George Lucas

George Lucas was born May 14th, 1944, in Modesto, California. His parents sold retail office supplies and owned a walnut ranch in California. Originally George Lucas wanted to be a race car driver, until he had an accident in his Fiat just days before his high school graduation. So from there he attended community college and his love for cinematography was born. Soon after he transferred to the university of southern California filmaking school and produced a short film called, THX-113 :4EB. Francis Ford Coppola took Lucas under his wing and made sure his short film was released by Warner Brothers Pictures. In 1973, Lucas released American Graffiti. It was made for only $780,000, but grossed $50 million in the box office. It was nominated in 5 catagories at the Academy Awards: Best picture, Best screenplay, and Best Director.








After the success of American Grafitti, Lucas set off to make Star Wars. Star Wars was made for $11 million, but the film grossed over $513 million worldwide during its original release. He set up a state of the art special effects company, Industrial lighet and magic (ILM), as well as a sound studio, Skywalker Sound. The next time ILM saw action was in Jurassic Park in 1993. This prompted Lucas to develope three new prequels, Episode 1, 2,  and 3









Other productions from Lucas include Indiana Jones and Willow




George Lucas now lives on Skywalker Ranch and has raised 3 children, Amanda, Kate, and Jet. Lucas said "Children are the whole point of life"






George Lucas inspired us all in one way or another. Who hasn't seen Star Wars?? That was probably the most influencial movie of all time. He pioneered the special effects industry with THX sound.

He followed HUNT to a tee. First, harnessing his vision. Athough it wasnt what he wanted as a kid, he still achieved what he dreamt of doing, he fullfilled his vision so to say. Next he underestimated the barriers. Even though he got in that car accident, he didnt let that slow him down, he accepted he wouldnt be a race car driver and moved to something better. Next, He was very good at networking. He put himself out there as an eager to learn student who was determined to see it to the end. A prime example of this is Francis Ford Copolla taking him under his wing. George must have talked to him or got the word out good enough to catch his attention, he networked. Lastly, he took the first steps in many things. He wasnt afraid to try new and innovative things, as seen through his films and his special effects work.

Citation:

 George Lucas." 2012. Biography.com 29 Feb 2012, 09:12 http://www.biography.com/people/george-lucas-9388168