This movie was filmed from easy to tough.
It started with the dialogue scenes, then moved to action sequences, and finally shifted to the desert set in Nevada to shoot the Tatooine desert planet scenes.
As filming went on, George Lucas got to see Dunn's directing skills firsthand. He was blown away but also totally cool with handing over the reins. During the shoot, Dunn's word was law!
Even a veteran like Liam Neeson was so in awe of Dunn that he didn't dare question a thing. The rest of the crew? Not a peep of complaint either!
"Our robots are getting wrecked out there!"
"Without a shield, we're sitting ducks!"
"The shield's down—fix it now!"
Watching Ben Affleck and the others perform, Dunn shouted, "Alright, that's a wrap! Chris, you're on the next two robot shots. David, grab the wide-angle space shots in front of the green screen—it's easy stuff. Get Nat over here; we're filming the queen's speech next!"
Dunn handed out tasks like a pro, and the whole crew ran like a well-oiled machine.
Having read the original story, Dunn had a way clearer vision of the movie than Lucas. He'd already cut over 20 unnecessary shots and handed off a ton of non-live-action scenes to the assistant director. Less work, faster progress—boom!
Producers love directors like Dunn. Shorter schedules mean less money spent! That's why Steven Spielberg's a Hollywood golden boy, while James Cameron makes people nervous.
Then, Natalie Portman strutted out in full costume. Dunn dropped the warm vibe he had with her off-set and got serious. "Remember, you're the queen—high and mighty! Chest out, head up, own that regal vibe. Yes, like that, perfect… No smiling! Your planet's suffering; let's see some worry on your face."
Under all that makeup, Natalie's usual charm was hidden. She nodded softly at Dunn's pointers.
This scene was a group effort—Naboo's under attack by the Sith, Queen Amidala's trapped, two Jedi rescue her and try to whisk her away, but she's torn, refusing to abandon her people.
The Jedi bring the power, while Ahmed Best, in his animal-head costume as the Gungan "Jar Jar Binks," is the comic relief.
Most of the movie's animated characters—like everyone except "Yoda" and a few others—were shot with actors and jazzed up with effects later. It speeds things up and makes motion capture a breeze, though the downside is it's not as smooth as full animation.
After 20 minutes of prep, Dunn checked the viewfinder, nodded, and said, "Alright, let's roll!"
Natalie Portman stepped up front, took a deep breath, and with a worried look but a firm voice, she declared, "Thank you, Ambassador, but I'm staying with my people!"
"They'll kill you!" Jedi "Qui-Gon" said, frowning.
"They wouldn't dare!" her prime minister snapped back.
"They need her to sign a legal invasion treaty, so they won't," a guard added.
Qui-Gon paused. "Something's off. This invasion doesn't add up!"
"Cut!" Dunn yelled. "Ben, your face is all wrong! This isn't a fight scene—no need for the tough-guy act. You're worried about the queen and Naboo's future, so show it!"
In the original, it was all close-up shots—each line got its own quick take, easy to film and edit. But for Natalie's sake, Dunn wanted her to shine more, so he switched it to a long, wide shot. Now everyone in this group scene had to nail their expressions.
Ben Affleck, with no big lines, was zoning out, and Dunn wasn't having it.
"Okay, Director, I'll step it up!" Ben said, always polite with Dunn.
Dunn didn't mince words. "One more chance. Mess it up, and we'll zoom in and crop out anyone who's off!"
To nail this scene fast and cheap, Dunn had the crew ready with eight cameras rolling from every angle. With that much effort, he wasn't letting anyone slack—not even Ben, who he saw as a rising star.
Ben felt the heat and thumped his chest. "Director, I've got this, trust me!"
…
"I say we take them out first!" Qui-Gon said, dead serious.
"We can only hope the Senate sides with us. Naboo needs you!" the prime minister urged.
Queen Amidala stepped forward, voice low. "Either way, we're in deep trouble."
"We have to go, Your Majesty—now!"
"Cut! That's a keeper!" Dunn sighed in relief. It was 5 p.m.—over an hour on that scene. Natalie, decked out in her heavy costume, sounded wiped.
Dunn exhaled. "Alright, that's it for today. Abel, hand out tomorrow's lines—memorize them tonight. Wrap it up, see you tomorrow!"
Back when Dunn watched popcorn flicks, he'd think, "Man, the acting's so weak!" Even Oscar winners couldn't shine. Now, filming *Star Wars*, it clicked—something he never felt shooting *My Big Fat Greek Wedding*.
In effects-heavy movies like this, emotions are choppy, lines are scattered, and actors are stuck playing off animated characters and CGI chaos. No wonder they can't dig deep! In *Greek Wedding*, he could coach a newbie into looking like a pro. Here? Even seasoned actors struggled.
The script's shallow, the character arcs are all over the place—how are actors supposed to connect? Dunn sighed long and hard. Maybe the old-school filmmakers weren't just stuck in the past—CGI and movie art don't always mix. It's a paradox!
At Natalie's dressing room, he knocked. She was slumped in a chair, exhausted, letting the makeup artist wipe off the layers. Seeing Dunn, she groaned, "Dunn, I'm dying here!"
Her hair and headpiece weighed a ton—hours of that would kill anyone! Before Dunn could reply, her mom, Shelley Hershlag, chimed in, "Nat, acting's tough work!" Then, smiling at Dunn, "Sorry, Director Walker, she's young and doesn't get it yet."
Dunn blinked. Wasn't Mrs. Hershlag super strict? Why so chill now?
"No worries, Mrs. Hershlag, you're too kind. Nat and I are friends—some venting's fine by me."
"Exactly!" Natalie muttered, then her eyes lit up. "Dunn, no Chinese food tonight, okay?"
Dunn grinned. "How about Italian? There's this spot in Beverly Hills—Southern Italian vibes, super tasty."
"Yes, please!" Natalie's eyes sparkled, winking at him to win over her mom.
Dunn laughed. "Mrs. Hershlag, can I take Nat out for dinner? I'll have her back early, promise."
Shelley smiled. "Of course, Director Walker, I trust you completely."
Natalie's jaw dropped. Since when was Mom *this* cool? Did she actually like Dunn? She'd grill her later!
…
Half an hour later, Dunn and Natalie stepped out of Lucasfilm's studio. Spotting his silver Porsche 911, Natalie squealed, "Whoa!" and bounced over, grabbing his arm.
"So cool! Dunn, you actually did it!"
Dunn caught crew members smirking as they passed. "Nat, why's everyone looking at us weird?"
She giggled. "Oh, come on—another girl falling for your charm, obviously!"
Dunn's face froze, a chill running down his spine. "Nat, what're you talking about?"
"Hmph!" She rolled her eyes and huffed playfully. "Don't act like I'm clueless!"
Then she skipped to the car, hopped in, and yelled at a stunned Dunn, "Hey, how long are you gonna stand there?"
read more in patreon belamy20