The highly-anticipated streaming series Andor is just around the corner, and with its release, the series is already garnering a lot of buzz. One of the primary topics of conversation are the visual effects (VFX) used by the show’s creative team. For those unfamiliar, Andor is a Disney+ prequel to the Star Wars franchise. As such, it is not surprising that the creators turned to Lucasfilm’s visual effects powerhouse Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) to create the VFX. In addition, they decided to use the same VFX tech employed in The Mandalorian, another popular Disney+ series set in the Star Wars universe.
The decision to use the same technology is not without controversy. Some have argued that it is aesthetically inappropriate to have both shows utilizing the same tech. However, the logic behind using the same VFX tech was sound. By using the same VFX engine for both shows, ILM was able to create more realistic computer-generated environments and creatures. The Mandalorian employed photogrammetry to create photo-real 3D objects from which its virtual sets could be built. As well, the use of motion capture allowed for fluid, detailed motion and seamless transitions between cuts. Both techniques are now being applied to Andor, allowing for increased world and creature realism.
Ultimately, the choice to use the VFX tech from The Mandalorian to create Andor was a wise one. The show had no real opposition to the decision due to its practicality, as it allowed ILM to achieve an unprecedented level of detail in the show’s environment, characters and creatures. Furthermore, Andor’s bold new story lines and exciting action scenes make use of the technology in a way that fully optimizes the best of what ILM has to offer viewers. Fans of both series can now look forward to witnessing the same level of visual excellence displayed in The Mandalorian, only this time it’s with a completely new world and characters.
Hey Subscribe to our newsletter for more articles like this directly to your email.