Full Sail University is an educational leader in entertainment media and emerging technologies, emphasizing real-world industry experience. That’s why we created Outcasts: A Star Wars Fan Film Trailer, a student-driven production that brought a galaxy far, far away to life using Studio V1, Full Sail’s state-of-the-art virtual production studio.
Students and faculty collaborated across various areas of filmmaking including AD, Art, Camera, Sound, Grip, Hair & Makeup, VFX, On-Screen Talent, and post-production. This project provided hands-on experience in virtual filmmaking, blending traditional storytelling with cutting-edge technology to craft an immersive Star Wars-inspired world.
Bringing Outcasts: A Star Wars Fan Film Trailer to Life
Our approach to Outcasts was to create an industry-level production that blended practical filmmaking with cutting-edge virtual production. This project provided students with hands-on experience, mirroring the professional workflows of modern film studios.
Planning & Pre-Production
The project kicked off with a strategic planning phase in Spring of 2024 where key stakeholders met to define the creative vision, set timelines, and outline technical requirements. Given the expansive nature of the Star Wars universe, we focused on crafting an original story that would feel authentic while allowing us to showcase innovative filmmaking techniques.
We held a virtual casting call where students showed off their cosplays and lightsaber skills and we developed a script based around talent and logistics.
Virtual Production & Digital Innovation
What set Outcasts apart was our use of Full Sail’s Studio V1, a state-of-the-art virtual production stage. Our Virtual Art Department worked within Unreal Engine to implement a range of Star Wars-inspired locations, including a Mandalorian space ship, cantina, and a rocky planet. To enhance realism, physical props—such as blasters, holograms, and control panels—were seamlessly integrated with digital assets, creating a believable fusion of practical and virtual elements.This allowed actors to perform in immersive settings while capturing realistic lighting and reflections directly on camera.
Filming & Overcoming Challenges
Filming was scheduled for two days, with a packed production workflow that required precise coordination between the virtual environment team and production crew. One of the biggest challenges we faced was capturing a realistic combat scene. Entertaining choreography, skilled actors, and multiple camera angles made the scene believable and integral to the world building.
Additionally, lighting proved to be a key factor in maintaining visual consistency between the physical and virtual worlds. Our virtual art department used dynamic lighting in Unreal's Lumen to distinguish between locations such as the warm tones of a rocky planet and the cool tones of inside a Mandalorian space ship. We used physical lighting on set to match the digital lighting to enhance the realism.
Post-Production & Premiere
Following shoot days, Outcasts entered post-production, where students and staff worked on editing, visual effects, and sound design.
Once completed, Outcasts was published to our online audience, showcasing the power of virtual production and the incredible talent of Full Sail students.
The Outcasts trailer successfully met our objectives by providing students with hands-on, industry-level experience on a film set while delivering a high-quality, cinematic piece that showcased their skills.
From pre-production to post-production, students collaborated across various areas of study, mirroring real-world workflows. Outcasts successfully integrated physical and digital assets to create an immersive Star Wars-inspired world.
The premiere of Outcasts received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, faculty, and online audiences, solidifying it as a standout project from Full Sail’s virtual production studio. Beyond just a creative achievement, the trailer served as a powerful learning experience, equipping students with industry-standard skills and a portfolio piece that showcases their abilities. By blending innovation with passion, Outcasts exemplifies Full Sail’s commitment to real-world education.
