Author Description

Whether it’s a bright yellow Deuce Coupe rocketing through small-town America or a bright yellow rocket ship blasting through a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas’ stories have been singular and consistent in the elemental power of their themes and emotions. Yet, since the beginnings of his success much of his storytelling skill has been eclipsed by the popcorn popularity of his work and the advances in visual effects that have characterised so many of his films. Lucas is unique amongst his contemporaries: he has written the screenplay for every film he has directed and every film he has made, has been designed for the screen. As such there is an aesthetic purity to his work. The Pocket Essentials: George Lucas explores how the films he has directed operate and how they connect together. Whether it is the comedy of American Graffiti, the machinations of The Phantom Menace or the oppression of THX 1138, Lucas films celebrate the power of the maverick sensibility. It is a sensibility for which Lucas has become a pop culture icon not just in the kinds of stories he tells but also in his approach to the medium of moviemaking. This Pocket Essentials guide covers the landmark movies – from student movies to Indiana Jones and the latest Star Wars episode Attack of the Clones – and also looks at Lucas achievements beyond his work as a director with his creation of Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Ranch and other media ventures, particularly his development and advocacy of digital cinema.