STUDIO CITY, CA — Visual effects and sound artists from Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound will describe their roles in creating cinematic magic for last year’s blockbuster Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in a special Super Session set to take place at the 2017 NAB Show in Las Vegas. Hosted by the Motion Picture Sound Editors in partnership with NAB, the Super Session, The Force Returns: “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” is slated for Wednesday, April 26th at 2:00pm at the Las Vegas Convention Center (South Hall, Upper S222). Speakers will include ILM visual effects supervisor John Knoll and animation supervisor Hal Hickel, and Skywalker Sound supervising sound editor Matthew Wood. Hollywood Reporter technology editor Carolyn Giardina will moderate.

Not only did Industrial Light & Magic create the visual effects for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, its chief creative officer, John Knoll, executive producer and visual effects supervisor on Rogue One, developed the film’s concept and original story. Rogue One features more than 1,700 visual effects shots, including a fleet of new starships, a digitally recreated central character (Grand Moff Tarkin), and a quintessential, third act space battle.
In addition to the new spaceships, there are fresh weapons and droids for which Skywalker Sound designed distinctive, original sounds.
“This is a special opportunity to learn how movie magic is made from some of the top practitioners of their craft,” says MPSE president Tom McCarthy. “It’s especially inspiring to learn how artists from different departments interact and collaborate to push boundaries and advance the art of storytelling. We expect this to be a very lively and exciting session.”