Creating the Original Stormtrooper Mask
A step by step guide to the creation of the original Stormtrooper by prop maker Andrew Ainsworth. In 1976 at Shepperton Design Studios Ainsworth created the original Stormtrooper helmets and armor for the first Star Wars movie, A New Hope.
More recently, he had a 5 year battle with Lucasfilm Ltd. over who has the right to sell Stormtrooper helmets. Lucasfilm tried to stop him, saying the helmets were protected by copyright laws. The UK supreme court ruled in favor of Ainsworth.
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The original HDPE helmets on the pavement at Shepperton Design Studios
Ainsworth didnt even design the helmet. he just made it according to the designs. a miracle win in the courts, not even the “artist” was expecting that one
Wow, was there anything on the periodic table ‘ol Andrew didn’t expose himself too? The guy never used a respirator and only put a single glove on at 7:34 because the plastic was a little warm.
I don’t know all the details of the case, but that is pretty beat that he won, not being the designer.
It’s sad to see this video being shown on the internet and people believing Ainsworth’s account of designing and sculpting the Stormtrooper armour and helmet.
It was proven in court that the armour was sculpted by Brian Muir (sculptor of the infamous Darth Vader) and there was a clay sculpt of the helmet produced by Liz Moore. Unfortunately the credit for the helmet was incorrectly given to Nick Pemberton.
There was a talented team of artists who were responsible for the creation of the Stormtrooper. From George Lucas’s original concept, Ralph McQuarrie’s incredible paintings, John Barry – designer, John Mollo – wardrobe, Liz Moore – sculptor, Brian Muir – sculptor and the studio mould makers and plasterers.
Ainsworth was given the tools to pull on. He was and is a vacuum former. He continues to lie about his involvement in the making of the Stormtrooper and sadly the truth that was shown in the court case and the judgement has not been published only Ainsworth’s spin on the case.