The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards are in — and once again, Star Wars is all over the technical side of the industry… even when Star Wars itself isn’t the movie being nominated. Because when the Oscars get to categories like Visual Effects and Sound, two names keep showing up behind the scenes: In other words: Star Wars craftsmanship, still quietly carrying half of Hollywood on its back. ILM’s Presence at the Oscars Is Basically a Tradition Now Even when there isn’t a Star Wars film in the race, ILM is usually involved in multiple projects getting Academy recognition — and the 98th Oscars are no different. The Academy’s process for Visual Effects typically includes a shortlist/bake-off stage before final nominees are locked in, and ILM talent is involved across a wide range of major titles competing in the category. If you’ve ever watched a modern blockbuster and thought…
Skywalker Sound
Happy Birthday, Ben Burtt – The Sonic Genius Behind Star Wars
The Man Who Made the Galaxy Audibly Legendary July 12 marks the birthday of Ben Burtt, the mastermind behind some of the most unforgettable sounds in cinema. He didn’t just fill the silence—he created the literal voice of the galaxy far, far away. On this day, it’s only right to honor the man who gave a hum to the lightsaber, breath to Vader, and charm to droids. Iconic Sound Creations That Echo Through the Galaxy Lightsabers & Blaster Fire That iconic lightsaber hum? It wasn’t created in a lab—it was crafted from analog magic. Burtt combined the buzz of an old projector with feedback from a TV set to invent the most recognizable weapon sound in cinema. And the blaster fire? A hammer striking a guy-wire, tweaked until it became pure Star Wars. Vader’s Breathing You can’t have the Dark Side without that ominous breath. Burtt recorded himself breathing through…