Join Industrial Light and Magic for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Andor. VFX Supervisor Scott Pritchard will take you through the intricate visual effects that bring this epic tale to life, showcasing the intense struggle between the growing Rebel Alliance and the looming Imperial threat. Discover how the visual effects team crafted over 4,000 breathtaking shots, from colossal battles and immersive digital environments to set extensions and character animation.

A: Tell us about Industrial Light and Magic. What role does the company play in the film industry?

SP: Founded by George Lucas in 1975 to execute the visual effect for Star Wars, Industrial Light & Magic has been at the forefront of VFX for 50 years. Winning 16 Oscars, 8 Emmys, and 17 BAFTAs, ILM has five studios around the world and employs over 3000 people. 

A: What about you? What is your background and how did you begin working in VFX?

SP: I began in VFX as a trainee model maker on the film Space Truckers in 1996, before moving to the UK from Ireland and going back to university to study industrial design, and then computer graphics. I started working at the Moving Picture Company in London in 2003 as a junior compositor. 

A: Do you have a project that you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?

SP: Andor is without doubt the project that I am most proud of. Over both seasons ILM completed over 2000 shots and created some memorable moments, such as Luthen’s Haulcraft vs the Imperial Arrestor Cruiser in Season 1, and Cassian stealing the TIE Avenger in Season 2.

A: Your session at Aesthetica Film Festival this year focuses on ILM’s work on Andor. What type of work goes into producing the VFX for such a huge production?

SP: It’s an enormous effort involving hundreds of people across a number of our studios. Our production staff scheduled nearly 15,000 individual tasks, just for the London studio’s share of the work. These only related to about half of the overall work on the show, so it gives you an idea of the complexity of managing the VFX!

A: What do you enjoy about being part of festivals like ASFF?

SP: This will be my third visit to Aesthetica and, apart from being hosted in such a wonderful city, the festival is a real celebration of filmmaking. You really get a sense of that from talking to different people across the festival.

A: What can people expect from your Masterclass at this year’s festival?

SP: This year will be a little different from previous masterclasses, I don’t want to give too much away, but I am going to focus not just on the VFX work, but how it connects to and is influenced by all the other departments of film production.

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Words: Emma Jacob & Scott Pritchard

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ILM: The Revolution Starts Now – The VFX of Andor A Star Wars Story is at Yorkshire Museum on Friday 7 November | 11:30 – 12:30

Book Your Tickets Here: asff.co.uk/tickets

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