George Lucas: The Creative Impulse, a work of non-fiction, was penned by Charles Champlin, and includes forewords by both Steven Spielberg and Francis Coppola. It delves into the productions of Lucasfilm during its initial two decades, while also exploring the broader influences impacting George Lucas.
Harry N. Abrams, Inc. released the book in September of 1992, and copies were bundled with the 1993 release of Star Wars Trilogy: The Definitive Collection. An abridged version was also packaged with Star Wars Trilogy: Special Letterbox Collector's Edition. In 1997, Abrams put out a revised and updated version, encompassing Lucasfilm's first twenty-five years.
For the past two decades, the name George Lucas and his company, Lucasfilm, have become closely associated with cinematic wonder. From the bleak and unsettling vision of the future presented in THX 1138 to the affectionate and humorous retrospective on the 1950s in American Graffiti, and from the dazzling effects and profound mythology of Star Wars to the rugged and thrilling escapades of Indiana Jones, George Lucas has tapped into the rich potential of fantasy and dramatically expanded the boundaries of filmmaking beyond prior expectations.
Lucas's visionary creativity and unwavering faith in the power of cinema are evident not only in his remarkable achievements as a filmmaker but also in his dedication to the artistry and technological advancements of the moving image. The film industry acknowledged this contribution when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences honored George Lucas with the Irving Thalberg Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1992.
The financial success of Lucas's films has fueled the creation of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, organizations committed to pioneering advancements in video and sound editing, ensuring high-quality motion-picture sound and projection, developing computer games, designing theme-park attractions, producing television commercials, and creating interactive educational systems. Industrial Light and Magic, Lucas's special-effects division, is rapidly gaining recognition as a "star" in its own right, having contributed to the spectacular visuals in films ranging from ET to Terminator II.
George Lucas: The Creative Impulse examines and showcases all the films Lucas has participated in, alongside the diverse operations of Lucasfilm and LucasArts. Through stills, behind-the-scenes images, and intimate explorations of special-effects techniques, the book offers a unique visual lesson in how technical achievements and human creativity combine to produce compelling and enduring art._
- ISBN 9780810935648 ; September 1992 ; Harry N. Abrams, Inc. ; Hardcover [1]