Gang of Outsiders

"Gang of Outsiders"
Production information
Series	Light & Magic
Season	1
Episode	1
Air date	July 27, 2022
Attribution information
Director(s)	Lawrence Kasdan
Episode chronology
Next episode	"On the Bucking Bronco"

"Gang of Outsiders" is the first episode of the documentary series Light & Magic, released on Disney+ on July 27, 2022. It focuses on the creation of the Industrial Light & Magic company and its efforts to develop the technology needed for the visual effects of the 1977 original trilogy film, Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

Official description

An unlikely team comes together to create the effects for a new space film called "The Star Wars."

Synopsis

Pioneers

The first episode covers the production process behind A New Hope. It draws upon interviews with George Lucas and several Industrial Light & Magic veterans including John Dykstra, Joe Johnston, Lorne Peterson and Phil Tippett, Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren and Ken Ralston. The episode explores several of the production crew's early lives and their interests in film-making.

Dykstra talks about studying industrial design and filming model effects for Douglas Trumbull. He also worked as a pilot and was inspired by Lucas' script for Star Wars. Dykstra recruits several fellow students and friends including Johnston, Peterson, Tippett, Edlund, Muren and Ralston. This is a motley group of photographers, model builders, set designers and film-makers. Ralston reminisces about making home movies and befriending his future colleagues through a shared love of film-making, science fiction and horror films.

Tippett also talks about being inspired by science fiction writer and magazine editor Forrest J Ackerman. Edlund and other interviewees say they struggled to understand the Star Wars script. Dykstra talks about pioneering the motion control systems used in the movie, drawing upon his training at University of California, Berkeley. Edlund reveals that the production team used modified VistaVision cameras that were used in the production of The Ten Commandments.

Creating Star Wars

The ILM veterans worked on the sets and motion control systems while Lucas directed filming at Elstree Studios in England. Edlund talks about his love for photography and building cameras as a teenager. After working for the Los Angeles Examiner and the US Navy, Edlund studied calligraphy in Japan. He also designed the Star Trek language and worked as a rock'n'roll photographer.

Johnston talked about his work on the concept are for X-wing starfighters and TIE fighters, likening the former to hot rods and the latter to factory-fresh productions. Johnston based the design of the CR90 corvette on spaceship designs from Space:1999. He also based the design for the Millennium Falcon on dishes, a hamburger and car designs, and worked with Grant McCune to create models of the starship. Peterson recalls that Lucas wanted the Falcon to look old in line with the "used" decor of the Star Wars galaxy. Tippett and Edlund recall building sets from scratch.

The interviewees also reminisce about having fun bathing in a makeshift pool and slide using equipment from a US Army surplus store. Harrison Ellenshaw talks about following in his father Peter Ellenshaw's footsteps as a matte painter for The Walt Disney Company. Ellenshaw recalls that he was inspired by the art of Ralph McQuarrie to join the Star Wars film production. Harrison worked on producing matt paintings for several scenes including the Death Star tractor beam set featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and the Rebel Alliance's victory celebration in the Great Temple following the Battle of Yavin. The first episode concludes with Lucas discussing his difficulties in realizing his vision.

Credits

By type

Cast

Uncredited cast

Crew

Uncredited crew

Special thanks

Cast

George Lucas John Dykstra Richard Edlund Joe Johnston Lorne Peterson Phil Tippett Dennis Muren Ken Ralston Harrison Ellenshaw Forrest J. Ackerman (archive footage) Jon Berg (archive footage) Colin Cantwell (archive footage) Walt Disney (archive footage) Peter Ellenshaw (archive footage) Jonathan Erland (archive footage) Jerry Jeffress (archive footage) Phil Kellison (archive footage) Gary Kurtz (archive footage) Grant McCune (archive footage) Alvah J. Miller (archive footage) Jim Nelson (archive footage) Joseph Freyer Westheimer (archive footage) J.J. Abrams Jean Bolte Rob Bredow Lynwen Brennan Ben Burtt James Cameron Ed Catmull Doug Chiang Deborah Chow Mark Dippe Rose Duignan Chrissie England Jon Favreau John Goodson Roger Guyett Hal Hickel Paul Hirsch Ron Howard Barry Jenkins Kathleen Kennedy John Knoll Frank Marshall Jim Morris Ellen Poon Rachel Rose Kim Smith Steven Spielberg Steve Williams Robert Zemeckis

Crew

Directed By — Lawrence Kasdan Executive Producers — Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Justin Wilkes Executive Producer — Lawrence Kasdan Executive Producers — Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan Co-Executive Producers — Michael Garcia, Jacqui Lopez Executive Producers — Marc Gilbar, Meredith Kaulfers Series Producer — Christopher St. John Supervising Producer — Nicole Pusateri Directors of Photography — Emily Topper, Nicola Marsh Edited By — Jonah Moran, ACE, Anoosh Tertzakian, Mike Long Music By — James Newton Howard Interviews Conducted By — Lawrence Kasdan Senior Story Producer — Sarah Anthony Archival Producer — Rich Remsberg Archival Co-Producer — Gideon C. Kennedy Associate Producers — Madhura Scott, Dane Charbeneau Production Supervisor — Adam Bergey Line Producer — Laura McCune Associate Production Manager — Caroline Keller Assistant to Mr. Kasdan — Rachel Parsons Production Consultant — Nicole Quintero Ochoa Post Production Supervisor — Stuart Macphee Music Editor — Steve Durkee Lead Assistant Editors — Lee Anne Carluccio, Robinson Eng Online Assistant Editor — Lewis Hedley-Noble Assistant Editor — Brandon Barr Series Production Assistants — Lavell Nero, Jessica VanGlad For Industrial Light & Magic Head of Publicity & Communications, ILM — Greg Grusby Creative Content Lead, ILM Publicity — Chris Hawkinson Sr. Creative Services Editor, ILM — Brent Segura-Bowers Sr. Publicist, ILM — Ian Kintzle Communications Specialist, ILM — Andrea Zavala For Lucasfilm Ltd. Sr. Creative Executive, Franchise Story — Pablo Hidalgo Associate Principal Counsel — Naureen Hoque Counsel — Alexis Donoghoe Sr. Production Accountant — Danika Gernhart Associate, Production Finance — Taylor Cawthorne Assoc. Post Production Supervisor — Cody Vandenberg Manager, Franchise Video Assets — LeAndre Thomas Assistant Editor — Corrine Medeiros Manager, Film Archives — Liz Stanley Asset Services Coordinator — Jackelin Cabrera Assistant Digital Image Archivist — Sarah Williams Archive Asset Services Coordinator — Elinor De La Torre Lead Tech Ops & Video Asset Management — Kevin Parker Camera Operator — Marc Wiercioch First Assistant Camera — Marc Wiercioch, Dagan Reinhardt Gaffers — David Sheetz, Russell Hosking Swings — Marc Anderson, Brian Gurnett Sound Recordists — Robert Kennedy, Adrienne Wade VTR — Rick Ewald, Mark Polischeck, Tom Vanasse, Justin Vong Media Managers — Tony Garcia, Angelo Gentile, Sam Hoiland, Ariana Hoshino Set Dressers — Jake Brady, Graham Immel, Zach Lonas Health & Safety Compliance — Natalie Zurawin Field Production Coordinator — Russell VanNortwick Production Assistants — Irene Chen, Marc Estrada, Matt Martinez, Darren Masters Legal Services Provided By — Ramo Law PC, Elsa Ramo, Nicole Compas, Chase Turner Additional Legal Services Provided By — Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, Diana Palacios Production Accounting — Greenslate, LLC, Revolution Entertainment Services Production Accountants — John Ignacio, Joanne Vaught Assistant to Accountants — Katy Bell Motion Graphics By — BigStar Sr. Art Director — Mark Thompson Production Executive — Carson Hood Design — Carl Dempsey, Mark Thompson Graphics Producer — Kristen Pritchett 2D/3D Animation — Bryce Barsten, Carl Dempsey, Casey Drogin, Brian Landisman, Ivan Viaranchyk Title Design By — Imaginary Forces General Manager — Tiffani Manabat Head of Production — Ryan Burcham Art Director — Tosh Kodama Graphics Producer — Johnna McDonald Sr. Production Coordinator — Jake Fritz Graphics Editor — Brian Raess Designer — Elizabeth Steinberg Concept Designers — Kathy Liang, Brandon Savoy Animators — James Gardner, Nader Husseini, Juan Monasterio Music Supervisor — Justin Feldman Music Coordinator — Alex Rusbarsky Music Clearances — Hit The Ground Running, Inc. Additional Music By — Steve Durkee, Michael Dean Parsons, Tobin Pugash, Xander Rodzinski Music Mixed By — Alan Meyerson Mix Assistant — Mike Gossard Post Production Services — Final Frame Post Post Production Engineer, Final Frame — Sandy Patch Transcribers — Jovani Remior, Rachel Mihuta Grim Guild Specialist — Barbara Gregson Archival Associate — Lauren Kawana Digital Intermediate By — Harbor Colorist — Roman Hankewycz DI Producer — Kyle Casey Conform Artist — Alec Perez Associate Colorist — Sam Fischer Color Assist — Michelle Perkowski VFX Artists — Chris Mackenzie, Ross Vincent Mastering Technicians — Andrew Minogue, Jorge Piniella, Gino Volpe, Anil Balram Supporting Engineers — Randy Main, Jerome Raim, Curt Kuhl, Stefan Hueneke Post Coordinators — Lorena Moreno, Nick Gammon Account Executive — Rachael Fung Post Production Sound Services By — Skywalker Sound, A Lucasfilm Ltd. Company, Marin County, California Supervising Sound Editors/Re-Recording Mixers — Christopher Barnett, Roy Waldspurger Sound Effects Editors — Jonathon Stevens, Greg Peterson Foley Artist — Ronni Brown Foley Mixer — Richard Duarte Assistant Re-Recording Mixer — Liz Marston Engineering Services — Dusty Jermier Digital Editorial Support — David Peifer Post-Production Sound Accountant — Cathy Shirk Head of Production Finance & Planning — Mike Peters Client Services — Eva Porter Studio Capacity Manager — Carrie Perry Head of Engineering — Steve Morris Head of Production — Jon Null General Manager — Josh Lowden For Imagine Documentaries Co-President — Sara Bernstein Head of Production — Kelsey Field Head of Post Production — Jeremy Zerechak Production Supervisors — Ryan Carli, Travis Eilerson Development Executive — Lily Kaplan Production Coordinator — Amanda Rodriguez Post Engineering and System Specialist — Nikita Liamzine Post Coordinator — Paige Simunovich Post Production Assistant — Raine Roberts Head of COVID Safety — Dan Rafeld Development Coordinator — Kyrha Lever Coordinator, Justin Wilkes — Darcie Reisler Lucasfilm Ltd. EVP/General Manager — Lynwen Brennan, CBE SVP/General Manager, ILM — Janet Lewin SVP, Post Production — Pippa Anderson SVP, Business Affairs — David Goldman SVP, Franchise Content & Strategy — James Waugh VP, Post Production — Mike Blanchard VP, Human Resources — Blaire Chaput VP, Publicity & Communications — Chris Coxall VP, Physical Production — John Hampian VP, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel — Kensie Kim VP, Marketing & Franchise Creative — Anna Yeager Supervisor, Franchise Content & Strategy — Steve Blank Supervisor, Live-Action TV & Animation Publicity — Tracy Cannobbio Supervisor, Int'l Marketing — Barbara Gamlen Supervisor, Domestic Marketing — Kerri Martin Clearances — Angela Lupinetti Sr. Manager, Distribution Operations — Michael Kohn EVP, Physical Production — Momita Sengupta Chief Creative Officer, ILM — Rob Bredow SVP, Live Action Development & Production — Carrie Beck SVP, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel — Rhonda Hjort VP, Franchise Assets & Publicity — Chris Argyropoulos VP, Physical Production — Candice Campos VP, Production Finance — Joseph Cho VP, Franchise Marketing — Megan Crumpacker VP, Publicity & Communications — Lynne Hale VP, Business Affairs & Legal Counsel — Raymond Wu Assistant Chief Counsel — Dan Amin Supervisor, LVP & Creative Content — Trisha Brunner Supervisor, Diversity & Inclusion — Queen Denchukwu Supervisor, Legal Affairs — Christopher Holm Supervisor, Learning — Danielle O'Hare Supervisor, Franchise Digital Assets — Gabrielle Levenson Publicity Manager — Kylie Clark Lucasfilm Studio Team — Luxie Aquino, Jasmine Burch, Samantha Bloomfield, Alison Fisker, Sarah Garcia, Elisa Kamimoto, Jarod Keel, John Kassone, Lillian Noble, Biola Olabegi Lucasfilm Technology Support — Francois Chardavoine, Lori Gianino, Daryll Jacobson Archival Footage Courtesy Of — ABCNews VideoSource, Amblin Entertainment, Inc., A/V Geeks, BBC/Getty Images, David Berry, British Pathé, CBC Archive Sales, California State University Long Beach, Chuck Barbee Film/Video, Disney Enterprises, Inc., John Dykstra, Eastman, eFootage, Harrison Ellenshaw, F.I.L.M. Archives, Claude Gaignaire, Grinberg, Paramount, Pathe Newsreels/Getty Images, Historic Films Archive, Huntley Film Archives, Industrial Light & Magic, JAKS Productions, Library of Congress, Lucasfilm Ltd., Marvel Studios, Media Burn, Dennis Muren, National Archives and Records Administration, Periscope Film, Bennett Piscitelli, Prelinger Archive, Producer's Library, Ken Ralston, Retro Video, Inc., Streamline Films, Phil Tippett, Veritone Archival Images Courtesy Of — ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images, Alamy, California State University Long Beach, Disney Enterprises, Inc., John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Harrison Ellenshaw, Everett Collection, Icon and Image/Getty Images, Industrial Light & Magic, Joe Johnston, Lucasfilm Ltd., Dennis Muren, New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images, Lorne Peterson, PhotoQuest/Getty Images, Ken Ralston, Redux Pictures, Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images, Phil Tippett Additional Material By — Arroyo High School Arroyan, Bell Records, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Blue Chip Stamp Co., Capitol Records, Cascade Studios, CBS Television Studios, Cinefantastique, Cinefex, Columbia Pictures Industries, DreamWorks, LLC, Dunhill Records, Fuji TV, Golden Key, Montebello High School, Harris Publications, ITC Incorporated Television Co., Liberty Records, Joseph Musso, P of A Productions, Paramount Pictures, Pignose Amps, Regency Entertainment, RKO-Radio Pictures, Matthew Robbins, StudioCanal, Thomas Bros. Maps, TriStar Pictures, Turner Entertainment Company, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Universal City Studios, Warner Bros., Warner Records, Bill Warren, Wade Williams III

Special thanks

Greg Beaumonte, Hector Cruz, Dino Everett, Leyla French, Annie Hart, Vicky Hayles, Chad Jones, Ian Jonsson, Laura Jonsson, Alejandro Kaulfers, Gene Kozicki, Peter Kuran, Miles Anthony Main, Doug Marvin, Henry Hart Marvin, Mike Mashon, The Moran Family, Mike Nichols, Georg Pelz, Alexandre Poncet, John Robinson, Corey Rosen, Marcus Rosentrater, Elias Savada, Jen Speed, Alyse Ardell Spiegel, The Spiegel Family, Bob Stillman, Erin Stillman, Connie Wethington The Producers Would Like to Recognize — All the extraordinary artists and producers that built ILM and continue to innovate today. And a Very Special Thanks to Our Interviewees — J.J. Abrams, Jean Bolte, Rob Bredow, Lynwen Brennan, Ben Burtt, James Cameron, Ed Catmull, Doug Chiang, Deborah Chow, Mark Dippé, Rose Duignan, John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Harrison Ellenshaw, Chrissie England, Jon Favreau, John Goodson, Roger Guyett, Hal Hickel, Paul Hirsch, Ron Howard, Barry Jenkins, Joe Johnston, Kathleen Kennedy, John Knoll, George Lucas, Frank Marshall, Jim Morris, Dennis Muren, Lorne Peterson, Ellen Poon, Ken Ralston, Rachel Rose, Kim Smith, Steven Spielberg, Phil Tippett, Steve Williams, Robert Zemeckis

Sources

• Light & Magic Is Here! on StarWars.com (backup link)

Notes and references

In other languages

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