[10 Oct, 1976]
After getting up early and prepared mentally for the execution of the plan, I got ready to meet my Uncle.
Then we went to the studio. I then asked "Uncle… Yesterday, I heard a director has put his entire money on something called special effects to make a movie. But what are special effects??"
He glanced at me and said "Boy, Special Effects are techniques and technology used to enhance the visual elements or create illusions in the movie. Simply put, they are used to make things like ghosts, magic, special areas and backgrounds for the viewers to see. They are money burning projects."
I asked "Uncle, can we go to that place to see those special effects."
He replied "Okay, but first we should go to the production area and then check the progress. I will then make some arrangements. After this, I will take you to see them."
I smiled happily and nodded my head. Then we went to the studio and Uncle has gone to see the assistant producer to oversee the plan and made the arrangements. He came and took me with him to see the director George Lucas first.
George Lucas got his assistant to let us see his special effects studio ILM. When we went there I saw people working on large systems, not just some random ordinary guys but the founding members of the future famous ILM.
Ken Ralston – Star Wars and later work at Sony;
Richard Edlund – Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, Poltergeist and started his own studio;
Dennis Muren – Star Wars, Jurassic park, Indiana Jones, Twister, E.T;
Robert Blalack – Star Wars, Robo Cop;
Joe Johnston – Star Wars, Jumanji, Captain America, Jurassic Park, The Rocketeer, Wolfman, Honey, I shrunk the kids and also a director;
Phil Tippett – Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Robo Cop and also worked with Dream Works;
Steve Gawley – Star Wars, Back to the Future;
Lorne Peterson – Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T, Men in black, Jurassic Park;
Paul Huston – Digital Matte Artist;
When they were introduced, I remembered the general information that I read from past life.
I asked them if it was okay to see them working, and they agreed. I get see it all and was impressed of their work.
After that I went to uncle and asked that if we can also have our own special effects studio like this.
He paused and thought for a while and said that we will see.
Then I started to pester him about the answer. He said that it will cost more money to operate and keep the company going.
I just asked him why not take over this studio as the people working in this place are good… instead of starting a new one.
He looked at me and smiled saying that he has to look around the place for a while and asked me stay here with these people.
I just stayed there and thinking about the next step.
After a while, my Uncle came back and replied that he too thought that these people are talented after seeing their work and dedication.
He also said that he will talk to George Lucas to see if he needs any financing as he is currently facing financial problems.
A half an hour later, I saw George Lucas coming through and greeted my Uncle.
I wanted to know what they were taking; So, I went to the room and sat beside my uncle like a good and obedient kid.
In the meeting room, George and Uncle Rob had a lengthy discussion. After listening them talking so long, I had started to feel sleepy.
Then they concluded that Uncle can get 30 % of the Lucas Films studio along with the entire special effects' studio ILM as long as Uncle invests one million in the film and another three for the ILM and 20% of the Lucas Films Studio.
Though four million is a significant amount as it can be seen as a medium-level investment project for film productions, Uncle agreed as he has seen the work of these people and considered my words.
But he said that he would have to get rights to the peripheral products and sequels of the Star Wars just in case.
I was thrilled to see such an outcome, which can be considered as a blessing for Uncle.
He said that he will also have to supervise the money used in the process.
With such an attitude, I can say that Uncle has learnt many things in this Hollywood quagmire.
But I can see that George Lucas is also in a hurry to get the investment.
Then they have decided to finalize the deal in two days because this project has the investment of 20th Century Fox of nearly 10 million.
After that me and Uncle Rob went home and had dinner. I went to my room and processed what has happened through out the day. It made me excited thinking about it. ME having a chance to get to participate in the Epic Star Wars project.
And I went to bed sleeping happily thinking about finalizing of the deal.
I woke up, done my exercise, read news and got ready to school. In school, like every day I got into my seat took out my book and started to draw and write the information of the drawings like their character, background, powers, accessories etc. I wanted to complete Indiana Jones project as a screen play type picture book.
So, I started asking my teachers about some interesting stories or myths about ancient people and their country (civilizations) like a curious kid.
They started sharing their knowledge and explained them like a story and I got idea of mixing Indiana Jones with 'Tomb Raider'. As they both are same in nature and theme.
I started Indiana Jones and left Easter Egg of making Lara Croft as his grand-daughter. So that I can connect it to the Lara Craft project.
Indiana Jones can be a humorous adventure type mystery and Lara Croft can be a female lead's independent action-adventure type mystery.
I started to avoid Lara Croft for now and solely focused on Indiana Jones. I made the characters and started to outline the plot.
After school, at home I was focused on the project. Next day, Uncle said that the deal had been done as 20th Century Fox too having some second thoughts on the film because Lucas has been pestering them for additional money for special effects.
They have signed the contract for the sequel rights and its peripherals merchandise rights along with the North America distribution percentage of 22% of box office and distribution of the next sequels must be given to them and they have right to invest first.
Damn! Fox will surely go mad and fire the one who made such contract. But Uncle got some real negotiation skills and great luck.
Two months passed by and I completed Indiana Jones along with a 'Space Invaders' game plan.
Because of the thriller and mystery elements in the story I had some trouble in adapting it. But with the help of the teachers in the school and maid in the house made them believe that I am interested in some historical myths and stories which laid the foundation of adapting the story into picture book without making myself look monstrous.
And the game to came to my mind after maid reminded me to play games again when I am working on the Indiana Jones.
So, I put them together and gave them to Uncle on Christmas as a present.
He was amused and took the wrap box and opened the wraps. He then glanced at me and started to read the picture book.
He then put it down and read the game plan. He looked at me and praised me saying that I was a genius and that he was relived now because of the game project.
He was worried about Star Wars project as Lucas was not satisfied and made the team in the special effect studio to remake the four special effect scenes. He then understood why 20th Century Fox was willing to give more box office percent. Now because of the game plan, he has the confidence that he can recoup the loss if the film failed and gain some profit through it.
He felt that it was really a Christmas present for sure.
We laughed, played, wandered around together and went out for picnic; just enjoyed ourselves a lot.
Two weeks passed by, my birthday came and now I am five years old. Uncle took me to the Disney land. It was thrilling experience for me in a child body. Now I can understand why this amusement park gets so much money.
Later uncle told me that the game was in development by the company called Exidy led by Kauffman's team who released the game 'Death Race', which was a recent hit. He also said that he bought off the company and poached some developers from the Atari and Sega game companies.
He also bought some of the tech company shares like Apple, Inc. a new company which seems to be promising and along with the General Electric, IBM, Texas Instruments.
He also increased the previous investment in the food related companies.
Now with the game company changed its name to GALAXY Games has become a subsidiary of the GALAXY Inc. is now fully committed to the development of the game.
There are nearly 15-20 developers working together to complete the project in four months and start the production before the movie release.
With the arcade game, it is estimated to have an increase in the box office collection. 20th Century Fox and Lucas also gave the green light for the game development.
After learning about this, I felt like I am in the clouds with all this happiness.
Then I started to think about what arcade games I can use and started to search the book to see if the written ones will be useful.
After searching, I think it would be better to make 'Snake', 'Pac-Man' and 'Tetris' games.
They all value so much even after decades in the future. Especially 'Snake' game owner enjoys millions just by licensing it.
Similarly, 'Tetris' too can earn millions.
'Pac-Man' has become a revolution by introducing the first A.I type NPC's with in the game.
This can make the company famous and pioneer just by the releasing these games.
With that I have noted them in a new sheet and went to sleep.