While enabling a crucial component of the movieвЂ™s signature aesthetic, Dykstraflex also acted as a gateway into far greater innovations by serving as the first major project out of LucasвЂ™ next business venture: Industrial Light & Magic. Miller and Jerry Jeffress - allowed Lucas the ability to precisely replicate the repeated camera movements necessary to create Star WarsвЂ™ eye-popping space battles, while adding an incredible (and previously unattainable) freedom of movement along multiple visual axes. A computer-controlled motion camera apparatus that piggybacked old VistaVision cameras onto an ungainly array of hardwired circuits, the Dykstraflex - named for lead developer John Dykstra, who worked alongside a team that included engineers Alvah J.

Much has been made in recent years of George LucasвЂ™ oft-stated wish to return to вЂњexperimental filmsвЂќ after making his Star Wars fortune, but from a technical standpoint, LucasвЂ™ popcorn space opera was one of the more experimental efforts in modern moviemaking - and the Dykstraflex might be the best example of how he used a small army of talented outsiders to create the technology needed to suit his vision. We decided to go back to the beginning and take a look at just a few of the many ways in which Star WarsвЂ visual thrills helped redefine special effects - and whether or not youвЂ™re a fan, this list makes it clear that our modern moviegoing experience owes a number of debts to what happened in George LucasвЂ™ long-ago, faraway galaxy. The Star Wars movies arenвЂ™t just about swooping space battles, cool-looking aliens, and beloved droids, but letвЂ™s be honest - a large part of the sagaвЂ™s immense appeal has always rested on its awesome special effects.

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