Look, we all know at this point that the new Star Wars had some spectacularly lavish CG effects. But even then, it’s still awesome to see a giant, crashed Star Destroyer fall into place like it’s an incredibly elaborate puzzle.
https://gizmodo.com/vfx-reel-shows-just-how-they-created-some-of-the-force-1752832430
This latest reel focuses on the work done for the Jakku sequences in the early parts of The Force Awakens, as well as the creation of Lupita Nyong’o’s mo-cap character Maz Kanata (Warning: at the end of this clip there are a few shots from the climax for the movie, so if you’ve somehow still not seen it, be warned of their slightly spoiler-y nature). It’s part of a breakdown reveal by iamag.co. Check it out below, and try not to freak out too much at how the otherwise-statuesque Maz Kanata model flexes its lips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRQPwJ0O24M
Creepy, isn’t it?
IAMAG followed up the video with a new “splitscreen” breakdown, combining final footage from the film with the “behind the scenes” originals before all the fancy effects and post processing tricks were layered on top. For the shots of physical sets with actors and real elements in, the splitscreen moments really work. (The shot of Stormtroopers being blasted by Finn and Poe’s escaping TIE Fighter will surprise you with how much of it was practical.) But the ones comparing final CG shots with half-finished renders aren’t quite as impressive. Still worth a watch, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1CDvXYVy0U
Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It really is a pretty movie!
