Top 11 Timeless Practical Effects in Classic Movies: Unforgettable Scenes That Defined Cinema

In creating the Death Star explosion for Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, visual effects artist Bruce Logan and his team used a blue-screen setup. They hung a large blue screen from the ceiling and punched a hole in the center. The team positioned several arc lights to illuminate the scene. Underneath, they placed a camera protected by plywood with a cutout for the lens, which was further covered with glass.

Next, Joe Viskocil, an expert in explosions, set off blasts above the camera. In 2015, Bruce explained that after the zero-g explosions, they began to blow up models of X-Wings and TIE Fighters. They used air streams to make the flames appear smaller and more dynamic in the final scenes.

Bruce described the process as enjoyable. However, he noted that the original explosions were altered later with digital effects when Star Wars was changed to The New Hope. He expressed hope that Disney would release the original version of the film one day.