Mark Demayo

October 4, 2016
Alexa Doran
ENC 2135
Star Wars
It has been thirty-nine years since George Lucas first introduced Star Wars to the world
and it shows no sign of dying. Star Wars is almost everywhere in the world. There are so many
conventions specifically for Star Wars, and although it is not official, May 4 has become Star
Wars day. Star Wars has even had an influence in the political world through inspiring the
Strategic Defense Initiative during the Cold War, and that is only the beginning. Star Wars
appears in movies, books, TV shows, amusement parks, video games, toys, comics, and much
more. Star Wars is presented to the world the most in four genres: movies, books, TV shows,
and video games. However, the movies have gained the largest audience. Star Wars Movies were
not only the original genre, but also completely changed how movies sound and look, influenced
technology, and it is probably the influential genre overall.
For most people, the movies are how they were first introduced to Star Wars. This is why
I believe this genre is the most influential. The audience can be anyone from people who love
sci-fi to people who have no idea what sci-fi is. Why would non-sci-fi lovers be interested in Star
Wars? Star Wars has an amazing storyline that revolves around many interesting characters.
From Luke Skywalker the boy turned hero, to Leia Organa the princess who is not afraid to fight,
and Han Solo the guy who is only helping because of the money. The three of them will go on to
help the Rebellion fight the Empire and change the entire universe. A non-sci-fi lover could like

Star Wars if they focus on the characters and storyline rather than the genre. The movies use the
rhetorical appeal of pathos many times. In every movie, there are scenes where the audience can
really connect to the characters or understand what they are going through. One example is in
Episode IV A New Hope when Luke Skywalker, the main character, saw his mentor, Obi-Wan
Kenobi, die in front of him. This scene made the audience feel empathy or pity towards Luke.
That is just one of the many emotional scenes throughout Star Wars. Many people do not know
that the movies are not in actual chronological order. Most films are in chronological order like
Harry Potter, however Star Wars is not. Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope was the very first
movie of the franchise. Although it is number four, it was released in 1977 while Episode I was
released in 1999. Episodes IV, V, and VI are known as the original trilogy because they were first
introduced by George Lucas in 1977, 1980, and 1983. Episodes I, II, and III or the prequels were
released in 1999, 2002, and 2005. How would someone compare Star Wars to other epic series
like Harry Potter. Star Wars falls under the fiction genre of literature. Star Wars is presented
differently in film than in other genres due to the visuals, acting, and sound involved, as well as
the ability to see it on the big screen. This is why the mode is both visual and audio. The mode
also helps the media because it is face-to-face. The design of the movies is what really makes
this genre the most influential. Star Wars completely changed how movies were made. The films
sound designer Ben Burtt brought originality to Star Wars sound effects. Before Star Wars, the
conventional way to make sound effects was using electronic noises or the loopy whirr of the
theremin, an electronic musical instrument. However, Burtt had different ideas and instead used
nature for a more organic soundscape. Star Wars help paved the way for other franchises by
being successful. The trilogy format of Star Wars changed how films are now written, produce,
and released. While Star Wars was not the first big film trilogy, The Godfather for example, Star

Wars gave film directors the idea for a story spanning more than one movie. Thus, the result was
film franchises like Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Back to the Future. The idea for Star
Wars was heavily influenced by Akira Kurosawa samurai films, specifically The Hidden
Fortress. George Lucas took the idea of two lowly peasants and evolved it into two droids, R2D2
and C3PO. Another influence is the idea of the evil general, or Darth Vader, turning good in the
end (Star Wars Origins: How Did George Lucas create Star Wars). The movies even inspired
ideas for technology. Perhaps one of the most famous examples is the Strategic Defense
Initiative during the Cold War. The idea for the program was for the United States to have a
defense system that would shoot lasers and destroy nuclear missiles. What is the purpose of
movies? Back then, movies were about comedy or drama. There were some sci-fi films but focus
more on dystopian society. George Lucas wanted to create a sci-fi movie aimed at 14 and 15
year-olds that taught a lesson about good and evil. The story of Star Wars can be really taken to
heart and teach a valuable lesson about morality. Recently Star Wars Episode VII The Force
Awakens was released introducing even more people to the phenomena that is Star Wars and for
some rekindling the passion they had for Star Wars when they were a kid.
After the movies, video games have the second most influence. In November 17, 2015 a
Star Wars first person shooter, Star Wars Battlefront, was introduced. A first person shooter is a
video game based on gun combat through a first-person perspective. The video game was
released by Electronic Arts and they estimated that six million copies were sold in November and
December alone. As a result of the average price being $55, EA made approximately $660
million in revenue in two months (Gaudiosi). In 2015 Star Wars Battlefront was ranked number 3
in best-selling video games. While the game fell behind Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Fallout 4
the success of Star Wars Battlefront is impressive. Who is the intended audience for the video

games? The audience is people who want to experience Star Wars. Whether they want to play as
a Jedi, a soldier, pilot a starship, or build their empire. The people most interested in playing Star
Wars video games are fans of the series. Most of my childhood has been centered on Star Wars
video games. Some of my ideals and beliefs are based on the events that take place in these
games. For instance, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic presents an interesting dilemma. In
the game, the main character, Revan, must stop the evil Sith Lord Darth Malak from taking over
the universe. However, later in the game Revan finds out that he was the mentor of Darth Malak
and their memory was erased to find out how to stop Darth Malak. The discussion is if the main
character is good at heart or was it because of his memories being loss. I believed Revan is not
evil, and that anybodys past does not define them. Many Star Wars video games use the
rhetorical appeal of pathos like the movies. In Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, Revan
discovers that his love interest, Bastila, has betrayed him and is then given the option to either
convince her to come back or kill her. The purpose of these video games is to provide
entertainment through telling a story, teaching a lesson, or providing fun gameplay. The artwork
in these games, like Star Wars Battlefront, is so detailed and beautiful that players can just
wander around and admire the beauty. Each one of these games has a unique story, amazing
visuals, relatable characters, and can bring other people like me together and bond over Star
Wars. Not only are people experiencing an incredible journey, but also meeting new people and
gaining new friends.
The third most influential genre are the books. Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke
Skywalker was the very first published book and was even released before the Star Wars Episode
IV A New Hope in 1977. The book was written by Alan Dean Foster and was published on
November 12,1976 (Star Wars Books & Comics). Like many movies, people wonder what is the

difference between the books and the movies. Besides the actual representation or mode, what
distinguishes the books is the amount of information and detail they have. There are
novelizations of each movie and each book goes into greater detail by describing the thoughts,
describing scenes not even seen in the movies, and can give people satisfaction when the movies
cannot. The purpose of the books is to go into further detail the movies cannot. For example, one
of the most iconic scenes in Star Wars is the battle between Luke Skywalker and his father Darth
Vader. While the fight on the big screen is amazing to watch, the book goes in to greater detail by
describing their thoughts. The novelization of Star Wars Episode V, talks about how Luke is
trying to remember his training and what can he do to defeat Vader. Not only does the book go
on to describe his thoughts, but also gives us a feeling of his surroundings. The tone of the books
can range from sadness to uplifting. Like the movies and video games, the books also use the
rhetorical appeal of pathos many times. One example is the reveal of Darth Vader as Lukes
Father. The book describes Lukes thoughts when he finds out that Darth Vader is really his
father and the realization is hard for him to bear. Although many of the books published have
been established as non-canon, not officially a part of the story, the books tell an even greater
story. I myself own many books related to Star Wars and I can say they have increased my love
for Star Wars. However, as good as they are why is it that many people do not read the books?
Besides the most common reason of not wanting to read a book, many people do not realize the
books can provide a new experience the movies cannot. The lore of Star Wars is gigantic and is
expanded upon through the books. The movies themselves are just the beginning to the amount
of history there is.
Finally, the last genre is the TV shows. Although there is not as much content compared
to the books, this genre has more exposure to the world and is more commonly known. The TV

shows also had a major impact in creating a new generation of people who love Star Wars. Most
of the TV shows are based on the Clone Wars Saga, which takes place between Episode II and
III. The purpose of the TV shows was to recreate the magic the movies made, but aimed for a
younger audience. Thus, the tone of the TV shows are more family friendly or uplifting.
Although the TV shows are meant for younger audiences, there are lessons taught throughout the
show that even adults can learn from. One example is when a soldier was faced with disobeying
orders or following his orders, but at the cost of losing his fellow soldiers. The mode is both
visual and audio like the movies. The media is also face-to-face and it complements the mode. If
a person was not a fan of reading, they could watch the TV shows to experience that feeling they
had when watching the movies.
Star Wars audience is enormous, but they are some people who have never seen or even
heard of Star Wars. A new genre I would like Star Wars to invest in is virtual reality. While
virtual reality, or VR, could be considered a video game, I consider it an entirely different genre
because it can be more than just a video game. Imagine being able to feel like you are driving a
starship is the vast galaxy of Star Wars. Not only would this experience be amazing but could
also inspire many people to want to make Star Wars a reality. Kids wanting to become scientists
or astronauts, people striving to make advancements in technology, are just a few of the benefits
that would occur if Star Wars took a priority in virtual reality.