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The Force Awakens: Behind the Scenes
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The blasters used in The Force Awakens were built around functional Airsoft guns that would “kick” when the trigger was pulled, thus giving the actor an indication of when it fired. Furthermore, built-in lights allowed for practical glows and interactive lighting to better simulate a blaster shot and guide effects artists when animating a blaster bolt.
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There were seven different practical BB-8 puppets built for the production, each suited to certain types of action. This version is known as the “Wiggler,” as it is fastened to a hidden base but can wiggle about.
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Close study of the original Stuart Freeborn Chewbacca mask gave The Force Awakens edition greater authenticity. Forgoing modern animatronics, the jaw mechanism is just as Freeborn had built it in the 1970s. The key difference is the new Chewbacca head is built out of more durable silicone, not foam latex.
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3D renders of the flametrooper armor behind finished helmets of the standard First Order stormtrooper. The stormtrooper is designed by Michael Kaplan and refined by concept artist Glyn Dillon and ZBrush artist Sam Williams.
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3D printing by the prop department allowed for the exact replication of many stormtrooper blaster rifles.
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The happabore (known simply as the Big Beast on set) was a full-sized puppet animated from the inside by five hidden performers. A camera mounted inside the head allowed the head puppeteer (Robin Quiver) to see where she was headed.
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Prop lightsabers in the movie now have luminescent cores, allowing for realistic interactive lighting effects on the actors that were not able to be achieved practically in the past (save for one specific limited sequence in Episode II). These new electronics could change color, make the lights move up or down, strobe or flash.
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Finn’s journey through the desert, in reality the dunes of Abu Dhabi. Shot over May 23 and 24, 2014.
The Force Awakens: Behind the Scenes
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