How did they film Anakin SkyWalker racing in his podracer at that speed?

How did they film Anakin SkyWalker racing in his podracer at that speed? - Blue and White Racing Car on Race Track

In Star Wars-The Phantom Menace, we know in the podrace that there are several competitors.

We know that that Anakin's podracer can travel to a speed of up to 895 km/h (I think that is the maximum speed), and he is filmed sitting in his podracer racing inside it across the desert landscape of Tatooine.

When he is racing, he is racing at around 895km/h.

The race is shown over some type of closed-circuit broadcast to the fans at the pod race (see 0:57 in the clip below).

How can racing at this speed be filmed for broadcast to the fans (in-universe)?



Best Answer

Cam Droids

According to Wookieepedia:

Cam droids were also used to capture sporting events like Podraces, and their recordings would be transmitted to the public HoloNet or portable viewscreens.

J57 cam droid

Here we see hundreds of cam droids being release at a different pod race (from the same source as above):

Cam droids being released at the Vinta Harvest Classic




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How did they film Anakin SkyWalker racing in his podracer at that speed? - Man in Black and White Motorcycle Suit Riding on Motorcycle
How did they film Anakin SkyWalker racing in his podracer at that speed? - Motorcycle Racing 
How did they film Anakin SkyWalker racing in his podracer at that speed? - Chrome and Black Engine Display



Why was Anakins Podracer so fast?

The cockpit was attached to the massive motors by Steelton control cables. The racer could reach breakneck speeds in the area of 947 kilometers an hour (588 mph), earning its title of the fastest podracer in the galaxy.

Did Anakin use the force in the pod race?

There was also a point in the podrace that a hose came lose and Ani pointed a metal rod at it and "Grasped" and reconnected the hose. Now the rod could've been magnetized and hooked it, but it is Star Wars and he is Anakin Skywalker, so theoretically he "Force Grabbed" it and reconnected it...

Who raced Anakin in the pod race?

Podrace VictoryAnakin Skywalker races to freedom against Sebulba in the Boonta Eve Podrace.



Pod Race Scene Part 1-2 1080p HD




More answers regarding how did they film Anakin SkyWalker racing in his podracer at that speed?

Answer 2

Camera Droid capable of flying 1,000km/h? They have missile droids after all.

Basically there are two lentisk challenges to overcome here:

  • Recording speed: At worst you'll end up with a blurry image (flying too fast for recording) or you're overexposing (basically topping the speed of light). Both are a non-issue in-universe I guess since the Earth moves faster and we can still record the night sky.

  • Speed of the observer: This shouldn't be a problem either. When you're capable of building droids in the shape of spaceships or missiles, which are capable to steer etc. it's just a tiny additional step to add a camera to them.

Also I'm not 100% sure right now, but I think I remember seeing some actual spheric camera droid following people. It's been a while, so might confuse it with one of Darth Maul's seeker droids though.

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Images: Mat Sheard, Wellington Paixão, Malte Luk, Mike B