To bed the worlds of Andor even deeper into he gritty reality the story requires, the union between Industrial Light & Magic, the other VFX houses on the show and the team on the ground needed to be as tight as possible, allowing that ‘reality’ to feel like the viewer could touch every object or walk down any corridor. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, VFX supervisor Mohen Leo and SFX Supervisor Luke Murphy discussed that process, starting with the scene that kicked off the second season; Cassians theft of the prototype TIE Avenger from Sienar Test Facility 73.
What was the hardest effect to pull off in season two?
MOHEN LEO The most ambitious sequence was the TIE Avenger escape [in the season’s first episode]. That was in preparation for months — trying to figure out how to keep this sequence within the language of the show. I didn’t want to start the season off with something that was only computer generated. In conversations with Tony and with Luke, we talked about designing a sequence that starts with much more traditional filmmaking — with a practical set where we can use practical effects. And then, over the course of that sequence, transition into digital effects [as the fighter flies out of the hanger].
I’m assuming that TIE fighter was actually built? Because you see it on the ground in multiple settings and I thought it was really there.
LUKE MURPHY That thing was [actually built] and it sat on its wings. It was one of the most challenging builds we’ve ever done. It had a steel core and with materials used in aircraft — loads of aluminum composite panels, carbon fiber. We did everything we could to make that thing as strong as possible without having to rely on other structures that would then get painted out [with CG]. Actors could touch it and walk into it. Then we could literally lift that thing up with a crane and fly it around.
AndMore takes place this coming weekend at Fordingbridge Town Hall in the New Forest, and I’ll be onstage with Mohen for the VFX panel from 2.45pm – 3.15pm alongside fellow ILM members TJ Falls and Marcus Dryden. Stay tuned for more news as the big day approaches.
