episode 4 of Andorentitled “Aldhani”, showed us a location of starwars that had not been seen for a long time: Coruscant. You may remember this planet for the prequel trilogy and for being the seat of the majestic temple of the Jedi Order. Now with the series Disney+, Coruscant was once again a relevant place. This time, yes, it is under the control of the Empire.
The fact of returning to Coruscant also implies the possibility of seeing more populated, modern and ostentatious settings. Unlike other series of starwars on Disney+, the production of Andor chose to shoot his scenes in real locations. However, we did not expect that one of them would be filmed in the headquarters of an iconic manufacturer for the motor world.
We mean McLaren. Yes, the McLaren Technology Center, located in Woking, England, became Coruscant’s spaceport. The sequence is very short, let’s face it, but the shot the series’ cinematographers chose is enough to recognize the site. It is one that we have seen in countless documentaries, reports and promotions of the British manufacturer.
Of course, with the help of special effects, Andor was able to do some tinkering to the McLaren Technology Centre. In the background you can see a non-existent building and, in the artificial lake located next to the offices, there is a spaceship. The interior, while keeping its structures intact, adds some technological elements, such as screens. Newcomers to Coruscant walk through an aisle that McLaren often uses to display its huge collection of vehicles.
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Andor did not want to depend on Stagecraft
Whom hypertextual we have spoken to you more than once about Stagecraftalso know as The Volume. I am referring, of course, to the amazing Industrial Light & Magic film set (owned by Lucasfilm) that relies on a gigantic LED screen, as well as the Unreal Engine graphics engine, to generate scenarios in real time. Technology has, of course, revolutionized visual effects in film and television.
Nevertheless, those responsible for Andor they didn’t want to get on the train Stagecraft. Why? Simply because Tony Gilroy, showrunner of the series, prefers old school techniques. That is, recording in real environments. The creative said that his vision of Andor did not fit with the technological proposal of The Volumewhich is why they decided to go outside to film.
This path, yes, has its cons, because you expose yourself to possible leaks by curious people taking pictures in the vicinity of the set. In fact, the very Andor suffered it. The good news is that his collaboration with McLaren did not come to light ahead of time.
Andor is the new phenomenon of the Star Wars universe that comes exclusively to Disney +
