<<< February 6-16, 2003 >>>

When the original STAR WARS exploded across movie screens in 1977, audiences were dazzled as never before by some of the most astounding visual and sound effects in cinema history: the iridescent glow and sudden zzzap! of Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber, the adrenaline-stoked dogfights in space, the sound and fury of the Death Star’s destruction. The two companies George Lucas created two years earlier to produce these wondrous effects – Industrial Light + Magic (ILM) and Skywalker Sound – would quickly grow to have a most revolutionary and profound impact on the way audiences see, hear and, most importantly, feel movies today.

Beginning with the introduction of motion-control technology in STAR WARS, ILM soon followed with a series of pioneering visual effects innovations: the first completely computer-generated (CGI) sequence for the "Genesis Effect" in STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982), and the first computer-generated movie character with the "Stained Glass Man" in YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES (1985); the first "morphing" sequence for WILLOW (1988); the first 3-D CGI character with the Pseudopod in THE ABYSS (1989); and the creation of groundbreaking "hair, fur and feathers" technology for the CGI gorilla in MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1998). Along the way, ILM helped create some of the most indelible images in popular movie culture: the climactic spirits of the dead firestorm in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), the flying bicycle in E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982), the time-traveling DeLorean in BACK TO THE FUTURE (1985), and the astoundingly realistic dinosaurs in JURASSIC PARK (1993), winning a phenomenal 14 Academy Awards for its visual effects work.

Following its own Academy Award-winning work on STAR WARS, Skywalker Sound quickly established itself at the cutting edge of post-production sound in modern filmmaking. It’s impossible to imagine the nailbiting chase scenes in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981), the apocalyptic, scorched-earth visions of TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991), or the terrifying howl of the T-rex in JURASSIC PARK without the masterful sound design and effects editing of Skywalker Sound. Its recent credits – including the superb sound design on FORREST GUMP (1994), TITANIC (1997), SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998) and PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE (2002), show just a part of Skywalker Sound’s creative range. Now firmly established as the premiere post-production sound facility in the world, Skywalker Sound has won an astonishing 16 Academy Awards over the past 25 years.

With the triumph of the recent STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES
(2002), ILM and Skywalker Sound continued to astound audiences and filmmakers alike with their ability to translate the wildest creative ideas into cinema reality. ILM’s work on the upcoming TERMINATOR 3: THE RISE OF THE MACHINES, VAN HELSING and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN and Skywalker Sound’s work on the upcoming FINDING NEMO and POLAR EXPRESS, as well as their combined efforts on THE HULK and PETER PAN, promise to keep this magic alive.

We are thrilled to welcome the founder of Industrial Light + Magic and Skywalker Sound, George Lucas, to the Lloyd E. Rigler Theatre at the Egyptian for the Opening Night of the Tribute - !

Thursday, February 6 – 7:30 PM

SOLD OUT Program 1 -- "A Tribute to ILM, Skywalker Sound and the STAR WARS Series"

The founder and visionary behind ILM and Skywalker Sound, George Lucas, will join us for a special Opening Night program tracing the groundbreaking creative achievements and development of both companies on the STAR WARS series, featuring visual effects compilation reels from STAR WARS (1977), THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980), RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983), STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999) and STAR WARS: EPISODE II – ATTACK OF THE CLONES (2002). (Clips on 35 mm., permission 20^th Century Fox.)

Friday, February 7 – 7:30 PM

Program 2 -- "ILM and the Genesis of Computer Generated Visual Effects"

For over 20 years, ILM has been at the forefront of computer-generated image (CGI) technology, introducing many of the mind-bending innovations that are now taken for granted by audiences and moviemakers. This program will trace ILM’s rich history with computer-generated effects, beginning with the very first all-CGI sequence, the "Genesis Effect" in STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN (1982, Paramount), followed by the Stained Glass Man in YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES (1985, Paramount), the first morphing sequence in WILLOW (1988, 20^th Century Fox), the Pseudopod in THE ABYSS (1989, 20^th Century Fox), the T-1000 Liquid Man in TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991, Columbia), the first computer-generated human skin textures in DEATH BECOMES HER (1993, Universal), the CGI dinosaurs in JURASSIC PARK (1993, Universal), and the amazingly complex title character in CASPER (1995, Universal), DRAGONHEART (1996, Universal) and THE MUMMY (1999, Universal). (Clips on video).

Discussion following with ILM artist Patty Blau and Stefen Fangmeier.

Saturday, February 8 – 5:00 PM

Program 3 -- "Bringing Dinosaurs To Life: ILM and the JURASSIC PARK Films"

ILM and Skywalker Sound’s work on the three JURASSIC PARK films stands as one of the company’s signature achievements, creating an entire world filled with rampaging T-rexes, flying pterosaurs, malevolent velociraptors and more. Three of the key artists who worked on the films, Dennis Muren and Dan Taylor (ILM) and Chris Boyes (Skywalker Sound), will join us for this special program, featuring visual and sound effects compilation reels from JURASSIC PARK (1993), THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK (1997) and JURASSIC PARK III (2001). (Clips on 35 mm., permission Universal Pictures.)

Discussion following with ILM artists Dennis Muren and Dan Taylor and Skywalker Sound artist Chris Boyes (schedules permitting).

Saturday, February 8 – 8:00 PM

Program 4 -- "ILM, Skywalker Sound and James Cameron"

Since their first collaboration on the mysterious, water-filled Pseudopod for THE ABYSS, ILM, Skywalker Sound and James Cameron have gone hand in hand, helping to bring an incredible gallery of sights and sounds to the screen. James Cameron is scheduled to join ILM artist Dennis Muren and Skywalker Sound artists Gary Rydstrom and Chris Boyes for a special program featuring visual and sound effects compilation reels from THE ABYSS (1989, 20^th Century Fox), TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY (1991, Columbia), and TITANIC (1997, Paramount). (Clips on 35 mm.)  Due to circumstances beyond his control, director James Cameron will NOT be able to attend this event as was previously announced.

Discussion following with ILM artist Dennis
Muren and Skywalker Sound artists Gary Rydstrom and Chris Boyes (schedules permitting). Special Ticket Price of $20.00 General, $18.00 Students/Seniors and $15.00 Cinematheque Members for this show only.

Sunday, February 9 – 5:00 PM

Program 5 -- "A Tribute to Skywalker Sound"

Since its inception, Skywalker Sound has helped revolutionize the ability of filmmakers and sound designers to bring their creative visions to the screen. Please join us for a special program tracing the history of Skywalker Sound, featuring sound effects compilation reels from BACKDRAFT (1991, Universal), QUIZ SHOW (1994, Universal); CONTACT (1997, Warner Bros.); SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998, Paramount), CAST AWAY (2000, 20^th Century Fox), MINORITY REPORT (2002, 20th Century Fox); MONSTERS, INC. (2001, Walt Disney), and others, plus the animated short "Luxo Jr." (1986, Disney/Pixar) (Clips on 35 mm.)

Discussion following with Skywalker Sound artists Gary Rydstrom, Richard Hymns, Randy Thom and General Manager Glenn Kiser (schedules permitting).

Friday, February 14 – 7:30 PM

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, 20^th Century Fox), WILLOW (1988, 20^th Century Fox), INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989, Paramount), ALWAYS (1989, Universal), STAR WARS: EPISODE I -- THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999, 20^th 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, 20^th 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 21^st 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).