| The
Richard Powell Interview
Somewhere in August 2003, I tried to contact Richard Powell, who
worked on the cancelled Space Quest 7 project as concept artist.
I asked him if he had some Space Quest 7 stuff laying around at
home. To my surprise, Rich replied and the next two months he and
I frequently exchanged mails which ultimately lead to this terrific
interview. It was conducted on September 22, 2003.
Before
you read these interview, please look at the
Design Sketches first.
Can
you tell us anything about yourself Mr Powell?
I
live in North Fork, the exact center of California. I freelanced
from my home for the past few years but recently took a job as
Art Director for a startup game company located in....drum roll
please.....the old Sierra On-Line building! Can't seem to get
away.
Do
you have any hobbies?
Well....drawing for one. I also have been spending quite a bit
of time painting. I recently had a show of my work at William's
Gallery West that consisted of paintings of Tin Toys. I also
showed a bunch of drawings and cartoons there.
Wife/kids/grandma/dog?
Wife: Frankie (an artist also)
Daughter: Bailey
Dogs: Otis and Jack
Cats: Willy and Ringo
Water Buffalo: Arthur
Can
you tell us how you got stranded with Sierra?
I
started as an Amiga Conversion Artist at Sierra in 1990. I had
recently graduated from California State University at Hayward
with a degree in fine art. My portfolio consisted of angst ridden
collages and rude cartoons. The only reason I got the job was
because the Art Director (Bill Davis) was a Dylan fan and I happened
to have a Bob Dylan portrait in my portfolio. My lovely wife got
stuck there too. We'd met in college and were engaged to be married
when we started at Sierra.
Frankie
left Sierra when Bailey was born (1995) and I stuck around for
a few more years, working my way into the marketing department.
When they closed their doors in Oakhurst, I stole a bunch of art
supplies and holed up in my cabin with large caliber weaponry.
 Mr
Powell, you worked on the cancelled Space Quest 7 project as character
designer. You've generously supplied 
with awesome looking sketches you made for the long-cancelled project.
Some of them are rather.... Odd. Can you tell us, in your expert
opinion, do you have an obsession for boobs and *cough* hookers
*cough*?
What's odd about boobs? Look around, there are boobs everywhere.
They usually come in pairs. Hookers, on the other hand are loners
I think. You'd have to ask Scott or Leslie what they had planned
for Roger in the Land of Space Hookers. I just draw 'em as I see
'em.
How
long did you work on the project?
About
6 months, at night. Late. Way past my bedtime. Under the influence.
How much work were you able to produce for the project?
I
basically did all the concept art for the project. There were
a few 3D renders done by Tim Loucks I believe (Sheriff Robo, The
Robo-Dog, a trailer). He works with me now, by the way.
Your "Scrubbing Bubble" sketch was previously known around
the Space Quest Universe as a character named "Dougie".
Can you tell us anything about this creature?
Not
really, he was just an alien I came up with. I think Leslie just
named him Dougie in the interview and things grew from there.
Sometimes a game design develops with the help of visuals provided
by the artist and often things that begin as jokes end up in the
design too.
How
come this image is out in the open for all this time, and the others
design sketches are not? Did the project release this image as eye
candy for the fans?
I
think we wanted to send you guys something for your websites and
soon after the whole thing got axed! I gathered up my sketches
and moved on to another projects. The sketchbooks have been residing
in my files ever since.
 One
sketch is labeled "The Gelder 5000 Robo-Pup". It reminds
me of that "Tom and Jerry set in outer space" cartoon
in which a metal robot dog hunts Tom. It looks just like your sketch,
wheels included.
I
watched a LOT of cartoons as a kid. They're in my psyche and occasionally
find their way out.
Do
you think Sierra made the right decision to scrap Space Quest 7?
Or was it a necessity evil?
No,
it was based on a stupid marketing decision. The Marketing Experts
convinced them it wouldn't sell based on the sales of 6. I think
the awful box cover art for 6 scared away sales! I was certainly
disappointed when it was cancelled, I love working on Sci Fi.
It's
a known fact that King Graham cross dresses. What about you, Rich?
I'm
an ex-Marine. I've killed people for suggesting less.
 What
do you think about the SQ7 fanproject that is currently in production
with Josh Mandel as Head Writer?
I
like everything that Josh does, especially his desserts. Josh and
I seem to gravitate towards one another. One of these days one of
our projects is going to make us rich!
Any
last words for the fans out there, Mr Powell?
Thanks
for keeping the faith in a great Series. I miss talking to Scott
but was never close to Al.
Yikes.... |
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