At the risk of thread necromancy:the infamous arrow

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-10-14 08:25pm

Sorry to revive this one last time, but for fun I was using the 'digital zoom' feature on PowerDVD (9x) in the arrow of the (widescreen) ROTJ scene, and noticed some apparent weirdness.

While I buy the whole "it hit the body glove" argument, it looks like the arrow detaches itself in the scene then re-attaches and, well just take a look.

I wonder how the effect was achieved? I sort of assumed they had a guy with an arrow glowed to the back of his costume and he just bent forward on cue to look like he was shot, but I wonder if it was rather optical and painted in later or something.

(warning, big pics, cropped slightly to load a bit faster)

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow1.jpg

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow2.jpg

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow3.jpg

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow4.jpg

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow5.jpg

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow6.jpg

http://strategy.jediknight.net/arrow7.jpg

My initial reaction is to chalk it up to an SFX gaffe, but, well what do you think?

Soontir C'boath · Post by **Soontir C'boath** » 2004-10-14 08:28pm

I thought that was considered the bouncing off effect when it hits the trooper and goes off.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-10-14 08:30pm

No, that's the trooper on the left side of the screen (that the arrow bounces off). This is the guy in the middle of the below shot, zoomed in.

From this shot:

In fact, the arrow you see "overhead" in shot 5 (first post) is the one that bounches off the other trooper, if memory serves.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2004-10-14 08:50pm

Soontir C'boath wrote:I thought that was considered the bouncing off effect when it hits the trooper and goes off.

If you actually watch the clip, it's pretty clear that the arrow wasn't bouncing. It's glued in the same position relative to the trooper throughout the shot. However, the fact that the arrow can be clearly seen in earlier frames going past the armor, and into the neck area of the trooper, conclusively disproves DarkStar's position. It's clearly an FX gaff, but the impact site is already established by the earlier image.

Edit: Incidentally, I think I pointed this out in the previous thread, as proof that the camera was robbing the arrow of some of its proper length.

Soontir C'boath · Post by **Soontir C'boath** » 2004-10-14 09:10pm

Kurgan wrote:No, that's the trooper on the left side of the screen (that the arrow bounces off). This is the guy in the middle of the below shot, zoomed in.

Thanks for clarifying and I just saw the clip. I just didn't remember the scene correctly.

Kurgan · Post by **Kurgan** » 2004-10-14 09:30pm

Master of Ossus wrote:
Soontir C'boath wrote:I thought that was considered the bouncing off effect when it hits the trooper and goes off.
Edit: Incidentally, I think I pointed this out in the previous thread, as proof that the camera was robbing the arrow of some of its proper length.

I think I remember your post, but I didn't recall that part, sorry if this was a repeat, it was news to me!

In the regular shots it looks like DS is dead wrong, I just wondered what you guys thought of the "disappearing arrow section" in the rest of the shots.