Frank Ordaz presents ” When Johnny Played with the Dark Side” on Friday, July 24, 2015!

STAR WARS FANS DELIGHT …. 30 years after Return of the Jedi hit the silver screen, the Star Wars phenomena is going stronger than ever. “Strong with the Force is it.” Come experience footage, personal accounts and background secrets about the unseen artistic side of the Star Wars Universe!

-Frank Ordaz and Anthony Thaxton will share details and sneak peeks of their upcoming documentary in a multimedia presentation.
-Steve Gawley will be a guest speaker on the wonders of Star Wars model making. 
-There may be a possible appearance by the Stormtroopers of the 501st Legion, the definitive imperial costuming organization.

SEATING IS LIMITED, SO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS A.S.A.P.!

Tickets can be purchased online for $11 per person starting on Friday, July 10, 2015.  Please visit 
www.GeneralGomez.com.  Click on Add to Cart button below Purchase Tickets for Frank Ordaz July 24th Event on the right side of the page.

The event is open to all, but is suggested for adults and students ages 12 and up.

Doors OPEN at 6:30 p.m. Program starts at 7:00 p.m.

Media interviews/video/photos available with all presenters prior to event – please contact Elizabeth Sands to schedule 530-320-8957.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:

FRANK ORDAZ  — an award winning fine art painter with a studio in Auburn, CA. As a young artist, Ordaz began painting for George Lucas’s Industrial Light and Magic where he worked on such Academy Award winning films as E.T. , Return of the Jedi and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as a matte painter. His experience at Lucasfilm proved invaluable as it taught him the importance of deadlines, the ability to work with other creative artists and the importance of never resting on your laurels.

ANTHONY THAXTON — a film maker with projects and commercials for Morgan Freeman, Dolly Parton, Brooke Shields, Kathy Lee Gifford and many other great talents. Work from Thaxton Studios has been featured on Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, CNN, and in numerous television productions. Thaxton is also an award-winning artist and photographer, and his passion for art and film led to the partnership with Frank Ordaz. “I’m thrilled about When Johnny Played with the Dark Side,” says Thaxton. “We are so excited to meet folks all over the country who have a passion for Star Wars and its influence on culture… we’re interviewing some of the creators of the films, but the interviews and videos from the fans are also going to be a whole lot of fun to include!”

STEVE GAWLEY — Gawley began his model making career as a student of Industrial Design at the campus of California State University at Long Beach, California. In 1975, while in school, he was recommended for a drafting job at George Lucas’ newly formed film company, Industrial Light & Magic. Soon, Gawley became a visual effects model maker at ILM after completing orthographic drawings of the now famous Star Wars spaceships. His pickup truck was later used to film the infamous Star Wars Deathstar “Trench Battle” sequence. Steve was one of the first 14 ILM employees that were hired by Lucas. ILM eventually grew to over 1000 employees, today enabling it to work on several high profile film projects each year. Gawley stayed with the ILM model shop for 31 years, until it was sold in August 2006.

501st LEGION — “…The Legion is an all-volunteer organization formed for the express purpose of bringing together costume enthusiasts under a collective identity within which to operate. The Legion seeks to promote interest in Star Wars through the building and wearing of quality costumes, and to facilitate the use of these costumes for Star Wars-related events as well as contributions to the local community through costumed charity and volunteer work…” They work in costume to Promote Interest in Star Wars. While a growing number of people are experiencing a reawakening of their Star Wars fandom, new generations are seeking ways to celebrate their passion for George Lucas’s modern mythology. The 501st Legion brings these fans together, reinforcing the enduring longevity of the Star Wars saga.