Season 2 of the hit Disney PlusStar WarsseriesThe Mandalorianwas easily one of the most-watched and talked about shows of 2020. The series has garnered high praise for its authenticity and high production value, and now fans can take a look at the behind-the-scenes magic involved in bringing the show to life through visual effects.
A video posted to ILM’s official Youtube channel breaks down the various visualeffects used throughout Season 2 ofThe Mandalorian.The three-and-a-half-minute featurette breaks down the detailed process of putting together visual effects shots, showing how backgrounds were placed in shots during the post-production process, and how a mixture of both practical and digital effects was used to create the world ofThe Mandalorian. While the video is a detailed look at the visual effect process, it only begins to encompass the scale of this work. According to the video description “The season’s 8 episodes encompassed nearly 5,000 visual effects shots in addition to all of ILM’s real-time effects work done for use during principal photography.”
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ILM is a renowned visual effects company founded byStar Warscreator George Lucashimself back in 1975. Along with their work on everyStar Warsmovie, the company’s other credits include thePirates of the Caribbeanfilms, theHarry Potterfranchise, andJurassic Park.ILM is one of the most groundbreaking visual effects companies in film history, having achieved many milestones for the industry, including the creation of the first entirely computer-generated character inYoung Sherlock Holmes.ILM has gone on to win numerous awards and nominations over the years, including 13 Visual Effects Society Award nominations for their work on season 2 ofThe Mandalorian.
Star Warshas always been at the forefront of visual effects. The franchise has constantly pushed the boundaries of digital cinema, helping to invent new technology and techniques along the way. WhileStar Warshas received its share of criticism,particularly for George Lucas' overreliance on digital and visual effects, it’s impossible to overstate how much the franchise and ILM’s work has influenced modern-day cinema.
One of the most impressive contributions to the world of visual effects is ILM’s recent groundbreaking virtual filmmaking environment ‘The Volume,’ which is used onThe Mandalorianto create add-in backgroundsusing giant LED screens. This advanced technology allows for more detailed and realistic backgrounds, and may one day replace the use of the green screen and chroma key techniques, which have been the standard for years.
Ewan Mcgregor has stated thatthe upcomingObi-Wan Kenobiserieswill be shot using the same technology asThe Mandalorian. Set to begin production in 2021,Obi-Wan Kenobiwill follow McGregor’s exiled Jedi in between the events ofRevenge of the SithandA New Hope.
