Clayton Sandell is one of the authors of the reference book Star Wars: Timelines[1] and behind-the-scenes books Star Wars: Return of the Jedi: A Visual Archive, and the upcoming Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: A Visual Archive.
Sandell is also a contributing feature writer for the websites of Industrial Light & Magic[2] and Skywalker Sound[3] and has written for StarWars.com[4].
As a Star Wars Celebration stage host, Sandell moderated the Lucasfilm Publishing "Manga Mania!"[5] panel on the Galaxy Stage in 2025 and the "Bringing Worlds to Life: The Concept Artists of ILM"[6] panel with guests Doug Chiang and Jason Horley in 2023.
At ABC News, Sandell co-produced The Force of Sound[7], a documentary on the sound design of Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi that featured sound designers Matthew Wood, Ren Klyce, and director Rian Johnson.
Sandell has produced a series of TV news features on visual effects and sound design.[8] In 2023, he reported on the closure of 32Ten Studios, the San Rafael, California special effects company that was based in the former Kerner Blvd. home of ILM.[9] He has also chronicled the mental health challenges faced by Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace actor Jake LLoyd[10].
He is also an honorary member of the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion costuming groups.[11][12]
Sources[]
Chart the History of the Galaxy in Star Wars: Timelines – Exclusive on StarWars.com (backup link)- SWCC 2022: 7 Things We Learned from the Lucasfilm Publishing Behind the Page Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Riot Racing, Droidekas, and Crosshair's Sneer: Star Wars: The Bad Batch Animation Director Keith Kellogg Talks Season 2 So Far on StarWars.com (backup link)
- StarWars.com Fan Spotlight: Honeymoon Aboard the Halcyon on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Plan Ahead with the Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 Panel Schedule on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "It's About Time: The Inside Story of Star Wars: Timelines" — Star Wars Insider 217
- SWCE 2023: 10 Reveals from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- StarWars.com Fan Spotlight: Keith Yarde Is a Star Wars Fan Like his Father, Kerwin, Before Him on StarWars.com (backup link)
- NYCC 2023: 13 Highlights from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 223
- Phase III of The High Republic And All The Lucasfilm Publishing News from Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 – UPDATE on StarWars.com (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑
Chart the History of the Galaxy in Star Wars: Timelines – Exclusive on StarWars.com (backup link)
- ↑ ‘Star Wars: Skeleton Crew’: ILM’s Visual Effects Treasure Chest, From At Attin to Starport Borgo on ILM.com
- ↑ Skywalker Sound’s Randy Thom Brings His Love of Sonic Storytelling to ‘The Wild Robot’ on Skywalker Sound Medium.
- ↑ Clayton Sandell author page on StarWars.com
- ↑ Plan Ahead with the Star Wars Celebration Japan 2025 Panel Schedule on StarWars.com
- ↑ Plan Ahead with the Star Wars Celebration Europe 2023 Panel Schedule on StarWars.com
- ↑ ABC News Features Explores "The Force of Sound" on Star Wars.com
- ↑ Visual Effects and Sound Design features on ClaytonSandell.com
- ↑ Legendary movie effects studio shutting down amid strikes on ScrippsNews.com
- ↑ Jake Lloyd's Personal Saga: New Focus Is Helping Determine His Current Reality on Substack
- ↑ Clayton Sandell (@claytonsandell) on Instagram
- ↑ Rebel Legion Honorary Member page on RebelLegion.com