Keynote: George Lucas

SIGGRAPH 2005 KEYNOTE ADDRESS

A Keynote Q&A with the Father of Digital Cinema

Monday, August 1, 1:15 - 3:15 p.m.

While the keynote address is always one of the highlights of SIGGRAPH, this year's keynote has to be considered an extra special event, given that it will be delivered by one of the most innovative, successful and visionary film directors of all time — George Lucas.

“Lucas' remarkable storytelling and cinematic technical achievements have awed and inspired the computer graphics community for more than 30 years,” says James L. Mohler, SIGGRAPH 2005 Conference Chair. “His insights promise to intrigue and engage conference attendees across all industries and interests. It is quite fitting that one of the foremost storytellers and technological innovators of our time speaks at the conference for innovators not only in film but also in art, science, and technology.”

Lucas is most widely known as the creator, writer and director of the Star Wars movies, the last installment of which was released this year. Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith marks the end of a saga that, when it was first launched in 1977, became an international phenomenon and helped change the movie industry forever by ushering in a new era of computer-generated special effects.

In addition to the Star Wars movies, Lucas also directed or produced such other film classics as American Graffiti, Willow, Tucker: The Man and His Dream, and the Indiana Jones series of films.

Over the years, Lucas has played a key role in advancing the state-of-the-art of both computer graphics technology and high-definition digital production technologies. In addition to founding Industrial Light + Magic, Lucas is also chairman of Lucasfilm Ltd., a fully integrated entertainment company that, in addition to its motion-picture production activities, includes ILM, LucasArts, and Lucas Licensing and Skywalker Sound.

Read the millimeter interview of George Lucas at the 2004 Visual Effects Society Awards.