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April 12, 2024 • 1hr 59min
#345 George Lucas
Founders
This episode explores the life and career of filmmaker George Lucas, based on the biography "George Lucas: A Life" by Brian Jay Jones. It examines how Lucas built his massive film empire and revolutionized the industry through a relentless focus on maintaining creative control and independence. The episode highlights Lucas's key decisions, innovations, and philosophies that allowed him to become one of the most successful filmmakers in history.
#345 George Lucas
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Key Takeaways
- George Lucas unapologetically invested in what he believed in most: himself. This allowed him to maintain creative control and build a massive film empire.
- Lucas was obsessed with maintaining independence and control over his projects. He structured deals to retain rights and finance films himself to avoid studio interference.
- He founded Industrial Light & Magic to develop the special effects technology needed to realize his vision for Star Wars when it didn't exist.
- Lucas took huge financial risks, betting everything on the success of films like American Graffiti and Star Wars. This paid off enormously.
- He prioritized retaining merchandising and sequel rights for Star Wars, which proved incredibly lucrative.
- Lucas was relentlessly resourceful, finding creative ways to make films on tight budgets early in his career.
- He had a clear vision for building an independent filmmaking operation outside of Hollywood, which he realized with Skywalker Ranch.
- Lucas was persistent in the face of constant challenges and setbacks, pushing through to realize his vision.
- He focused on innovating and doing things differently from the traditional Hollywood system.
- Lucas surrounded himself with other talented young filmmakers like Spielberg and Coppola, forming a supportive network.
Introduction
This episode explores the life and career of filmmaker George Lucas, based on the biography "George Lucas: A Life" by Brian Jay Jones. It examines how Lucas built his massive film empire and revolutionized the industry through a relentless focus on maintaining creative control and independence. The episode highlights Lucas's key decisions, innovations, and philosophies that allowed him to become one of the most successful filmmakers in history.
Topics Discussed
Lucas's Early Life and Education (16:01)
George Lucas grew up in a small town in California, often b**ting heads with his conservative businessman father. He struggled in school but was an avid reader, particularly of biographies and science fiction. Lucas discovered his passion for filmmaking in college at USC's film school in the 1960s.
- Lucas was a "juvenile delinquent" type who rejected the status quo
- He loved reading biographies and science fiction as a youth
- Discovered filmmaking at USC and immediately fell in love with it
- Met other young filmmakers like Spielberg and Coppola in film school
Early Career and American Zoetrope (44:05)
After film school, Lucas partnered with Francis Ford Coppola to form American Zoetrope, an independent film company. However, their first film THX 1138 was a flop, causing the collapse of the company. This experience reinforced Lucas's desire for total creative and financial control.
- Partnered with Coppola to form independent film company American Zoetrope
- First film THX 1138 flopped, causing company's collapse
- Experience reinforced Lucas's desire for total creative/financial control
- "What we're striving for is total freedom, where we can finance our pictures, make them our way, release them where we want them released, and be completely free." - George Lucas
American Graffiti and Breakthrough Success (1:00:07)
Lucas struggled to get funding for his next film American Graffiti, but it became a massive hit, earning him millions. This success gave him the leverage to negotiate a favorable deal for Star Wars.
- Struggled to get funding for American Graffiti
- Film was huge hit, earning Lucas nearly $4 million
- Success allowed him to negotiate favorable deal for Star Wars
- Lucas took lower upfront fee in exchange for merchandising and sequel rights
Development and Production of Star Wars (1:22:10)
Lucas faced enormous challenges in bringing his vision for Star Wars to life, including skeptical studio executives, technological limitations, and his own health issues from stress. However, he persevered through a grueling production process.
- Studio executives were skeptical of sci-fi film
- Lucas founded Industrial Light & Magic to create needed special effects
- Production was extremely difficult and stressful for Lucas
- He was hospitalized for hypertension and exhaustion during filming
- "I was seriously, seriously depressed at this point because nothing had gone right. Everything was screwed up. I was desperately unhappy." - George Lucas on making Star Wars
Success of Star Wars and Building an Empire (1:28:12)
Star Wars was an unprecedented blockbuster success, allowing Lucas to self-finance the sequel and build his filmmaking empire. He used profits to build Skywalker Ranch and expand his companies.
- Star Wars made $775 million on $11 million budget
- Lucas used profits to self-finance Empire Strikes Back
- Built Skywalker Ranch as independent filmmaking facility
- Expanded Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and other companies
- Merchandising rights proved enormously lucrative - sold 40 million action figures in 1978 alone
Lucas's Business Philosophy and Approach (1:32:12)
Lucas focused on maintaining independence and control above all else in his business dealings. He was willing to take huge financial risks to retain creative freedom.
- Prioritized independence and control over short-term profits
- Willing to risk everything to retain creative freedom
- Fiscally conservative in running his companies
- Vertically integrated to control all aspects of production
- "I wanted my independence so badly." - George Lucas
Legacy and Impact on Film Industry (1:50:14)
Lucas revolutionized the film industry through his innovations in special effects, sound design, and merchandising. His success allowed him to build an empire outside the Hollywood system.
- Pioneered groundbreaking special effects and sound design
- Showed the massive potential of film merchandising
- Built a successful independent studio outside Hollywood
- Inspired generations of filmmakers
- Described as "the Thomas Edison of the modern film industry" by Peter Jackson
Conclusion
George Lucas's career demonstrates the power of maintaining a singular vision and retaining creative control, even in the face of enormous challenges. By betting on himself and innovating at every turn, Lucas was able to build a massively successful film empire on his own terms. His relentless focus on independence and willingness to take risks allowed him to revolutionize the film industry and create one of the most beloved and profitable franchises of all time in Star Wars. Lucas's story is a testament to the value of believing in your own vision and refusing to compromise, even when faced with skepticism from others.