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George Lucas a life

by Jones, Brian Jay,

Format: Book on CD 2016
Availability: Available at 1 Library 1 of 1 copy

Available (1)
Location Collection Call #
Northland Public Library Audio Books B LUCAS (COMPACT DISC)
Location  Northland Public Library
 
Collection  Audio Books
 
Call Number  B LUCAS (COMPACT DISC)
 
 

Summary

The definitive biography of one of the most influential filmmakers ever-George Lucas.

On May 25, 1977, a problem-plagued, budget-straining, independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theaters. Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, Star Wars reinvented the cinematic landscape, ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. And if that wasn't game-changing enough, Lucas went on to create another blockbuster series with Indiana Jones, and completely revolutionized the world of special effects, not to mention sound systems. His work and legacy have led to a rash of innovation and democratization in film and television.

Simply put, George Lucas is one of the most influential filmmakers of the past fifty years. He is an icon, and his fans will be eager to read a biography as impressive as his achievements-especially in the midst of J. J. Abrams' continuation of the Star Wars franchise.

Published Reviews
Booklist Review: "*Starred Review* Maestro biographer Jones (Jim Henson, 2013) tackles another brilliant entertainer. The world knows George Lucas as the filmmaker who brought us Star Wars, one of the most iconic Hollywood franchises in history, but as Jones' in-depth, fascinating, and even gripping exploration reveals, Lucas is much more than a gifted storyteller. In fact, writing has never come easy to the Northern California-raised Lucas, who immersed himself in editing and directing while studying at USC. He started out making such stand-alone films as THX-1138 and American Graffiti before getting caught up in the idea of a grand space epic, an optimistic fairy tale to counter the disappointment and depression bogging down America in the 1970s. But it isn't just Lucas' movies that are visionary; so, too, is his business acumen. By retaining the licensing rights for Star Wars, he paved the way for lucrative toy deals and maintained creative and monetary control over the sequels. With Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic, and Pixar, Lucas has created hundreds of jobs, and his friendships with fellow auteurs Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg led to dynamic collaborations, including the popular Indiana Jones franchise. Jones digs deep to limn the highs and lows of Lucas' career and life, capturing his drive and innovation in crisp, sparkling prose. Masterful and essential for film and pop culture enthusiasts.--Huntley, Kristine Copyright 2016 Booklist"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Publisher's Weekly Review: "Biographer Jones (Jim Henson) exhaustively chronicles the life and movies of George Lucas, arguably America's most successful filmmaker. The creator of two enduring franchises, Star Wars and Indiana Jones, he sold his company, Lucasfilm, to Disney for $4 billion in 2012. The author chronicles Lucas's story, from his upbringing as the son of a prosperous stationery store owner in Modesto, Calif., to his career as a filmmaker who took on the Hollywood studio system and won. From the beginning, Lucas's goals were independence and control. Jones cites this obsession in seemingly every major decision Lucas made, to the point of repetitiveness. The greater part of the book tells in granular detail how his films were produced: from initial concept and scriptwriting, to casting and location selections, to the filming and, most importantly for Lucas's process, the editing. This minutiae may lose the casual reader, but Jones is more successful at explaining Lucas's many contradictions: an aspiring avant-garde filmmaker who made blockbusters, a pessimist who loved fairy tale endings, an introvert in the most collaborative of arts, a man with a professed uninterest in money who became a billionaire. Jones also proves Lucas's singular legacy is well deserved. He revolutionized all aspects of filmmaking, particularly visual effects, sound, and merchandising. Photos. Agent: Jonathan Lyons, Curtis Brown. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved."
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Additional Information
Subjects Lucas, George, -- 1944-
Motion picture producers and directors -- United States -- Biography.
Biographies.
Audiobooks.
Publisher [New York] :Hachette Audio,2016
Edition Unabridged.
Contributors Snyder, Jay, 1971- narrator.
Participants/Performers Read by Jay Snyder.
Language English
Notes Compact discs.
Includes PDF of supplemental materials.
Description 15 audio discs (18 hr., 30 min.) ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 CD-ROM.
ISBN 1478968427
9781478968429
9781478968450
1478968451
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