Modern-day film-making has made great technical advancements, one integral aspect of which is Motion capture technology which was pioneered by George Lucas and the team of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. It is true that Jar Jar Binks was not a fan favorite, the character did create a new breed of motion capture performances which are integral to the franchise to date.
However, the actor Ahmed Best has faded out in the wake of Andy Serkis’ rising popularity despite the latter coming several years later. There was a video of Serkis shared by Wired wherein during a discussion about motion capture history Andy claimed that his portrayal of Gollum on Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was “where it all started.”
Best responded by posting an emotional message wherein he stated that ignoring the historical importance of his character “is to deny the hundreds [of crew] their respect.”
Best is not a renowned actor like Serkis who is widely considered to be the pioneer of the motion capture field. However, it is impossible to say that the technology would be at its present level if the achievement of the team for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace is ignored.
That’s what Best said in a series of subsequent posts:
“Thanks for the love today especially the Star Wars fans. Jar Jar is bigger than just me or my performance,” Best stated. “As much as we actors are on the front line when it comes to the success or the failure of characters we play, what’s more, important is the accomplishment of bringing the work to the screen. Jar Jar helped create the workflow, iteration process and litmus test for all CGI characters to this day on some days the code was being written in real time as I was moving.
“To deny Jar Jar’s place in film history is to deny the hundreds of VFX technicians, animators, code writers, and producers their respect. People like John Knoll, Rob Coleman, and scores of others who I worked with for two years after principal photography was ended to bring these movies to you. There’s a joke I like to use when talking about this stuff; Jar Jar walked so Gollum could run. Gollum ran so the Na’vi could fly. Thanks for lifting me up today.”
While we don’t think Serkis deliberately made this omission with an aim to disrespect him, Best also has a valid point. The Star Wars: The Phantom Menace pre-dated the debut of Lord of the Ringsby a couple of years, and there has to be recognition accorded to the brilliant crews at Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic, irrespective of whatever others claim.
Let’s hope people acknowledge and appreciate Jar Jar in the times to come.
