# The earthly sounds hiding inside a galaxy far, far away

Machines and human performances became part of an alien world. The sound team explains two very different examples.

[Canonical HTML page](https://nosecrets.app/en/stories/star-wars-sound-earthly-origins)

Published by: [No Secrets Research](https://nosecrets.app/en/about#methodology)
Added: 2026-10-21
Topic: Entertainment

## Scope and context

Applies to: Creator interviews about The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi
Time context: Retrospective interviews published in 2020 and 2023
Sources checked: 2026-10-21

These are the filmmakers' recollections, published by Lucasfilm. Each example belongs to a particular film, not every Star Wars effect.

## A machine became a movie environment

Ben Burtt recalls recording carbon-arc lamps with a servicing company for The Empire Strikes Back. Mechanical sounds helped build the carbon-freezing chamber's atmosphere; slowed squeals contributed to Han's freezing scene.

[1: StarWars.com / Lucasfilm](https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-ben-burtt-interview)

## An alien voice still needed a performance

In the Return of the Jedi interview, Burtt describes drawing on existing languages for Ewokese. One contributor, Kosi Unkov, spoke Kalmuck and told stories in the studio. Emotion and delivery were part of the raw material, alongside the words.

[2: StarWars.com / Lucasfilm](https://www.starwars.com/news/jedi-at-40-ben-burtt-randy-thom)

## Sources

1. [Empire at 40 | Sound Designer Ben Burtt Interview](https://www.starwars.com/news/empire-at-40-ben-burtt-interview) — StarWars.com / Lucasfilm. 2020 · 40th-anniversary interview. The sound designer recalls the carbon-freezing chamber effects.

2. [Jedi at 40 | Ben Burtt and Randy Thom on Crafting Ewokese, Jabba's Voice, and the Rancor's Roar](https://www.starwars.com/news/jedi-at-40-ben-burtt-randy-thom) — StarWars.com / Lucasfilm. 2023-05-25. A separate film's creators discuss voices and language performances.

## Disclosure

AI-assisted research, writing and translation by No Secrets, using the linked public documents. This is a source summary, not firsthand reporting or an independently audited investigation. No affiliate links are used in this article.

The source-check date is not the event date. Original documents control if a summary differs.