The Bearded Trio

This Classic Clip Is a Retro Treasure Trove. Every now and then you will get a gem of a video that will materialise out of nowhere and thanks to the awesome BBC Archives YouTube channel that's exactly what has happened. This clip is from the British news programme called "Newsnight" and is entitled, " Is the BRITISH SFX Industry in CRISIS? "  It features Bernard Falk with quite literally an explosive introduction.  He asks if with the lack of funding is the British special effects industry in crisis?   The clip just keeps giving in regards to movie history.  We get to hear from Oscar-Winning Brian Johnson who has set up a new FX company called "Arkadon."  Johnson explains that they face an uncertain future with little development being done in the UK for motion control and if it doesn't change and adapt to the techniques being developed in the US then they will go down hill fast.  Their reputation he explains is what is currently getting them work...

Fan letter asking to be a Star Wars Extra From 1981 Below is a scanned image of the letters sent in from readers taken from Starlog magazine August 1981 number 49.  I particularly like the one from an enthusiastic fan who is trying to become an extra on the upcoming movie Revenge Of The Jedi. You have to commend his commitment.  He actually moved to California to increase his chances of being an extra in the next Star Wars movie.  Then he found out that George Lucas cut ties with Hollywood, moved to San-Fransisco and this poor fan suddenly found himself no closer to his dream and a move that wasn't needed.  Anyway, he goes on to explain how he wrote a number of letters and not giving in.  That's some determination.  I wonder if he managed to get a spot in one of the movies? Also, there a few letters expressing their enthusiasm for the recently launched Space Shuttle Columbia.  I wonder if we'll ever see that level of enthusiasm again for another ...

This is a newspaper clipping from September, 1982 previewing the much anticipated, Revenge of the Jedi.  It explains how it has completed principal photography indicating how late in the day the change from Revenge of the Jedi to Return of the Jedi really was. Love the part about the saga may be extended to nine movies and also mentions "Indy 2" What a golden time for movies the eighties were.