Located in Marin county just 40 miles north of San Francisco is the sprawling 5,000 acre Skywalker Ranch. Skywalker Ranch is the idyllic home to Lucasfilm’s audio post production facility, Skywalker Sound (originally named Sprocket Systems). Skywalker Sound occupies the 153,000 square foot Technical Building, which features a world class scoring stage, 6 mix studios, ADR and Foley stages, 34 editing suites and a 300 seat screening room. The property also includes the iconic main house, man-made Lake Ewok, Skywalker Inn with 32 themed rooms for over night guests, its own fully staffed fire station, a fitness center with indoor racquetball courts, outdoor pool and more and a vineyard aptly named Skywalker Vineyards.
Created as a anti-industrial post movie production studio, Skywalker Ranch was George Lucas passion project to create something idyllic and serene that would foster creativity and inspire everyone that stepped foot on to the property. Quite the opposite of the conventional studio although containing world class, cutting edge technology equipment, the Skywalker Ranch currently provides sound post production sound services for feature films, commercials, television, IMAX and large format film mixing, theme park attractions, and video games in a serene and comfortable setting.
The iconic Main House
Construction began on Skywalker Ranch in 1978 and cost upwards of $100 million dollars according to the Wall Street Journal, during our recent tour we were told that every cent made from the first Star Wars film went towards Skywalker Ranch (money well spent I say!). The first building completed on the Skywalker Ranch was the iconic 50,000 square foot Main House in a classic Victorian architectural style.
Skywalker Sound from across Lake Ewok
I along with 24 other bloggers from across the country had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to screen Strange Magic at Skywalker Ranch with none other than Executive Producer George Lucas himself during the #StrangeMagicEvent, all opinions are my own. After the film screening we received a tour of Skywalker Sound, the Main House, fitness center and grounds and the opportunity to shop at the employee store. It was an insanely amazing day that I simply cannot express how truly monumental it was. I took a trillion pictures of the grounds and I am so happy to have the opportunity to share them with you now.
The road from the Main House to the Fitness Center
Practically undetected from the main road, entering Skywalker Ranch is like entering into another realm. The grass is thick, deep green and lush, there is moss under every shady spot, the buildings look to be 1,000 years old and the smell of the trees makes the air seem fresher and quite simply, more magical. We were dropped off at the entrance of Skywalker Sound where my heart stopped as I stepped into the building. I have to say my entire impression of the Skywalker Ranch tour was that the facilities have been built for comfort, normal, ordinary comfort. Lacking in the air was pompous extravagance, I can say that even about interviewing George Lucas as well – the Skywalker Ranch wasn’t built to show off, it was built with durable old world construction containing old world charm that was made as a comfortable place to work.
Main House fountain
George Lucas lives just 20 minutes north of Skywalker Ranch and uses the Ranch as his office. When not involved in a project, “GL” (I can call him that now) is at Skywalker Ranch at least two days a week. Employees get around by foot or by rusty ol’ bikes to each facility. I even overheard that during the warm summer months employees can fish and even swim in Lake Ewok.
Lake Ewok
We attended the Skywalker Ranch to screen Lucasfilm’s newest animation film “Strange Magic” in the Skywalker Sound 300 seat screening room. Unbeknownst to us until the night before, we also had the opportunity to interview Executive Producer of Strange Magic: George Lucas. I will be talking about the film and interviews much more in the days to follow. Strange Magic comes to theaters next Friday January 23rd 2015!
Skywalker Sound dining room lunch, organic quinoa, garlic grilled vegetables, salad, fresh Salmon and strawberry shortcake dessert.
After screening Strange Magic, interviewing Elijah Kelley, George Lucas and Director Gary Rydstrom we had lunch in the Skywalker Ranch dining room. The entire meal was fresh and delicious and all gluten free. I got a kick out of the 1970’s cafeteria tray, it just went to show that if it still works why change it?
Skywalker Ranch screening theater
There were pockets of relaxation around every nook and cranny both in the Skywalker Sound building and Main House. Our tour guide said George requested comfort in the most beautiful setting possible.
Main House porch
Founded in 1991, George Lucas was inspired by the success of his friend Francis Coppola’s wine making endeavors to begin his own winery aptly named “Skywalker Vineyards”. It has taken several years of trial and error due to the unfriendly weather conditions of Marin County to grow grapes, however Skywalker Vineyards now proudly offers two wine varietals: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You can purchase bottles at Skywalker Vineyards.
Gate to the Skywalker Vineyards
We were not permitted to take photographs inside the Main House during our tour. Which really is a pity because you guys would have died over the treasures we were able to see including the infamous Lucas Research Library. The Lucas Research Library provides expansive reference for film, television and theater productions. The Library acquired the long-dormant Paramount Studios Research collection in 1987 and the Universal Studios collection in 2,000. All of the wood millwork for the library (and Skywalker Sound and Main House) was constructed on site. The center of the library was a giant glass stained glass mosaic dome that was handmade on site as well.
© Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.
Directly adjacent to the gorgeous library was a sun room with large ficus trees.
After our tour of the Main House, we walked to the Fitness Center which houses the Skywalker General Store. I may or may not have spent an entire day’s worth of earnings inside that dang store. The General Store sells Skywalker Ranch Vineyard wine, t shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, jackets, wine glasses and trinkets. Our tour group acted as a tornado ripping through the store purchasing as much as humanely possible. I personally want to buy more! Inside the fitness center was an indoor racquetball court and dining room, our tour guide said that is where the majority of people eat. Outside of the fitness center was the best view of both the Skywalker Sound building and Main House from across Lake Ewok.
Team Awesome on the Lake Ewok dock
The Skywalker Ranch Fitness Center
After our epic buy the store extravaganza we took a scenic walk around Lake Ewok.
Skywalker Sound and Main House from across Lake Ewok
Skywalker Main House from across Lake Ewok
Main House
Main House Entrance
The top right circular windows is where George Lucas’s office is
The road that leads to the Main House
It’s no wonder that so many iconic films have originated from Skywalker Ranch, the atmosphere oozed creativity. I hope you take your entire family to see Strange Magic opening nationwide in theaters Friday January 23rd 2015!
What spectacular views ! It’d be hard to get any work done with all that beauty. Thanks for sharing. Your photos really bring it to life.
and it was really cool to read your descriptions and EXCITEMENT !