Star Wars Visual Effects Pioneers Highlight The Academy’s “Galactic Innovations: Star Wars and Rogue One” Event

By Michelle McCue | June 28, 2019

On Thursday evening The Academy’s Science and Technology Council presented “Galactic Innovations: Star Wars and Rogue One” at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

Oscar-winning, Oscar-nominated and Scientific and Technical Award-honored panelists included Ben Burtt ,John Dykstra, Richard Edlund, Harrison Ellenshaw, Bill George, John Knoll, Marcia Lucas, Dennis Muren, Bruce Nicholson and Rachel Rose. The evening was hosted by “Rogue One” co-producer Kiri Hart.

These VFX pioneers shared the journey of creating the impossible with their breakthrough visual effects. They also shared rare images that compared the technology and visual results from both films.

Check out some of the highlights

Watch all the clips HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ8RjvesnvDPMguagtbNXxgNrkx9f5MgP

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences previously announced its summer programming lineup for both Los Angeles and New York.  A full schedule and tickets for the screenings can be found here: oscars.org/events. 

The schedule for July and August is as follows, with participants listed who may be in attendance (schedules permitting):

JULY

COOLEY HIGH (1975) – July 8 – 7:30 p.m.
Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills

A tribute to director Michael Schultz.  With Michael Schultz, actors Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs and Jackie Taylor andAcademy Writers Branch governor Larry Karaszewski.  Hosted by actor Robert Townsend.

WOODSTOCK (1970) – July 13 – 1 p.m. 
Academy at Metrograph, New York City

With associate producer Dale Bell and additional panelists to be confirmed.

COMMON THREADS: STORIES FROM THE QUILT (1989) – July 22 – 7:30 p.m.
Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills

This restoration world premiere and 30th anniversary of Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt has been preserved by the Academy Film Archive, Milestone Film & Video and Outfest UCLA Legacy Project, a partnership between Outfest and UCLA Film & Television Archive. Preservation funded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Milestone Film & Video and Outfest.

Sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view in the lobby for ticketholders before and after the screening.

With directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and producer Bill Couturié.

AUGUST

THE CHOREOGRAPHY OF COMEDY: THE ART OF ECCENTRIC DANCE – August 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills

With actor, author and director Simon Callow, former animator and dance historian Betsy Baytos, choreographer and interdisciplinary artist d. Sabela grimes, choreographer and hip-hop historian E. Moncell Durden, stage director and choreographer Regis Truchy,B-boy dancer and choreographer Ivan “Flipz” Velez and animator Eric Goldberg. Introduction of rare Nicholas Brothers home movies by Tony Nicholas, son of Fayard Nicholas.

LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE (1992) – August 8 – 7:30 p.m.
Academy at Metrograph, New York City

With director Alfonso Arau.

Tickets for Los Angeles-based events are $5 for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid I.D. and will be available online at Oscars.org.  Tickets to “Academy at Metrograph” events can be purchased via Metrograph’s website and are $15.  Doors open one hour prior to each event.  All ticketed seating is unreserved.  For more information, visit Oscars.org or call (310) 247-3600.