yotsuya said:
I just thought of an odd parallel, yet somewhat opposite, that Star Wars shares with Star Trek. We all know how we feel about Lucas around here. He is the driving creative force behind the Star Wars Saga, yet he did not do it alone and we all know that an relish in giving the others their due.
Star Trek fans are not quite the same. For one thing, Roddenberry never pissed them off quite like Lucas has pissed of his fans. ST fans praise Roddenberry as the creator of Star Trek. Well, the classic series has as much outside input as Star Wars did. They turned down the first pilot (as too cerebral... a complaint that can be leveled at the first feature film and the pilot of ST:TNG, both projects he helmed directly) and asked for changes. Those changes, plus the input of all the talented writers and actors and further interference from the network, is really what made Star Trek great. Yet to hear ST fans today, it was all Roddenberry. What BS.
That is what I love about the community here. Lucas isn't some god, he is just a man with an idea that has grown beyond him. I love hearing the detail about the creative process and especially how the efforts of one person, Marcia Lucas in this case, helped to make the first trilogy what it was. Films really are a team effort and that really needs to be acknowledged.
This thing about the Star Trek fans isn't entirely true. I am one, and, if you are an honest Trek fan you are aware and okay with the fact that Gene Roddenberry wasn't a very good writer but he was one hell of an idea man. It WAS his endearing ideas that shaped all who helped him make Star Trek what it was. Gene also surrounded himself with like-minded people and gave credit where it was due....THAT is why he is so beloved to a Trek fan like myself and many others.
As for George, he had a crap load of help but he made everything his idea regardless of those who helped even though the truth is out there....everywhere.
Just saying..... :)