This weekend I got to experience the Rogue One Press Event, at Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm HQ, and in San Francisco.
Of course it was hard to believe that this was really happening – I mean Star Wars is such an empire, it’s been around for longer than I have. Generations have grown up loving it, and here I am, a young-ish lady, from South Africa, who started a blog, – invited on a top secret trip to San Francisco to cover the press event.
Today I get to share my experiences with you and hopefully tell the story through photos and words.
Saturday night we were treated to a 28 minute preview of Rogue One in the 300 seat Stag Theater at Skywalker Ranch, which was introduced by Rogue One director Gareth Edwards. I am certain everyone in the theater would have loved seeing the whole movie, but with the secrecy around this movie we were only too happy to view what we could.
I knew before this short preview screening that I would be watching the movie and I’d tell you that you NEED to see the movie, but after the screening I am even more confident in my statement!! Seriously, get your tickets NOW – December 16th will be here before you know it.
After the screening we enjoyed drinks and snacks in the Technical Building of Skywalker Ranch. We also got to hang out with Stormtroopers;
Even take a selfie with my good friend Donna Hup and the Stromtroopers;
Learn more about the costumes of for the characters Bohdi Rook, Cassian Andor, Jyn Erso, Raze Malbus, and Chirrut Îmwe;
PLUS we got to visit the Skywalker Ranch store to enjoy some retail therapy and along the way we got to see the iconic ‘Main House’ on the Skywalker Ranch property;
Bright and early Sunday morning we headed to the Lucasfilm HQ for the press junket, where we would interview the talent behind this amazing movie as well as enjoy a tour of the Lucasfilm HQ / Letterman Digital and New Media Arts Center (LDAC).
Once we arrived we were greeted by the iconic Yoda fountain, a landmark for fans and visitors, which is right outside the main entrance to the LDAC four-building complex.
Once inside we got to ‘geek out’ taking photos with Boba Fett, Darth Vader and admiring all the Star Wars memorabilia and artifacts.
We also got to check out a ton of amazing Rogue One movie merchandise – they have something for EVERY Star Wars fan on your holiday gift list!!
Of course we got to interview all the talent, but that will be posts for another day. After our interviews we got to go on our tour and I was absolutely blown away.
Learning just how big of a role Lucasfilm has played in the history of movies. Many of the items we saw were from movies that were my favorites growing up, such as Cocoon, ET, and Ghostbusters.
To be honest, it is hard to express how fantastic this was in words, here’s hoping my photos will do it justice.
Lastly, we were treated to a trip to the motion capture room and a visit with model supervisor Russel Paul.
Russel showed us how they were able to reconstruct ships from the original trilogy by a fusion of reconstructing the model sets and computers. The ships were recreated with greater detail which allowed them to make sure they were true to all that is Star Wars.
Learning about motion capture was really fun. It is so amazing what all technology allows us to do. The gray suit that is shown below has tiny balls all over it. Then there are numerous cameras around the room that pick up the balls and help create the character of K-2SO.
Interesting fact – Alan Tudyk wore stilts in the making of the movie to make the legs of K-2SO, which are long and skinny, more realistic.
Now sit back, enjoy this Rogue One trailer and GO WATCH THE MOVIE on December 16th!!
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Visit the official ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY website!!
ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY arrives in theaters everywhere on
December 16th in 3D, Real D 3D and IMAX 3D!!!
Amazing!! How lucky are you?!?! I must try and see this!! Thank you!
Debbie, this was awesome thank you! Thanks for the fun facts. I look forward to seeing more!
This was a really a most informative Blog about the Star Wars saga. Cannot wait for the 16tb Devember to go watch Rogue One. Yo are really lucky to have had this opportunity, I can only imagine how exciting it must have been.