LIGHT & MAGIC

LIGHT & MAGIC

Ended First aired 27/Jul/2022 United States English 2 season(s) 9 episode(s)
Documentary
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.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 2 · Season 2
3 episode(s) · Air date: 18/Apr/2025
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Season Overview

Season 2 follows Lucasfilm's visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, as it enters its most challenging and revolutionary period: the dawn of digital. From creating the first fully realized CG character to solving the challenge of digital water, it is an era that finds ILM scaling new heights of innovation despite dramatic setbacks.

Season Overview

Season 2 follows Lucasfilm's visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic, as it enters its most challenging and revolutionary period: the dawn of digital. From creating the first fully realized CG character to solving the challenge of digital water, it is an era that finds ILM scaling new heights of innovation despite dramatic setbacks.

Season 1 · Season 1
6 episode(s) · Air date: 27/Jul/2022
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Season Overview

Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtains of Industrial Light & Magic, the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm. Learn what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers in Hollywood history, and follow their stories from their earliest personal films to bringing George Lucas’ vision to life.

Season Overview

Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtains of Industrial Light & Magic, the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm. Learn what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers in Hollywood history, and follow their stories from their earliest personal films to bringing George Lucas’ vision to life.

S1E6
"No more pretending you're dinosaurs."
Air date: 27/Jul/2022 · Runtime: 64 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E5
"Morfing."
Air date: 27/Jul/2022 · Runtime: 55 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E4
"I think I found my people."
Air date: 27/Jul/2022 · Runtime: 64 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E3
"Just think about it."
Air date: 27/Jul/2022 · Runtime: 64 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E2
"On the bucking bronco."
Air date: 27/Jul/2022 · Runtime: 54 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E1
"Gang of outsiders."
Air date: 27/Jul/2022 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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Cast

Main cast members.

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George Lucas
George Lucas
Self
Lorne Peterson
Lorne Peterson
Self
Dennis Muren
Dennis Muren
Self
John Dykstra
John Dykstra
Self
Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Self
Ken Ralston
Ken Ralston
Self
No Photo
Harrison Ellenshaw
Self
No Photo
Grant McCune
Self (archive footage)
Phil Tippett
Phil Tippett
Self - Creatures and Stop Motion
Paul Hirsch
Paul Hirsch
Self
Frank Marshall
Frank Marshall
Self - Producer
Robert Zemeckis
Robert Zemeckis
Self - Director, Back to the Future
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg
Self
Mark A.Z. Dippé
Mark A.Z. Dippé
Self - Computer Graphics
No Photo
Steve Williams
Self - Computer Graphics
No Photo
Kim Smith
Self - Model Shop
No Photo
Ellen Poon
Self - Computer Graphics
Richard Edlund
Richard Edlund
Self

Crew

Creators, directors, writers, and production crew.

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No Photo
Emily Topper
Director of Photography
Joe Johnston
Joe Johnston
Director, Executive Producer
Lawrence Kasdan
Lawrence Kasdan
Director, Executive Producer
Jacqui Lopez
Jacqui Lopez
Co-Executive Producer
No Photo
Michael Garcia
Co-Executive Producer
No Photo
Ted Schillinger
Co-Executive Producer
Brian Grazer
Brian Grazer
Executive Producer
Carrie Beck
Carrie Beck
Executive Producer
Justin Wilkes
Justin Wilkes
Executive Producer
Kathleen Kennedy
Kathleen Kennedy
Executive Producer
No Photo
Marc Gilbar
Executive Producer
No Photo
Meredith Kaulfers
Executive Producer

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