How Star Wars Did Lightsabers Before CGI

Star Wars didn't just showcase impressive special effects—it invented many of the foundational concepts behind modern filmmaking. Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) pioneered groundbreaking techniques, like John Dykstra’s motion-control camera system, which allowed spaceships and the Death Star to be filmed in separate shots yet perfectly synchronized through precisely repeatable camera movements. ILM also advanced rotoscoping techniques, stop-motion animation, and early forms of motion capture. Beyond visuals, Star Wars revolutionized audio, becoming the first film to credit a "Sound Designer," a role invented for Ben Burtt, who created iconic sounds like lightsabers and blasters.

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