No Pressure, George Lucas. You Just Made History!

The 1970s were a good time to be a film director. The studio system was crumbling, and rising productions were placing dramatic emphasis on the visual side of filmmaking. It was an era that would be coined as New Hollywood, and it attracted young directors who wanted to see their visions come to life onscreen. The 70s were a strange time in the history of Hollywood. Filmmakers like Stanley Kubrick and Robert Altman had already started breaking down the walls of conventional filmmaking in the 60s, but it was obvious that something needed to change. Studios were stuck making formulaic films for teenagers, and young people tuned out — gravitating instead towards music and social movements like the anti-war movement or hippie culture. The great thing about this time was that it was a giant melting pot of ideas; studios wanted whatever would turn things around, and they were willing to give just about anyone with a big idea a chance.

Enter George Lucas. He's already made his first film, THX 1138 (1971), which received critical acclaim but failed at the box office. He's got another idea in mind: an epic space western set far into the future called STAR WARS (1977). It was an ambitious undertaking at the time — no one had ever done anything like it before — but he won over studio executives by presenting sketches and rough storyboards (along with something called "force") that suggested it could be done. What resulted is something that changed movies as we know them forever…

George Lucas was once considered an unparalleled film genius. At some point, he fell from grace and was demoted to being merely an ideas man. Although the historical truth lies somewhere in between. George Lucas’ talents were balanced by his flaws in other areas, both of which were growing so large that the flaws became undeniably obvious. Lucas was more than just an “ideas man” however. It is said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration, which best describes Lucas’ approach.

Lucas had many skills that made him an amazing innovator and director. He understood how to make a story exciting, memorable and fun, engaging in such a way as to captivate audiences and make them come back for more. His storytelling abilities are one of the reasons his films are so great, not only because of the magic on screen but because of the stories he told with them.

George Lucas is a special individual who grew up in a time when movies were made a certain way. The world told him that movies had to be made a certain way, and his response was American Graffiti. It’s said that the world told him that science fiction films were a waste of time, and he turned this belief on its head by reinvigorating the genre. Film itself was a crude medium, and he set in motion a transformation in how movies could be made. He saw that special effects were in decline, so he gathered people together to change the world of filmmaking.

When you think of George Lucas, what do you think of? If you know anything about him, it's probably Star Wars. And if you know ANYTHING about George Lucas, it's probably that he is the creator of Star Wars.

But his story didn't begin with Star Wars. It began with a dream to tell stories on the big screen, and to do it in a way that would captivate people and make them believe that the world of movies was one big family.

Lucas grew up in Modesto, California—a small town that didn't offer many opportunities for a young filmmaker with big dreams. But he knew what he wanted, and even though he had some obstacles along the way (like getting rejected from film school because his grades weren't good enough), he kept his eyes on the prize and persevered. Eventually, after years of hard work and determination, his dream came true.

And now? Nearly sixty years later, he has made more than just an impact on the film industry—he has changed its trajectory completely. With bold ideas like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and digital filmmaking that have changed forever how movies are made and experienced by audiences worldwide!

George Lucas is an icon; a visionary. His life story is an inspiration to so many. He came from nothing, built a life for himself, and then threw it all away in his quest to do what was right. He was young and inexperienced, but he had the courage of his convictions. He fought for what he believed in. And sometimes he lost.

Was every idea good? Of course not. Sometimes success came about after a string of failures, not unlike other revolutionary minds throughout history. There were moments when he sold out, and there were moments when he stayed true to himself. Ironically the former often saw him as a hero and the ladder a villain. That his pursuit of what he considered to be ideals sometimes lead him down the wrong path does not diminish what he accomplished or overshadow his virtues. The very things that made him a success also frequently lead him down the wrong path. His judgement was sometimes clouded or blinded to the reality of what was going on around him. Insecurity and fear drove him to (either intentionally or unintentinally) misrepresent himself and alter facts to fit his preferred history. It should be no surprise that a man who so tampered with his signature films has likewise tampered with his own version of himself as he presents it.

The Lucas myth is a rich tapestry of a flawed genius, a man who made some stupid mistakes and could be very foolish at times, but has also created avant-garde films that have in turn inspired many artists. The story is not as heroic as often told - it's one of a guy who had to fail over and over again before eventually hitting the big time. He surrounded himself with smart people who could keep him grounded. And while his love for his art was immense and his pursuit of excellence relentless, his ego remained a constant thorn in his side. In the end, he kept telling stories to himself about what he wanted to happen, instead of acknowledging what was actually happening.