[cctop]

Last one I saw was in 1976 stoned at the Alexandria. They were better shot on film with real models and motion control at ILM.

Fun fact: the new Star Wars TV show "The Mandalorian" did several space shots using a practical model and a motion-control rig.  Ostensibly they did it that way to get a look resembling the original movies, but really it was just for fun.

Another fun fact: the last former motion-control camera operator at ILM just retired a few weeks ago.  Now there's just one employee left who worked on the original trilogy, plus a handful of others who worked with cameras and the optical printer back in the 1980's before Jurassic Park was released and everything turned to computers.

On the topic of "The Mandalorian", the show is using an incredible new technology using a giant (230') LED screen with real-time rendered backgrounds in place of greenscreens, so the actors feel like they're really in the scene and you get perfect reflections on his shiny armor.  You honestly would never guess which shots were a visual effect.

Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, I think "The Mandalorian" is worth watching.  The character is an obvious homage to John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.  If you're not a Disney+ subscriber, you can pay $7 for one month and watch all eight episodes once the last one drops this Friday.

[cctop]

Last one I saw was in 1976 stoned at the Alexandria. They were better shot on film with real models and motion control at ILM.

Fun fact: the new Star Wars TV show "The Mandalorian" did several space shots using a practical model and a motion-control rig.  Ostensibly they did it that way to get a look resembling the original movies, but really it was just for fun.

Another fun fact: the last former motion-control camera operator at ILM just retired a few weeks ago.  Now there's just one employee left who worked on the original trilogy, plus a handful of others who worked with cameras and the optical printer back in the 1980's before Jurassic Park was released and everything turned to computers.

On the topic of "The Mandalorian", the show is using an incredible new technology using a giant (230') LED screen with real-time rendered backgrounds in place of greenscreens, so the actors feel like they're really in the scene and you get perfect reflections on his shiny armor.  You honestly would never guess which shots were a visual effect.

Even if you're not a Star Wars fan, I think "The Mandalorian" is worth watching.  The character is an obvious homage to John Wayne and Clint Eastwood.  If you're not a Disney+ subscriber, you can pay $7 for one month and watch all eight episodes once the last one drops this Friday.