Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian Season 1 Episode 5 Practical

Disney Gallery / Star Wars: The Mandalorian is a fascinating docuseries that takes fans behind the scenes of the creative process behind the highly-acclaimed show, The Mandalorian. In this episode called Practical, viewers get a closer look at how the show's creators used practical effects and animatronics to bring the show's iconic characters to life.

The episode starts with a brief overview of the show's production process. We see glimpses of the crew setting up sets and preparing props and costumes for filming. Then, we meet some of the minds behind the show's special effects design. They talk about how they wanted to create a more organic feel for the creatures in the show. They wanted to steer away from the common practice of using computer-generated graphics and rely more on practical effects.

We then go on a tour of the Creature Shop at Pinewood Studios, where creature designer Neal Scanlan and his team are hard at work creating some of the most iconic creatures on the show. The Creature Shop is a hub of creative activity, and we see the impressive collection of sketches, designs, and models that have gone into bringing the show's amazing lineup of aliens and creatures to life. The team talks about their design process and how they balance the need for visual spectacle with the need to tell compelling stories.

Next, we get a closer look at one of the most memorable creatures on the show – Baby Yoda. Child Puppetry and Animatronic Effects Supervisor David Barclay and his team talk about the challenges they faced when creating the adorable creature. They share some fascinating insights into the process behind Baby Yoda's intricate facial expressions and movements. The team talks at length about how they used a combination of animatronics, puppetry, and visual effects to create a character that both looks and feels real.

Moving on from Baby Yoda, we see how practical effects were used in the larger fight scenes of the show. We meet some of the team at Legacy Effects, who created the impressive costumes and armor for the show's biggest and baddest villains. The crew talks about the unique challenges of creating armored suits that not only looked menacing but could also be worn comfortably by actors during fight scenes.

The episode ends with a fantastic montage of some of the show's most epic moments, showcasing just how much practical effects added to the show's already impressive production values.

In conclusion, Practical is a fascinating look at the role of practical effects in modern-day filmmaking. This episode acknowledges the importance of using practical effects to create a more organic feel for the characters and their environment the show, leading to an unforgettable experience for viewers. It's a must-watch for anyone who wants to learn more about the behind-the-scenes magic that makes The Mandalorian such a special show.