Amy Allen: Portraying Aayla Secura in the Star Wars Prequels

The Star Wars prequels have introduced some of the most iconic characters that still to this day inspire fans from around the globe. Jedi Master Aayla Secura, the Rutian Twi’lek, quickly became a fan favorite—her iconic look filling the halls of comic conventions to this day as many cosplayers embraced the character. Amy Allen, who portrayed Aayla Secura in Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, shared her Star Wars story: “I went to San Francisco State and majored in Film. I sort of had it in my head that I wanted to work for George Lucas, but I didn’t know how. My roommate who I grew up with in Los Angeles got a job in the ILM Art Department, and so that was my in. I went in for an interview, and I’ll never forget it because I was very inexperienced … They basically took a chance on me, and I just started learning the ropes as a Production Assistant. Eventually, I ended up on Attack of the Clones. One day my Production Manager, who had just come back from Sydney, put a photocopy of a Star Wars comic featuring Aayla Secura on my desk and said, ‘Do you want to do this?’ And of course I said yes! A couple of months prior to that I dressed up as a blue Twi’lek for a scene in the DVD version of The Phantom Menace, so I had already done it, and of course I wanted to do it again. I didn’t realize at the time that Aayla Secura would become this cool character.”

Aayla Secura’s fascinating origins (she might be the first Star Wars character to be brought in from comic book to live action) and her unique design is what makes Aayla Secura such a recognizable character—her blue skin and unorthodox Jedi attire is a testament to ILM’s special makeup effects and costume departments’ talent. Allen recalls the process for becoming the Twi’lek Jedi, “I worked with [Special Makeup Effects Artist] Danny Wagner and [Costume Supervisor] Gillian Libbert. They put my hair in little buns and then placed a skullcap, which they glued down with some prosthetics so it would stay on. It was heavy and pretty thick, especially on top, but I wasn’t even thinking about how awkward it was because I had to be in the moment and just do a good job. I think in total the process was about two weeks. We sent up a few Polaroids to Skywalker Ranch for George Lucas to approve. It happened pretty quickly … All of a sudden I was the Production Assistant one day and then the next day I’m standing on this huge green screen stage dressed as Aayla Secura surrounded by my coworkers, George Lucas, and John Knoll. I don’t know how I overcame whatever nerves I had, maybe because I was young and it was a different time. It’s a pretty wild story.”

The Battle of Geonosis scene in Attack of the Clones was (and still probably is) the greatest ensemble of Jedi on the silver screen. Surprisingly, Amy Allen shot the scene all alone, surrounded by green screen, and did not have a chance to stand beside Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, and Samuel L. Jackson (her character was inserted in the background during post production). With no formal training and little time to rehearse, Allen had to spark her imagination and be in the moment. “My roommate was also a Production Assistant on Attack of the Clones. We practiced at our apartment in the city in San Francisco prior to shooting the scene. He was there on set in Sidney watching all of this stuff happen live in front of him, so he had some pretty good moves,” Allen said.

After her experience in Attack of the Clones, Amy Allen never thought the character would become so popular and expand beyond her performance, beyond the movie. The Jedi was featured in TIME magazine, action figures were released, and ultimately became a recurring character in The Clone Wars. “I think the animated show really helped keep Aayla Secura popular. I definitely felt at Star Wars Celebration over the years, a real sense that people (especially women and young girls) truly like and can identify with this character. Being able to share this bond with the fans is the best part about it.”

The death of Aayla Secura was a painful one to watch for Star Wars fans. The scene symbolized the Jedi Purge so much so that it was featured in the Revenge of the Sith trailer. “I was extremely nervous going back for Revenge of the Sith. I just never thought I’d ever be back again. It was such an honor to be asked back … It really was so surreal to me.” Allen continued, “I’m not a stunt woman, but I just went for it, got shot in the back and jumped on a stunt pad … I did the best I could just realizing I was lucky to be there. If you ask my kids, they have a different story. They like to reenact it and make fun of me! That’s what happens when your kids get older … they start to make fun of you [laughs].”

To this day, what Amy Allen treasures the most from her time working on Star Wars is the friendships she established over the years—spending time with the late Jeremy Bullock (Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back), Daniel Logan (young Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones), Michonne Bourriague (Aurra Sing in The Phantom Menace), Orli Shoshan (Shaak Ti), and many more around the globe while traveling for Star Wars conventions. After production wrapped up, Amy continued to work behind the camera beyond the galaxy far, far away, until she shifted her focus more exclusively onto her family. “I was very fortunate to have this great opportunity working for ILM, which led me to other great things. I feel lucky that I’m a part of the Star Wars world, and to have been able to meet some really great people along the way.”

If you want to learn more about Amy Allen’s experience working on the prequels, then make sure to follow her on Instagram for more behind the scenes photos and to stay up to date on her journey across conventions.

DISCLAIMER: This interview was originally published by Fabio Fiori on TatooineTimes.com.