ILM's Stagecraft LED Wall for The Mandalorian Season 2

A Revolution in Filmmaking: The Evolution of Stagecraft

The debut season of “The Mandalorian” represented more than just compelling television; it signified a completely novel approach to film and TV production. Stagecraft, the expansive LED-wall volume utilized by ILM for that initial season, has undergone significant expansion and refinement, resulting in a more efficient and user-friendly system.

Enhanced Capabilities and Workflow

A recent behind-the-scenes video features insights from directors and production personnel, detailing how the system streamlines operations and outlining the enhancements incorporated into its 2.0 iteration.

The most visually striking element of Stagecraft is “the volume” – a vast space enclosed by high-resolution LED displays spanning two stories in height. Physical sets are strategically positioned within this area, creating a genuine sense of immersion in a larger environment. When executed skillfully, the distinction between virtual and real backgrounds becomes virtually undetectable.

Transforming Production Processes

This technology fundamentally alters production possibilities, enabling intricate set designs combined with “on location” shooting, independent of weather conditions or travel constraints. This represents a substantial improvement over traditional soundstages or the green screens actors have relied upon for decades.

Furthermore, it consolidates numerous, previously separate production stages into a unified, collaborative process. Robert Rodriguez, director of multiple episodes and a prolific filmmaker, explained in the ILM video, “The beauty of this system lies in its ability to align everyone’s vision. It invigorates both the performers and the director, allowing them to visualize their shots in real-time. It’s akin to finally painting with the lights on.”

Ongoing Development and Refinement

Despite its undeniable success, Stagecraft remains an evolving technology. As a comprehensive system, it requires seamless integration with a multitude of renderers, color grading suites, cameras, pre- and post-production software, and, crucially, the continually improving LED walls themselves.

Image Credits: ILM

Jon Favreau, the show’s executive producer and a dedicated advocate for cinematic innovation, stated, “By the second season, ILM had developed software specifically tailored to this technology and the capabilities of the hardware.”

Improvements in Efficiency and Pipeline

Numerous requests from the production team, alongside standard bug fixes and performance optimizations, contributed to a more streamlined workflow. Moreover, the volume itself has been enlarged and enhanced.

Favreau further elaborated, “This system has also compelled us to adopt a more efficient workflow, integrating pre-production, post-production, and production into a single, continuous pipeline.” Beyond its enhanced realism compared to conventional location or green screen methods, it accelerates production – teams are now completing 30%-50% more script pages daily, a remarkable achievement according to industry standards.

Future Exploration

A more in-depth examination of the technical advancements and pipelines developed by ILM, Disney, Unreal, and other companies to facilitate this innovation is planned. In the interim, the behind-the-scenes video is available for viewing below: