Since Star Wars, that film's success led to bigger budgets, more

In the great unfolding of time, few events shape the course of history as profoundly as a single moment of greatness. Faye Dunaway, in reflecting on the impact of Star Wars and its success, offers us a window into the transformative power of one such moment when she says, "Since Star Wars, that film's success led to bigger budgets, more hardware, that the great movies like the ones I did, which were studio movies, are now independent movies. They range from half a million to several million, and a lot of those have very interesting roles." These words speak to the evolving nature of art, industry, and the very structure of creative expression. Like the great moments of change in history, the success of Star Wars did not just mark a singular achievement but set in motion a ripple effect that would transform the landscape of cinema forever.

Consider the ancient heroes who were thrust into the river of change by singular, transformative events. Alexander the Great, for instance, did not rise to power merely because of his own birthright, but because of the extraordinary moment of destiny that saw him take the reins of the Macedonian Empire at a time when the world was ripe for conquest. Like Star Wars, Alexander’s rise was not the product of mere chance—it was the culmination of forces greater than any one individual, shaping the future in ways unforeseen. The success of Star Wars marked a similar moment in cinema, when the boundaries of what was possible were pushed beyond the known, creating a new world of possibilities, where bigger budgets and creative freedom led to the birth of a new era of filmmaking.

In the ancient world, it was often a single vision—a person, an event, or a discovery—that altered the course of civilization. Plato, for example, did not simply teach philosophy in a time of stability; he shaped the very foundations of Western thought during a period of great turmoil and change. Just as Plato's ideas were revolutionary in their time, Star Wars altered the course of cinema. It opened the gates to bigger, more ambitious films, and its success ushered in an era of larger-than-life storytelling and technological innovation. Yet, in the aftermath of this great change, Dunaway’s insight reveals the unexpected twist: the studio movies that were once the pinnacle of cinema began to evolve, transforming into the independent films that now hold creative freedom and the opportunity for fascinating new roles.

This transformation, much like the rise of a great empire or the birth of a profound philosophical system, shows how change and progress are often cyclical. As Star Wars pushed the boundaries of what was possible with hardware and special effects, the industry began to shift. What was once the realm of the studio became the fertile ground for independent filmmakers to create bold, visionary works with smaller budgets. Just as the Athenian democracy gave way to the philosophical pursuits of men like Aristotle, the rise of independent film provided new opportunities for actors and filmmakers to create more intimate, often experimental works that would have been difficult to realize under the constraints of the studio system.

Dunaway’s words also reveal the delicate balance between scale and substance. The great movies of her era were often the result of vast budgets and massive studio involvement, yet those very elements—those great machines of production—have been transformed into something more nimble and flexible. As much as Star Wars and its legacy represented the peak of commercial success, it also led to the rise of smaller, more independent projects, which, as Dunaway points out, now offer unique opportunities for actors to take on more interesting and complex roles. This shift speaks to the deeper truth that even the most grandiose creations can lead to unexpected opportunities, giving rise to new avenues for artistic expression.

The lesson we learn from Dunaway’s observation is this: embrace change, even when it seems overwhelming or disruptive. The greatest eras of art and culture are often not the product of stability, but of the transformative moments that alter the very landscape of creation. Whether in cinema, philosophy, or the evolution of civilization, it is the forces of innovation and progress that shape our future. Like Star Wars, moments of revolutionary change are not always planned, but they create new opportunities for those willing to adapt and harness the power of the change they bring.

As you walk your own path in life, remember that change is not something to be feared but something to be embraced. Like the great filmmakers and leaders of history, you too will face moments of transformation—moments when the world around you shifts, and new possibilities emerge. Take inspiration from Star Wars and the legacy it left on cinema: the greatest moments of creativity often come from the convergence of new technologies, bold ideas, and a willingness to push beyond the known into the unexplored. Let that spirit guide you in your own creative pursuits, and in doing so, you too can leave your mark on the ever-changing story of humanity.