It is precisely this reason why a small domestic detail of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, involving Rey’s hard earned Jakku dinner, was such a captivating touch from director J.J Abrams. This subtle moment was apparently rather hard work to achieve because, surprisingly, Rey’s instantly self-rising bread was created without the use of CGI.
Star Wars opposing factions The Empire and the Rebel Alliance have been represented throughout all seven movies with starkly contrasting visual themes designed to enhance the characteristics of each side. In The Force Awakens, when Rey is introduced, her post-war scavenger lifestyle is shown through her surroundings with an abundance of visual clues. The official story behind the strange expanding bread is that it is scavenged Republic or Imperial military rations.
The Force Awakens visual effects supervisor Chris Corbould has discussed the process of achieving this small but significant scene with MTV News, confirming that practical effects were indeed used, saying, “Surprisingly that was done practically, although so many people have said to me, we thought that was a digital effect!‘” He went on to explain the amount of effort and time that went into achieving this brief moment, giving an insight into what it really takes to make a visually authentic Star Wars movie:
“You wouldn’t believe how long it took to actually perfect that one, that little tiny gag in the film… It started off with the mechanics of getting the bread to rise and the liquid to disappear, but then there was the ongoing problem of what color should the bread be? What consistency should it be? Should it have cracks in it? Should it not have cracks in it?… It took about three months. The actual mechanics of it was fairly simple, but the actual cosmetic side took a lot longer.”
These comments should satisfy fans that have been voicing their curiosity about Rey’s strange food on social media – although we still do not know what the bread is made from or whether the substance is actually edible. The fan response to what surmounts to only a few seconds of air time in The Force Awakens is testimony that Corbould’s hard work was certainly worthwhile, as is the 2016 Oscar nomination for Visual Effects the film has just received.
Charming moments that capture the imagination and show the more humble and grim side to existence within a fictional reality can do so much to transport us into the adventure and aid our enjoyment. Hats off to Corbould and his team for ensuring even the small and quirky effects from The Force Awakens were a visual marvel.
Star Wars: Episode 7 – The Force Awakens is now in theaters, and will be followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode 8 on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode 9 is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
****************
there are star wars fan talking about the bread Rey was eating.
the instant rise was NOT CGI effects. they used real bread.
the bread Rey was eating was the subject of articles.
then there are the who is snoke and who are reys parents threads
My own personal theory is that she was being trained as a Jedi at the time Ben went nuts and killed the Jedi. She survived and was taken to Jakku by Luke or somebody else. And of course had her mind wiped. This doesn't explain how she was able to take down an injured Ben but it makes sense on how she was able to use the force.
__________________
The price of fame is high and the Thing cant pay the way.
When I got out of bed this morning I thought to myself "Hey, let's overanalyze a simple fantasy film".
So I logged on here, but then I got bored.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
Maul's fight is okay, a bit too much spinning/twirling. But a few kicks and elbows help make it feel more real.
Both of the Sidious fights are just awful. I can feel the CGI leaking through the screen. It gives me focus. Makes me critical.
Meh. It felt physical at times, but the length and ridiculous setting drained the immersion.
__________________ Recently Produced and Distributed Young but High-Ranking Political Figure of Royal Ancestry within the Modern American Town Affectionately Referred To as Bel-Air.
The Tarzan swinging while falling over a lavafall...
The bit where they're standing on top of those droids scooping up lava...
They took what should have been an awesome emotional battle and turned it into a cartoon fight. They didn't need to go all over Mustafar for it to be an epic duel.
Oh I'm fine with the TFA fight. Nice and gritty. It looks and feel like a real fight. (unlike the sterile, choreographed dances in the PT).
Kinda funny, I read into some martial arts/swordfight/kendo experts. And most say that fighting with a weapon that causes such damage as a lightsaber would probably lead to a very careful, probing kind of fight (basically what you see in ANH). The reason for that is that it doesn't take much physical force to cut someone or take out a limb. So the major aim would be not to expose yourself and look for the little moments (in an attack from the enemy for instance) where there's some exposure in the opponent.
But they also say, if you look at the PT fights, the fighters expose themselves all the time with all the twirling and swirling. So irony has it: we get this ballet to see the Jedi in their prime and yet, as sword fighters they are the worst ever. I find that kinda funny.
Registered: Mar 2013
Location: in your mind, rent free
unts unts unts unts unts unts unts unts unts unts
__________________ Your Lord knows very well what is in your heart. Your soul suffices this day as a reckoner against you. I need no witnesses. You do not listen to your soul, but listen instead to your anger and your rage.