So I came across this YouTube video called “Practical Prequels - Proof The Star Wars Prequels Were More Than CGI” which is basically a still-image show-reel of the, apparently, many practical effects that were used in the PT. Now some of these weren’t that much of a surprise, such as sets, props, maquettes, etc. but the large amount of miniature effects really surprised me. I knew TPM had some, but I had no idea there were so many in AOTC.
Now maybe this is all old news for some of you, but I was quite surprised by many of these photos. However I still think the PT looks really digital (TPM being somewhat of an exception).
So what happened? Did Lucas cover it all up with CGI? Did all the actuall CGI just draw away our attention? Did it perhaps have something to do with the digital cameras they used back then? Or were the practical effects just not properly utilized in post-production?
Any thoughts?