NDY1 Creative Media Production Unit 8: Understand the television and film industry Tutor: Fasutina Starrett Student: Natasha Curry

Profile of a company that I would like to work for in the future

Lucasfilm would be the one company that I would most like to work for in the future. Lucasfilm have a large range of studios in both the United Kingdom and the United States. Previously owned and founded by George Lucas in 1971, Lucasfilm went on to produce some of the greatest films in history, the Star Wars Franchise. Lucasfilm also produced films such as: the Indiana Jones franchise, Captain EO (starring Michael Jackson), Labyrinth, etc.., Lucasfilm also produced various Star Wars television shows and specials, such as: Ewoks: battle for Endor (1985), The Clone Wars (2003- 2009), etc..

In December 2012 Disney acquired Lucasfilm for $4.06 Billion (£2.5 billion). After Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm, they released the information that they would begin working on six new Star Wars films, comprising of one trilogy and 3 stand-alone origin films. The first film of the new trilogy directed by JJ Abrams is due for release 18th December 2015, with the first stand-alone film set for a 2016 release.

Since Lucasfilm was first founded they have developed new and innovative ways for producing films. In 1976-1977 when A New Hope was being produced Lucasfilm did not have much in the way of special effects software, this resulted in the use of puppets and puppeteers, making the films more fun and relatable. As years went by more and more special effects software became available for use, allowing Lucasfilm to create more in the way of CGI landscapes and CGI generated alien life forms. By the time the prequel trilogy was being produced and released the world of CGI was developing at a rapid pace, this allowed George Lucas to make many more different worlds in the Star Wars galaxy, without the need for shooting on location, although for the most part the Star Wars franchise has been known for its shots on location in both the United Kingdom and the United States.

In Disney’s Lucasfilm and JJ Abrams new trilogy, they will be working closely with Motion Capture technology to create a character in the likeness of an actress. The actress Lupita Nyong’o will be using motion capture technology to capture her likeness, emotions and movements to create a whole new type of character for the Star Wars franchise, she will also be doing the voice of said character, without actually being seen on screen.

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NDY1 Creative Media Production Unit 8: Understand the television and film industry Tutor: Fasutina Starrett Student: Natasha Curry

Lucasfilm recently opened a new visual effects studio in London, called Industrial Light and Magic. This is where Disney’s Marvel studios recently worked on Avengers: Age of Ultron and where Disney’s Lucasfilm has been working on the upcoming 7th installment in the Star Wars Franchise, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

As well as the Industrial Light and Magic studio in London, Lucasfilm also have various other “campuses” throughout the world, such as: Letterman Digital Arts Centre in San Francisco, The Skywalker Ranch in Marin California and The Sandcrawler in Singapore.

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NDY1 Creative Media Production Unit 8: Understand the television and film industry Tutor: Fasutina Starrett Student: Natasha Curry

Lucasfilm have set up a website were interested people can apply to work for one of their studios. The website has a job search that allows you to select various sectors of Lucasfilm in any of their “Campuses”. The website also offers internships both paid and unpaid, allowing you to gain experience by working closely with some of the industries best.

My reasons for wanting to work for Lucasfilm goes as far back as my childhood. The Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises were a huge part of my childhood, I would continuously watch the films growing up and imagine what it would be like to have worked on the set of both franchises, I admired the craftsmanship of the props and the artistic flare of the directors take on the films and I vowed that one day I would have enough experience to apply and possible work for the company. Now that Disney owns Lucasfilm this makes the job more desirable to me, as I adored the classic Disney films as a kid and still enjoy watching them to this day. My desire to work for Lucasfilm isn’t for the money, but for the experience that I would gain from working closely to the minds that helped create some of my all time favourite films and to be able to say that I worked on one of the company’s future releases.

These reasons are why Lucasfilm is the company that I would most like to work for in the future.

Creative Media Task 53

NDY1 Creative Media Production Unit 8: Understand the television and film industry Tutor: Fasutina Starrett Student: Natasha Curry

Bibliography Lucasfilm Informationhttp://lucasfilm.com/our-storyDisney’s Acquisition of Lucasfilmhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20146942Lucasfilm’s use of Puppets and Puppeteers http://lucasfilm.com/star-wars-episode-6-return-of-the-jediThe Force Awakens Motion Capturehttp://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-force-awakens-photosLucasfilm opens ILM in Londonhttp://www.londonandpartners.com/media-centre/press-releases/2014/141015-industrial-light-magic-opens-new-london-facilityLucasfilm other “Campuses”http://lucasfilm.com/campusesLucasfilm Jobshttp://jobs.lucasfilm.com/welcome.html

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