The “Star Wars” movies have always been ubiquitous with groundbreaking special effects. But since the Prequel trilogy from the early 2000s, that pioneering use of effects has been mainly in digital production. More recently, that means the use of “Volume,” an ultra-HD video wall that allows in-camera effects and creates immersive digital environments for actors to work in. Want to know why “The Mandalorian,” “The Book Of Boba Fett,” and “Obi-Wan Kenobi” all look the same? That’s the reason.
READ MORE: New ‘Andor’ Trailer: The First Three Episodes Of New Disney+ Show Arrive On September 21
So, all the more intriguing that “Andor” showrunner Tony Gilroy doesn’t use Volume in his upcoming Disney+ series. Empire reports that instead of relying on Volume’s technology, Gilroy decided to keep his show’s environments as practical as possible. “Yup, we’re old-school,” joked Gilroy, “We didn’t use StageCraft [an alternative name for Volume] at all. Gilroy shot most of the series on location or on massive sets built at Pinewood in England. The result is evident in the show’s two trailers: “Andor” looks more like a “Star Wars” episode from the original trilogy than anything on Disney+ in recent years.
And the cast of “Andor” couldn’t be happier with Gilroy’s decision. “As an actor, it’s beautiful,” said star Diego Luna, who plays Cassian Andor in the series, “Everything is mechanical. You’re interacting with real stuff.” Fiona Shaw, who plays Maarva in the upcoming series, also found the use of intricately crafted sets. “My character’s house is built from parts of old spaceships,” she said. “I used to go out and just stare at it. Breathtaking.”
The only apparent negative of on-location shooting for the show were long hikes the cast and crew had to take for the shoot. “In Pitlochry, Scotland, we had to walk for hours up a mountain to set up one shot,” said Luna. “Huge effort. Really dangerous to get there. All you can see around you is sky, tree, rivers, lakes. Amazing! Like being on another planet.” The emphasis on real sets and on-location shooting may make “Andor” feel like the most tactile, lived-in, and real “Star Wars” project in a long time.
For some viewers, Gilroy’s realistic environments will make “Andor” much more exciting to watch. But what will regular fans, the ones who take the overuse of Volume/StageCraft as the new normal for “Star Wars” adventures, think of Gilroy’s adjustment? Everyone finds out with the first three episodes of “Andor” hit Disney+ on September 21.