Lights, Camera, Action! Lucas Takes the Film Industry by Storm

In 1967, realizing that they had stumbled upon what could be a very successful business relationship, Lucas and Coppola joined forces to create their own production company, American Zeotrope. Their first venture was turning Lucas’ student film THX 1138 into a full-length feature film. After being received successfully, Lucas formed his own company, Lucasfilm Ltd., and began writing a film based on his experiences growing up in quiet Modesto. Completed in 1973, American Graffiti went on to win a Golden Globe and was nominated for five Academy Awards. Lucas had now become a recognized name throughout Hollywood.

Inspired by Flash Gordon and Planet of the Apes films, Lucas began to write the screenplay for Star Wars in 1974. “I thought it [Star Wars] was too wacky for the general public,” said Lucas, but he continued to create the film that he had in mind. “Right or wrong this is my movie, this is my decision, and this is my creative vision, and if people don’t like it, they don’t have to see it.” This desire to have complete creative control over his projects would become one of Lucas’ most distinguishing traits and what would propel him to the heights of success that he would later reach.

Unable to find a company that was able to produce the special effects for Star Wars that he wanted, Lucas decided to create his own. In 1975, Lucas founded ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) to create the visual effects he needed, while Sprocket Systems (later renamed Skywalker Sound) was created to work on the sound effects. Once Lucas finished writing the film, he struggled to find a studio that was willing to produce it. As Lucas had expected, Star Wars was “too wacky” for most of the major film studios. Finally, Twentieth Century Fox decided to take a chance.

In a groundbreaking move at the time, Lucas agreed to give up his director’s salary in exchange for 40% of the film’s box office take as well as all merchandising rights and sequel rights. Breaking all box office records and winning seven Academy Awards, Star Wars made Lucas an instant millionaire as well as a household name. He now had the financial freedom to create the final two films in the Star Wars trilogy, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Personally financing the two films, both found success at the box office. In the 1980s, Lucas wrote and produced the hugely successful Indiana Jones series. He also later returned to the Star Wars story by producing an equally successful trilogy prequel beginning in 1999 with The Phantom Menace, and followed by Attack of the Clones in 2002 and Revenge of the Sith in 2005.

Meanwhile, Lucasfilm had continued to expand. ILM and Skywalker Sound were servicing numerous other film projects, including Terminator 2 and Jurassic Park, completely revolutionizing the world of digital imagery and sound editing. “I put all of my resources into pushing the evolution in an industry that is notoriously backwards and I enjoy pushing the envelope,” said Lucas. Lucasfilm also included LucasArts Entertainment Company, which produced home computers and video-game entertainment, and Lucas Licensing, which developed all the merchandise related to Lucas’ films.

Today, Lucas continues his passion for innovation through the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps develop innovation in public schools. He also spends his time devoted to his multi-million dollar ranch, which is both his home and the location of all of his businesses. Realizing a vision has been the driving force behind all of Lucas’ activities. “I used to do it with cars, then I did it with film, now I do it with the ranch,” he says.

Lights, Camera, Action! Lucas Takes the Film Industry by Storm

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