Star Wars: Skeleton Crew Creators Reveal One Rule They Had to Follow

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In their creation of “Star Wars: Skeleton Crew,” directors Jon Watts and Christopher Ford disclosed a crucial guideline they adhered to, which had nothing to do with maintaining the franchise’s canon. The recently debuted Disney+ series introduced several novel aspects to the Star Wars lore, such as a planet rich in treasure potentially linked to the Old Republic and an array of enigmatic characters boasting obscure pasts. Despite these substantial additions to the saga, it was their affection for Star Wars that guided the creative team in deciding what they were permitted or prohibited from doing within the franchise.

During a chat after the final episode of “Skeleton Crew”, Watts and Ford shared a unique Star Wars guideline they adopted. This rule wasn’t imposed by Lucasfilm, but was self-imposed. Instead of being related to canon or specific alien species, it pertained to cinematography, specifically avoiding certain camera movements like snap zooms. Watts explained, “It’s less about a Star Wars rule and more about creating an aesthetic that feels Star Wars-like rather than something else.” Ford further clarified, “In ’77, they wouldn’t digitally pass through glass because they couldn’t do that physically.

During the production process for the spaceship scenes, we aimed to mimic the perspective and limitations one might encounter when using a motion-controlled camera, similar to David Fincher’s style through a glass window. This meant that the camera wouldn’t rotate completely around the object, as this would reveal where the armature is connected.

Regarding the broader Star Wars universe, Lucasfilm was quite flexible in allowing Watts and Ford to explore and contribute to the mythology. Watts himself stated, “There’s a common misconception that there are strict rules and gatekeepers who won’t let you create new elements. Instead, we found it to be the exact opposite. We asked, ‘Can we do this? Can we add this? Can we create this kind of world?’ And they responded with, ‘Absolutely, go ahead!’ This is a refreshing shift from previous reports suggesting that Lucasfilm exerts too much control over Star Wars projects, resulting in numerous directors abandoning planned films.

‘Skeleton Crew’ Captured The Magic of ‘Star Wars’

Watts and Ford’s choice to restrict certain camera movements in the series, preserving the essence of the original Star Wars trilogy, is a smart move by filmmakers to maintain a consistent feel for audiences without relying heavily on traditional symbols. For example, familiar vessels like X-Wings appear sparingly. Movies with more overt Star Wars imagery often have the freedom to explore diverse camera techniques, such as the tracking shot of Han Solo entering the Millennium Falcon in “Solo: A Star Wars Story” or the use of helicopter shots and handheld cameras in “The Force Awakens”. The majority of “Skeleton Crew” focuses on new characters, settings, and spaceships, so adhering to the cinematic vocabulary that resonates with Star Wars fans at a deeper, subconscious level is effective.

Over the past few years, there’s been a great deal of debate about what truly embodies the spirit of Star Wars. However, the creative force behind Skeleton Crew seemed to align most closely with George Lucas’ original vision for the Star Wars saga. Unlike other works, Skeleton Crew drew inspiration not only from Star Wars but also from sources such as pirate tales and films like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It didn’t solely depend on sound and fury, but instead crafted its world through intricate map paintings. The series combined CGI, puppetry, and even featured a remarkable stop-motion creature that captured the essence of modern Star Wars. Although it didn’t fare well in initial ratings, with its availability for binge-watching, we hope it will find an audience and perhaps be renewed for Season 2 by Disney.

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2025-01-17 22:34