#StudyingStarWars Day 3
Professor Matranga’s #StudyingStarWars class met for the third time this week at the University of Denver, focusing on the early work of George Lucas as a filmmaker, the audio and visual art of the Star Wars franchise and some cartoon canon additions to the Star Wars universe.
“THX 1138"
The day’s first, and primary, order of business was watching “THX 1138", George Lucas’ directorial debut, and making observations about the connections between this movie and Lucas’ Star Wars movies.
The most commonly observed comparison was the sterility and uniformity of “THX 1138” to that of the Empire in Star Wars, though other stylistic elements were more subtly present. This was most evident in the context of Luh, as a mentor figure like Obi-Wan, introducing THX to a world beyond the drug-controlled reality of his life and — through her death — leading THX to escape and discover a new world above the surface.
Another comparison, and perhaps an inspiration, for the film was that of “1984,” the George Orwell novel where sexual pleasure is forbidden, and the government watches citizens’ every move to prevent rebellion, a reality echoed in the sterile walls of THX’s world.
The class then turned from the off-putting dystopia of Lucas’ “THX 1138” to focus on the more uplifting works of John Williams and Ralph McQuarrie.
The Music and Visuals of Star Wars
John Williams and Ralph McQuarrie were the two men primarily responsible for creating the striking audio tracks and spectacular images of the Star Wars movies.
This was a point Professor Matranga hammered home, especially focusing on Williams’ soundtracks, and the musical eras Williams took inspiration from.
“He has composed some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in cinematic history, including Jaws, the Star Wars series, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman: The Movie, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Indiana Jones series…Williams has won 23 Grammy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards.”
Williams’ work proved popular with the class, and is enduring element of the Star Wars legacy, as evidenced by a near-worldwide recognition of classic Star Wars themes such as the “Imperial March.”
Professor Matranga also made sure to introduce the class to Williams’ graphic counterpart, Ralph McQuarrie, showing several books with original concept art for Star Wars to his students, prompting awe and appreciation in much of the class.
Matranga also showed his students a video of what Star Wars might have looked like had the films used the original concept art of McQuarrie, a fascinating look into what might have been, and an ideal pivot point for the class to move on to discussing the final project.
Draft Discussion
Following a brief lunch break, Professor Matranga and his students reconvened to discuss their drafts for their final projects and give some advice on how best to proceed for each writer.
I took the opportunity to continue finding connections between elements of the “Knights of the Old Republic” video game and the universe that built up around it, with particular emphasis on the increasing lack of moral certainty that the second game of the “KOTOR” series introduced to the Star Wars universe. Once each writer had spoken, Professor Matranga rewarded the class’ work by showing the first episode of Star Wars: Rebels.
Rebels
The Star Wars: Rebels episode introduced a variety of new characters, as well as clearly showing how the galaxy had changed for ordinary citizens in the aftermath of the Empire’s formation, serving as a strong addition to the Star Wars canon.
The connective tissue this series provides in the Rise of the Empire period helps to better contextualize the need for a Rebel Alliance and the events of “A New Hope,” serving as a brighter, more extended version of “Rogue One.” The series also is an ideal way for Disney to build new lore and start creating a foundation for its own Expanded Universe and canon.
The Star Wars: Rebels episode served as the capstone to a productive day exploring the Star Wars universe’s foundations, giving the class an understanding of how Star Wars evolved to where it is today, as well as a greater appreciation for the audio and graphic advances Star Wars has made over the years.
Once the episode’s credits rolled, Professor Matranga sent his class off to complete their work for tomorrow’s session, and to prepare to watch “The Last Jedi” at last.
May the Force be with you…
