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story No No No Yes Chopper (uncredited voice cameo) Special thanks
2017-2018 Star Wars Forces of Destiny No No Yes Yes Uncredited additional direction and writing.
2018 Star Wars Resistance Yes Yes Creator (based on characters by George Lucas), developer, story
2019 The Mandalorian Yes Yes Directed first episode

References

  1. ↑ "Dave Filoni Now Overseeing Creative Development of New Lucasfilm Animation Projects". 26 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Owen, Rob (October 3, 2014). "Tuned In: Pittsburgh native delves into 'Star Wars' lore". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 11, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
  3. ↑ http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/star-wars-composer-kevin-kiner-on-following-in-john-williams-galactic-footsteps
  4. ↑ https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-resistance-set-for-fall-debut
  5. ↑ Star Wars (12 August 2016). "Dave Filoni Extended Interview - The Star Wars Show" – via YouTube.
  6. ↑ "'Star Wars Rebels' Renewal for Season 3 Confirmed; 2016 Premiere to Get Same Timeslot on Disney XD". Venture Capital Post. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
  7. ↑ "Report: Justin Ridge Replaces Dave Filoni as Supervising Director of 'Star Wars Rebels' (Updated!)".
  8. ↑ Star Wars (12 August 2016). "Dave Filoni Extended Interview - The Star Wars Show" – via YouTube.
  9. ↑ "From "Blast That X-wing!" to "Traitor!": The Voices of Star Wars: The Force Awakens - StarWars.com". 25 January 2016.
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