If you recognize and celebrate any of the hidden gems in these photos then you’re among good company. I began collecting Topps Star Wars trading cards when I was six. I collected them all including Empire and Jedi. The fifth orange set included behind the scenes moments that I cherished more than the movie moments in the other four colored sets. This piqued my interest for filmmaking when I was just beginning to draw Stormtroopers with Mom in the basement. In 1981 Dad gifted me my Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Illustrated Screenplay. Beyond the incredible storyboards and script it included ILM’s visual effects plates near the end of the book. I pored over every last detail. Raiders is still my favorite film of all time with Star Wars in a close second and Rogue One in third. When George Lucas and Steven Spielberg get together we know something incredible will soon hit theaters taking us back to that first moment when we were inducted into the cinemas lovers’ hall of fame.
Each day when I wake up I give thanks to my childhood curiosity that has never left me. My spirit is alive and well. Anything is possible for one who believes. When two roads diverged in a wood I took neither path. Instead I took to the skies. Some call me Superman, others Neo, and my daughter claims I’m Batman. One thing I do know is that I’ve been floating through the house ever since I was three. I’m a true believer that we get to choose our own adventures in life. Fantasy and reality share the same space. Life gives is the choice to not only be the hero, but to determine our hero’s level, class, charisma, dexterity, hit points, and backstory. I’m no professor of archaeology or any sort of expert on the occult, but as you’ve now seen I am “how does one say it…obtainer of rare antiquities.” I’ve been a collector all my life. Little did I know that if I never opened my toys and kept them in mint condition I could have easily retired by now. Retired, now that’s a word that my inner child with ever whisper.
ABOVE: A PEAK INTO MY COLLECTION OF ARTIFACTS COVERING FIFTY YEARS OF CURIOSITY AND LOVE FOR FILMMAKING, STORYTELLING, AND ARTISTRY.
“Professor of Archeology, expert on the occult, and how does one say it...obtainer of rare antiquities.”
Major Eaton addressing Indiana Jones in the lecture hall, Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan. Story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Produced by Frank Marshall.