The Empire Strikes Back Director: A Masterclass in Filmmaking
When it comes to the greatest films of all time, The Empire Strikes Back is always near the top of the list. This 1980 masterpiece is widely regarded as one of the best sequels ever made, and it owes much of its success to the man behind the camera: director Irvin Kershner.
Kershner was an experienced filmmaker when he was hired to direct The Empire Strikes Back, but he was far from a household name. However, his skill, creativity, and vision helped to make the film a timeless classic that continues to inspire and entertain audiences today.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the life and career of Irvin Kershner, and explore some of the key lessons that aspiring filmmakers can learn from his work on The Empire Strikes Back.
Who was Irvin Kershner?
Irvin Kershner was born in Philadelphia in 1923, and he began his career as a documentary filmmaker in the 1950s. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to tell compelling stories with a strong sense of visual style, and he was soon working on feature films.
Kershner’s breakthrough came in 1970 when he directed the critically acclaimed drama Loving. This powerful film explored themes of interracial romance and social justice, and it established Kershner as a director with a unique voice and a strong sense of social conscience.
Over the next decade, Kershner continued to make a name for himself with a series of well-regarded films, including the spy thriller The Eyes of Laura Mars and the drama Up the Sandbox. However, it was his work on The Empire Strikes Back that truly cemented his legacy as a master filmmaker.
What made The Empire Strikes Back so special?
When George Lucas first approached Irvin Kershner about directing The Empire Strikes Back, Kershner was initially hesitant. He had never worked on a big-budget Hollywood film before, and he was concerned that he might not be able to handle the pressure.
However, Lucas saw something special in Kershner’s work, and he was convinced that Kershner was the right person to bring his vision for the Star Wars saga to life.
One of the things that made The Empire Strikes Back so special was Kershner’s willingness to take risks and push boundaries. He wasn’t content to simply make a carbon copy of the first Star Wars film; instead, he wanted to create something that was bold, innovative, and truly memorable.
Kershner made a number of key decisions that helped to make The Empire Strikes Back a success. For example, he insisted on developing the characters more fully than they had been in the first film, giving them more depth and complexity.
He also introduced new characters like Yoda and Lando Calrissian, who would go on to become fan favorites. And he wasn’t afraid to take the story in unexpected directions, such as revealing that Darth Vader was actually Luke Skywalker’s father.
Throughout the film, Kershner demonstrated a mastery of visual storytelling that helped to bring the world of Star Wars to life in vivid detail. He used a variety of camera angles and techniques to create a sense of depth and movement, and he made innovative use of special effects to create some of the film’s most memorable scenes.
Lessons for aspiring filmmakers
So what can aspiring filmmakers learn from Irvin Kershner’s work on The Empire Strikes Back? Here are a few key takeaways:
- Take risks: Kershner wasn’t afraid to take bold risks and try new things. As a filmmaker, you should always be looking for ways to push boundaries and explore new territory.
- Develop your characters: One of the things that made The Empire Strikes Back so successful was Kershner’s ability to develop the characters more fully than they had been in the first film. As a filmmaker, you should always be looking for ways to make your characters more interesting and complex.
- Master visual storytelling: Kershner was a master of visual storytelling, and he used a variety of camera angles and techniques to create a sense of depth and movement. As a filmmaker, it’s essential that you develop a strong sense of visual style and know how to use your tools to tell a compelling story.
- Embrace innovation: Kershner wasn’t content to simply repeat what had been done before; instead, he wanted to create something new and innovative. As a filmmaker, you should always be looking for ways to push the envelope and create something that is truly unique.
- Learn from the best: If you want to become a great filmmaker, it’s essential that you learn from those who have come before you. Consider taking an online course like NYU’s Film and TV Industry Essentials to learn from industry experts and gain valuable insights into the craft of filmmaking.
Key takeaways
- Irvin Kershner was a master filmmaker who directed The Empire Strikes Back.
- Kershner was known for taking risks and pushing boundaries.
- The Empire Strikes Back was successful because of Kershner’s ability to develop characters and master visual storytelling.
- Aspiring filmmakers can learn from Kershner’s work by taking risks, developing characters, mastering visual storytelling, embracing innovation, and learning from the best.
