![]() In a couple instances, ILM relied on stock material as well as a handful of newly-constructed models to complete the shots. The rebel medical frigate model positioned for filming at ILM. Thus the last-minute remedy to clarify the geography of Empire’s final moments. In its original release, there was a direct cut from the Falcon cockpit to the medical bay, with no visual cue to understand that Luke and Leia were aboard a separate ship. “I’ll meet you at the rendezvous point on Tatooine,” says Luke as the film cuts to the interior of the medical bay (and in the background, R2-D2 and C-3PO are conveniently positioned to the left side of the window, away from the camera’s view from outside). A specific note had been made to avoid the view of any characters within the window frame, and the camera was lowered so as to avoid seeing anyone. The starting position for the last shot in Empire, with the main characters visible in the viewport.Ī final new shot involves the most complex camera move: a right to left pan from the Falcon’s exterior to a viewport on the medical frigate, wherein Luke, Leia, and the droids are speaking with Lando over commlink. ![]() Joe Johnston’s original sketch plotting the action for “New Shot No. “Luke, we’re ready for takeoff,” Lando says from inside. Only then does it match the cut of the original release. Still before glimpsing Lando and Chewie, a second new shot moves in close on the Millennium Falcon, lowering to view the cockpit with illuminated interior. But the first of the new shots added another view of the fleet before going aboard the Falcon: a few X-wings and a Y-wing pass from behind the camera, followed on opposite sides by the frigate and a transport (likely one of the escapees from Hoth). In the original 70mm release, the camera begins by moving forward amidst the rebel fleet, revealing the Millennium Falcon docked to the medical frigate, then cuts to Lando and Chewbacca aboard the ship. Rinzler that he'd said, “'That’s funny, that’s a good joke!’ But it wasn’t a joke.” Ralston was asked to meet artist Joe Johnston and George Lucas at Lucasfilm’s corporate offices near Universal City in southern California (known as the “Egg Company”) to help design the new shots, which would then be filmed at ILM’s then-headquarters in San Rafael off San Francisco Bay. When he got the news about the additions, he recalled to J.W. He was in Los Angeles enjoying a much-needed break after months of helming the night shift during Empire’s production. ILM effects cameraman Ken Ralston could hardly believe the news either. There was a generous three-week window before Empire’s wider 35mm format release on June 18, just enough time to create three new shots. Where were Luke and Leia in relation to Chewie and Lando? Were the heroes on the same spaceship or two different ones? If the latter, where was the Millennium Falcon in relation to the rebel medical frigate? In the rush of completing the film, the potential hazard had been overlooked, but Lucas was never one to miss an opportunity for improvement. But in the original release version of Empire (in the 70mm format at about 100 theaters), the geography of this scene was confusing to Lucas’ mind. From there, Luke (with a new hand) and Leia recuperate while Lando and Chewbacca set off aboard the Millennium Falcon to rescue Han Solo. Smith explained to Rinzler that during an early public screening, Lucas “realized that the end of the film was unclear.” After Princess Leia, Lando Calrissian, Luke Skywalker, and friends escape Cloud City, they reunite with the rebel fleet in the depths of space. It must’ve been a joke the film was already in theaters! “No, no, no,” Lucas clarified, “it’s not in all the theaters.” We need some more shots for Empire.” Smith could hardly believe his ears. Rinzler (author of The Making of The Empire Strikes Back) that Lucas had said, “I don’t wanna tell you this. Not long after Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back made its initial premiere in theaters on May 21, 1980, Industrial Light & Magic’s (ILM) general manager Tom Smith received a phone call from George Lucas. He later remembered to former Lucasfilm executive editor J.W. To celebrate the classic film’s landmark 40th anniversary, presents “Empire at 40,” a special series of interviews, editorial features, and listicles. On May 21, 1980, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back made its theatrical debut. Learn the story behind some lesser-known additions that came within weeks of Empire’s first release.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |