Summary
The Acolytehas smartly avoided a major lightsaber problem encountered by theObi-Wan KenobiDisney+ TV show. Modern Disney lightsabers are essentially glow-sticks, an improvement on the prequel technology because they generate real light - making for much cooler cinematography. Unfortunately,Obi-Wan Kenobirevealed the problems with blue lightsabers; when recorded using digital cameras, it can result in something called “chroma clipping.” The colors don’t quite pop, andObi-Wan Kenobiwas heavily criticized as a result.
The Acolytefeatures many differentlightsaber colors, and Screen Rant had an opportunity to speak to Chris Teague, the show’s Emmy-Winning lead cinematographer. He explained that testing did indeed identify this issue, and explained how the crew worked hard to ensure it wasn’t a problem. This was particularly the case with nighttime scenes.
“I mean, you know, in our, in our testing with the sabres, we realised that the look that we were developing for the camera had some challenges, particularly in the blue areas where a very saturated blue would sort of skew in a really strange way. And sowe needed to kind of modify the look to protect for that blue and make sure it really came through as accurately as possible. So there was that component to it.
And then for the night work with all these lightsabers, it is all about finding this balance, where you create a realistic level of light in the set that feels dark enough to believe that it’s night. But knowing that we’re not, we’re not the kind of show that we’re trying to have everybody fall off and move into full shadow, we still want to see the space, but we still want to sell the fact that it’s night. And actually, the lightsabers really help with that, because they create this bright highlight and the trick of the eye that always happens. And it’s one of the greatest ways to sell night on camera is that if you have a light source, you know, it’s some for some reason, it just makes the rest of the world feel darker basically, because you have something bright on camera. And so the lightsaber has really helped us with that.”
The Acolyte Secretly Made One Subtle Lightsaber Change That Has Massive Implications
It’s easy to miss, but there’s a subtle change in The Acolyte’s lightsabers that may have massive implications for a Jedi’s rising through the ranks.
Lucasfilm’s Lightsaber Technology Continues To Improve
Set during the tail-end of theHigh Republic Era, a century before the Skywalker saga,The Acolytefeatures more lightsaber colors and designs than anything since the time of Lucas. This means it was a unique test for Disney’s team, but so far it seems to be one that has been passed with flying colors. The combination of still-evolving lightsaber technology and careful digital testing for light appears to have fixed the problem fromObi-Wan Kenobi.
The interesting question, though, is whether this will still be the case in the next episode. Theend ofThe Acolyteepisode 4saw the sun set on the Outer Rim planet of Khofar, with a Sith emerging from the forest canopy. Trailers have shown countless action scenes following on from this, all set in the night. That means the lightsaber technology is about to be put to the test; the night scenes were the truly problematic ones inObi-Wan Kenobi.
Meanwhile, Lucasfilm has promised more twists and turns in lightsaber technology.The Acolytewill feature the first ever live-action lightsaber whip, while showrunner Leslye Headland has also teased another lightsaber scene that breaks all the rules somehow. It will be thrilling to seeStar Wars' real-world lightsaber technology continue to evolve.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
