“The experience was incredible. I discovered that George Lucas used an ancient literary device called ring composition … to structure his six ‘Star Wars’ films,” said Klimo, a West Chester resident. “So, I decided to put together an essay with screenshots from the movies to walk fans through it, step by step.”
This article created quite a stir in “Star Wars” circles. Klimo has posted no less than 142 responses from readers after the article.
A guy known only as Shane posted online, “This changed my life. Omg. I don’t have a lot to say, other than (expletive deleted), this was fantastic. It definitely redeemed the prequels to the point I’m pretty psyched to watch them again. Indeed, thematically very intelligent.”
The Star Wars “dissertation” created an international stir, as well.
“The response has been overwhelming. It’s been written about on ‘Star Wars’ sites and filmmaking sites all over the world,” Klimo said. “It’s what ultimately led to Lucasfilm reaching out to me to see if I’d be interested in contributing to the official ‘Star Wars’ website.”
Although Klimo has kept his day job as a communications manager for Fifth Third Bank in downtown Cincinnati, his first freelance article was posted online at www.StarWars.com in mid-October. He had to learn the "Star Wars" style guide, a internal manual for consistency that includes tips such as you spell Wookiee with two E's.
Klimo said that he remembers being inspired when he was watching the original “Star Wars” movie on HBO when he was 5.
“My brother was a little bit older, so he was the one with most of the toys. But during the famous Death Star trench run scene at the end of the movie, I remember taking his X-Wing toy and making my own trench run … which meant flying in between our couch and coffee table,” said Klimo, who also has a marketing degree from Wright State University.
That’s what kids do. But as an adult, he got involved in the intricacies of the narrative.
“I’m a big fan of (writer and mythologist) Joseph Campbell and storytelling. And ‘Star Wars’ is modern myth. The films, at least George Lucas’ ‘Star Wars’ films, were designed, in part, to help young people understand the human condition and explore the mysteries of life,” said Klimo. “They’re really fascinating when you start to look under the hood and see how much is really going on.”
Hard-core fans interest in the “Star Wars” saga, Klimo said, transcends time, culture and geography.
The upcoming “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens” opens in movie theaters Dec. 18. As of Nov. 4, advance ticket sales were at $6.5 million.
Klimo has tapped into that interest.
“With any luck, the essay will help George Lucas, and the films, start to get the serious critical attention I think he deserves. Even if it’s only in a small way,” Klimo said.
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