TV series

LIGHT & MAGIC

Name: LIGHT & MAGIC
Released: 2022
Cast: George Lucas, Lorne Peterson, Dennis Muren

2022–2025· 2 seasonsTV-14★ 7.9Ended

On Disney+ — From Lucasfilm Ltd. · Imagine Documentaries

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Where to watch

Not available to stream in US

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Synopsis

When George Lucas set out to make Star Wars, little did he know he would end up revolutionizing an industry. This is the story of a team of creative geniuses who put the magic in the movies we love.

Themes

interview behind the scenes special effects filmmaking thoughtful scale model wonder visual effects practical special effects special effects makeup factual whimsical admiring amused

Episodes

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E1 "Gang of outsiders."Next upJul 27, 2022 · 60 min · ★ 6.6
Synopsis
The year is 1975, and George Lucas has a problem. There is no visual effects company in Hollywood capable of realizing the massive vision behind his new film “The Star Wars”. George and camera expert John Dykstra assemble an unlikely team of artists and dreamers for the job, but despite their best efforts and some remarkable new technology, the ILM team falls woefully behind.
Guest stars: John Dykstra (Self), Richard Edlund (Self), Joe Johnston (Self), Ken Ralston (Self), Ron Howard (Self - Academy Award Winning Filmmaker), Harrison Ellenshaw (Self), Grant McCune (Self (archive footage)), Phil Tippett (Self - Model Shop)
E2 "On the bucking bronco."Jul 27, 2022 · 54 min · ★ 7.0
Synopsis
When a near fatal wreck thwarts his boyhood dream of racing cars, George Lucas finds success as a filmmaker. He spends his own money on the special effects of an ambitious new “space opera”, but progress is painfully slow. With the help of key new hires, ILM rallies to finish the film on time. Star Wars premieres to worldwide success, yet George remains curiously unsatisfied with the results.
Guest stars: Richard Edlund (Self), Joe Johnston (Self), Phil Tippett (Self), Ken Ralston (Self), Ron Howard (Self), Harrison Ellenshaw (Self), Paul Hirsch (Self), Patricia Rose Duignan (Self)
E3 "Just think about it."Jul 27, 2022 · 64 min · ★ 6.8
Synopsis
After Star Wars, ILM moves north to a new facility—but not everyone is invited. As work begins on The Empire Strikes Back, the team faces unprecedented new challenges. Frustrated by the available tools, George creates a new division to help modernize filmmaking. Upon the release of Empire, ILM takes on outside work for the first time, setting the stage for a remarkable string of success.
Guest stars: Ken Ralston (Self), Phil Tippett (Self - Creatures and Stop Motion), Harrison Ellenshaw (Self), Chrissie England (Self - Production Department), Edwin Catmull (Self - Computer Graphics), Ralph McQuarrie (Self - Art Department (archive footage)), Richard Edlund (Self - Visual Effects Supervisor)
E4 "I think I found my people."Jul 27, 2022 · 64 min · ★ 6.8
Synopsis
A new partnership with Steven Spielberg results in the memorable effects of Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., and more. Meanwhile, the computer graphics group scores its first digital breakthrough. As the 80s blockbuster era rolls in, ILM crews are competing against each other, for both resources and awards. When George makes a fateful business decision, ILM is forced to rebuild on the fly.
Guest stars: Ron Howard (Self - Director, Cocoon), Steven Spielberg (Self - Co-Writer, Producer), Phil Tippett (Self - Creatures and Stop Motion), Ken Ralston (Self - Visual Effects Supervisor), Paul Hirsch (Self), Chrissie England (Self - Production Department), Edwin Catmull (Self - Computer Graphics), Frank Marshall (Self - Producer)
E5 "Morfing."Jul 27, 2022 · 55 min · ★ 7.1
Synopsis
ILM enters the digital era as its revamped computer division faces its first big test with Willow. With a new team of rebels arriving at the company eager to push CG to its limits, James Cameron gives them a chance with The Abyss and Terminator 2. But the transition to digital is not without its casualties, as some struggle to adapt. Then Steven Spielberg returns with his greatest challenge yet.
Guest stars: Ron Howard (Self - Director, Willow), Steven Spielberg (Self (uncredited)), Patricia Rose Duignan (Self - Production Supervisor), Jim Morris (Self - Visual Effects Producer / ILM General Manager, 1991 - 1993), Mark A.Z. Dippé (Self - Computer Graphics), Steve Williams (Self - Computer Graphics), James Cameron (Self - Director, The Abyss / Director, Terminator 2), John Knoll (Self - Computer Graphics)
E6 "No more pretending you're dinosaurs."Jul 27, 2022 · 64 min · ★ 6.8
Synopsis
Stop-motion genius Phil Tippett feels like he’s gone extinct when CG unexpectedly takes center stage in Jurassic Park. The watershed moment convinces George Lucas to return to his long-planned Star Wars prequel trilogy and push the technology even further. As digital filmmaking continues to grow and evolve, The Volume proves that the spirit of innovation remains alive and well at ILM.
Guest stars: Ron Howard (Self), Steven Spielberg (Self - Director, Jurassic Park), Phil Tippett (Self - Creatures and Stop Motion), Ken Ralston (Self - Visual Effects Supervisor), Edwin Catmull (Self - Computer Graphics), Mark A.Z. Dippé (Self - Computer Graphics), Steve Williams (Self - Computer Graphics), Kim Smith (Self - Model Shop)