George LucasGeorge Lucas

Filmmaking legend;Entrepreneur

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.”

• 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.

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.

• 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 effectsSkywalker Sound - post-production sound

designLucasArts - 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.