If you have ridden the “Rise of the Resistance” attraction at Disneyland or Walt Disney World, you know it’s full of fun effects, animatronics, and more. But did you know that the scene with Lieutenant Beck in the pre-show is nothing as it appears? Nien Nunb and the “space” behind him aren’t as they seem.
Most of us, including myself, didn’t even realize that this scene is much different from how it appears. It’s similar to a Pepper’s Ghost effect, but instead of glass to create a hologram, this scene uses an angled mirror.
Nien Numb, his console, chair, and the windshield showing space are there but not not there. They are on the floor.
Zachy Wally explains it on YouTube.
What is extra cool is that the Nien Numb actor chimed in.
“Ahhh well done! Thanks for posting this. That’s indeed correct. I’m the guy who performed him in ROTJ, the sequels and on the video segments of the ride.
Did you know there are two different versions of the pre take-off sequence in the transport ship? One for daylight and one for nighttime on Batuu. We actually had to shoot my video segments twice as the lighting on Nien was different to reflect the exterior lighting.
Also, thank you for pronouncing his name correctly. Even JJ Abrams couldn’t get that right” -QuinnZoneStudios
Someone who works around the attraction also chimed in saying,
“I’m one of those 3rd shift cleaning crew that gets to wipe down that angle mirror” – mansionjohn66
Apparently, there is a good-sized space back there, too.
“The area where Bek is talking to the tv screen is an actual door and yes there’s plenty of room between him and that mirror” -mansionjohn66
Other commentators posted about how the 1980s arcade games also used similar effects with a mirror. My husband has told me about that as well because his uncle used to rebuild them.
It’s so cool to get a peek behind the curtain and see someone explain it in a fun way!
What do you think? Comment and let us know!
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