Light and Magic 2022-2025, Documentary Series


 

Light and Magic, season 2


“I love making a movie that's not supposed to work, that's the magic. The adventure is, we don't know what's going to happen."

“We're putting every dollar on screen, it's not going into polished brass door knobs.”

“We've never been there before, let's go there together.”
-Light and Magic, Season 2

Season 2 of Light And Magic is an engaged enthusiastic reminder that just because we take something for granted nowadays doesn't mean It has lost its heart. Joe Johnson and his former colleagues at Industrial Light And Magic bring us back to the start of the digital filmmaking age. From the ecosystems of entire planets to the tentacle beard of a mythical pirate, we see that in the digital realm, size does not always dictate the immensity of what is rendered on the silver screen.
This three-part documentary series exudes joy and enthusiasm as it explores the creativity and passion housed in a single rendered frame. Using the early 2000's as a through line, this series allows us to discover that digital filmmaking is far more than just flipping a switch. It is a true creative endeavor. I for one often take technology and art for granted, forgetting the real human heart that lies in the innermost depth of creation.
Here though, my creative recalcitrance is brought low, as my childhood appreciation for the moving image emerges once again. Light and Magic is a meaningful exploration of the potent mixture of technology and creative enthusiasm. In short this series reminded me how I discovered that dinosaurs were real, and that The Force was far more than a simple magic trick. As a result, I began to reevaluate my tainted relationship with a computerized digital image. CGI can be overused, that is certainly true. Though, It may benefit us to remember that that is our opinion. In other words, it should not negate the artistry or skill contained in a computer generated image.
In a way, Lighting and Magic offers us the Star Wars prequels as a test case for this approach to art appreciation. Suggesting that the CGI laden Star Wars prequels give us the same amount of heart and soul as any of their less digitally inclined siblings. This is true, not because of our appreciation of the film, though I am sure Lucasfilm and Industrial Light and Magic would welcome that. No, it is true because of the years of work it took to put those three films up on screen.
At the risk of it becoming a refrain, Light and Magic is a joyful and entertaining deep dive into the world of digital imagery. Director Joe Johnson and his team remind us that the subjectivity of art is objective in its creation. Put another way, subjectivity is given to us by someone else. So, in some measure enthusiasm, skill and heart find their way into all forms of filmmaking. I think it is safe to say that all honest creative endeavors contain some form of Light and Magic.

Rated TV-14 for some language

I found Light and Magic to be creatively enriching, meaningful and joyfully entertaining. I hope in some way you do too.

Season 2 of Light And Magic can be streamed on Disney Plus with a subscription

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