Storyline

Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtains of Industrial Light & Magic, the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm. Learn what inspired some of the most legendary filmmakers in Hollywood history, and follow their stories from their earliest personal films to bringing George Lucas’ vision to life.

First Aired

2022-07-27
Last Aired

2022-07-27
Creator
Genre

Documentary
Seasons

1
Episodes

6
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

Disney+

Keywords:

behind the scenes special effects visual effects

Stream and watch Light & Magic

Season 1

1. “Gang of outsiders.”

The year is 1975, and George Lucas has a problem. There is no visual effects company in Hollywood capa...More

The year is 1975, and George Lucas has a problem. There is no visual effects company in Hollywood capable of realizing the massive vision behind his new film “The Star Wars”. George and camera expert John Dykstra assemble an unlikely team of artists and dreamers for the job, but despite their best efforts and some remarkable new technology, the ILM team falls woefully behind.Less

59mins 2022-07-27

2. “On the bucking bronco.”

When a near fatal wreck thwarts his boyhood dream of racing cars, George Lucas finds success as a film...More

When a near fatal wreck thwarts his boyhood dream of racing cars, George Lucas finds success as a filmmaker. He spends his own money on the special effects of an ambitious new “space opera”, but progress is painfully slow. With the help of key new hires, ILM rallies to finish the film on time. Star Wars premieres to worldwide success, yet George remains curiously unsatisfied with the results.Less

53mins 2022-07-27

3. “Just think about it.”

After Star Wars, ILM moves north to a new facility—but not everyone is invited. As work begins on The ...More

After Star Wars, ILM moves north to a new facility—but not everyone is invited. As work begins on The Empire Strikes Back, the team faces unprecedented new challenges. Frustrated by the available tools, George creates a new division to help modernize filmmaking. Upon the release of Empire, ILM takes on outside work for the first time, setting the stage for a remarkable string of success.Less

63mins 2022-07-27

4. “I think I found my people.”

A new partnership with Steven Spielberg results in the memorable effects of Raiders of the Lost Ark, E...More

A new partnership with Steven Spielberg results in the memorable effects of Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., and more. Meanwhile, the computer graphics group scores its first digital breakthrough. As the 80s blockbuster era rolls in, ILM crews are competing against each other, for both resources and awards. When George makes a fateful business decision, ILM is forced to rebuild on the fly.Less

63mins 2022-07-27

5. “Morfing.”

ILM enters the digital era as its revamped computer division faces its first big test with Willow. Wit...More

ILM enters the digital era as its revamped computer division faces its first big test with Willow. With a new team of rebels arriving at the company eager to push CG to its limits, James Cameron gives them a chance with The Abyss and Terminator 2. But the transition to digital is not without its casualties, as some struggle to adapt. Then Steven Spielberg returns with his greatest challenge yet.Less

54mins 2022-07-27

6. “No more pretending you’re dinosaurs.”

Stop-motion genius Phil Tippett feels like he’s gone extinct when CG unexpectedly takes center stage i...More

Stop-motion genius Phil Tippett feels like he’s gone extinct when CG unexpectedly takes center stage in Jurassic Park. The watershed moment convinces George Lucas to return to his long-planned Star Wars prequel trilogy and push the technology even further. As digital filmmaking continues to grow and evolve, The Volume proves that the spirit of innovation remains alive and well at ILM.Less