So let’s hear it. Why exactly do you love or hate George Lucas? Writers of the top five most interesting essays (50-100 words) telling us just how you feel about the man win two passes to each of the following ILM TRIBUTE PROGRAMS at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles this weekend, hosted by the American Cinematheque:
Friday, February 14 – 7:30 PM ^ Program 6 — “Miniatures, Models and ILM” ^ For all its achievements in the field of computer-generated effects, ILM continues to rely on painstaking, traditional techniques of miniatures and model-building to create some of its most memorable effects. Please join ILM artists Jeff Mann, Lorne Peterson and Steve Gawley for this special program featuring visual effects compilation reels from “RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK” (1981, Paramount), “POLTERGEIST” (1982, MGM (Warners), “E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL” (1982, Universal), “BACK TO THE FUTURE” (1985, Universal), “WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?” (1989, Walt Disney), “THE ROCKETEER” (1991, Walt Disney) and much, much more! (Clips on 35 mm.) Discussion following with ILM artists Jeff Mann, Lorne Peterson and Steve Gawley (schedules permitting).
Saturday, February 15 – 5:00 PM ^ Program 7 — “Skywalker Sound and Ben Burtt” ^ Long acknowledged by his colleagues and peers as a truly visionary sound artist, Ben Burtt has been key to the success and growth of Skywalker Sound since the first “STAR WARS” (for which he won a special Academy Award for Alien, Creature and Robot Voice Creation – !) Please join us for an in-person tribute to Ben Burtt, featuring sound effects compilation reels from “STAR WARS” (1977, 20th Century Fox), “WILLOW” (1988, 20th Century Fox), “INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE” (1989, Paramount), “ALWAYS” (1989, Universal), “STAR WARS: EPISODE I — THE PHANTOM MENACE” (1999, 20th Century Fox) and others. (Clips on 35 mm.) Discussion following with Skywalker Sound artist Ben Burtt (schedule permitting).
Saturday, February 15 – 8:00 PM ^ Program 8 — “The All-Digital Magic of STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES” ^ A landmark achievement in the history of visual effects and sound effects, “STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES” featured over 2,200 f/x shots to create its sweeping pageant of star-crossed lovers, unstoppable clone armies and one lightsaber-wielding, butt-kicking little Jedi Knight named Yoda. Please join us for an entire program devoted to the groundbreaking technological and creative advances behind “STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES” (2002, 20th Century Fox), featuring visual effects compilation reels and rare, making-of footage from the film. (Clips on 35 mm. and video.) Discussion following with ILM and Skywalker Sound artists Rob Coleman, John Knoll and Pablo Helman (schedules permitting).
Sunday, February 16 – 2:00 PM ^ Program 9 — “Hair, Fur, Feathers & Faces – Making Digital Characters Look Real” ^ One of the greatest challenges faced by visual effects artists has been creating life-like hair, fur, feathers and skin textures. ILM has been at the vanguard of developing technologies to visualize everything from dragon scales to gorilla hair to dinosaur skin, to a little house elf named “Dobby” – ! Please join us for an imaginative tour through ILM’s gallery of fantastic creatures, featuring clips from “TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY” (1991, Columbia), “JURASSIC PARK” (1993, Universal), “GALAXY QUEST” (1999, Dreamworks), “THE MUMMY” (1991, Universal), “STAR WARS: EPISODE 1 – THE PHANTOM MENACE” (1999, 20th Century Fox) and the 20th Anniversary Edition of “E.T.: THE EXTRATERRESTIAL” (2002, Universal).(Clips on 35 mm. and video.) Discussion following with ILM artists Rob Coleman, Geoff Campbell, Steve Sullivan and James Tooley (schedules permitting).
Sunday, February 16 – 5:00 PM ^ Program 10 — “ILM: Into The 21st Century” ^ ILM continues to dazzle audiences with its recent work, from the killer waves it created for “THE PERFECT STORM” (2000, Warner Bros.) to the sunken cityscapes of “A.I.” (2001, Warner Bros.), the pyrotechnic firefight of “PEARL HARBOR” (2001, Buena Vista), to the nightmarish precog visions of “MINORITY REPORT” (2002, 20th Century Fox.). In addition to visual effects compilation reels from these films, this program will feature some of the rarest ILM materials: special “gag” reels featuring some famous movie characters that have never before been screened in public! (Clips on 35 mm. and video.) Discussion following with ILM artists Stefen Fangmeier, Eric Brevig and others (schedules permitting).
Entries have to be in by Thursday, February 13th. Winners will be notified that Thursday with their essays appearing on the Film Threat site the following Friday. Go ahead and email your essays to filmthreatilm@yahoo.com.
