Two things happened because of that movie. First, I fell for all things mythology especially Joseph Campbell and the hero’s journey. Even flirted with Seminary.
Secondly, and decades later, I read the original pitch to studio executives. It was all princesses, Wookiee’s, buddhist quips about forces within, and light sabers. I thought this 6th grade gibberish. Did it come with crayon drawings ? How did it get the nod and a small wad of cash? Am I looking at the world with one eye?
It opened me up to be more patient, observing and curious. And that’s a good thing.
I was in 7th grade when Star Wars hit theaters. My mom took my brother and me to see it—line wrapped around the block at the old one-screen theater. The music? Epic. The effects? Mind-blowing. That day changed me forever.
I became a pilot because of Star Wars.
So today, I raise a blue milk toast to the galaxy far, far away. Writing may be my starfighter now, but the Force is what got me off the ground.
Thank you, Matthew, for sharing that episode of your life. I must have been 8 when I saw Star Wars on my small TV screen in the early 80´s, I loved the droids, identified with the princess obviously but was especially fascinated by the Force because I sensed deep down that a similar kind of energy was alive in real life. Later on, I was lucky to get a cinema course in college which taught me Joseph Campbell’s hero myth through the Star Wars movies. I still use part of it regularly to write my novels up to this day. Lots of love.
And...better yet...there was a story that had to be experienced again and again. When the first of the trilogy was released in 1977, I was no longer a child. I was in college, and it was all that everyone talked about. The messages were strong and the production was impressive.
I was a similar age when I went to my first Star Wars movie too. I actually fell asleep! I remember the Death Star coming up on the screen and not much after that. Since then I have watched many Star Wars movies, missed a few with my busy life, but a new Disney sub will certainly help with that. I am looking forward to watching them with my 5yo. He understands a lot already about the universe. He has played LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga on PS4 extensively. I have read him Little Golden Books Star Wars episodes I-VI and he actually has a Star Wars inspired middle name. So Star Wars has been a big part of my life.
Thanks for this piece.
Two things happened because of that movie. First, I fell for all things mythology especially Joseph Campbell and the hero’s journey. Even flirted with Seminary.
Secondly, and decades later, I read the original pitch to studio executives. It was all princesses, Wookiee’s, buddhist quips about forces within, and light sabers. I thought this 6th grade gibberish. Did it come with crayon drawings ? How did it get the nod and a small wad of cash? Am I looking at the world with one eye?
It opened me up to be more patient, observing and curious. And that’s a good thing.
Kind regards,
Jak
Oh wow seeing that original pitch would be very cool to see
I was in 7th grade when Star Wars hit theaters. My mom took my brother and me to see it—line wrapped around the block at the old one-screen theater. The music? Epic. The effects? Mind-blowing. That day changed me forever.
I became a pilot because of Star Wars.
So today, I raise a blue milk toast to the galaxy far, far away. Writing may be my starfighter now, but the Force is what got me off the ground.
That’s so it made you become a pilot!
Seeing it i the theater had to some experience I can’t even imagine
It was pretty mindblowing, even my mom liked it.
Now that’s high praise!
This brought it all rushing back: being a kid, half-skeptical, half-sugared-up, and suddenly all in the second that overture hit.
I still remember insisting on calling my porridge “Yoda fuel” for weeks.
Subscribed, obviously, because any writer who still channels that gummy-bear-fuelled awe deserves a spot in the galaxy I read from.
Siggy
Thank you, Matthew, for sharing that episode of your life. I must have been 8 when I saw Star Wars on my small TV screen in the early 80´s, I loved the droids, identified with the princess obviously but was especially fascinated by the Force because I sensed deep down that a similar kind of energy was alive in real life. Later on, I was lucky to get a cinema course in college which taught me Joseph Campbell’s hero myth through the Star Wars movies. I still use part of it regularly to write my novels up to this day. Lots of love.
I loved the droids too. I kept trying to build them after watching it.
Oh that’s would have been an interesting course that’s a great way to learn Campbell
Saw the original at the cinema aged 12. It was the most awesome thing I’d ever seen. It moved cinema on and into a whole new level of experience.
Jealous. Had to be something to see
And...better yet...there was a story that had to be experienced again and again. When the first of the trilogy was released in 1977, I was no longer a child. I was in college, and it was all that everyone talked about. The messages were strong and the production was impressive.
I get it. It’s all I talked about for years afterward
I was a similar age when I went to my first Star Wars movie too. I actually fell asleep! I remember the Death Star coming up on the screen and not much after that. Since then I have watched many Star Wars movies, missed a few with my busy life, but a new Disney sub will certainly help with that. I am looking forward to watching them with my 5yo. He understands a lot already about the universe. He has played LEGO Star Wars Skywalker Saga on PS4 extensively. I have read him Little Golden Books Star Wars episodes I-VI and he actually has a Star Wars inspired middle name. So Star Wars has been a big part of my life.
Oh I love the Lego Star Wars stuff. I used to watch my cousin and that’s all we’d play