Context of Practice 3: Progress Tutorial [3]

I did not have much difficulty reaching the 6000 word mark. Chapter 2 benefitted from the structure I had developed throughout the first. I approached the marketing and merchandising of 'The Force Awakens' using the same systems of analysis I had put in place for each of the films in the previous chapters, whilst introducing more focus on Baudrillard's concepts of post modernism.

Richard noted that the text had a lot of spelling issues, which I will resolve upon a later proof-reading.
He concluded that the dissertation was so far doing very well, and I would have to be careful not to lose out on the practical side.

Context of Pracitive 3: Peer Review

During this session I explained my worries about the work becoming too sterile and dry. It is my opinion that perhaps an analogue process is the key to avoiding this result, the feedback reflected this and recommended I use carrying line weight. The group was encouraging, they seemed to think I had done a good amount of work so far.

As ever, the general advice is to simply continue working on the project, and it will naturally progress.

Attempt to contact George Lucas [1]

During the research for the dissertation I have been unable to find the reasoning behind George Lucas's chose to retain the Star Wars licensing rights. I found a contact email on the Skywalker ranch website and I received the following reply:

'Thank you very much for your email requesting to interview George Lucas. We’re happy to know you admire Mr. Lucas' work, and that you would like to reach out to him for your dissertation. Because Mr. Lucas receives such a large amount of similar requests, we regret we’re not able to accommodate your request, especially in light of his retirement and travel schedule. If you would like to make your request with someone at Lucasfilm, you can try emailing their PR department: publicity@lucasfilm.com. 

If you would like to learn more about George Lucas, we can recommend two books: GEORGE LUCAS, THE CREATIVE IMPULSE by Charles Champlin and THE CINEMA OF GEORGE LUCAS by Marcus Hearn.  You should be able to find them at the library, and they contain a great deal of information about Mr. Lucas and his career. I have also attached a list of other books that may interest you about Mr. Lucas and Star Wars.

Once again, thank you for your email and we wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

Best,

Kristine

Skywalker Ranch Publicity'

I have detailed my opinions of the email through the lens of PPP on the relevant blog section.
In terms of the dissertation project, the email did indeed, though indirectly lead me to answer I have been looking for. The documentary 'Empire of Dreams' includes interviews with cast members and the crew behind Star Wars, as well as the creator, George Lucas. Towards the beginning, Lucas describes that the decision to retain the licensing, was part of his greater desire to keep control of Star Wars creatively, and he was happy to sacrifice a portion of his profit to ensure he had creative freedom, one useful quote is as follows:

‘When I took over the licensing I said I’m going to be able to make t-shirts… [and] posters and I’m going to be able to sell this movie even though the studio won’t. So I managed to get control of pretty much everything that was left over that the studio didn’t really care about’ (BURNS, 2004)

Context of Practice 3: Developments [3]

I booked a half-day slot in the print room to produce some designs for the project. I gave myself an hour to produce the imagery before stripping and exposing the screen, my aim being to improve the speed at which I can produce imagery in the screen print facility.

The image is a literal deconstruction of the Millennium Falcon, mirroring the literary deconstruction of the franchise in my dissertation. Although at this stage the imagery is far too complicated, the test evidences my analogue process.
 I have decided that my eventual final imagery will avoid the sterile digital work I have often relied on.

Context of Practice 3: Progress Tutorial [2]

Chapter one describes the Star Wars franchise between 1977 and 2005, focussing on the merchandising tie-ins in context to similar franchises and historical events.

Richard was impressed with the first chapter, only suggesting the inclusion of a short introduction. He also noticed potential ares of expansion, as well as a few unsourced figures. I will flesh out the chapter a little more, as well as beginning chapter 2, which will follow a similar chronological structure.
I initially divided the chapter into each film, however we decided this broke the flow of the chapter and was pretty superfluous.

Context of Practice 3: Developments [2]

The combination of more considered black line and gestural colour and shape seems to work well. Although I initially stated that I'd like to avoid the use of digital tools, I am certain that I could arrive at this aesthetic using a combination of digital and analogue process.

Context of Practice 3: Practical Peer Review [1]

During this session we reviewed the progress we had made in terms of practical response to our individual projects. It was decided that there was somewhat too little work amongst the group. I would suggest that this was a result of students prioritising their 603 briefs, I know that at least three of use have tables at Thought Bubble next week, which is obviously a pressing deadline.

My current work was reviewed by two other peers.

The peers seemed mostly positive in relation to what I had produced, they cautioned me to avoid getting to digitally orientated. They also suggested that this project was a natural progression from my Level 5 diagrammatic work, and that a similar result would work in this instance. 

Last year the diagrams I produced were completed at an A3 scale, but were finalised in A7 hotdog books, I would suggest that this detracted from their intricacy. Perhaps larger posters as well as a book is a good direction to take the project in.

Thus, my revised project outline is as follows:

Context of Practice 3: Developments [1]

I have initially tested a variety of aesthetics and medias, I was quite satisfied with the amount of development I produced in Level 5, so I would like to continue producing work to that sort standard, although I suppose Level 6 actually demands more in terms of quantity. The first Vader Drawing worked surprisingly well, as I wasn't consciously considering the palette.

My current concept involves producing 3 or so booklets detailing the development of a Star Wars product, from initial conception, to eventual release as a action figure/toaster/Lego set.