Given the problems experienced by Game of Thrones producers HBO in 2017, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if hackers snared an even bigger fish; the script for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Anticipating this, writer and director Rian Johnson went to extreme lengths to keep the screenplay out of the reach of would-be thieves, prior to release.
In an editorial for the Wall Street Journal, Johnson said he used an Air-Gapped MacBook Air to write Episode VIII.
Related: Did Star Wars: The Last Jedi let us down?
If you’re unfamiliar with the concept, it means the Apple notebook was never connected to any networks of any kind.
“I typed Episode VIII out on a MacBook Air. For security it was ‘air-gapped’ –never connected to the internet,“
“I carried it around and used it for nothing except writing the script. I kept it in a safe at Pinewood Studios. I think my producer was constantly horrified I would leave it in a coffee shop.”
A page from George’s book
Johnson’s story is similar to that of George R.R. Martin’s tactics when writing the Game of Thrones books.
The author uses an old DOS machine that couldn’t connect to the internet, even if the Westeros creator wanted it to.
Of course, there’s the added bonus of avoiding the constant distractions from the online world; the complete dearth of creativity.
Do you keep your laptop offline through fear of hacking? Or do you starve yourself of internet access in order to boost concentration? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
