Going Rogue

Going Rogue III: The Shoot

Aug 7, 2022
Dive into the unconventional shooting techniques of Rogue One, where guerrilla filmmaking meets blockbuster demands. Discover how improvisation shaped performances and visuals, blurring the lines between rebellion and empire. Learn about the tumultuous script changes, featuring surprise contributions from renowned writers. Enjoy anecdotes, including cast members singing Frozen to lighten the mood, and find out how the film's ambitious vision was challenged by practical constraints. Get the inside scoop on the unique atmosphere that defined this beloved Star Wars story!
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ANECDOTE

Van‑Scale Guerrilla Shoot

  • Gareth Edwards shot Monsters with almost the entire crew fitting in a van, operating very small-scale and improvisationally.
  • Editor Colin Gowdy assembled ~100 hours of rushes into a four-hour first cut then reduced it to 90 minutes over eight months.
INSIGHT

Find The Story In The Footage

  • Edwards prefers shooting lots of material first then finding the story in the best moments rather than aiming at a pre-set target.
  • This 'shoot the wall then place the target' approach shapes his improvisational filmmaking philosophy.
INSIGHT

Dual Visual Languages

  • Rogue One uses two visual styles: a guerrilla, documentary-like Rebel style and a controlled, 70s Imperial style.
  • Edwards initially kept them separate but gradually blurred the line to decide style shot-by-shot.
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