The Virtual Production of The Mandalorian Season Two

[@NewVillagePictures]

I love that Star Wars has continued to push the filmmaking medium ever since it started. Keep up the great work, ILM and Lucasfilm. You guys are truly and incredibly inspirational.

[@lilstarfishdude]

Yeah, I remember my first enthusiastic dabbles in 3D back in the early 90s in Alias PA on an SGI Indigo 2 Extreme, dreaming away "imagine when the computers will be so fast that they can render this stuff in in real time, how cool that will be!". 30 years later and it is now reality! BUT, I could never have imagined that the majority of what has since then been considered Post production would one day be considered Pre(!) production! I'm so completely blown away by what ILM has done for the film industry that I'm at loss for words. They still have the maddest lads and ladies, hands down! 😃👍👍

[@Native_Creation]

Yeah funny how all the major installments of Star Wars have contributed so much to the evolution of CGI and filmmaking itself

[@skookumtrooper8086]

The idea that you can do a reverse shot by turning the environment... just mind blowing.

[@kellysmith1144]

This is the pioneering spirit of George Lucas. Always pushing forward, creating, refining. Well done ILM for staying true.

[@hiimchrisj]

I remember that being on of the many criticisms George had about them handling the ST. There was nothing innovative about the production. Seems like Jon Favreau has that same spirit as George wanting to push the envelope for how film making is done.

[@Kdot6_16]

No, because they're not fucking dumbasses

[@Mexdys]

@@Kdot6_16 what

[@dhirentevatia]

@@Kdot6_16 .

[@jaysunbrady]

It wasn't Lucas it was Favreau

[@CymruJedi]

5:11 A rare sight to see. Dave Filoni without the iconic hat.

[@leolizard3152]

Impossible, perhaps the archives are incomplete.

[@pollardk.1116]

Yeah it is

[@techfreak111]

He looks stupid AF in that cowboy hat he wears

[@leolizard3152]

@@techfreak111 How dare disrespect my lord and savior Dave Filoni ✊😔

[@techfreak111]

@@leolizard3152 no disrespect just looks dumb AF

[@linusfotograf]

I can't wait to see historical films made using this tech. Not just sci-fi. Imagine any period in history with the backgrounds that entails.

[@Native_Creation]

Heck yeah

[@valyrian8090]

House of the dragon is using this tech, maybe it is not a history show but it is set in medieval era🤙🏻

[@Gary_Hun]

It's a workflow for filmmakers, hate to spoil your excitement, but nothing changes for the viewer.

[@linusfotograf]

@@Gary_Hun It does look much better than using a green screen. The light looks more natural and so on. It’s more seemless

[@fredflintlocks9445]

@@Gary_Hun ofc it does it enables more realism for less money

[@tea101]

I didn't notice, but now that they're saying it, the VFX in Season 2 WAS amazing. It looked epic without looking flashy, and still staying "chill".

[@khetaglagkuev6001]

Right on. If you hadn’t already, i’d recommend that you watch Corridor Crew’s reaction to season 2 VFX

[@StudioArtFX]

I noticed from the first episode. I thought they must have doubled the budget or something.

[@tea101]

@@khetaglagkuev6001 will do.

[@hiimchrisj]

The best effects are the ones you don't even know are there. I love the fact that the virtual set extensions don't really call attention to themselves it just makes the shot look more open, as it should.

[@tea101]

@@hiimchrisj exactly

[@CinematicCaptures]

I'd love to get my hands on this tech one day. The LED screen VP workflow is really interesting to me and I see a lot of potential here.

[@ethanskywalker]

Judging by some of the projects you've put out, I'm sure you would put it to good use!

[@Bombastic]

For his next project, Cinematic Captures recreates the unfinished Clone Wars scenes using Stagecraft.

[@PhilmBlog]

I’ve just used it and will add an explainer video to my channel soon. 👍

I want to try my Matrix Screensaver on that thing!

[@MeNoOther]

There are commercial versions of this technology for consumers. Search KZbin

[@nathie]

a wild VR headset appeared

[@GlinFilm]

Hi Nathie

[@TrYhE]

Kk

[@justinseau]

Quest 2?

[@SwaggerLikeUz]

Terminator 2, Alien, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Titanic, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Endgame, Star Trek, etc (ILM visual effects). #Legends

[@RZDUX]

“In our company you do, or you don’t. there is no try”

[@huawafabe]

nice wording. Someone should put it in a movie or something, have a wise character say it :P

[@Jaco_Schutte]

You cut Dave Filoni, he bleeds Star Wars.

[@Arcgateway]

Every deadline is for yesterday! *starts tearing own hair*

[@joejoe2658]

YEAH, AND HE FUCKED UP BY MISQUOTING IT.

[@MattWinchell]

Once again, I am astounded by ILM's creativity to once again change the landscape of the visual effects industry. Such inspiring work!

[@ZachBobBob]

Favreau is actually a mad genius for coming up with this idea and honestly Kennedy deserves some credit too for saying yes to the idea and putting up all the money and resources. Imagine if she said nah green screens and location shooting works just fine.

[@Mandozen]

FACTS

[@arthurballs9632]

Bob Iger deserves that credit. Favreau's mentioned in 3 different interviews that he pitched this show to Disney. The decision wasn't KK's.

[@lipico1]

I believe Nolan did it on Interstellar before mandalorian, and I think Claudio Miranda also did this on Oblivion even before that..

[@lp.shakur]

@@lipico1 yeah they might have done it before but it's the same as saying when a new playstation comes out "yeah they have done it before" yeah they have but this is better, has more power and better features, in fact Mando revolutionized how this technique gets used

[@BenSlashes]

Kennedey deserves no credit for saying yes xD

[@amandajackson.83]

I've been on a couple of productions now that have utilized volume stages. It's a surreal experience - even as a crew member you feel like you're actually in whatever environment you're shooting in that day. Plus, there's a VFX team that does adjustments in real time. The future is wild! Imo, this is the biggest leap in technology film has made in a number of years. I'm not really phased by anything we do behind the scenes anymore, but these stages are incredible and seriously impressed me. Despite some learning curbs when shooting on them, I can't wait for more studios to build them...after we're all employed again, of course.

[@Corbechu]

In our company you do or you don't there is no try. Dave Filoni (2021)

[@JOHNY0]

This was more of an ad for ILM StageCraft than an actual behind the scenes

[@dumptruckds]

Yep, it's called show business for a reason. Do you think these people do this for free?

[@McGregor43]

@@dumptruckds lol what? OP was just saying that we didn't get enough behind the scenes info for The Mandalorian.

[@Lumibear.]

Agreed. Still an awesome insight into the craft, though.

[@Thatshistoryright]

So was The LEGO Movie, but that was so good they made sequel advertisements.

[@justinseau]

“Today... I’m particularly excited to roll out Stagecraft 2” I’ve never seen an ILM video that sounded... heck, the entire video is just like an Apple Event video!

[@Kust0r]

this technology could be perfect for live theatrical performances

[@dafphtthedislikeupdater7836]

aw could you imagine?

[@Gemstones1000]

That'd be AWESOME

[@ElectricalSwift]

You can just use normal projectors for that. This is very directional.

[@mananagnihotri]

This is in coordination with your camera and lens. Not with the human eye.

[@Postbearpunk]

@@mananagnihotri You could coordinate it to human eyes, but that's not possible to coordinate it to every person in a huge theater.

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks, Deborah! Thanks, Peyton! Thanks, Bryce! Thanks, Jon! Thanks, Janet! Thanks, Richard! Thanks, Rob! Thanks, Ian! Thanks, François! Thanks to everyone at ILMVFX!!!

[@Leprechaunproduction]

This is so amazing to see, and so exciting to imagine what filmmakers - professional, amateur, and hobbyists - will be able to do with this technology. And from a writer's perspective, it's liberating knowing that your script won't be turned down because it would be too expensive to have so many otherworldly locations.

[@georgewashington7982]

Mandolorian sets were so good, the lighting always immerse you in whatever setting they were in. Didn’t know it was all done in this volume stuff lol

[@torloni13]

I love ILM since Star Wars.....have all the books about them too!

[@pizzadoog]

Do you have any recommendations?

[@torloni13]

@@pizzadoog Here are the 3 giant (and expensive) books: - Industrial Light & Magic: The Art of Special Effects (1987) - Industrial Light & Magic: Into the Digital Realm. (1996) - Industrial Light & Magic: The Art of Innovation. (2011) The first covers pratical effects (everything they used in Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Goonies...etc), the second their first digital effects...and the third covers modern digital effects.

[@pizzadoog]

@@torloni13 thank you!

[@jakemeyer8188]

It's so fitting that Dave quotes Yoda...because of course he would

[@joejoe2658]

YEAH, AND HE FUCKED UP BY MISQUOTING IT. and apparently none of you even noticed...

[@surunitemiakanni-oye4346]

@@joejoe2658 Who cares? Do you know what paraphrasing means?

[@kurtdewittphoto]

I like the small details that this tech allows like reflections on Mando's helmet when he's flying through a tight canyon.

[@KJ-mo8lk]

5:20 I love this new shot of Ahsoka!

[@SomethingSomewhereJustOnce]

That's actually from the second season of The Mandalorian.

[@pavcueto]

@@SomethingSomewhereJustOnce there are a few seconds that didn't appear in the show. The part just after mando stopped Ahsoka's lightsabers

[@SomethingSomewhereJustOnce]

@@pavcueto I'm talking about the exact shot that you've timestamped. it's in the show.

[@pavcueto]

@@SomethingSomewhereJustOnce i didn't timestamped anything. But if you want this, it's 5:22. And no, it isn't in the show. I'm checking it right now ;-) Here you can see right after Djin blocks the lightsabers, Ahsoka holds them against his with a little "wtf" face. In the show, that frames are skipped and they go right to the flamethrower attack.

[@EricDKaufman]

This is why The Mandalorian is as ground breaking at A New Hope!

[@PhilmBlog]

As a director who’s been lucky enough to use virtual production... this is the way.

[@trolojolo6178]

It's not, practical effects are the way.

[@PhilmBlog]

@@trolojolo6178 They use both, hand in hand. And virtual production is replacing greenscreen not practical effects.

[@SahilP2648]

@@PhilmBlog which protects are you working on? And what technology are you using? In terms of the screen and rendering etc.?

[@ZacDonald]

@@PhilmBlog replacing green screen, projection, and extending sets.

[@hiimchrisj]

@@trolojolo6178 The prison camp scene with Bill Burr, like Favreau explains in this video, that was miniatures and stop motion being projected as a background, live around the actors in the scene. Virtual production and practical effects aren't mutually exclusive. But back in the day, to do this kind of thing, they'd have to chroma-key the actors into that miniature background. Despite it literally being real tangible objects, everyone will still think it's fake because the actors aren't physically there because they can't be. Take the prequels as a good example of that being the case. Now you can do that same thing but have that miniature background project the lighting on the actors making the whole scene look seamless.

[@exthematrx]

*NOW ALL YOU GUYS NEED IS AN OMNIDIRECTIONAL FLOOR THAT MOVES IN SYNC WITH THE VFX*

[@mukundkanodia8817]

Nice idea

[@MrVulcanator]

I can't wait to see what they do with Unreal Engine 5. I had no idea until I went on Wikipedia that the show used this new technique. I thought 90% of the show was shot on location or in really big sets.

[@kyebean]

Disney's building their own engine

[@RSpudieD]

Absolutely amazing! The volume offers so much potential and Mandalorian Season 2 was so stunning and awesome! I know there are great things to come with this technology and I can't wait to see what doors it'll open next!

[@yelistener]

This is a game changer. Is ILM the one that pioneered this?

[@peterlenham6904]

Yes!

[@Native_Creation]

They were influenced or inspired by the Epic Games / Unreal Engine team as well.

[@a.j.lawrenceimagineitstudi5239]

When I am able to get a project with a big enough budget I for sure want to use Screencraft and there volume. Amazing work and Beautiful visuals. They’re finally bringing back practical effects but still using Digital visual effects

[@JayBuff19]

lets just give the Technical Oscar right now. congrats ILM well done. way to go Favreau!

[@SrihariLakshminarayanan]

When ILM introduced Digital VFX replacing Stop-Motion in 1993, with Jurassic Park Now ILM introduced Virtual VFX Stages replacing their own post-production digital VFX in 2020, with Mandalorian Inspiration to and for VFX

[@natalieschall8933]

This certainly does show that an Engine that was built for games in the past can be the best tool for films in the future. Epic Games / Unreal Engine and Lucasfilm have started something that could change the industry as a whole. Combine that with creativity and there will be some masterpieces in the future.

[@75YBA]

All the best to ILM & Disney and your loved ones! Canada loves you folks!

[@SAABSINNER]

I love how Filoni throws in a Yoda quote

[@GreenLightMe]

All this technology and ANDOR still looked 10x better by just going on location

[@chaosfire321]

I was honestly expecting an April Fools joke. This looks so damn amazing!

[@thebaron9059]

I find this tech absolutely amazing, far better than anything that preceded it for the purpose for which it was used. And what a great show to showcase it on!

[@natej1026]

The fact that a video game engine made this technology work so well is one reason why the video- gaming industry continues to move forward, it has insane applications.

[@twstf8905]

5:09 There he IS!!!! 👍 The Man, the Myth, the LEGEND. 🔥 Dave Filoni. 🔥

[@therealarien]

Well, I'm sold. I'll be using stagecraft for my next multi million dollar production

[@aMilling]

As a CAD / BIM specialist, having this for the building industry would be amazing.

[@jvoric]

Wow! It’s like a holodeck!

[@aucarter]

Just about to post that we are getting closer and closer to the Holodeck!

[@DaveFlash]

@@aucarter no! that; from star trek you idiots!

[@jesusurrabieta9700]

The thing I feel was very lacking with this technology was the low overall luminance range, even in HDR sources. Might that be caused to limitations of the LED displays, that according to this video, are producing "final pixel"? Even in scenes with supposed direct sun light had very low peek luminance...

[@paulloughlin3732]

I love that Phil Tippet is there working on a model!! As it should be! :)

[@바보Queen]

John Favreau really should win some award for this cause this is revolutionary for film.. i can't even tell wants real and what isn't... i think the next step is texture mapping on physical objects.. like a cube can be anything.. so u don't even have to build the set, just use prefab shapes

[@Vesperitis]

How do we know this isn't an April Fool's joke? HOW DO WE KNOW THOSE AREN'T REAL ALIENS AND A REAL SPACE STATION?!

[@tgs1766]

Oh... *You* see potential? Lol What a tool. Trust me, whatever “potential” you see, these guys have already thought of it.

[@LYN4X]

Bcs this entire thing has been known for monthss

[@uaimmiau3460]

There's a non zero chance of them actually filming this shit on tatooine and star destroyers

[@Seratus1977]

U ALL DID IT SO WELL! 6 STARS

[@ivpt]

I love the Volume

[@TaylorPlace]

This tech is super cool but I do miss the days when making-of featurettes like this didn't feel like corporate advertisements

[@michaeltarantolo5913]

Its crazy cuz the effects in Mando S2 were better than most the effects in the sequels

[@emperorvader3344]

I get that the sequels arent the best films but you have to admit that they are visually stunning to look at. Last Jedi especially.

[@orthovasky]

Absolutely stunning.

[@TheIcemanModdeler]

Was hoping to see more technical stuff but this is a broad showcase of the technology.

[@EllaBirt]

I am totally blown away by StageCraft!

[@devinitystudios433]

Holy Mackerel. This is amazing. Computer gaming technology merging with Film. This sparks all kinds of future possibilities

[@jimmerhardy]

ILM continues to innovate. Impressive.

[@dennisp3314]

This perfect for SO many things. What an amazing development - if used creatively

[@thelegendwarior]

This is the beginning of a revolution

[@theianprender-cast3863]

This sort of thing is indistinguishable from witchcraft for me. I don’t understand how it works, I never will, but it’s amazing.

[@danibob371]

This whole production is just so inspiring and it's awesome to see them push the capabilities of this tech! Excited for more virtual reality experiences!

[@joshcowham8668]

Jon sounds so much like Pre Viszla. Oh, wait, he IS Pre Viszla🤣

[@blakeunboxes]

This is incredible. I'm sure the actors are thrilled with it too! Beats standing before a green screen.

[@CommanderAlpharocks]

6:18 my man rocking a cool THE CLONE WARS t shirt!!!

[@4faces320]

Best Studio!

[@RapidActionAnimations]

Yay for Stop Motion!

[@revisingthescript]

4:09 Shout-out to VFX legend Phil Tippett

[@fukoduiko7775]

6:17 Nice Yoda reference, Dave

[@REaDComicsau]

Can’t get enough of this tech, more movies need to use it!

[@daspec]

When it comes to cutting-edge film making, THIS IS THE WAY

[@kinja73]

Clever to hide a commercial for Stage Craft inside a behind the scenes video, heh. Gotta secure those future clients!

[@supergeorge111]

Jon Favreau: "The good news is that this technology is available to everyone." Disney: "We've now trademarked StageCraft and the technology."

[@montjopask]

That's SO obvious, it's a bit embarrassing.

[@SomethingSomewhereJustOnce]

Yeah, it was made by the company which owns the tech and it's on their channel, what did you expect?

[@UncleJessy]

Hahaha some of the commentary feels very very canned.

[@Yourleftismyright88]

Seems like this technology can bring the best of both worlds with practical and digital. Loved seeing Phil Tippet there in the mix of things.

[@KRGB]

Hell yeah. I love that ILM is still so connected to their VFX roots that when they need quality stop motion they go pull that old codger out of his special effects hobbit hole and put him to work.

[@waithereivegonetogethelp3240]

This is a very retro futurism. It harkens back to the old theatre days, where they'd drop a sheet behind the stage with a painting of a location and a few props in front for the actors to interact with and to blur the boundary between real and imagined. This is basically exactly the same thing, but with screens that react to the perspective of the camera instead of sheets. Funny how going backwards can be a huge leap forwards at the same time.

[@andrewcoates5438]

I honestly thought they were filming on location 😳 🤯

[@doctorstrange367]

Yeah. In 50 years, this will be a virtual holodeck in every family home. This is true virtual reality.

[@MisterTingles]

just looking at that background violently moving around made me feel queezy...

[@backtotheroots6678]

CGI-Technology: Advance by light years. Doll Master from Aliens and Baby Yoda: Stuck in 1980

[@siuu156]

God imagine the quality of historical epics that will be made with this technology💯🐐

[@justinseau]

“Today... I’m particularly excited to roll out Stagecraft 2” This ILM video suspiciously look, sounds and feels just like an Apple Event video.

[@AHR_James]

Maybe apple used this for their COVID event filming

[@Ohmriginal722]

I want more shows built in the volume, The Mandalorian is awesome and I want more creators with that kind of power.

[@besi1974]

I want that stage as a home theater room !

[@d34nl]

i love the oculus headset at 3:09 this is definitely a huge sign that we are in a major upward tech shift again

[@d34nl]

and they use Unreal Engine too! thats really neat! these are things that consumers users and enjoy as well! love it

[@derlijn]

"in our company you do or you dont, there is no try" words of wisdom from the legend

[@leodoamaral9359]

I want to see old concerts on this!!

[@ultracollectorz9970]

I hope in a few years from now, they can physically release both seasons 1 and 2 on 4K/Blu Ray.

[@lowellcamp3267]

For us CG enthusiasts... LED rooms : real objects in a CG environment :: Image based lighting : CG objects in a real environment. This stuff absolutely raises the bar for quality and efficiency of integrating real and virtual objects.

[@bonuz1129]

5:33 Program essential to create photo real environment.

[@darrenberkey7017]

A nice blend between practical and CG, it's technological advances like this that really fascinate me. (And as a PC gamer, it's nice to know that these advances started out from video games!) 😊

[@shaunmartin1239]

After watching The Mandalorian seeing this feels so cool. It's crazy how they make it look so real in real life nevermind the movies.

[@dafphtthedislikeupdater7836]

what movies? i dont recall disney releasing any "sequel" movies 🤷‍♂

[@lothean2099]

I can't wait till they incorporate this into home use. Talk about getting into a movie. And boo to those who have a thumbs down.

[@lukeshaddick7486]

Look at the gaming industry paving the way for real time rendering

[@IzzyTheEditor]

Paving the way? We've been rendering in real-time for 20 years, lol

[@validcore]

Don't think out loud & you can all keep your jobs. What a great company, all about the programming.

[@safeerah_6690]

This is such an amazing way to film it!

[@SublimeMind]

That "50% more pages" number is the key here. If The Volume can make crews more efficient, then more can get done with less money. The less money it takes to make one thing, the more that can be put into another, which means more shows/movies can get made. The more stuff gets made with this tech, the bigger risks and more unconventional stories that can be told. Once they're building volumes at scale (think every studio in the world has at least three operating on their lots at any given time), a larger number filmmakers will be able to tell bigger stories than ever at a fraction of the cost. Studios won't be afraid to let creative visions run their course without focus groups or test audiences to guarantee they'll make half a billion back on every release. The Volume will revolutionize everything we know about the economics of filmmaking, and probably just in time for movie theaters to get back in full swing.

[@timbrown1834]

It's cool that the backgrounds now reflect off the people and props in a natural way. They even got the lighthsabers to reflect off surfaces, finally.

[@rorypuds]

I do think this tech is amazing, and it must be so beneficial to the production.... but surely the mandalorian is perfectly suited to this type of set design, and its really is limited to these open spaces, with little set interaction? I just can't see it moving into other types of productions, where set design is more intrinsic to the story. For like 20% of general shots though, it could be a game changer.

[@kyebean]

You can still have a set in the Volume, I guess you just couldn't do one continuous shot of someone moving across a huge location

[@spinne2013]

Which kind/ resolution on LED-Panels is getting used in this production, any info?

[@sapuann]

Amazing. It's like having a magic curtains

[@IssamBougrine]

This is the future of cinema/film.

[@brettcameratraveler]

You hear the filmmakers talk about how immersive it is to be on set... e Eventually the 2D cinema camera will be considered the old tech in the whole experience and instead The Volume will be made up if lightfield panels and the "set" will become "the venue" as it will be where you go to not watch your favorite show but to be a character in it. You can do this with VR but there's something special when you can run around interacting with real objects and seeing your friends faces. It will become a alternative to the passive theater experience.

[@incogneato6395]

We'll revisit this comment in 12 years.

[@PCcardboard1354]

This is just amazing.