GEORGE LUCAS

Admiration not adulation is the key, but if I had to choose a number one 'hero', it would be George Lucas. Not because Lucas is 'Mr Star Wars', but because he is founder of the world's greatest motion picture special effects facility - Industrial Light & Magic.

Special effects have always fascinated me. I fail to understand how anyone would not be interested in knowing 'how they did that', and since the ILM boys are the very best, I have to tip my hat toward the guy who set it up!

Okay, so I can't write a piece about George Lucas without mentioning these two words: Star and Wars. There is something about the Star Wars series that takes it up several notches past any so-called rival. It's superior, classy, a cut above. Entertainment in a league of it's own is what it is. Oh, and it's twice as good as the Star Trek series of films! (You can't say that! It's a heinous statement! Take it back immediately!). Sorry Trekkies!

The other thing that occurs to me about Star Wars is that it is probably the most famous film of all time. If 100 people were asked in the street to name the first film they could think of, or what they thought to be the most famous film of all time I'm sure the majority would choose Star Wars. A few might opt for: The Wizard Of Oz, Gone With The Wind, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, or E.T. depending on their age! 

Lucas would not have gone on to make Star Wars if American Graffiti wasn't a success, and perhaps he wouldn't have made Graffiti without first making THX 1138. The piece of trivia I like the most though, is this: Lucas could not decide whether to go in to film or motor racing. That decision was taken for him when he wrapped a car around a tree in an accident that should have claimed his life. Oh, and he predicted he would become a millionaire before 30. He got there with two years to spare.

This admiration is borne out of wanting his job of course - but it's purely a creative thing. I'm not interested in his money!

If I could swap places with anyone.... 

Chris.