George Lucas
BACKGROUND:
Before young Lucas became obsessed with the movie camera, he wanted to be a race car driver, but a near fatal accident in his souped-up Fiat just days before his high school graduation quickly changed his mind. Instead, he attended community college and developed a passion for cinematography and camera tricks. Following the advice of a friend, he transferred to the University of Southern California filmmaking school. There, he produced a short futuristic Sci-Fi film called THX-1138:4EB, and garnered a comfortable spot under the wing of Francis Ford Coppola, who took an active interest in unleashing new filmmaking talent. Coppola convinced Warner Brothers to make a feature length version of the film, and although a few critics recognized some philosophical depth behind all the technical wizardry, THX-1138 (re-titled) flopped terribly in its 1971 release.
Although intimidated by the failure of his first film, Lucas went back to work on his next project, American Graffiti. Released in 1973, the film featured such burgeoning young talents as Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford, and was recognized as a stunning portrait of listless American youth in 1962 depicting, in Lucas's own words, "a warm, secure, uninvolved life." The film, made for only $780,000, grossed $50 million in the box office. It was nominated in five categories at that year's Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director for Lucas, and is still considered one of the most successful low budget features ever made.
Before young Lucas became obsessed with the movie camera, he wanted to be a race car driver, but a near fatal accident in his souped-up Fiat just days before his high school graduation quickly changed his mind. Instead, he attended community college and developed a passion for cinematography and camera tricks. Following the advice of a friend, he transferred to the University of Southern California filmmaking school. There, he produced a short futuristic Sci-Fi film called THX-1138:4EB, and garnered a comfortable spot under the wing of Francis Ford Coppola, who took an active interest in unleashing new filmmaking talent. Coppola convinced Warner Brothers to make a feature length version of the film, and although a few critics recognized some philosophical depth behind all the technical wizardry, THX-1138 (re-titled) flopped terribly in its 1971 release.
Although intimidated by the failure of his first film, Lucas went back to work on his next project, American Graffiti. Released in 1973, the film featured such burgeoning young talents as Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford, and was recognized as a stunning portrait of listless American youth in 1962 depicting, in Lucas's own words, "a warm, secure, uninvolved life." The film, made for only $780,000, grossed $50 million in the box office. It was nominated in five categories at that year's Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director for Lucas, and is still considered one of the most successful low budget features ever made.
Lucasfilm:
Lucasfilm is among the world's leading entertainment service companies, it was one of the first film companies to use visual effects and sounds across other mediums, to create sound effects. Lucasfilm is home to the legendary Star Wars and Indiana Jones Franchises. Founded by visionary filmmaker George Lucas in 1971, Lucasfilm was acquired in December 2012 by The Walt Disney Company, a leading diversified international entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $45 billion in its Fiscal Year 2013.
Luca's Success:
George Luca's success started with the production of Star Wars, he was the director of all the 6 movies that have come out from the Star Wars franchise. His innovative sound and visual effects made his movies more innovative and attractive. Not only did the movies have new technology, but the characters were very appealing, people wanted to be as strong as Luke, or maybe as cool as Han Solo, or even as beautiful as Leia. He also incorporated some hysteria, by adding R2-D2 and C3PO, two androids that were funny, fearful, and even loving, they were given human like characteristics which made it funny and appealing to the public. The last thing and probably the most important characteristic that made Star Wars so huge, was its good story line. People back in that time where eager for something new and interesting, and George Lucas gave them just what they wanted.
George Luca's success started with the production of Star Wars, he was the director of all the 6 movies that have come out from the Star Wars franchise. His innovative sound and visual effects made his movies more innovative and attractive. Not only did the movies have new technology, but the characters were very appealing, people wanted to be as strong as Luke, or maybe as cool as Han Solo, or even as beautiful as Leia. He also incorporated some hysteria, by adding R2-D2 and C3PO, two androids that were funny, fearful, and even loving, they were given human like characteristics which made it funny and appealing to the public. The last thing and probably the most important characteristic that made Star Wars so huge, was its good story line. People back in that time where eager for something new and interesting, and George Lucas gave them just what they wanted.
Sources:
http://www.biography.com/people/george-lucas-9388168#awesm=~oEjrV2ka69OSx6
http://www.biography.com/people/george-lucas-9388168#awesm=~oEjsCf3CRHR0Wc
http://lucasfilm.com/
http://www.biography.com/people/george-lucas-9388168#awesm=~oEjrV2ka69OSx6
http://www.biography.com/people/george-lucas-9388168#awesm=~oEjsCf3CRHR0Wc
http://lucasfilm.com/