Jesse Jensen | Saesee Tiin | Star Wars

Jesse Jensen

Saesee Tiin (Attack of the Clones)

Interview: August 2010

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How did you get started in the movie business?

I was travelling the world when I was younger working all types of jobs and met some people that worked in the industry. When I visited them back in America got to spend some time on set with them and really liked what I saw especially the art department. I really enjoy working with my hands and designing things. Before working in the industry I was in construction, mainly Bar and Restaurant design. Anyways, upon getting back to Australia I moved to Sydney to get into the industry, first few jobs in the industry was parking cars and working in catering but with hard work and getting to know the right people. I was soon working in the art department on all the big movies.

You portrayed the Jedi Master Saesee Tiin in Episode II. How did you get this specific part?

I can thank my brother Zac for that opportunity. He had actually come down to Sydney to find some work and I helped get him a job working on Star Wars as a carpenter helping fit out different departments work areas. I was currently working in the Art Department building a space ship, the “Solar Sailer”. The guys in the creature department really liked Zac and next thing we knew he was playing a Jedi……..Saesee Tiin. I was pretty jealous but super happy for him, who doesn’t want to play a Jedi master? A week or so later George Lucas saw him cruising around set with his long dreadlocks and Kit Fisto was born. He then found out that he could no longer play Saesee Tiin as they were in the arena scene together. As we have similar face structures he was able to talk them into giving me a go at trying for the role as Saesee Tiin. I ran straight up from the art department, tried on the mask and it fit like a glove, so from then on I was Saesee Tiin and mum and dad had two Jedi in the family.

You were in the big arena fight scene with Samuel L. Jackson, Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen. Can you tell something about the filming of this scene?

Well, it was just a huge sand pit built in one of the larger sound stages, surrounded by green screens. In strategic spots they had basic platforms positioned to represent the shuttles we escaped in. It was a lot of fun, I was allowed to work with the more trained stunt guys as I had some experience in martial arts so could wield a lightsaber at a decent skill level. The AD’s pretended they were battle droids and we acted as if we were defecting lasers fired from them. At the end of the scene I had to leap up onto one of the platforms with the other surviving Jedi. Later on in CGI it was replaced with the shuttle.

Were there other scenes filmed with you that were cut from the final movie?

No, I did a few days filming but all in and around the arena scene.

How do you look at your character?

I like Saesee Tiin a lot, he may be not as “cool” as Kit Fisto but I like his background and abilities. His look is a little harsh, but I think he is a pretty good character to play. There are not many Jedi roles I would have chosen above him.

There must have happened strange, funny or remarkable things when filming. Can you tell something about these moments?

Not a lot to tell really. I know it was pretty exciting at the time to just be there and be involved. One funny moment was when Ewan McGregor’s family came to visit on set and he went to show them some of us characters in prosthetics. When they came over I said hello and the kids took one look at me and started to cry, with the yellow contacts in I do make for a pretty imposing figure. Zac and I also played a few minor background characters in other scenes such as the bar scene. In that scene I was standing next to and talking with a young girl who was also an extra and it turned out it was George Lucas’s daughter, that as a bit of a trip.

You were directed by George Lucas. How would you describe him?

He was very polite and respectful but at the same time knew exactly what he wanted. I really didn’t get much time with him but from what I saw a great guy.

You were young when the first Star Wars movie was released. I bet you had the toys as a kid? Or weren’t you a fan back then? If you were, what was it like to be on a Star Wars set?

Yeah, Zac and I were both huge fans as kids. I still remember going to watch the films in the local cinema as soon as they came out, then the next day making up our own lightsabers to play in the back yard. We had a bunch of the figurines as well. It was pretty amazing to be part of the Star Wars movies even behind the scenes, but once we lucked out with the roles of Jedi Masters it was amazing. We were on such a high at that time, felt a little like a dream, who ever expects to be a Jedi for real.

Over the years you have attended various conventions where you had the chance to meet the fans. What do you think of these events and how is it to meet all those fans who want you to sign photos, posters etcetera?

It’s great, I actually haven’t been able to attend that many conventions due to work commitments but the ones I have done have all been really enjoyable. It is great to be famous for a day, where people want your autograph and photos with you etc. All the fans are always so nice and polite, and in turn I try and give 100% back to them. It can get tiring but I always have a great time. I have not done one for years, I actually miss it as they are a lot of fun.

Besides Star Wars you are best known for the TV series Survivor. You are the Production Designer/Producer of this series and even got three Emmy Award nominations. What is it that makes this series so important for you? And why should everyone who reads this interview start to watch this series immediately?

I love working on the show mainly because it allows me to travel the world and settle into various places and cultures in remote areas for lengthy periods of time…..and get paid for it! We have a tight group of people working with us so it’s like one big family moving around to different countries making a TV show. As for watching it, if that’s your thing it’s a great show and we try to keep it as real as possible, what you see really happens and we don’t allow anything to break that reality behind the scenes. It’s a lot harder for those people out there than anyone could imagine.

Looking at the future: what are your current and upcoming projects?

I am currently in Nicaragua filming the next season of Survivor. After that I’m not sure, bit of a break then start working on the next Survivor I suppose, assuming it is picked up for another season. Can’t see why not though it’s been running now for 11 years and still going strong which is all good for me and the rest of the crew. Not sure what I’ll do when it’s all over but that’s part of the fun isn’t it!

If there is anything you want to say to the readers here’s your chance!

Thanks for all the support and may the force be with you all!

Kenji Oates interview | Saesee Tiin | Star Wars

For Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, the part of Jedi Saesee Tiin was played by Kenji Oates. Originally he isn't an actor and had a different job to do regarding this movie. In the following interview he tells everything about how he got involved and how he landed the part of Saesee Tiin.


How did you get started in the movie business?

Pure luck. A friend's boyfriend got a job doing IT for the Matrix sequels. They were looking for help doing a whole stack of network cabling and basic support. So I came on to do a couple of weeks of work, one thing led to another and I ended up staying for the duration. From there it was purely word of mouth, which is the way things seem to work in the movie business.

You portrayed the Jedi Master Saesee Tiin in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. How did you get this part?

Again pure luck and a lot of help from great people. My real job on Episode III was looking after the IT infrastructure for the production. It was a great job because it took me to every department, and I was on the film from very close to the start. This enabled me to meet a lot of great people. Some of those great people, and I never did find out who initiated it, decided that my face was the right structure to fit the already made Saesee Tiin mask (from Episode II). So it was suggested to the producer (Rick McCallum, I noticed you interviewed him as well, great, extraordinarily generous guy) and he said that it was fine as long as the costume and mask fit. Which they didn't. Luckily, the awesome guys in costume and creature shop just changed it all to make it fit.


Jedi attack: Kenji (left) as Saesee Tiin accompanies Agen Kolar, Mace Windu and Kit Fisto
You were in the fight scene with Samuel L. Jackson and Ian McDiarmid. Can you tell something about the filming of this scene?

Yeah that was pretty funny one. I'd had no performance experience before this, apart from the occasional speech in high school or university, and I think one scene before this, the council chamber, where I was just sitting there, so still that Ewan asked if I was OK.
I think the funniest part for me in filming that scene, was when the Emperor (and it was the Emperor, as he was fully kitted up and looked quite nasty) accidentally stepped on me midway through the scene, then after the shot, he came up to me (still the Emperor) and said with a Ian McDiarmid's perfectly nice elderly English gentleman's voice "oh I think I stepped on you back there, dreadfully sorry".

Were there other scenes filmed with you that were cut from the final movie?

I can only remember one, where we were walking toward the Emperor's chamber, just before the above. I feel like there was another one, but can't remember it.


Kenji on the set of Revenge of the Sith, along with Samuel L. Jackson and George Lucas
How do you look at your character?

Well… he's pretty ugly? I always liked the design of the bad guys when I was a kid (Transformers, GI Joe etc), but at heart felt like a good guy, so I suppose it's not bad to look like a bad guy, but be one of the good guys.

How was the atmosphere on the set?

I noticed Rick described it as military in his interview. I would agree, except that military implies that it was strict and disciplined. I didn't feel like it had that, I felt more like I was working with a great bunch of professionals who all wanted to get the job done right. Military implies to me that people took orders and followed them blindly, I felt like the crew were more autonomous and talented. Maybe military in the sort of guerilla warfare sense? It was definitely the best movie I've worked on. It was organized and done right, no massively long days or periods of extreme stress because things were planned and executed properly.

You were directed by George Lucas. How would you describe him?

Very quiet and focused. I would say quite introverted, definitely not flamboyant at all, but you can tell that he's constantly thinking. When you talk to him, it feels like you can see thoughts ticking along behind his eyes.

You have worked on the visual effects for another blockbuster: Superman Returns. Can you tell something about what you exactly did for that movie?

I was working with Rising Sun Pictures at that time, who were providing the previsualisation team. I helped set up the IT infrastructure and support for those guys, as well as for the guys who did some of the scenes from the film itself. I did similar work on some other films that shot (and didn't shoot) down here.


Saesee Tiin attacks Emperor Palpatine, who kills Agen Kolar
There has been criticism on the prequels; some people say that there is too many CGI in the movie. Since you’re someone who’s in the visual effects business I’d like to hear your opinion.

I think it was really a new style of movie, and maybe those people weren't ready for it. If you think about what made the original Star Wars movies so popular, the gritty, wild west reality of it, with busted up broken space ships etc, you can see how the completely unreal, shiny, almost cartoony quality of prequels could rub old fans the wrong way. I actually quite like the cartoony look, and the absolute freedom it gives the director to make the world look exactly as they like. The story that was being told would not be possible using any other method, so I think perhaps people's real argument is that they didn't like the style of the CGI, not that it was used.

Looking at the future: what are your current and upcoming projects?

I'm actually out of the film industry now and have moved over to my field of training which is engineering. I'm working in automation for theatre and opening ceremonies. The film world was fun, but very draining, and doesn't leave much time for other things in your life. Upcoming projects should be 2010 World Cup and Commonwealth Games with www.stage-one.co.uk

Final question: please finish the following sentence:

When I look back at my work on Star Wars …...... I feel extremely fortunate.

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