Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release)

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Hence the rigorous training. One thing that they can't do is bring back their youthful looks. Hamill has huge bags under his eyes looking like he's been watching endless screenings of "The Star Wars Holiday Special" ala eyes forced open (A Clockwork Orange style). Fisher, as mentioned has had skin tightening and dermaplasty. They'll need ALOT of dermafiller to fix her for the screen. Should just digitally re-create like they did with Arnie T-1000 in Terminator Salvation.

They're supposed to be the same characters 30 years later (presumably) so looking old isn't a problem. Hamill in particular, as long as he loses the gut, will look just fine in an Obi-Wan type role. Fisher will likely have a harder time of it but I'm sure they'll manage.

I really hope they don't do the digital thing. Looked incredibly fake in Tron:Legacy when you had a character that did more than stand there.

 

[seelsa73]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I really hope they don't do the digital thing. Looked incredibly fake in Tron:Legacy when you had a character that did more than stand there.

Yes, agree. It worked in Salvation because the T-1000 was only on screen for a minute or two before it's skin was melted off.

You can do digital altering like they did in X3 with xavier and magneto, but why go through all that trouble and spend all that money? They're supposed to be older, so just slim the actors down and be done with it.

 

[niennumb1]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Yes, agree. It worked in Salvation because the T-1000 was only on screen for a minute or two before it's skin was melted off.

You can do digital altering like they did in X3 with xavier and magneto, but why go through all that trouble and spend all that money? They're supposed to be older, so just slim the actors down and be done with it.

Because they know whatever they spend they'll get their money back in spades.

I really hope they do some practical stuff with this series. I think they took a major step back in the prequels when they could truly have built some great sets and done what Peter Jackson did with LOTR. I'm all about hybriding the technologies together. I think it's ridiculous to just simply decide to do all CG if you can have the budget to do some breathtaking sets.

I'm curious to know what the budget will be for these next few films!

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

And we'll find out Threepio's programming includes marriage counseling.

It wouldn't surprise me. It would scare me, but not surprise me...

It's Hollywood. When the studios are paying the bills they can get any actor into great shape again. You know they'll be getting PAID big BIG bucks this time around. Of course they'll have personal trainers and the works for them.

^This is true. Losing weight/getting into shape in Hollywood is a lot easier than it is for the rest of us. Money can buy all sorts of things, and what money can't buy, some strategically placed Revlon can do the rest. You'd be absolutely stunned what some of those stars look like without their camouflage... I mean ghastly! :sick

I really hope they do some practical stuff with this series. I think they took a major step back in the prequels when they could truly have built some great sets and done what Peter Jackson did with LOTR. I'm all about hybriding the technologies together. I think it's ridiculous to just simply decide to do all CG if you can have the budget to do some breathtaking sets.

GL maintained ( I read somewhere...?) that during the prequels there were actually more practical sets built than for the OT. Some of the CGI effects in the prequels actually came over very well, such as the cityscape of Coruscant, but others suffered badly. I never bought a single one of the Clonetroopers as being "real". And in the scenes when they were pictured helmetless, it was just ridiculous. How much would it have cost to make a few of these costumes for the actors in closeup so these scenes (and others like them) would have been more tangible and believable? I've never been able to figure that out, especially when I learned that CGI is not the "cheap" way out, but could easily be more expensive to carry out than a practical effect...

 

[seelsa73]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

GL maintained ( I read somewhere...?) that during the prequels there were actually more practical sets built than for the OT. Some of the CGI effects in the prequels actually came over very well, such as the cityscape of Coruscant, but others suffered badly. I never bought a single one of the Clonetroopers as being "real". And in the scenes when they were pictured helmetless, it was just ridiculous. How much would it have cost to make a few of these costumes for the actors in closeup so these scenes (and others like them) would have been more tangible and believable? I've never been able to figure that out, especially when I learned that CGI is not the "cheap" way out, but could easily be more expensive to carry out than a practical effect...

As much as i liked the PT, i completely agree that the clone troopers should could have been done practical to far better effect. At those times when the clone troops are figured prominently, it always takes me out of the scene briefly and into "what were they thinking" territory

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

As much as i liked the PT, i completely agree that the clone troopers should could have been done practical to far better effect. At those times when the clone troops are figured prominently, it always takes me out of the scene briefly and into "what were they thinking" territory

Despite some of my ranting about it in previous threads/posts, I don't have as much of a beef with the prequels as some seem to. I think they played their part. But there's no denying that the CG element was very heavy-handed, especially as the episodes progressed. I don't know how effectively a, say, Coruscant skyline could be done with practical models, probably not at all, but there were definitely many things that could/should have been done with real, touchable, tangible things that weren't...

 

[niennumb1]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

As much as i liked the PT, i completely agree that the clone troopers should could have been done practical to far better effect. At those times when the clone troops are figured prominently, it always takes me out of the scene briefly and into "what were they thinking" territory

I agree. I would say maybe digital extras, but keep a huge chunk of them in costume and not go all CG.

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I agree. I would say maybe digital extras, but keep a huge chunk of them in costume and not go all CG.

The flaw with the clones is that the armor really wasn't designed to fit a real living person... so when they added the head... it looked WAY out of proportion.

 

[Bigdaddy]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Think Geek has 'em I think. :thumbsup

WOW, The Think Geek Taun-taun is very cool but a bit pricey eek! I gave her the option of the $150 sleeping bag (not suitable for camping :lol) or I can put the money towards a PS3, not a hard choice for her . I plan on checking out fake fur at the fabric shop, it would be a fun build, plus when sewing the quilting on the inside I could "texture" the "guts" :lol

 

[Bigdaddy]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

GL maintained ( I read somewhere...?) that during the prequels there were actually more practical sets built than for the OT.

If GL said that, I'm calling BS on him! If it's true, it's only true "from a certain point of view" Every "set" on the OT was practical, perhaps more sets overall were built for the PT, but what GL calls practical, most would call "partial sets". I also doubt that in the PT they had to "re-use" a set, they had $$$ to burn, so there was no need to turn a Death star hallway into a Bespin hallway for another shot. GL was likely just trying to "poo-poo" the valid criticism of his poor film making decisions on the PT. Look at the closing scene in ROTS with the dual sunset, then watch Luke in SW standing in the "same" place, the green-screen shot is very obvious they aren't in the desert, but on a set.
I hope JJ appoaches this film (effects-wise) the way PJ did with LOTR (Hobbit is much like the SWPT IMO).

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

WOW, The Think Geek Taun-taun is very cool but a bit pricey eek! I gave her the option of the $150 sleeping bag (not suitable for camping :lol) or I can put the money towards a PS3, not a hard choice for her . I plan on checking out fake fur at the fabric shop, it would be a fun build, plus when sewing the quilting on the inside I could "texture" the "guts" :lol

Are you taking pre-orders?

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

As much as i liked the PT.....

You lost me. lol

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I plan on checking out fake fur at the fabric shop, it would be a fun build, plus when sewing the quilting on the inside I could "texture" the "guts" :lol

Now THAT would be awesome! Nice pink & red quilted interior!

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

If GL said that, I'm calling BS on him! If it's true, it's only true "from a certain point of view" Every "set" on the OT was practical, perhaps more sets overall were built for the PT, but what GL calls practical, most would call "partial sets". I also doubt that in the PT they had to "re-use" a set, they had $$$ to burn, so there was no need to turn a Death star hallway into a Bespin hallway for another shot. GL was likely just trying to "poo-poo" the valid criticism of his poor film making decisions on the PT. Look at the closing scene in ROTS with the dual sunset, then watch Luke in SW standing in the "same" place, the green-screen shot is very obvious they aren't in the desert, but on a set.
I hope JJ appoaches this film (effects-wise) the way PJ did with LOTR (Hobbit is much like the SWPT IMO).

I'm of the same mind, honestly. Without knowing it for a fact though, I'm reluctant to call it a lie. I do know many of the physical sets were bare bones ones that were digitally extended. And there's something about the spatial relationship between the actor and the set that just doesn't seem to fully convince with CG. Even if it did, why resort to fakery if/when the real thing can be done...?

 

[Bigdaddy]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Now THAT would be awesome! Nice pink & red quilted interior!

Pink lining with red threading is my thoughtlol
On another note: Much a-do-about "lens-flare" has been discussed since JJ was announced as being involed in E7. I happened to see these pre-JJ posters today, seems like GL had a "flair" for it himself! lol

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

flare/flair ..... close enough

 

[Too Much Garlic]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Never seen that last RotS poster before... it has an OT Vader in it. COOL!!!

 

[Bigdaddy]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Never seen that last RotS poster before... it has an OT Vader in it. COOL!!!

Yeah, I like that one alot, almost made me want to watch it again....almost :behave

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Never seen that last RotS poster before... it has an OT Vader in it. COOL!!!

I have that poster but haven't paid it much mind.

That's funny, because everything having to do with Star Wars after the prequels has shown Vader in his prequel attire, even Episode IV and beyond...

 

[Michael Bergeron]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

That's funny, because everything having to do with Star Wars after the prequels has shown Vader in his prequel attire, even Episode IV and beyond...

At the time the poster was made I'm guessing Drew Struzan didn't have the PT outfit to base his art on.