In conjunction with the release of Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray last week, Lucasfilm is auctioning some rare and exciting Star Wars items, as well as some once-in-a-lifetime experiences. If you are a film buff, or if you just want to meet and dine with some incredible people, consider bidding on this Dinner with Bay Area Filmmakers, including George Lucas, John Lasseter, Francis Ford Coppola, Chris Columbus, and Philip Kaufman.
Proceeds from this charity auction benefit Stand Up To Cancer, which develops breakthroughs to end cancer once and for all. eBay and Lucasfilm invite you to participate and help Use the Force for Good!
Probably the most famous of this quintet of filmmakers (although honestly it is hard to call one more famous than the others since they are each a household name) is George Lucas. Although we now take his success for granted, and see Star Wars as a cultural franchise, early in his career he struggled for recognition and success. He brought the concept of Star Wars to almost every major studio in Hollywood, until finally 20th Century Fox agreed to give the project a chance. He even gave up his usual director?s fee, but negotiated a contract to receive 40% of the film?s take, and merchandising rights (yes, that covers all Star Wars toys and so forth). Given Star Wars redefined the term blockbuster movie, we have to marvel at his foresight. Aside from the original Star Wars, though, Mr. Lucas only directed five other movies. Without going to Wikipedia, can anyone guess the other five?
Interestingly, George Lucas reportedly based the character of Han Solo on another of the filmmakers at the dinner party, Francis Ford Coppola. Mr. Coppola, the influential filmmaker, director, and producer, is best-known for the Godfather trilogy which he wrote and directed. All three films were nominated for Best Picture, and the films won twice (the third installment did not take home the prize). Given he is the owner of the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, we can assume he will choose the wine at dinner.
John Lasseter started his career at Disney working at Disneyland as a Jungle Cruise skipper, but quickly moved into the animation department. Upon realizing the potential of computers in creating animation, he decided to pursue this new technology with single-minded determination. He joined Lucasfilm with the title of interface designer, since Lucasfilm did not hire animators. As George Lucas?s interest in animation faded, Steve Jobs acquired Lucasfilm Computer Graphics and renamed it Pixar. Along the way, a short film Lasseter was working on morphed and grew into what we today know as Toy Story. Lasseter went on to direct other famous animated films, including Cars, and more.
Chris Columbus might not be as famous as his namesake who discovered America, but he has some interesting films under his directorial belt. These include Home Alone and Home Alone 2, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer?s Stone , Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and many others. Philip Kaufman worked with George Lucas on the Indiana Jones series, and is credited with the story for Raiders of the Lost Ark including the idea of the pursuit of the Ark of the Covenant.
We hope this gives you a glimpse into the depth and breadth of the filmmaking might sitting around this dinner table, and why it would be fun to attend. If you are thinking of using this event to pitch a new idea to any of these guys, think again. The listing specifically says that ?(t)he Filmmakers and any other guests of the Filmmakers attending the dinner will not read scripts or listen to pitches or receive any other submissions during the dinner or at any time before or thereafter from the winning bidder or their guest.?
I guess, just like George Lucas, you need to just take it straight to 20th Century Fox.