Here is my report for my time with first cross-gender-playing-actor from the Star Wars world I’ve encountered...

Chris Walsh: Hi Hilton, thanks for coming over to the sign the fan’s items.
Hilton Howson: Not a problem, pleased to meet you and thanks for the opportunity.

CW: I have to ask, what was it like playing a female alien?
HH: (Laughing) It was alright. I was just really happy to be in front of the screen, albeit deleted out later on.
CW: How did you get the role?
HH: We were struggling to find people who were happy to fill the roles of characters who’s faces would not be seen. We had lots of extras come in through the doors but once the character was offered, no one was interested.
CW: So you jumped on the chance?
HH: It wasn’t all that great to be honest. I was very ill at the time. The costume had no visibility or air holes put in. I am a bit claustrophobic but I couldn’t pass the chance up. I’m a huge Star Wars fan.
CW: The suit looked pretty heavy, was it?
HH: Sure was, it was a monstrous suit. Heavy, dark, and I couldn’t hear outside the suit.
CW: Bet that made interaction with other cast and crew a challenge.
HH: It was funny, there was a scene that Ben Burtt was directing where we in the senate pod. He was apparently directing me to ‘look at my hands’ ‘turn my head’ etc. I couldn’t hear. They had to get the 3rd AD (assistant director) to sit under my dress and talk through my air pipe to relay the directions.
CW: (Laughing) Any behind the scenes pictures for us?
HH: No, luckily not. Still, at the time the scene worked in the end.

CW: Did you enjoy your time in the creature department?
HH: It was great, it was my first job ever and I loved it. The security was incredibly strict. There was security to get into Fox, security to get into Star Wars and even more security to get into the creature department. We had a lot of fun in there.
CW: Are you doing that sort of thing now?
HH: No, I’m trying to do some stuff in production. I’ve got some work at the moment and am doing some collaborations soon also.
CW: As long as it’s paying the bills and you’re enjoying it...
HH: It is at the moment, which is a blessing.

CW: So, how do feel that your character doesn’t have an action figure yet? Are you eagerly waiting?
HH: It would be good for sure, even though the likeness for me isn’t too close.
CW: I bet you get to walk down the street and remain relatively anonymous.
HH: Indeed.

CW: Given you were "locked away" in the creature shop, did you get to rub shoulders with any of the main cast?
HH: Samuel was great. Very nice, very cool. We all went out once and it was great. Some actors enjoy making an effort to hide who they are. He didn’t. He loved going out and being him. Natalie was very nice and Ewan was very cool.
CW: Any stories?
HH: There was this one time... (starts laughing) For a lot of our team who wore face masks, they needed minders to escort and guide them around. There was a scene where one girl I worked with was walking through a scene with her minder hidden away. She was to walk up some steps and then down the steps on the other side that were off camera. Well, the minder didn’t warn her about the steps downwards and she fall, pretty badly.
CW: Was she alright?
HH: Yeah, she was more shocked then anything. She was lying there with her mask still on moaning in pain, when she hears a very gruff Scottish accent saying "Are you alright dear?" She laughed: "Not only was I was on the ground injured but I was being cradled by Ewan McGregor." Ewan was very friendly to everyone.
CW: Did the minder keep their job?
HH: Not sure. There was a grip who bought his entire family on to the set once. He was fired instantly.
CW: He would have had to expect that.

CW: Let’s talk TV series. Even though you’re working behind the camera now, would you be happy to get in front again if the Star Wars TV series comes back to town?
HH: Definitely, I’d lobby hard for it! Not that it was any great ‘acting’ on my behalf, it was a buzz. Definitely.
CW: We’ll have to stay in touch to see if I can score any gigs in the future.
HH: For sure.

CW: Did you get much interaction with George Lucas?
HH: Not much, he was very quiet.
CW: Everyone says that.
HH: Yeah, Rick (McCallum) was the loud one. He was always very loud and direct.

Given that he did not have action figures to sign, the signing took place relatively quickly and we wrap up.

CW: Thanks again for coming out from Wattographs and the fans.
HH: Not a problem, it was fun.

Another signing done, with an interesting character with a some interesting tales. He was very gracious (as they all appear to be) and happy to share his tales from behind and in front of the camera.