How to film STAR WARS miniatures like The Mandalorian | Tutorial After Effects

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Learn how to film your old Star Wars toys and make them look like the miniature spaceships in the original trilogy and more recently the Razor Crest in The Mandalorian! ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) had motion control, we just had a slider and a wide angle lens...
In-camera miniature special effects were such a big part of the original Star Wars trilogy, and this is why so much in these films still looks amazing today. Even the prequels used a surprising amount of models.
Now if like me, you grew up in the 80s or 90s and have some Star Wars toys lying around, this can be a really fun experiment to try. Although these are very small, and they're not nearly as big as the models that were used for making the original films, it made me want to try and experiment to see if we could get some shots of them looking good. And these days, it has never been easier to combine shots of miniature models with other digital effects and really bring a scene to life. We tested this idea by shooting a miniature Star Destroyer and Tie Fighter against a blue screen, to try and recreate some similar-looking 'flying' shots from the original Star Wars films. This is a really fun effect to try as most of the effect is achieved in-camera, by moving the camera instead of the model. We removed the background using Keylight in Adobe After Effects and could then drop in a starry background to represent space.
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[@beachlove7519]

I love how this guys attitude when approaching vfx is “let’s just figure it out” using really simple stuff and then *makes it look good*

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

That's a huge compliment, thanks

[@beachlove7519]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin Awesome to hear a response huge fan lol, You're welcome!

[@Hellhamster]

Professional lighting ,cameras ,sliders is not basic stuff

[@beachlove7519]

@@Hellhamster I just meant in terms of the ways he uses certain things like those Star Wars toys and makes them look like grade A miniatures

[@HocusFocusProductions]

Ya, I never seem to get to that last part. I did the mistake the last time I shot my miniatures of using my 50mm lens instead of my new 14mm, but I love mixing practical with digital. And, while a slider is super useful, just getting the most steady shot you can while making sure the camera moves a bit can really help.

[@mr.g.9958]

"And you, we will watch your career with great interest."

[@AlaskafishStudios]

As someone who works primarily with miniatures and scale models, one thing you could have done to the toy to make it seem bigger is touch it up. Some really simple options would be to apply a black wash over the model. The wash, essentially highly diluted paint, would seep into the crevasses and build up on extrusions, giving you the illusion of screen space ambient occlusion. This creates more contrast, and creates this faux-shadows, which can create the illusion of the greeble looking much larger (as it should be since it's a giant space ship).

[@consumeproduce]

Practical in camera effects ALWAYS feel better.

[@MrInsaneA]

gotta disagree. personally so glad amidala’s ships and the kaminoans were cgi for example. Some designs work better with that ethereal dissonance imo. CGI is a tool like any other, the result is what matters

[@thomervin7450]

@@MrInsaneA lol dude disagrees just to disagree.

[@CyberSpaceFilms]

@@thomervin7450 Yeah, that's what disagreeing is about. I personally agree with @MrInsaneA

[@hrishik_]

@@MrInsaneA while amidala's ships will forever remain timeless, using CGI will inevitably expose your work to potentially be a product of its own time, and certain sequences just won't age well. The Battle of Coruscant for example is slowly showing that, and I'm 200% sure the final battle of avengers endgame will be practically unwatchable 20 years down the line. Star Wars 1977 on the other hand looks realistic all the same.

[@headmasterhastings4884]

@@MrInsaneA the Nubian starfighters were physical models, but yeah I mostly agree. A setting like Kamino or Coruscant can really only be created digitally.

[@vp21ct]

What's especially nuts is that there's some really, really good quality models out there for Star Wars. Get some Armada ships and you could have a kickass fleet shot.

[@goji9892]

I’m actually going to do that.

[@mordaciousfilms]

Thank you for being one of the few KZbin channels that shows ACTUALLY ACHIEVABLE VFX solutions that don't require expert CGI expertise or expensive tools. This is all stuff that I can do with my Adobe software and some artistry and patience, and that's what I want to see more of here on KZbin. Reminds me of OLD SCHOOL Indymogul when they were showing the absolute CHEAPEST and easiest effects anyone could do!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Thant's the idea! enjoy :)

[@leighemmerson]

Top video Steve as always. Small correction however - you need a 'large' depth of field not a small one! The instructions about closing your aperture are correct it's just the words that were wrong!

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Haha I always get that wrong - good spot!

[@willmfrank]

@@SteveRamsdenKZbin On the other hand; when combining miniatures with live action, a relatively shallow depth of field in your live action shot may help it match the miniature more closely.

[@dj-7154]

My god this is amazing. One of my best channels on youtube. thanks Steve

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Many thanks, stick around for more!

[@amantv9326]

The shadow of the tie fighter in the destroyer just sells it at profit😘😘...now I think I will be the budget Lucas 😂😂😂

[@jayconnor9753]

My approach to filmmaking is using miniatures and practical effects that are enhanced by digital tools and resources, so I think that helps sell the realism instead of simply just using one over the other. Great video!!

[@asphaltandtacos]

I prefer this look over CGI any day. Yes, it is better to do some things with a computer but a practical effects approach is better when it is safe to do so.

[@MauricioJara]

Yeah I like it when movies use practical and visual FX. When combined and used correctly, they can give you awesome results.

[@Bruh-zx2mc]

@@asphaltandtacos They literally just said they use CGI in addition to practical.

[@wafflehousez]

Can I see some of your projects?

[@arsenykarkach3844]

Closing the iris INCREASES depth of field!

[@georg101]

Really nice. I'd love to see more miniature effect scenes (like adding people to miniature sets to make it look, as if they were physically there)

[@alexgrimm354]

I would love to see this with lego star wars ships

[@MaxV11]

Great video! A quick note: ILM guys were actually filming models at a very low speed (1 frame every 1 or 2 seconds) because the longer exposure on each frame allowed them to have the whole model in sharp focus, stopping down the lens,. This way they could achieve a more realistic depiction of a starship that was supposed to be gigantic and, for this reason, all in focus. I really admired how they figured out all the best ways to film those models inventing techniques that simply weren't there! Thanks for the video, super inspiring!

[@davidhalver9692]

John Dykstra!

[@MaxV11]

@@davidhalver9692 what a genius!!!

[@tardisglitch547]

Title: "How to film STAR WARS miniatures like The Mandalorian" Original trilogy: "We stand here admist *MY ACHIEVMENT! NOT YOURS!"*

[@mandalorian-justice3726]

This looks like a lot of fun, especially working on something like this during the pandemic...

[@faisalf888]

Was waiting for this.... Thank You so much Steve ❤️

[@dubstepzsi]

Oh my god i'm buying the sigma FP camera next week and now because of you guys i am going to but some Airfix Tie-Fighter models and X- Wings i was going to do a tie fighter x wing battle on blender as a little project but i love how you guys have demonstrated why models and pyrotechnics should come back. i love your videos. I as much as you obviously do want to advocate for practical VFX to come back, it's one of the reasons why i love Nolans films.

[@TGiannini007]

Excellent discussion of aperture, shutter speed, type of lens, etc. Well done. And thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

You're very welcome, there is more similar stuff in my recent video "How to Film Miniatures"

[@sorarouge6351]

"I'M JUST RUNNING, IN THE EIGHTIES!!!!!!!!!"

[@offthematrix5310]

Great Tutorial! It's nice to find a person who knows how to work with cameras and models. All the other tutorials for effects I found are dependent on having After Effects. I did a lot of effects for my channel with only basic software.

[@Uhfgood]

green/bluescreen shots are always fun to watch... I may try it sometime

[@sehkhyro]

this is the absolute best channel jesus man

[@Yootjoob]

Thanks for your video, Steve you're a GENIUS!!!!

[@willmfrank]

Couple of tips: -- Use different scales of miniature to achieve distance effects; a smaller miniature will look farther away than a larger one, even if placed side by side; useful for static shots where you don't want to do multiple passes. -- Use paint washes to weather your miniatures; a pristine miniature will look too much like a toy.-- even a simple black or dark grey wash will simulate deeper shadows than those that show up on the shallow detail of a small miniature.

[@jeronimotamez9567]

This is a lifesaver! Thanks for the tips, they’re going to be really useful for my Star Wars film I’ll working on

[@wafflehousez]

how is that going? I'd like to know.

[@BenjaminROUX]

Incredible. Even if I'm not skilled at all in special effects and movie editing, all the concepts are explained very easily. Thanks for sharing !

[@brandonjacksoon]

Amazing video! Always cool! Thank you for your VFX video!

[@RedCaio]

Oh wow, I was not prepared for his eyes. Biggest eyes I've ever seen. Elijah Wood and Emma Stone getting jealous. This is not a dis, btw. I'm so sorry if it seemed that way.

[@Razgriz911]

those toys are from the action fleet series by galoob! super awesome they even had little pilots

[@CesarGamino]

this was so much fun to watch - GREAT TUTORIAL!!

[@SpencerStamitoles]

Easily my favorite video, absolutely amazing

[@GlinFilm]

YESS I LOVE YOUR VIDEOS! This is exactly what I’ve been hoping for!

[@BossKingLegoProductions]

Hi

[@GlinFilm]

@@BossKingLegoProductions poggers

[@gabequezada2066]

BEYOND AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@chriswilloughby48]

I really enjoyed this. Reminds me of the magazine CineFX.

[@goggleheroomegamaple820]

id like too see tokusatsu film affects like giant monster vs giant robot practical effects. id love to see what angles you would use

[@JackGordon]

So cool

[@Meteotrance]

Painting dirt on model kit works even better, i do also that in CGI model with texture paint make it dirtyier make the stuff more believable, Lucas and his team was really pionnering that kind of work.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

That's a great tip

[@Swiftey-wu2qq]

Used to have that Star Destroyer. Micromachines. Was my favourite toy, that and the T65 Xwing toy

[@riotechmod]

Awesome, for more better look and add depth in Scene using After effects, just make all layers 3D, add a camera, set focus on spaceship moving object and shift the background way back in z axis. It will give more realistic feel.. 🙌♥️

[@thomaswindfeld728]

The force is with you Steve! Love it;)

[@Kiggezoo]

Fantastic! Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@flavioprado10]

I like your tips Mr Ramsden. Tanks

[@ritaappiah953]

You have been a really great help to me. Thanks.

[@dominatorz]

This is amazing 🔥🔥🔥

[@JohnnyGuitaristOfficial]

Very awesome!! Thank you gor these awesome tricks and tips.

[@davetinoco]

Absolutely phokin amazing

[@Asithan476]

This is so amazing and creative. Keep up the good work :D

[@_d_h_]

love this. !

[@mohammedyunus3276]

Bro Ur VFX works are really super bro love from india

[@lukeskywalkerlucasfilm]

Luv it Steve!

[@rivitheadlab2523]

i REALLY LIKED THIS VIDEO! thanks!

[@GustavLjungdahl]

fantastic and helpful for my current filming

[@ihabiano]

God bless you! Information you provided and the way you clarified them and elaborating on them was terrific! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

A pleasure! Thanks

[@Storyx1]

Good job ! Very good result !

[@DunkanWinter]

Super cool

[@OllisFilmkueche]

Great tutorial! Thank you!

[@PCcardboard1354]

so far i am loving your channel

[@legotimefuntime5438]

Somethings never go away it of style.

[@Skydrowalker]

I'm just not finding your channel and this video is fantastic. Loved everything about it! The energy, the tone, loved the suggestions for if you have different equipment.

[@SteveRamsdenYoutube]

Glad to hear!

[@ninjamotivation_oficial]

incredible work

[@StinkingKevin]

That is how a tutorial should be done. Thank you.

[@bradleycorreia2481]

Awesome 👏💯👀

[@knightforlorn6731]

this is so cool. Im subbed

[@superindieshortfilms]

Wow!!!🤩!!!

[@WLANDFILMS]

Great video thanks for the tutorial 👏🏻🤖🙏

[@jaeeproductions]

Both models should be sprayed with flat paint. Additionally, as per the Star Destroyer model...you should drill tiny holes along its sides and in its conning tower. From there, add a light source inside the model--a small LED flashlight would do well. Why is this necessary? The light holes give a sense of scale, and were very important to the special effects crew that built the Star Destroyer models for "The Empire Strikes Back". Further, you need to dirty-up the Tie Fighter model with paint--and add laser burnt marks and lighting sources. You can add the lighting sources in-post, such as strobing red and blue flight lights. As per the Star Destroyer, you need to kit bash...and thus add model parts to the exterior...in order to give it more detail. Additionally, I'd paint the model Black as a base coat--before painting the model with a White final coat--again, using flat paint. In regard to your Star Destroyer, I wouldn't exactly call it a model...but a toy--as it looks like a toy--hence the need for the paint job, the kit bashing and the drilled holes and internal lighting. You also need to dirty up the model to evoke the used look that is authentically "Star Wars". Presently, your model and toy...look exactly like what they are--respectively; a model and a toy.

[@athingawungshi5079]

Amazing top videos 👍👍👍

[@adelsaid3476]

Thanks dear Steve

[@robertomondello2447]

Amazing😍😍😍

[@finsantos4630]

Cool!!

[@walter0327]

Really cool Really good tutorial !

[@jackintheblox506]

Amazing!

[@kasicaprasica573]

Awesome!!!!

[@BlackRoseBurning]

This was awesome

[@Woodsaras]

Amazing video, as always. :::)))

[@Classheroes]

Thanks Steve. I really enjoyed that. I might have to do it with my model of the Liberator :-)

[@georgefilmanimation]

This is amazing! I've been wondering how to do this for months! How did you make that shadow?

[@branaginslaw]

this is just what i need.

[@davidhalver9692]

Wow, Steve... Really Exceptional DYI Tutorial! Truly Amazing how Adobe and PCs have advanced FX from the old school days of Optical Printers and Composite Photography and Traveling Mattes... ouch! Makes me wish I were 20 again! Thanks so much! Great Stuff... Color me "Subscribed"!!!

[@roshithvr4913]

Awesome AWESOME

[@mohammedsadiq69]

This is my first your video and I love it and subscribed less than 10 seconds

[@willwaggenspack6411]

Awesome

[@user-gj5mf2xq6b]

I like it 😊❤️ thanks bro 🙂

[@PopExtra]

so cool! 😀

[@lightyearsawaythejourneyaf6144]

Thanks for The cool Info 👩‍🚀🚀

[@butcherstorys3473]

Thank you

[@cgworm6111]

this was most interesting video ever, pleese make more star wars stuff

[@mnaword6589]

very good bro

[@PhantomEye11]

Sick

[@ZoharGoldMine]

great video!

[@MarcusViniciusMO]

Que canal maravilhoso!!!!!

[@budekins542]

Impressive.

[@AntoniosPapantoniou]

Absolutely great tutorial, if possible please mention your exact lighting set-up for the blue screen (type of lights etc), thanks a lot.

[@pjgc1762]

This video needs more, more and more views!,

[@fives-theloyalsoldier6247]

Cool

[@thegiftedone]

Amazing how us amateur filmmakers……figured out movie magic on our own….yes we all watched some behind the scenes…,but we started our own hacks and what do u know?……their pretty darn good!………fan films are not “fan films” the are films! Sometimes, better then big studios attempts……..why? Because we have passion for the story, not the cash……..simple as that!…..if you are reading this?you are the resistance!…

[@Thunderpuddle]

Really good film gents

[@masterversal-toyhunter]

would love to see some one do this with the X-WING gaming miniatures

[@H.o.o.k]

👍Cool!!! my Respect!!!