In this episode, Josh interviews Dr. David West Reynolds about his unbelievable journey from archaeologist to editing the hugely-anticipated teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). Learn how Dr. Reynolds went from earning his PhD researching ancient sites to launching an expedition in Tunisia to…
Dr. David West Reynolds and Josh discuss their immense respect for George Lucas, both as a creative phenomenon and as a boss and co-worker. While acknowledging Lucas' spectacular achievements, they also emphasize the importance of constructive criticism in understanding why certain aspects of his work may not have reached their…
It actually improves the story to view Anakin as not very smart or strategic. He was the blunt, talented jock - great instincts but not much going on upstairs! So all his questionable decisions make more sense if he was an oblivious pawn in Palpatine's master plan. What do you…
Richard Marquand directed a little-known thriller called Eye of the Needle that caught George Lucas's attention. Like indie directors today get picked for big franchises after a modest hit, Lucas chose the eager-to-please Marquand to helm Jedi. #StarWars #ReturnOfTheJedi #RichardMarquand #GeorgeLucas #BehindTheScenes
George Lucas wanted someone willing to collaborate while still maintaining control on the final chapter of his Star Wars trilogy. Richard Marquand knew what he was getting into. Learn more behind-the-scenes stories in "Secrets of the Force": tcp.show/SecretsOftheForce #ad #StarWars #ReturnOfTheJedi #RichardMarquand #GeorgeLucas #BehindTheScenes
What would George Lucas think about AI in filmmaking? 🤔 As an addendum to our last episode, we asked former Lucasfilm employee Dr. David West Reynolds to speculate. Dr. Reynolds gives insights into GL's love of technology, but cautions that creativity requires something human. Subscribe to see our full episode…
Despite Lucas' many qualms with the original trilogy, George Lucas had high praise for one iconic shot in Return of the Jedi - the tracking shot in the Luke/Vader duel. Want to dive deeper into little known secrets from the original trilogy production? Pick up the TASCHEN Star Wars Archives…
Josh and Mickey have an in-depth discussion about some of the most interesting behind-the-scenes details of Return of the Jedi. They analyze the dark side mythology, the moral struggle facing Luke, and what makes certain moments in the story resonate. Interested to learn more behind-the-scenes secrets? Check out J.W. Rinzler’s…
The droid factory sequence from Attack of the Clones lights up our millennial synapses in a very specific way #starwars #attackoftheclones #nickarcade #natalieportman
George Lucas was a pioneer of technology in filmmaking...but what would he think of generative AI? Would it be a step too far? We imagine what he might think in the latest episode of TRASH COMPACTOR. #georgelucas #starwars #ai #filmmaking
Welcome to a special episode of Trash Compactor, part of the Star Wars Podcast Day 2024 celebration! This year, we're not only joining forces with podcasts around the galaxy to honor #StarWarsPodcastDay2024, but we're also commemorating the 25th anniversary of the pioneering Star Wars podcast, Jedi Talk, which debuted on…
Michael explains how Splinter of the Mind's Eye, the first EU Star Wars novel, shows the early Star Wars universe was not carefully planned out. #splinterofthemindseye #starwarseu #debunkingstarwars
Josh, Jonny, and Bracey thoughtfully discuss George Lucas’s relentless creativity and vision when making changes to beloved Star Wars films with each new special edition release. They aim to balance their artistic critiques with deep respect for the man behind an iconic, culture-shaping franchise. #StarWars #GeorgeLucas #FilmCritique #SpecialEditions #SciFi
How the Star Wars Special Editions demonstrate how movies spark our imaginations to envision details and stories beyond what's shown on screen. #filmanalysis #starwars #millennials
The original Star Wars trilogy is beloved, but The Empire Strikes Back stands out as a masterpiece. So what makes it so great? As we discuss, a huge factor was director Irvin Kershner and his more nuanced, actor-focused approach. From the long shots to let scenes breathe, to coaxing out…
Empire Strikes Back created intrigue and subverted expectations right from its opening scene by using the Star Wars intro crawl before taking viewers to new, unexpected places. #StarWars #EmpireStrikesBack #MovieOpenings #FilmAnalysis #SubvertedExpectations
Discussing if modern CGI can truly capture the magic of practical effects and model work. #vfx #cgi #practicaleffects #filmmaking #starwars
Josh and Joe analyzing Star Trek as more of a "thinking man's" cerebral franchise, versus Star Wars' more subconscious, emotional pull. #startrek #starwars #cerebral #subconscious #scifi
Obi-Wan tells Luke he must choose: kill Vader or the Emperor wins. #StarWars #JediOrder #ReturnoftheJedi #Manipulation #MoralDilemma
Something I see clear as day as an adult but went over my head as a kid: Han kissing Leia after she said “stop” and couldn’t leave is kinda problematic. Little me just saw romance, not coercion, but depictions like this are why! And just to be clear: this is…
The original Star Wars films feel etched into the memory and visual language of multiple generations of passionate fans. So when George Lucas updated them with new CGI and scene alterations, it sparked complicated reactions. #StarWars #SpecialEditions #PracticalEffects #VintageFilm #PreservingArt
The minutest of Star Wars minutiae–here's a theory on why someone added a door to the cockpit of a Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back. (Yes, I need to touch grass.) #StarWars #EmpireStrikesBack #MillenniumFalcon #Retcon #SetDesign
Leia comforts Luke over a man Leia briefly met, despite her entire planet just dying. For years the film's dismissing of Leia’s trauma and inner emotional state went unquestioned. #starwars #anewhope #princessleia #feminist #filmanalysis
