The Science Behind Star Wars' Special Effects: From Berkeley Lab to Industrial Light & Magic
2025-07-28
This article recounts the story behind the iconic special effects of Star Wars and the contribution of UC Berkeley's Environmental Simulation Laboratory. To create more realistic environmental simulations, the Berkeley lab developed a computer-controlled camera system, later used by Industrial Light & Magic in the production of Star Wars, becoming a milestone in film special effects history. This technology not only advanced film special effects but also provided new simulation methods for urban planning, allowing for more intuitive understanding of planning proposals through precise models and camera techniques.