Informative Speech Outline

Zachariah Wright
Informative Speech Outline

Title:
General Purpose:
Specific Purpose:
The Creation of the Star Wars Universe

To inform
To inform the audience about the history and influences of the Star Wars
Time:
film franchise.
5-6 minutes
I. Introduction
A.
According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has

grossed $2,028.085,655 worldwide, making it one of the highest grossing films of all
time.
B.
Most of you have probably seen this film, but you may not know the history
of the Star Wars film franchise.

C.
Star Wars is a pop culture phenomenon that has transformed beyond what
D.
George Lucas initially intended.

This breakdown of Star Wars will be divided into the films three trilogies:
Original, Prequel, and Sequel.
Transition***The first is, of course, the Original Trilogy of films.

II. Body
A. George Lucas saw his first Star Wars films as a return to the lighter action genre of his
youth.
1. Many iconic elements of Star Wars are taken directly from Flash Gordon and Buck
Rogers, two shows Lucas watched as a child.
a. The opening crawls of the Star Wars films are similar in style to the introductions
of Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers.
b. The character of C-3PO is lifted from a character in a Flash Gordon book, The
Lion Men of Mongo.
c. Princess Leias unusual hairstyle is likely a new take on Queen Fria, from Flash
Gordon.
2. Lucas also drew inspiration from other sources.
a. Lucas noted Edgar Rice Burroughs John Carter of Mars as inspiration.
i. A creature in the films called the bantha is named after Rice Burroughs own
banths.
ii. Leias skimpy Return of the Jedi bikini is meant to be a nod to Dejah Thoris, a
character in Rice Burroughs novels.
iii. John Carter of Mars even included a species known as the sith, a name which
Lucas would later use.
b. Lucas also saw Star Wars as an evolution of the samurai genre.
i. Lucas admired the films of famed samurai film director Akira Kurosawa, almost
hiring Kurosawas great lead actor, Toshiro Mifune, to play Obi-Wan Kenobi.
ii. Lucas also planted references to the rebel base as the hidden fortress in the
film, a nod to Kurosawas own film, Hidden Fortress.
c. Lucas often references the work of Sergio Leone, including the Han and Greedos
shootout mirroring a scene in The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Slate).
Transition*** After George Lucas had adapted the films and television shows of his youth, he
sought to make a more original project.
B. The Prequel Trilogy was a way for Lucas to expand and reinvent Star Wars for a new
generation of viewers.
1. Since the first trilogy, Lucas had evolved into a more nuanced storyteller.
a. The story of the new trilogy tells a fuller and more cohesive story than the
Original Trilogy.
b. Lucas spends most of this trilogy presenting darker themes of political unrest,
insecurity, and manipulation.
2. The Prequel Trilogy also deviates from the typical formula of the series with some of
its characters.
a. Characters, like Jar Jar Binks, are introduced solely for comedic value, which did
not please fans of the series.
b. Familiar characters like C-3PO and R2-D2 are given moments where each must
engineer their own escape, with humor that feels forced.
c. Revered characters, like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda, are shown in a light which
does not help to enrich their characters from the Original Trilogy.
3. Lucas uses computer-generated imagery (CGI) to less than successful results.
a. Many set pieces look and feel fake due to CGI.
b. The actors and actresses in the films are often unable to adequately move around
and interact with the environments of the sets, making their performances fall flat.
Transition*** With the failure of the Prequel Trilogy in the eyes of fans and critics alike, fans
yearned for a new trilogy more in touch with the original films.
C. To make new Star Wars films, Disney spent $4 billion to acquire Lucasfilm and Star
Wars.
1. Disney is allowing a new generation of filmmakers to create Star Wars stories.
a. Episode VII was directed by JJ Abrams.
b. Episode VII is being directed by Rian Johnson.
c. Episode IX will be directed by Colin Trevorrow.
2. Disney is encouraging these filmmakers to make the new films closer in tone to the
Original Trilogy.
a. The Force Awakens is almost a carbon-copy of Episode IV, by design.
i. The story centers around a desert dweller thrust into a world of war.
ii. The villains of the film employ a space station which destroys planets;
however, it is beaten by the underdog rebellion.
b. This allows Disney to show audiences that they havent lost touch with what
made the Original Trilogy so popular.
Transition*** Now, you should understand some of the influences on the creation of Star Wars.
III. Conclusion
A. George Lucas used the Original Trilogy to redefine the science fiction genre.
B. Lucas sought to create a more original and grand in scope story with the Prequel Trilogy.
C. Disney is using this new Sequel Trilogy to unite fans of the original Star Wars with new
viewers.
Bibliography
Krantz, Matt, Mike Snider, Marco Della Cava, Bryan Alex, and Er. "Disney Buys Lucasfilm for
$4 Billion." USA Today. Gannett, 2012. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) - Box Office Mojo." Star Wars: The Force Awakens
(2015) - Box Office Mojo. Web. 13 Feb. 2016.
Wickman, Forrest. "Yes, Star Wars Is the Original Action Blockbuster. Its Also a Postmodern
Masterpiece." Web. 13 Feb. 2016.

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Zachariah Wright

Informative Speech Outline

The Creation of the Star Wars Universe

According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has

of the Star Wars film franchise.

George Lucas initially intended.

Transition***The first is, of course, the Original Trilogy of films.

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