Visual Essay #2
Star Wars (Directed by George Lucas, 1977, United States/UK), perhaps the most important and influential film in the history of Science Fiction cinema, presented a quantum leap in terms of special effects. The film initiated the creation of the most prolific special effects studio in the moviemaking business in the form of ILM, or Industrial Lights and Magic. Before Star Wars, special effects were in fact advancing and becoming more prevalent in not only science fiction, but other genres as well. But Star Wars brought to the table special effects that were not only dazzling and pleasing to the eye, but revolutionary. George Lucas and his team of technical wizards brought forth the advent of such special effect techniques as computer-generated imagery (albeit in its infancy stages), or 2D or 3D images generated by a computer. This included 3D images of the Death Star and other images throughout the film. 
They also incorporated computer-controlled cameras, miniatures, models, as well as stop-motion animation. Perhaps the most memorable sequence of the film made use of these new techniques, the climactic battle between the Rebel Alliance and the Empire to destroy the Death Star.
The film’s special effects attempt to visualize human interaction with technology or technological possibilities based on current knowledge by the extensive use of space travel presented throughout the film. Such scenes as the Millennium Falcon rocketing into hyperspace 
and the assault on the Death Star show what could possibly come to be in terms of our own reality of space travel. Mankind has made much advancement in space travel, but not in any way to the degree that Star Wars visualizes. We can rocket into space in man-controlled spacecraft and explore nearby areas, but not to the degree of being able to travel at light speed or have assault/military weaponry such as the TIE fighters and the X-Wings. These spectacular effects makes one wonder how or if such technological advances will ever really become a reality. I have faith that mankind will one day achieve such advancements, but I don’t think that they are coming anytime soon.
When one envisions these new human/technological interactions presented by the special effects, it suggests that technology is something that is permanently a part of our everyday lives, whether we like it or not. Technology has come so far that there is really no turning back now, as many billions of dollars and endless hours of research and manpower have and will go into enhancing and furthering it. Movie special effects can create imagery that shows what could be, as well as demonstrates what man is capable of, and the potential that lies within us all.
This idea shows that such trivial matters such as special effects in Science Fiction film are perhaps indicative of the modification of out understanding of the “human”. The final results that the special effects wizards produce show the intelligence and creativity of the human, and the wondrous things that we can create. And perhaps, unbeknownst to us, these effects are creating a mirror or a looking glass into what could someday be a reality.
and the assault on the Death Star show what could possibly come to be in terms of our own reality of space travel. Mankind has made much advancement in space travel, but not in any way to the degree that Star Wars visualizes. We can rocket into space in man-controlled spacecraft and explore nearby areas, but not to the degree of being able to travel at light speed or have assault/military weaponry such as the TIE fighters and the X-Wings. These spectacular effects makes one wonder how or if such technological advances will ever really become a reality. I have faith that mankind will one day achieve such advancements, but I don’t think that they are coming anytime soon.When one envisions these new human/technological interactions presented by the special effects, it suggests that technology is something that is permanently a part of our everyday lives, whether we like it or not. Technology has come so far that there is really no turning back now, as many billions of dollars and endless hours of research and manpower have and will go into enhancing and furthering it. Movie special effects can create imagery that shows what could be, as well as demonstrates what man is capable of, and the potential that lies within us all.
This idea shows that such trivial matters such as special effects in Science Fiction film are perhaps indicative of the modification of out understanding of the “human”. The final results that the special effects wizards produce show the intelligence and creativity of the human, and the wondrous things that we can create. And perhaps, unbeknownst to us, these effects are creating a mirror or a looking glass into what could someday be a reality.
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