346. Craig Miller: the first Director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm Ltd.

Craig Miller, the first Director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm Ltd., played a pivotal role during the creation of Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. As a publicist, writer, producer, and innovator, Craig crafted groundbreaking ways to engage and grow the Star Wars fanbase, helping cement its place as a cultural phenomenon. Beyond Star Wars, Craig has been a key figure in the Writers of the Future contest since its inception, and he shares insights from its early days. We also discuss Craig’s book, Star Wars Memories: My Time in the (Death Star) Trenches, a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories from his time in the Star Wars universe. From accidental mishaps to industry-defining moments, Craig’s tales are as entertaining as they are revealing. In this episode, we explore: 1. How Craig landed the dream job of Director of Fan Relations for Star Wars. 2. The scope of his role and what it meant to be the bridge between Lucasfilm and its passionate fans. 3. His favorite interviews with Star Wars legends like Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. 4. Memorable filming locations and what made them stand out. 5. The hilarious and chaotic story of how Craig accidentally shut down the state of Illinois’ telephone system. 6. The epic saga of Kenner vs. Hasbro and the licensing misstep that rivals publishers rejecting Harry Potter. 7. The impact and legacy of the Star Wars comics.