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George Lucas. Filmmaking legend; Entrepreneur. Growing up. Born on May 4, 1944 in Modesto, California Couldn’t swim as a child and still can’t. In high school, days before graduation his dreams of being a professional race-car driver were shattered when he was in a near-fatal accident
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George Lucas • Filmmaking legend;Entrepreneur
Growing up • Born on May 4, 1944 in Modesto, California • Couldn’t swim as a child and still can’t. • In high school, days before graduation his dreams of being a professional race-car driver were shattered when he was in a near-fatal accident • Went to junior college and studied anthropology, where he grew a passion for film. • Applied as an Air Force officer, but was rejected as he had to many speeding tickets. • When the drafting came along for Vietnam, he was exempt because he has diabetes. • Attended the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. • He currently lives in the second largest house in Marin County, a Victorian estate in San Anselmo.
Film CareerThe beginning • In college several short films were made, the most famous is titled In Love. • THX 1138 was the first full-length film directed by George Lucas. The film was not a success. • Created his own company in 1971. • He directed American Graffiti and “his newfound wealth and reputation enabled him to develop a story set in space.”
The first Star Wars film was created in 1977 with the special effects of Industrial Light and Magic. • George Lucas asked to own the licensing rights for novelizations such as t-shirts and toys- which seemed worthless at the time. • It turned out Star Wars would be the highest grossing film for 5 years and he directly profited millions of dollars from all the licensed toys and games created for the franchise. • With the millions of dollars of private capital he made, he was able to fund the sequels. • There was a 22 year hiatus between the first trilogy and the second trilogy.
Other projects… • Aside from Star Wars, George Lucas has been involved in such films as: the Back to the Future trilogy,all the Terminator films, Forrest Gump, October Sky, All the Harry Potter films, The Chronicles of Narnia and many other films.
Lucasfilm is a leader in developing film technology and special affects, computer animation. • Produced such box office hits as: Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Raiders of the lost ark. Subsidiaries • Industrial Light & Magic - visual effects • Skywalker Sound - post-production sound design • LucasArts - video and computer games • Industrial Light and Magic has played a critical role in advances in technology and the filmmaking process. • Received 15 Best Visual Effects Oscars and 24 Scientific and Technical Awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Former Subsidiaries • THX Ltd. - theater sound system • Pixar Animation Studios - computer animation film production company • Kerner Optical - Practical effects division and 3D development team
Skywalker Ranch • Since September 1978, Skywalker ranch has been an ever-growing “filmmakers retreat” and private headquarters for the company and its workers. • On the land of the ranch there is a barn with animals, vineyards, a garden with fruits and vegetables used in the on-site restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center, the man-made "Lake Ewok," a hilltop observatory, a 300-seat theater called "The Stag”. • Also on the land is Skywalker Sound which was moved onto the ranch in 1987, now occupying the Technical Building. • Skywalker Ranch has its own fire station, which is part of the Marin County Mutual Aid system, and is often called on to assist firefighters in nearby Marinwood.