Walt Disney Studios has released the first trailer for Lucasfilm and Imagine Documentaries’ “Light & Magic.” The new series takes an in depth look at Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light and Magic, the groundbreaking division whose contributions to special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm would change the way we look at movies we see today.
And as the trailer reveals, ILM’s visual marvels extends further than just “Star Wars.” We could see their work in films from visual effects that gave life to the magic seen in “Willow” and “Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark” to creating the belief that humans and animated characters can interact “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and the sleek armor Mark III armor in “Iron Man.”
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan (“Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back,” “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark “) takes audiences on a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes look that takes place in the course of six episodes. Kasdan’s credits also include “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” “The Big Chill,” and “The Bodyguard,” “Wyatt Earp,” and many more.
And according to the press release, viewers will “learn about the pioneers of modern filmmaking as we go on a journey to bring George Lucas’ vision to life” and how “filmmakers would then go on to inspire the entire industry of visual effects.”
Kasdan directs all six episodes which chronicles the untold history of world-renowned Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the special visual effects, animation and virtual production division of Lucasfilm. Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, Justin Wilkes, Lawrence Kasdan, Kathleen Kennedy and Michelle Rejwan serve as executive producers.
Honestly, it’ll be exciting to see the filmmaking division that practically pioneered the visual effects that we see in the modern-day blockbuster films of today. I mean where would we be without their work.
And you can see how they’re continuing to change the game with their technological innovations like Stagecraft, the immersive soundstage on-set virtual production visual effects technology composed of a video wall that display display computer-generated backdrops. Traditionally, films used blue and green screens, color-coated blank walls that were superimposed with computer generated images. However, with Stagecraft, the video LED walls allow the actors to interact in a more believable space because they no longer have to pretend to see what’s not there.
All six episodes of “Light & Magic” premiere on July 27, exclusively on Disney+.
Here’s the official synopsis for Lucasfilm and Imagine Documentaries’ “Light & Magic”
Granted unparalleled access, Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Lawrence Kasdan takes viewers on an adventure behind the curtain of Industrial Light & Magic. Learn about the pioneers of modern filmmaking as we go on a journey to bring George Lucas’ vision to life. These filmmakers would then go on to inspire the entire industry of visual effects.
