20,000 expected for
anniversary fest
An anticipated 20,000-plus fans are expected to converge on
downtown Los Angeles during the next few days to celebrate the 30th
anniversary of the release of George Lucas' seminal film "Stars
Wars" and its profound impact on the film industry and pop
culture.
In recognition of the May 25, 1977, opening, Lucasfilm and Gen Con
are presenting "Star Wars Celebration IV" at the Los Angeles
Convention Center, which will be open to the public today through
Monday. The event -- which kicked off Wednesday with a marathon
screening of all six films -- includes live entertainment,
cast-member appearances, film and video presentations and an
exhibit of movie props and costumes.
"Star Wars" was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 1978 and won
six. In 2005, the American Film Institute named John Williams'
iconic score the most memorable of all time. The film has shown up
on additional AFI lists, including the "100 Greatest American
Movies" list, where it ranked No. 15.
The release of "Star Wars" marked a milestone in visual effects.
Its makers pioneered groundbreaking visual effects techniques, and
the work inspired many of today's VFX talent. Among the weekend
program events is a Saturday session featuring the five visual
effects supervisors from the 1977 classic through 2005's "Star
Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith." Scheduled to appear are
Richard Edlund, John Knoll, Dennis Muren, Ken Ralston and Phil
Tippett.
Edlund, who won Oscars for his work on all three films in the first
trilogy, said: " 'Star Wars' woke up a sleeping giant. ... Since
'Star Wars,' its audience salivates for new effects movies."
Knoll, VFX supervisor on the more recent trilogy (and a certain
three pirate movies, one of which opens today), said that he was in
high school when the first "Star Wars" debuted. "Suddenly, there
were new exciting things happening in the (VFX) field," he said,
adding that he was then invited to tour Lucas' operation. "It was a
life-changing experience. It helped me to decide that I wanted to
do this for a living."
Carrie Fisher will be among the cast members making an appearance
at the celebration. Lucas is out of the country and will not be in
attendance, said Tom Warner, senior director of marketing at
Lucasfilm.
"Generations of fans have loved 'Star Wars,' many passing along the
'Star Wars' gene to their children," said Steve Sansweet, director
of content management and head of fan relations at Lucasfilm. "This
is the first chance to celebrate all six movies in the saga --
George Lucas' complete story -- as well as the vibrant future of
'Star Wars.' "
To that end, Warner said the Los Angeles event will include a
preview of a new video game, "The Force Unleashed," which will be
available on multiple game platforms in early 2008. He said that in
the game, the player takes on the role of Darth Vader's secret
apprentice.
He also pointed to Lucasfilm's CG-animated TV series "The Clone
Wars," which is in production and whose story is set in the time
period between Episodes II and III of the film series.
When asked about future home entertainment releases, Warner said,
"We are always looking at the formats, but nothing is planned
today." He also did not have additional information on Lucas' 2005
comments that he was looking to remaster and rerelease all six
"Star Wars" films in stereoscopic 3-D.