John Williams Receives AFI Lifetime Achievement Award. George Lucas Retires from Filmmaking.
At a ceremony in Los Angeles last night, John Williams became the first ever composer to receive AFI’s lifetime achievement award. The star studded affair celebrated Williams 150+ composing credits and celebrated a man who has had an immeasurable impact on the world of film. Variety has a story this morning on the events of the night.
John Williams needs no real introduction on a Star Wars site. Everyone reading here should have an appreciation for his genius. Whether it is his iconic and much loved work on Star Wars, one of his 27 collaborations with Steven Spielberg, or any of the other pieces of cinema he has seen fit to elevate with his work, we are all well aware of what he has meant to Hollywood during his career.
But, this was an event for Williams to be recognized and celebrated by those he has worked with over the years. Steven Spielberg was on hand with a super-8 behind the scenes reel of a Williams scoring session for E.T from way back in 1982. George Lucas was also there to put Williams’ impact on Star Wars into context.
Speaking of “Star Wars,” Lucas noted it was Williams’ music that helped turn a film “meant to be a fantasy for young people” into a culture-shaking franchise, telling the composer, “You made my life so easy. I had so many ideas for other movies, but I never had to get around to them thanks to ‘Star Wars.’”
Many stars were also in attendance as well illustrating the many different films and actors he has worked with or influenced over the years. People such as Tom Hanks, Drew Barrymore, Will Ferrell, and Idina Menzel took the stage to honor Williams. But no one said it better than Harrison Ford.
From Variety on Ford’s Presentation:
Yet some of the night’s most appreciative words came from Ford, dyspepsia and all, as he called music “the salt-and-pepper of film, the adjustment to taste at the pivotal moment.”Going back to “Raiders,” Ford introduced a clip of the film’s mournful “Marion’s Theme,” and explained how unusual it was that the theme isn’t first heard upon the character’s first appearance, but rather later on, when Indiana Jones believes her to be dead.
“This is an example of entertainment elevated to the level of art,” Ford said. “John, you’re a genius.”
Williams also revealed (via Variety) that:
he plans to begin work on Spielberg’s next film, “Ready Player One,” in November, and then next year expects to do the next “Star Wars” film. “If I can do it, I certainly will. I told Kathy Kennedy I’m happy to do it, but the real reason is, I didn’t want anybody else writing music for Daisy Ridley.”.
Congratulations to Mr. Williams on this great achievement. It goes without saying that Star Wars fans everywhere find you very well deserving.
But the biggest news at the event came from George Lucas.
From Showbiz411:
Lucas tells me “I have retired from making films.” He’s putting all his energy into building The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Chicago with wife Mellody Hobson. “We’ve been working on it for six years.” Lucas has made great films apart from “Star Wars”– “American Graffiti” is an American classic. His place in movie history is secure.
This is actually the first time that Lucas officially states his retirement. In the past he was saying that he have plans for smaller movies, but obviously he’s now done with it.
We at SWNN wish Mr. Lucas the best of luck with his Lucas Museum and any future projects.
You can watch the tribute to John Williams on TNT Drama June 15 at 10 pm ET/PT
Watch AFI LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: A TRIBUTE TO JOHN WILLIAMS on @tntdrama June 15th at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT! pic.twitter.com/LtGUMQc9Dv
— AFI (@AmericanFilm) June 10, 2016
No one is more deserving of this award than John Williams – a part of Star Wars legacy and movie history in general. I am glad that he is still going strong.
He never stated it till now but he hasn’t directed a film in over a decade nor been involved in the writing process of anything film/TV related for over 3 years now.
The man is a walking contradiction tbh – He spent most of his career rallying around the creative rights of a film maker only to sell it all to a megacorporation, He bitched for years about SW/Indy holding him back from doing those indie films “that no one wants to watch” only to have spent the last 15 years of his career only doing that and then retiring, and of course his persistence for years that Star Wars was his thing only and Episode VII-IX would never happen nor did he write anything about them.
I think you have to take into account the fact that Marcia unceremoniously dumped him, ditched the kids, and then grabbed every dollar she could lay hands on. By all accounts Lucas was in deep, deep shit once she and her lawyers were done with him, and “THX 2” wasn’t going to rebuild his financial soundness. What else would you do if you’re, for all intents and purposes broke, your ex gets HALF of any money you make on your existing films, and there is a rabid fanbase ready to consume anything and everything Indy and SW? In that light, I can’t help but imagine the guy resents being trapped by SW.
I really hope that snake Marcia is dead by now. Too many people praise her for her contributions (despite the fact that she’s not the one that came up with any of the ideas for SW and her job, though important, wasn’t the most important thing that happened to SW) yet forget her treacherous ways. A classic case of a gold digger whom Lucas should’ve counter-sued for libel and slander. May she rot in hell, along with Prowse once he croaks!
You should stop making death wishes on a star wars forum. And besides Marcia was exactly just as important to Star Wars as Lucas, Gary Kurtz, Ralph McQuarrie or Ben Burtt.
Withough her SW most likely would’ve been the disaster as it was after the first cut.
To Leslie, anyone who blasphemes the Sacred Creator is worthy of death.
She’s a treacherous snake, that’s all there is to it.
As for death wishes, heck, I do it in other places as well, and I don’t feel one bit bad about it.
“Without her SW most likely would’ve been the disaster as it was after the first cut.” Lucas was dissatisfied with the first cut, so he hired the new editors, not Marcia. A New Hope was primarily edited by the two other editors, with some editing by Marcia in her spare time. Do some research next time.
Or maybe we should all not pretend we know anything other than hearsay and not use that as the basis for wishing death on people.
Oh I forgot, this is the internet… carry on.
Wasn’t she fucking his house painter too? Marriage, Success, Divorce, and Kids are the four big killers of creative types. You look at a lot of the greats and at least one of those things tripped them up at some point.
I’m hoping Amber Teard serves as a warning as to why rich guys should never ever marry but some dudes never learn till they wind up like poor Phil Hartman.
I find it funny that some fans seem to forget (conveniently might I add) Yoda’s line in the OT “always in motion the future is.” Not only is that true in the SW universe but true in real life as well, particularly with everyone who is a human being 😉
Don’t forget that the movie Strange Magic (2015) was with story by Lucas and he was also executive producer.
I don’t recall that film too well (who does?) but wasn’t it ‘story inspired by’ – like, Lucas said ‘what if it was kinda about the fairies in Midsummer’s Night Dream, but they were warring with some other guys?’?
Didn’t he write that ages ago though? It seemed like it had been on the shelf for awhile.
He basically owns(ed) his own production company and could have made any film he wanted at any time. I do not understand the crap that comes out of his mouth sometimes
Right back at you.
I think deep down he knew he had lost it and was too proud to admit it.
“I had so many ideas for other movies, but I never had to get around to them thanks to ‘Star Wars.’”
.
And that, kids, is what’s known as wry bitterness. Aw, hell, thanks anyways George, we appreciate it – it may not have been how you pictured your life playing out, but, honestly, who gets to have that?
I’m happy to hear he is leaning to doing the Ep. 8 score. There is no more suitable genius in all of film scoring that can approach what he does.
But a terrible director managed to reduce his efforts to nothing
Which film are you talking about, because I have yet to hear a Williams score that seemed like “nothing.”
Then you need to watch Force Awakens
That film has no soul. Its the most obvious explanation for why Williams score was unmemorable. And thats no criticism against John Williams because his instincts have always been excellent. When you give him a movie with its own creative flavour to work with he always brings the goods, so yes I agree with you that the fault lies purely with the director.
It wasn’t unmemorable. it was the best and most memorable SW score since the Phantom Menace. It had the most new music and themes since TPM. If you actually made an effort to appreciate it you would realize this.
Wow have you even listened to the other two prequels soundtracks? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nk_WHHTQtY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCF9vqzevQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77yEz08hLAU
Thats just a small selection but these have tons more character than anything in TFA. Also its a common misconception that the Phantom Menace score is only great because of the Duel of the Fates. Its not, the whole thing is a masterpiece. TFA theme for Snoke was basically a repitition for Palapatine’s theme in ROTS. TFA is a mere footnote compared to the Prequels scores. The main reason being Williams wasn’t given anything memorable, original or good to work with.
It’s absolutely better than both the Clones and Sith soundtracks. By far. So many great new themes. The only memorable theme from Clones is Across the Stars, which is great but that’s it. Enter Lord Vader is standard brash militaria with the Force Theme attached at the end. You have a rose-tinted view of the prequel scores. The Phantom Menace was a great score, but the other two got more generic-sounding action music as the series went on and the best parts were just new arrangements and treatments of classic themes. The Force Awakens gives us Rey’s Theme, The Resistance March, Kylo’s Theme, Poe’s heroic motif, The Jedi Steps Theme, and they are all excellent add-ons to the SW musical canon.
Dude you are a moron! Nobody besides you has even dared, not even rabid TFA fanboys, to make the idiotic suggestion that TFA score is in any way better than any of the Prequels score. Anyone with even a slight barometer for musical quality can tell the difference and that TFA score was easily one of the most underwhelming scores Williams has pulled off for any film, never mind Star Wars. Your views are absolutely delusional, I just want to make that clear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qbed8OuyXdI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2wMju-Lhtw&list=PLDA8AB0D75771F1DA&index=12
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XinMmcZpBbI&list=PLDA8AB0D75771F1DA&index=8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEOCr8FGLZA&index=2&list=PLDA8AB0D75771F1DA
I mean how freaking dense can you get. Where the fuck do you even get the justification for declaring TFA is better. Williams has never done a bad score. Thats the only reason TFA is worth mentioning because he just can’t seem to do an awful score, but that does not make it as good as the Prequels. I’ll never be able to prove it to you because we all have our opinions. But I just want to let you know that in the objective world where quality speaks for itself and tturh is real, you’re completely wrong.
How exactly can an opinion be “truth?” That makes no sense. I am huge fan of Williams and all of his scores. I have listened to all of his Star Wars scores literally hundreds of times. I have anticipated every score release and collected every inch of music I can get my hands on. And to me, neither the Clones score nor the Sith score were as fresh and nor did they contain the amount of new themes as TFA did. None of the samples you provided were anything exceptional to what we heard in TFA. They were great, but the TFA score stuck with me so much more than they did and seemed so much more fresh with so many new themes, not constantly depending on the classic themes to insert all of the time.
How many times did you actually listen to the TFA score? It sounds like you heard it once, decided that because you didn’t immediately recognize the majority of the music, you decided it wasn’t good and didn’t bother listening to it any more. The score is amazing. and you are a complete ignoramus, or simply didn’t bother to take the time to appreciate it for what it is. Again, all we get from Clones in terms of major themes and concert suites is Across the Stars. With Sith it’s Battle of the Heroes, which itself contains the force theme. Good music in Star Wars doesn’t all have to be epic, choral, bombastic pieces.
Please tell me how any of this is in any way sub-standard of classic Star Wars music and “unmemorable.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65As1V0vQDM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueqKtype7Kk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUBUlKgsNK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YzVTW1oAr4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHJrfB7VquM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJzuanMUuS4
Well first of all I never said opinions were truth I just implied that there are opinions and then there’s also truth, they sometimes correspond to each other but not always. Secondly I’ve listened to it enough but obviously not as much as I would’ve if I truly loved it. There’s not much I get obsessed with in this world but a new Star Wars score by John Williams is most definitely one of them so if it truly had reached the heights of his prequel work and beyond I would be listening to it continuously on repeat, that’s pretty much what I did with the ROTS score but in the end its just a light snack compared to the prequels’ bounteous feast. There’s pretty much nothing of substance in it, the Rey theme is the highlight but Williams has done even more exemplary similiar type themes in the past. People are only pointing it out so much because it was the one true standout in this score which is surprising as people expected more. Ultimately though I point it back to the film. Because the film itself is quite an unremarkable film with no true inspiration to glean from hence the lack of output from Williams on it. If a film has a true heart and soul you can be sure Williams will mine the riches from it to produce an outstanding score. Thats why I know his coming score for the BFG for example will be so much better than this because I know Williams and I know what he’s capable of, he never disappoints. My problem with TFA score isn’t that its bad because it never once strays into that territory but it never soars and Williams is maybe the one composer still around who you can expect that from. Anyway I’m just gonna post one more track from ROTS as you seemed to think the others were too bombastic or something. Just listen to how heart-breakingly beautiful the music is, it has so much story and character in it its amazing to hear. There’s nothing of that complexity in TFA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE2zA1LiTJE
Search your feelings, you know it to be true. Say whatever you want about TFA score, like it as much as you want, but don’t say its better than the prequels, thats just a bogus assertion. I wish there was a scientific method of proving this but unfortunately there’s not, I’ll just have to hope something clicks in your mind and you agree with the objective viewpoint. I understand if you like TFA better subjectively. There are plenty of things I like subjectively compared to objectively superior things. I like ROTJ subjectively more than TESB but TESB is objectively better in most ways. Even with another third film Godfather 3. Subjectively I actually prefer Godfather 3 over the original maybe even Part 2 but you’re never gonna hear a peep from me saying its objectively better because its clearly not.
“But I just want to let you know that in the objective world where quality speaks for itself and tturh is real, you’re completely wrong.” Sounds a lot like you’re suggesting that an opinion is truth.
Ok. Whatever. You obviously haven’t made much of an effort to appreciate the score for what it is, hence your completely ignorant view of it being unmemorable. Nothing could be further from “the truth.” I remember one theme from Clones, (Across the Stars) and maybe two from Sith. (Battle of the Heroes, Grevious’ Theme) I remember more themes From TFA that both those scores combined. The action music is awesome, and the new character themes are brilliant and it is all memorable, and I can’t wait to see how they develop and evolve in the next two. I have searched my feelings, and they keep telling me that yes, it is better than the last two prequel scores, by far. So much more variety and new themes. So much more interesting and exciting pieces.
It’s probably because you have a idealized view of the prequels. I think the prequels were insulting,stupid trash and found the Force Awakens was a fun and engaging movie with likable characters in every way that the prequels were not. The track you posted doesn’t do much for me. Nothing spectacular. But this is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUs88IY1A00&index=3&list=PLbXiId8W6ijXymxuIeQQxNMkBE5CqSFjr
Did you not read the article entirely? John Williams doesn’t want anybody else doing Daisy Ridley’s theme so what does that tell you? Clearly he has put his best efforts into making the soundtrack.
Ignore the obvious bias that I may have 😉
Yes and its basically the only thing people mention about the score too. What does that tell you? It means the only thing he actually found inspiring in the film resulted in something memorable. If he had found anything else inspiring I’m sure we’d be talking about those tracks too. But the fact is there’s nothing there. Its easy to get carried away with this film because of its flashy surface I agree and its well produced in places but its ultimately soulless and hollow. I disagree with that both as a Star Wars fan and a lover and appreciator of art and creativity. Disney and Kathleen Kennedy also backstabbed Lucas and basically stole his creation from him. You do realise when he sold Star Wars to Disney he brought his original ideas with him but they basically don’t care. They just wanted all the privilege Star Wars brings. They’re a money hungry pack of savages.
No. “Jedi Steps and the Finale” and “Rey’s Theme” were both wonderful.
Jedi steps is the only music that stands out because it was at the very end of the movie and it showed Luke at that moment. The rest is completely forgotten because it’s a succession of mindless action sequences and loud explosions.
How ignorant. You obviously haven’t made much of an effort to appreciate this tremendous score. It’s Williams’ best SW score since Phantom.
I admit but it’s not my fault, blame JJ Abrams
You can speak only for yourself. Others disagree.
And both reflect the most magical and memorable parts of the film – the beginning when we meet Rey in the desert, and the end when she meets Luke on Ach-To. Both were pure, distilled, Star Wars goodness…
I agree.
Oh, that movie that 92% of critics gave positive reviews? That movie that became the most successful American film of all time? That movie who’s score was the frst Oscar nominated score since Jedi? Please explain how any this resembles “nothing:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUBUlKgsNK8
That roast tho.
The Avengers have 92% positive critics as well, that must mean it’s much as good as TFA, right?
The Avengers is great, yeah. You disagree?
Of course I disagree, it’s garbage. I assume you think Transformers is great as well, you just have awful taste, you can like just about anything, now wonder you like TFA. I’m wondering what movie is very bad according to your very low standards?
Transformers is very bad! Grow up, kiddo.
John Williams, a living legend. At least 50% of Star Wars’s succes was thanks to JW. I really hope he will do the entire new trilogy
Williams and his orchestrater on the OT. So, SO good – seamlessly integrated into the flow of the film, rather than, like so many other films, the score being slapped on top of the film.
Not only the OT, but the prequels as well. Say what you want about them, the music was awesome. And, I can’t leave out TFA.
Totally. John Williams and Ben Burtt are the only people who came out of the prequels smelling as good as they did going in.
ONE: I hope John Williams has an apprentice.
TWO: I hope that apprentice calls him “sensei”, ’cause that would just be badass.
Both are legends…
I’m a huge fan of both!
So what about the experimental films? You just can’t make experimental films that aren’t made for a public. George just realized that. What is the motivation if you are putting them on a shelf yourself.
“You just can’t make experimental films that aren’t made for a public.”
That’s ridiculous. Sure he can. What in the world would preclude him from doing this?
I spent 8 yrs making an album only about 10 people have heard.
Exactly. What he’s not understanding is that artists often have motivations other than public recognition. He doesn’t get much, but he’s really missed the ball on this one.
Just think about it, there is no point in making movies you would keep for yourself. An artist needs recognition otherwise I don’t know how he could find the motivation and Lucas looks like he lost motivation.
“Just think about it, there is no point in making movies you would keep for yourself.”
Sure there is. Lots of people do all sorts of creative things that they don’t share. They do it for personal growth. They do it for expression or experimentation. They do it for fun. Plenty of writers and artists create things that they keep to themselves. First you say that he “can’t” do it. Now you’re saying that there’s “no point”.
“And I blame his “friends”, Spielberg, Coppola and Kennedy for tricking him into thinking he could.”
Go ahead and blame them. Nobody cares.
This is wrong. Prince made tons of albums and put them in a vault. The act of creating is enough for some people.
And no one is acting like..oh wait, I just noticed I am talking to a troll who can’t stop talking about things he hates.
Prince and Michael Jackson and most singers make song they don’t want to share because they are not satisfied with them. But on the other hand they are still making music available for the public. Nobody does music to put it on a shelf unless he is mentally ill.
That’s not true for Prince. The people close to him say the stuff in the vault is fantastic.
“Nobody does music to put it on a shelf unless he is mentally ill.”
Spoken like someone who doesn’t understand that creating something is sometimes enough.
Carved poop doesn’t really count as art creation.
Neither does anything you say or do.
It’ll be a sad day when John retires. Well maybe not for him… but for the rest of us!
People like John don’t retire or die, they just go to a nice peaceful space-farm to hang with fellow awesomes (Christopher Lee, David Bowie, and the others).
So much of JW’s work is absolutely iconic, but the less iconic stuff is pure brilliance as well. Have you ever listened to “Jaws”, outside of the two note shark theme? Beautiful. We all live in the presence of a modern day Bach, Mozart, or Beethoven, and his name is John Williams. I might even say he surpasses them, but time will have to pass in order for history to truly judge.
Congratulations John and good luck with Indy 5 and Ep VIII. Bye George.
…
😉
Well I personally don’t respect GL, MARSHA. You’ve been reported for spam, policing, and being just plain annoying.
Harrison Ford be rocking the wise Jedi mentor look these days
Yuh, weird, Luke needs a contract to wear a beard but your dad needs a contract to NOT sport his beard. Interesting…
Just like how I was contractually obligated to kill my father…oops did I say that out loud? 😉
Looks like such a badass, would be so good for a old Han. Maybe it’s for Indy VI?
I’m not sure honestly but I wouldn’t be surprised if he is getting physically ready for the role. He looks great given his age.
Congrats to John Williams it is well deserved many of my favorite film score are from Mr. Williams.
Now to change the subject I may get flamed or trolled (Won’t be the first time, but whatever), but there has been to much negativity towards George Lucas recently. Hes just a man who created a franchise we all love and adore not a monster who set out to destroy us. When ever i go back and watch the special features for the PTs I always get a sense that George Lucas was trying to tell a story he was passionate about and while i may not agree with some of the choices he made i can’t bring myself to hate him for them.
I never understood the “George Lucas raped my childhood” why because he made movies that did not live up to the standards of the OT? If you don’t like the PT fine no one going to change your mind, but hate the films not the man behind them. I dislike Nu-trek from JJ Abrams and what he did to Khan is unforgivable, but JJ didn’t rape my childhood he just annoyed me for two hours of my life.
Sorry to waste your time and i was not trying to offend anyone its just that this has been bothering me every time i read negative comments.
Couldn’t have said it better myself! I’m incredibly grateful to George Lucas for making these films that have become a huge part of my life. Do I think the prequels could’ve been better? Yes. Does that mean he raped my childhood? Absolutely not. And anyone who claims that he did takes these films WAY too seriously…
The man changed the film industry as we know it, and inspired an entire generation of film makers… I will be forever grateful for his contributions to film and our culture as a whole.
The PT was just a bunch bad movies, its hard to get over it for hardcore fans, but time will help. The ones which were truly insulting were the ,,special editions”. Geroge Lucas who stood up against the colorisation of black&white movies went back trying to alter his, including Thx-1138. And this behaviour is the one which I reallly despise, although I respect GL regardless.
It should be easiest to get over for hardcore fans, because we have had 17-11 years and also, it’s Star Wars! They weren’t amazing, but are you gonna hate something for that long?
Yeah, true. The comment from Lucas is kinda’ odd though;
“…I had so many ideas for other movies, but I never had to get around to them thanks to ‘Star Wars.’”
That’s an odd sentiment ain’t it? Not to judge, but, say, if I the non-qualified worthless peasant that I am, somehow grew up to be the director of the next instant classic, I’d be inclined to keep on making movies to the day I died, maybe that’s just me.
It’s kinda’ an alien mentality for me, the idea of the director “getting to” not make films. ‘Guess he thinks of it differently.
He is saying the success of Star Wars changed his life and career from what he anticipated.
I’ve heard that statement from him and always find it kind of annoying and disingenuous. The fact is he had carte blanche to do whatever he wanted after the original Star Wars trilogy and he did — “The Ewok Adventure”?? He chose to pursue the franchise spin-off properties for SW as well as Indiana Jones — one would assume for very lucrative financial gain. He was already wealthy and could have handed things over to someone else while he made his “art films.” And now, he really is richer than God, and in seemingly decent health, so why not go for it? Unless you are fearful of failure or out of good ideas? I don’t mean to hate on him, as I have huge respect for the career he has built — just… why the “poor me” statements?
God don’t need money, bruh.
The first album I ever bought was the soundtrack to Star Wars ANH in 1977 (I was seven)..In fact I went to Sears, bought the record player then to the record store, and that album didn’t stop playing until I bought my second album ever..The soundtrack to TESB….
Lucas publicly stated he retired many times
From big budget Hollywood pictures. But he continued to say he was going to do small art peices and experimental short films though he wasn’t planning on releasing them to the public.
Either way he lost his talent as soon as his wife left him so what did it matter? Maybe she was the real force behind Lucas.
Death threats will not be tolerated here. User banned.
Who is that user?
Leslie.
She’ll be back.
I think it was directed at me too since I just got a notification from her and can’t find the comment now. Meh, I’ve had worse said to me.
She was a very aggressive person right?
Yeah, It’s the same person unde a different name and proably not even female either.
“The real reason was that I didn’t want anyone else writing the theme for Daisy Ridley.”
Hmm, clearly, from what he knows, he considers Ridley’s character Rey to be of tremendous importance, perhaps more so than is contextually obvious to us the viewers… for now…
Well, judging from TFA, she is the most important new character, so duh.
yeah, that goes without saying. But it seems that there is a commitment a tad above the regular “’cause she’s the main character” reasoning.
No, I think he just sort of adores her, like we all do.
Thankfully that headline wasn’t the other way around, not that I’d begrudge Lucas a lifetime award. But, If John Williams retired, before VII & VIII are complete!!
Although I am looking forward to hearing what Alexandre Desplat does with Rogue One.