Star Wars scenes filmed in San Francisco? Need help!

T

T2SF

Well-Known Member
Apparently this placed called the SF armory had a few scenes shot for Star Wars. And yes it's now owned by a BDSM porn site :)

SFArmory.com - Welcome to S.F. Armory.com

They are giving tours and I'm signed up. Anyone know any facts?

I've never heard anything about a part of Star Wars being filmed there.

"Though for most of the past 40 years, it has sat vacant, it was used by George Lucas to film the first Star Wars movie."

And from another source

"In 1976, George Lucas used the Drill Court to film some scenes for Star Wars but plans to convert the building into a full-time film studio never came to fruition."

A Photo

inside the SF Armory | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
6021015570_bd43e05b3c_b.jpg

 
It was used to shoot explosions for effects shots. ILM created a huge library of stock explosion shots, most shot at high speed. They needed the ceiling height to get a good zero g effect, with the explosions set of high up and the camera below pointing up.

They did this for TESB, but many of the shots were used in other films.
 
I don't recall seeing any photos, but it was described in magazines of the time like Cinefex. They set off hundreds of explosions, with several cameras shooting them at different speeds.

They went back for Star Trek 2 to shoot the Genesis explosion.
 
Let me get the book and find it. I vaguely remember it. It has been ages since I opened it. Another anecdote, at the very back when they start discussing the future being CGI, there is a reference to John Lasseter, back when PIXAR was still owned by Lucasfilm.

According to UPS, scanner is scheduled for delivery tomorrow afternoon.

-Eric
 
I found the shot. The caption says it was done for ESB though. If I remember correctly, ILM was still in LA for Star Wars.

-Eric
 
jlee562 said:
You're thinking of the Cow Palace. Completely different part of the city.
Click to expand...

I recall now that an article on ILM specifically mentioned Cow Palace. Maybe for Empire, or the ST2 shot.

I found a shot from Cinefex of the first DS explosion.
DS1.jpg

DS12.jpg
 
The shot in the book looks like it came from the bleacher area in the photo you posted. you can clearly see the ceiling in the book shot.

When are you going?

-Eric
 
Within a month, I will look for fragments of the deathstar :) I will take a few pictures. I will post a more definite date once I know. I'll keep this forum alive for any others to add to.
 
Cool! I was worried it was this weekend. I'll have a scan for you by Friday.

-Eric
 
Last edited:
This thread is more than 11 years old.

Your message may be considered spam for the following reasons:

  1. This thread hasn't been active in some time. A new post in this thread might not contribute constructively to this discussion after so long.
If you wish to reply despite these issues, check the box below before replying.
Be aware that malicious compliance may result in more severe penalties.

Similar threads

JediMichael
Darkside Story - A Star Wars Parody
Replies
3
Views
133
Halliwax
Halliwax
JiminSTLouis
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser
Replies
4
Views
418
JiminSTLouis
JiminSTLouis
firesprite
Star Wars: Outlaws
2
Replies
33
Views
1,068
cboath
cboath
N
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser closing?
4 5 6
Replies
100
Views
4,655
blewis17
blewis17
bwayne64
Borrowing Blockbusters - Star Wars Knockoffs
Replies
4
Views
555
JediMichael
JediMichael
Back
Top