“Behind the VFX Magic of Skeleton Crew: How DNEG Brought Star Wars Worlds to Life!”
In an exclusive interview with befores & afters, DNEG visual effects supervisor Chris McLaughlin reveals the studio’s groundbreaking work on Skeleton Crew. From the Mint’s intricate design to the meticulous Neel head replacements and the haunting landscapes of At Achrann, DNEG’s contributions showcase cutting-edge VFX craftsmanship.
Bringing the Mint to Life
The Mint, a critical environment in Skeleton Crew, consists of three primary areas:
- The Landing Platform and Lift Shaft
- The Credit Maker
- The Vault
McLaughlin explains that the team started with concept art and previs models, gradually refining a blocking model into the final CG environment. Since most of the Mint was fully digital, live-action elements were minimal, limited to a practical landing platform floor, spaceship ramp, and a full-scale security droid puppet.
One major challenge was conveying scale. To achieve this, the team: ✔️ Designed vertical chaser lights simulating motion as the platform descended
- Animated robotic machinery with heavy, deliberate movements for realism
- Populated the space with sky sleds to reinforce vastness
- Used shot composition, depth cueing, defocus, and atmospheric elements to enhance the vault’s immense scale
The inspiration for the Mint’s look came from real-world locations like the Boeing Everett Factory, Cardington Film Studios, and Son Doong Caves, along with iconic Star Wars imagery from The Last Jedi’s Mega Star Destroyer sequences.
Neel’s Head Replacement: A Seamless Blend of Practical & Digital
For Neel, DNEG combined practical animatronics with CG head replacements when necessary. The Legacy Effects team built an animatronic head, operated by puppeteers, which required digital refinements in post-production.
DNEG’s approach included:
Digitally removing the transparent panel that allowed the actor to see
- Using a full CG head replacement for fast-moving shots (like running sequences)
- Ensuring perfect tracking of the digital head to match the body’s movement
- Matching skin tones and light sources to blend CG seamlessly with practical elements
- Enhancing realism with subtle cloth and hair simulations
“The goal was to never make the CG stand out,” McLaughlin explains. “I think audiences would struggle to tell which shots featured digital head replacements.”
Crafting the War-Torn World of At Achrann
For Episode 4, DNEG was tasked with designing the desolate outskirts of At Achrann, a war-ravaged region on a distant planet. While some practical set pieces were built, the majority of the environment was CG.
To achieve the devastated look, DNEG:
- Constructed a library of destroyed buildings, including a bombed-out school
- Designed an arid, decaying forest with overgrown vegetation and dried trees
- Created rolling fog and atmospheric mist for added depth and realism
- Blended practical smoke effects with CG elements for seamless integration
One standout moment, described by McLaughlin as quintessentially Star Wars, involved Jod’s ship, The Ironclad, descending through thick fog. As its engines ignited, sparks and debris billowed toward the camera—a perfect fusion of CG effects and practical elements.
Pushing the Boundaries of VFX
DNEG’s work on Skeleton Crew highlights their ability to craft vast, immersive worlds, seamlessly integrate CG characters, and push photo-realistic effects to new heights. Whether it’s the towering scale of the Mint, the lifelike performance of Neel, or the haunting remains of At Achrann, their contribution ensures that Star Wars continues to dazzle fans with groundbreaking visual effects.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insights as Skeleton Crew continues to redefine sci-fi storytelling!
