Jawas might be small, but they can do a lot of things. They’re expert scavengers who run a successful small business. They also appreciate the finer things in life. Like mudhorn eggs. Those little desert dwellers are also tough. They know how to survive the harshest of conditions. And they really know how to rock a robe. But one thing we’ve never seen them do is actually rock. In the galaxy far, far away that’s the purview of Ortolans like Max Rebo. Or Biths like good ole Figrin D’an. At least it was until now. Because we’re seeing Jawas in a whole new spotlight, thanks to a fantastic animated short. It features one of those tenacious scroungers shredding Van Halen’s “Evolution,” in a Star Wars-inspired tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen.
The stop-motion short “A Jawa Plays Eruption” (which we first came across at Laughing Squid) comes from Thomas Yagodinski. On his YouTube page he wrote he wanted to “pay respects to a musical legend” in an “extremely fun way.” Mission more than accomplished. Yagodinski also said he was looking to “challenge” himself by recreating “Eddie’s amazing solo, frame by frame via stop motion animation.” That too gets a big check mark.
To realize his vision he made his very own Jawa stop-motion puppet. He then customized a 1:4 scale, 16-inch mini guitar. As for the amazing set, well, he isn’t giving away all his secrets just yet. Whatever he did, the result is genuinely gorgeous.
Thomas J. Yagodinski
The short opens with an intro from the Jawa guitarist, with accompanying subtitles to translate his Jawaese. He calls the late musician a virtuoso, innovator, and “intergalactic legend” who might have originated from the galaxy far, far away. Which is actually believable, since his musical skills were out of this world. The Jawa then uses a guitar he says he scavenged to play Eddie’s solo from Van Halen’s “Eruption.” All with some great stage lighting.
Between the animation, music, design, and tribute, the overall impact is obvious. Jawas can also totally rock.
Featured Image: Thomas J. Yagodinski