In detail - ILM C-3PO Oscar statuette gifted to Brian Johnson for

Star Wars Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back

1977 saw the release of Star Wars sparking the birth of a science fiction phenomenon and one of the most extensive media franchises of all time, later that year George Lucas signed a contract with Twentieth Century Fox to produce a sequel, initially called Chapter II and later becoming The Empire Strikes Back, directed by Irvin Kershner the film continues the story of the Rebel Alliance's battle with the Galactic Empire as our heroes are chased across space by Vader's forces.

Much of the recipe which contributed to the success of Star Wars remained unchanged with the lead cast reprising their respective roles and stunning visual effects sequences at the hands of Industrial Light and Magic (ILM). The Empire Strikes Back premiered at the London Odeon on May 20th 1980 garnering worldwide recognition, it became the highest grossing movie of 1980 and is today regarded by many fans and critics as their favourite film of the Star Wars saga.

While it was once again Industrial Light and Magic who were to handle the special and visual effects George Lucas had to rebuild the team which had done such a great job on Star Wars following John Dykstra, with whom Lucas had a difficult relationship, leaving to pursue other projects. During pre production of the first film George Lucas and Gary Kurtz had visited Brian Johnson at Bray Studios while he was working on Gerry Anderson's Space:1999, Johnson was building a name for himself in the effects industry having worked on Thunderbirds and 2001: A Space Odyssey with Douglas Trumbull and impressed with his miniature work asked him to join the effects team however Johnson declined having just committed to the second series of 1999. While working on The Medusa Touch in 1978 Johnson was approached to work on The Empire Strikes Back and went on to head up the special effects unit with Richard Edlund with a number of other talented individuals recruited in to the ranks of ILM to face the new challenges which Empire would set, notably the snow walker sequences on Hoth.

With the effects of Empire proving every bit as successful as its predecessor ILM's achievements were recognised at the highest level on March 31, 1981 when a Special Achievement Academy Award was presented to Brian Johnson, Richard Edlund, Dennis Muren and Bruce Nicholson for their exceptional contribution to visual effects.  Meanwhile Johnson worked once again with ILM on the 1981 fantasy picture Dragonslayer which would be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, losing out to Raiders of the Lost Ark, the effects of which were also handled by ILM.

This C-3PO Oscar statuette was made by Industrial Light and Magic and presented to Brian Johnson by chief model maker Lorne Peterson. The C-3PO is a modified MPC model kit which has been altered by ILM to hold the crusaders sword and cast in resin, this is mounted atop a custom made plastic base in a similar fashion to a genuine Oscar statuette and the finished article measures almost the same height as the genuine award at 13.5". The top of the base where Threepio stands is inscribed in marker 'ILM 1981, IN APPRECIATION, BRIAN JOHNSON, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK' with the remainder of the base signed by numerous members of the miniature and optical effects unit at ILM, there are 42 signatures present which include:

• Richard Edlund - Special Visual Effects
• Dennis Muren - Effects Director of Photography
• Joe Johnston - Art Director - Visual Effects
• Ken Ralston - Effects Cameraman
• Selwyn Eddy III - Assistant Cameraman
• Michael McAlister - Assistant Cameraman
• Warren Franklin - Optical Lineup
• Laurie Vermont - Optical Coordinator
• Lorne Peterson - Chief Model Maker
• Steve Gawley - Model Shop Foreman
• Tom St. Amand - Stop-Motion Technician
• Samuel Comstock - Animator
• Conrad Buff - Visual Effects Editorial Supervisor
• Howard Stein - Assistant Effects Editor
• Mike MacKenzie - Electronic Engineer
• Ed Jones - Laboratory Technician
• Duncan Myers - Laboratory Technician
• Ed Breed - Stage Technician
• Ed Hirsh - Stage Technician
• Patrick Fitzsimmons - Stage Technician
• Robert Finley Jr - Stage Technician
• Patricia Blau - Production Secretary
• Laura Kaysen - Admin
• Chrissie England - Admin

 

Similar, more professionally finished, C-3PO Oscar statuettes were later given out as long service awards by ILM but this is almost certainly the first and represents a unique artefact and a wonderful tribute commemorating Brian Johnson's contribution to one of the greatest films of the science fiction genre.