'Light & Magic': Disney+ Docuseries Gives Untold History Of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)

The new Disney+ series, Light & Magic, takes viewers inside Industrial Light & Magic.

Shadow and Act was present at a panel for the docuseries at Star Wars Celebration back in May. The presentation featured panelists including Lawrence Kasdan, Janet Lewin, Ron Howard, Joe Johnston, Phil Tippett, and Denis Muren.

The streamer describes the series as “an immersive series that chronicles the untold history of world-renowned Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm.”

Here’s the logline: Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtain of Industrial Light & Magic. Learn about the pioneers of modern filmmaking as we go on a journey to bring George Lucas’ vision to life. These filmmakers would then go on to inspire the entire industry of visual effects.   

Not only does the company work on Star Wars projects, but they keep busy with Marvel and more as well.

“I think that Larry did a spectacular job,” Lewin, currently SVP and GMG at ILM said of the series. “It is about the people. Yes, we’ve done spectacular things and the folks that I’m honored to be on the panel with have changed this industry but it’s all about the soul and the people.”

She continued, “I have the easiest job in the world and I have an amazing team. There’s just so many amazing people at ILM and we’re in five countries around the world and the thing that unites us is the DNA.”

On working with George Lucas, specifically on the first Star Wars, Muren said, “I could look at those things and imagine them in motion,’ he explained, talking about Lucas’ progress. “There’s nothing like being given great stuff…he knew how to create danger and emotion in the sequences. The last four or five months, it all kind of came together….to have it be a success was unbelievable.”

Light & Magic is currently streaming on Disney+.