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George Lucas Caught Up in Union Battle

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Star Wars movie mogul George Lucas is at the centre of a union dispute after filing an unfair labor practices complaint against stewards in charge of sound editors who work for him. Lucas and producers at his LucasFilm company in northern California claim union representatives stalled talks to negotiate a new contract by canceling meetings and failing to respond to requests for information. Lucas' right-hand man Howard Roffman says, "We have spent four very frustrating months and have been unable to get the union to the bargaining table to negotiate. We've got a business to run here." Roffman, LucasFilm's vice-president of business affairs, admits he's baffled that anyone has any union grievances with the movie mogul, because he's a great boss. He adds, "This is a guy who has taken care of his employees like very few employers on this planet."

I guess he's being punished for the prequels and the special editions...
I'd like a qui-gon jinn please with an Obi-Wan to go.

Red heads ROCK. Blondes do not rock. Nuff said.

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Kharma, man. That's all it is.

There is no lingerie in space…

C3PX said: Gaffer is like that hot girl in high school that you think you have a chance with even though she is way out of your league because she is sweet and not a stuck up bitch who pretends you don’t exist… then one day you spot her making out with some skinny twerp, only on second glance you realize it is the goth girl who always sits in the back of class; at that moment it dawns on you why she is never seen hanging off the arm of any of the jocks… and you realize, damn, she really is unobtainable after all. Not that that is going to stop you from dreaming… Only in this case, Gaffer is actually a guy.

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I wonder if this had anything to do with Burtt's abrupt departure.
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Originally posted by: TheCassidy
I wonder if this had anything to do with Burtt's abrupt departure.


Burtt did mention something when he departed about being really frustrated, but it was never elaborated on. Sounded weird to me.
You're the dude who makes the sound effects on the Star Wars films. How can that be frustrating, I have no idea...

So, something doesn't sound exactly right here....
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: TheCassidy
I wonder if this had anything to do with Burtt's abrupt departure.


Burtt did mention something when he departed about being really frustrated, but it was never elaborated on. Sounded weird to me.
You're the dude who makes the sound effects on the Star Wars films. How can that be frustrating, I have no idea...

So, something doesn't sound exactly right here....


Have you ever made a movie before? It's very frusterating. Try doing lightsaber effects... after a while of rotoscoping you wan't to kill yourself.

As for the article, this Roffman guy sounds like he's full of it. Another Yes-men...

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room!

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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: TheCassidy
I wonder if this had anything to do with Burtt's abrupt departure.


Burtt did mention something when he departed about being really frustrated, but it was never elaborated on. Sounded weird to me.
You're the dude who makes the sound effects on the Star Wars films. How can that be frustrating, I have no idea...

So, something doesn't sound exactly right here....


Have you ever made a movie before? It's very frusterating. Try doing lightsaber effects... after a while of rotoscoping you wan't to kill yourself.

As for the article, this Roffman guy sounds like he's full of it. Another Yes-men...


Sorry, never made a movie before, but I don't think it's frustrating. It's hard work, yeah....and it can be challenging, but I don't think it would be frustrating. But since I don't make movies, I will ask if you do....if you don't, then maybe both of should pipe down cuz we both may not know what we are talking about.

Burtt didn't do any rotoscoping, dude. He came up with all kinds of wacky sounds from all kinds of wacky sources. Doesn't sound too stressful to me. I'd take the job.

I will reiterate....he's working on STAR WARS. Not some no-name sci-fi flick. I think Burtt was unsatisfied with something.......probably his boss. Burtt was with Lucas from the beginning. That would make Burtt less likely to be a yes-man since he knew Lucas when Lucas was a nobody with a few films under his belt.

Something sounds off....
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Yeah, I've been making a movie for about a month, and it actually is quite frustrating at times.

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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: TheCassidy
I wonder if this had anything to do with Burtt's abrupt departure.


Burtt did mention something when he departed about being really frustrated, but it was never elaborated on. Sounded weird to me.
You're the dude who makes the sound effects on the Star Wars films. How can that be frustrating, I have no idea...

So, something doesn't sound exactly right here....


Have you ever made a movie before? It's very frusterating. Try doing lightsaber effects... after a while of rotoscoping you wan't to kill yourself.

As for the article, this Roffman guy sounds like he's full of it. Another Yes-men...


Sorry, never made a movie before, but I don't think it's frustrating. It's hard work, yeah....and it can be challenging, but I don't think it would be frustrating. But since I don't make movies, I will ask if you do....if you don't, then maybe both of should pipe down cuz we both may not know what we are talking about.

Burtt didn't do any rotoscoping, dude. He came up with all kinds of wacky sounds from all kinds of wacky sources. Doesn't sound too stressful to me. I'd take the job.

I will reiterate....he's working on STAR WARS. Not some no-name sci-fi flick. I think Burtt was unsatisfied with something.......probably his boss. Burtt was with Lucas from the beginning. That would make Burtt less likely to be a yes-man since he knew Lucas when Lucas was a nobody with a few films under his belt.

Something sounds off....


I've made quite a lot for school and fun, and I'm a member of our universities' TV station.

I was using the rotoscoping as an example, I've done sound work too, and trust me, it's a huge pain to get the sounds not only in the right place, but to make it seem like they're in the environment and not canned.

And, yes, I'm sure it must be fun to work on Star Wars, but let's be reasonable. It's a serious job; what these guys do is shown all around the world. That's quite a bit of stress. I honestly don't know how they keep from going crazy.

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room!

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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: TheCassidy
I wonder if this had anything to do with Burtt's abrupt departure.


Burtt did mention something when he departed about being really frustrated, but it was never elaborated on. Sounded weird to me.
You're the dude who makes the sound effects on the Star Wars films. How can that be frustrating, I have no idea...

So, something doesn't sound exactly right here....


Have you ever made a movie before? It's very frusterating. Try doing lightsaber effects... after a while of rotoscoping you wan't to kill yourself.

As for the article, this Roffman guy sounds like he's full of it. Another Yes-men...


Sorry, never made a movie before, but I don't think it's frustrating. It's hard work, yeah....and it can be challenging, but I don't think it would be frustrating. But since I don't make movies, I will ask if you do....if you don't, then maybe both of should pipe down cuz we both may not know what we are talking about.

Burtt didn't do any rotoscoping, dude. He came up with all kinds of wacky sounds from all kinds of wacky sources. Doesn't sound too stressful to me. I'd take the job.

I will reiterate....he's working on STAR WARS. Not some no-name sci-fi flick. I think Burtt was unsatisfied with something.......probably his boss. Burtt was with Lucas from the beginning. That would make Burtt less likely to be a yes-man since he knew Lucas when Lucas was a nobody with a few films under his belt.

Something sounds off....


I've made quite a lot for school and fun, and I'm a member of our universities' TV station.

I was using the rotoscoping as an example, I've done sound work too, and trust me, it's a huge pain to get the sounds not only in the right place, but to make it seem like they're in the environment and not canned.

And, yes, I'm sure it must be fun to work on Star Wars, but let's be reasonable. It's a serious job; what these guys do is shown all around the world. That's quite a bit of stress. I honestly don't know how they keep from going crazy.

I have worked on movie effects at a large effects company. It is monotonous and boring and after a while animating a floating candle sucks, even if it is for a Harry Potter film. I imagine working on a Star Wars film would be much the same after a while. I recommend watching and enjoying films, and letting some other shmuck work on them.

War does not make one great.

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Sorry....I just don't agree with you guys. I think making movies, especially movies like Star Wars would be the damn coolest thing in the universe. Well worth any boring stuff that goes along with it.
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yeah, theirs millions of people who would kill for a chance to work in any department on a star wars movie even just as an extra. Being able to work with some of the finest effects creators, editors, and animators in the business or sound creators like wood or burtt would be i think any persons dream. Not everyone can afford to go to college, expecially a predigious and expensive school like usc, i would do just about anything to be able to go there and study film or become a intern at lucasfilm.

“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.

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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
I once thought as you do.


Well said.

I know it must seem really cool and such to be able to work on Star Wars, but when all is said and done, it's a job. You're not there to horse around and discuss who was the better bounty hunter or what really creates the force or random crap like that. You work your ass off, and let me tell you, movie-making is a hard job. Which is why I'm only doing it for fun.

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room!

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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
I once thought as you do.


Well said.

I know it must seem really cool and such to be able to work on Star Wars, but when all is said and done, it's a job. You're not there to horse around and discuss who was the better bounty hunter or what really creates the force or random crap like that. You work your ass off, and let me tell you, movie-making is a hard job. Which is why I'm only doing it for fun.


Like Lucas or any other filmaker doesn't consider what they do fun.....

Making movies has got to be so much fun that it can't possibly be thought of as work. Besides if it's fun and you get off on doing, then it really isn't work, is it?
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
I once thought as you do.


Well said.

I know it must seem really cool and such to be able to work on Star Wars, but when all is said and done, it's a job. You're not there to horse around and discuss who was the better bounty hunter or what really creates the force or random crap like that. You work your ass off, and let me tell you, movie-making is a hard job. Which is why I'm only doing it for fun.


Like Lucas or any other filmaker doesn't consider what they do fun.....

Making movies has got to be so much fun that it can't possibly be thought of as work. Besides if it's fun and you get off on doing, then it really isn't work, is it?


There are definetely fun parts of movie making (I mean, it's not a necessary thing... why would people do it if it wasn't fun?). I loved putting movies up on the screen and seeing people enjoying them. My Econ teacher actually used some of my class project videos to show to his other students to help them learn better. That just makes me feel awesome inside.

But, I really don't know how else I can tell you in a way you'd understand. It's a business for these guys. They have serious work to do, and if work isn't turned in on time, you can bet there will be hell to pay.

And just out of curiousity, how old you are? Not to say you're stupid, because you're not, but I think all you need is some experience in what it really takes to make a movie.

Gentlemen, you can’t fight in here, this is the war room!

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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Cable-X1
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Originally posted by: bad_karma24
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Originally posted by: Yoda Is Your Father
I once thought as you do.


Well said.

I know it must seem really cool and such to be able to work on Star Wars, but when all is said and done, it's a job. You're not there to horse around and discuss who was the better bounty hunter or what really creates the force or random crap like that. You work your ass off, and let me tell you, movie-making is a hard job. Which is why I'm only doing it for fun.


Like Lucas or any other filmaker doesn't consider what they do fun.....

Making movies has got to be so much fun that it can't possibly be thought of as work. Besides if it's fun and you get off on doing, then it really isn't work, is it?


There are definetely fun parts of movie making (I mean, it's not a necessary thing... why would people do it if it wasn't fun?). I loved putting movies up on the screen and seeing people enjoying them. My Econ teacher actually used some of my class project videos to show to his other students to help them learn better. That just makes me feel awesome inside.

But, I really don't know how else I can tell you in a way you'd understand. It's a business for these guys. They have serious work to do, and if work isn't turned in on time, you can bet there will be hell to pay.

And just out of curiousity, how old you are? Not to say you're stupid, because you're not, but I think all you need is some experience in what it really takes to make a movie.


Don't see what my age has to do with this.....but I'm 29. And I work a shit job....so doing something like a movie would be the shiznits for me. The experience of working a shit job has obviously something to do with why I would think it's an awesome thing to make a movie.

So, I take it you are a student (film or otherwise) and haven't worked a job that you have to so you eat and make ends meet, right? Working for a living and supporting my ass has most definitely altered my view of what makes a job fun.

Just my opinions, of course....
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I've done several movies as well by now, and I can confirm that frustration is a part of it from time to time. Things don't work well all the time, so these moments get frustrating... of course, seeing something work out is just as satisfying, so there's both worlds in there.

You might say that working on a "Star Wars" movie must be the coolest thing to do, but remember, Burtt has been in there since the first movie, so I guess the wow-factor is gone by now.
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Ben Burtt could of been frustrated with more things than just his particular job. He could of been frusstrated with the way the company was ran, or a number of things for that matter.

I don't know if it's a rumor, but I've heard from several people that Lucas pays $hit wages. So many people want to work for the guy, there are a lot of talented people out there waiting to get their foot in the door, and if you don't like the wages you can take a walk because someone out there is just as good, if not better at what you do. Most people are willing to work for crappy wages just because it's Lucas/Lucasfilm, and George knows this, plus just having "I worked for Lucas" on your resamay is saying a lot.

Mind you, I'm not claiming it's fact or I know anyone who works for Lucas.
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Speaking as a film major currently in college, I can attest to the fact that it can be frustrating, however mostly awesome it is. There are times when you just want to not have to do anything and have a finished product, and that just can't happen.

Speaking specifically to sound work, an experimental short I did with a friend last year heavily relied on the sound we created for it and we have to creatively use it. The end result was very cool and extremely satisfying to the both of us, but you have no idea how much of a pain in the ass it was to do in the first place.

Cable, if you need it proven to you that making a movie is something usually as frustrating as it is fun, I would challenge you to make a Star Wars fanfilm. It would involve a fair amount of initial effort to shoot and a fair amount of post-production sound work. If you do that and come back here saying you felt no frustration, I think we'd all shut up.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Sometimes, people still want to get in touch with me about something, and that is great! If that describes you, please email me at [my username]ATgmailDOTcom.

Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

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Originally posted by: ReverendBeastly
Speaking as a film major currently in college, I can attest to the fact that it can be frustrating, however mostly awesome it is. There are times when you just want to not have to do anything and have a finished product, and that just can't happen.

Speaking specifically to sound work, an experimental short I did with a friend last year heavily relied on the sound we created for it and we have to creatively use it. The end result was very cool and extremely satisfying to the both of us, but you have no idea how much of a pain in the ass it was to do in the first place.

Cable, if you need it proven to you that making a movie is something usually as frustrating as it is fun, I would challenge you to make a Star Wars fanfilm. It would involve a fair amount of initial effort to shoot and a fair amount of post-production sound work. If you do that and come back here saying you felt no frustration, I think we'd all shut up.



Ooooooo......a challenge?!?!?!?

I have done some research into the matter of making a Star Wars fan film, so I do have a general idea of what it takes to do a film short like that. To be perfectly honest, with all the current technology, it sounds easier than making cake to me. Just takes a lot of time and a lot of effort, I know.

My only problem is I can't come up with an idea that hasn't really been done already. And the only idea I have that I would really like to do involves the subject matter on this site: the OOT on DVD issue. And I know it would infuriate everyone except people here. Involves portraying Lucas as a Howard Hughes type, showcasing all his mental issues and how it all ties in to the tinkering with Star Wars. I'm incredibly sarcastic and profane, so it would be a riot, but it would piss many, many people off.

And that wouldn't take any special effects (maybe a little, but not a lot). I have no idea how to do special effects. I mean totally clueless I am!!!

Damn you!!! Now you got me thinking seriously about this!!! It was just a passing thought before!!!!

Actually, I've scared people off with my effort in creative things. I wanted to form a band way back (cuz I play guitar) and there was guy who wanted to do the same and when we got to talking about being in a band, I scared the shit out of him cuz I was VERY serious about it. Almost obsessive cuz my attitude with him was "When we form a band, we WILL make it. We WILL become rock stars. We WILL do it or we WILL DIE trying. He said I went all Capt. Ahab on him and he got freaked out.