team negative1 - star wars 1977 - 35mm theatrical version (Released)

welcome to the official thread for the discussion of the

star wars 1977 - 35mm theatrical version 1.0

=======================================

this has been a project long in the making, and with the help and ideas of many diverse people from this board.

this is the collective project that is not officially part of OT, or lucasfilm, 20th century fox, etc. but in the spirit of preservation, has been put together with the wish to relive the memory of the original 77 star wars.

=========================================

we have made a lot of progress, and in preparation for the release, we have some more steps to take, but will still be gearing up for the release.

this is the place to keep on top on the when/where/how/who/and why of it…

a lot of information is  sprinkled through the original discussion thread about - 35mm my crazy proposal… we’ll take just the details and emphasize them here.

if you want to discuss technical stuff, post it there, or speculate there… this is just to keep people informed on the status and updates…

if you’re new to OT.com, this should be a lot easier to follow

than the previous one.

what is it? - a conversion/preservation of the 35mm version

of star wars from 1) spanish lpp print (6 reels) 2) english

print (5 reels) + 1 partial reel

who are we? - a group of individuals working on it,

color restoration and technical advisory, support

why? - because we love star wars, and appreciate

george lucas

when will it be out? - we’re targetting this year,

but its done when its done

where can we find out more? - right here

technical details

===========================================

video - our goal is to have a preserved version that will be released in a high definition 1080p anamorphic MKV that is full frame for people with projectors (25gigs), and bluray disc (25gigs), and a dual layer dvd (9gigs) as the final product. there might be several other downsamples in avi/mp4 later on…

audio - we will have a partially restored mono track,

the 35mm theatrical mix, and a reconstructed 70mm version, along with the original 35mm spanish soundtrack for it.

also, there will be a trailer for it, along with the original 35mm 1976 teaser. that’s it for the extras.

there will be more bonus behind the scenes content provided with links for download later on.

sample artwork, readme, what it will include:

===================================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/591842/#TopicPost591842

future releases:

===========

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/590499/#TopicPost590499

raw data calculations:

================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/590570/#TopicPost590570

equipment used and methodology:

=========================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/588979/#TopicPost588979

preliminary trailer in 720p:

===========================

https://vimeo.com/49889448

pw: OT

download 1080p WMV:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/0o7zd1

pw: ot

========================================

i’ll be taking pertinent posts from the other thread that

will apply to this… in the meantime, we look forward to

your participation.

========================================

thanks from our entire team!

later

-1

on another note:

============================

how /where will it be released?

-------------------------------------------------

after seeing the successful launch of

harmys v2, we would like to take a similar

approach..

1) newsgroups

2) torrents

3) file sharing sites

most likely, myspleen will be the choice.

we've got people lined up for:

--------------------------------------

newsgroups

myspleen

so we'll be on the lookout for those

that can handle the rest..

when the time comes, we'll let you know..

===============================

as far as distributing the bluray discs,

that will pretty much have to be on your own.

as we don't have the facilities for the numbers

we're looking at...

===============================

we'll make a note of the official downsamples

as there are those that would want a

SD single layer 5gig version also..

i haven't really thought about avchd or 720p

versions, but i'm sure those will be made

also...thoughts?

more details on what's involved:

=========================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/591950/#TopicPost591950

image quality reference:

=================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/591954/#TopicPost591954

how authentic will it be?

=================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/591990/#TopicPost591990

how will it look?

===========

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Making-our-own-35mm-preservation-my-crazy-proposal/post/592043/#TopicPost592043

later

-1

if you're new to all of this, and want

to see samples, and examples of

pics/videos, there won't be many

posted here..

================================

however,

there are quite a bit already in other

threads.

pics of credits/leaders:

----------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Credits-Leaders-Thread/topic/12960/

color timing and cinematography:

------------------------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Colortiming-Cinematography-was-What-changes-was-done-to-STAR-WARS-in-93/topic/9805/page/12/

various glitched frames:

-----------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Tantives-Orange-Items-Thread-other-unintended-objects/topic/13355/

videos/pictures of cleaning up frames

==========================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/cleaning-up-dirty-frames-for-scenes/topic/14044/

audio

=======================

samples of english mono:

--------------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/The-Mono-Mix-Restoration-Project/topic/7222/page/7/

samples of spanish:

-------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/The-original-Latin-American-Spanish-dubbings/topic/11112/

later

-1

I have to say that I am very much looking forward to this project. While the Harmy 2.0 seems to be a beautiful restoration by all accounts, with even the colors and contrast corrected (and I would like very much to see it), the fact is that it would never have looked that way in the theater because it is sourced from the o-neg.  But every release print (like the ones this is sourced from) was 3rd generation so it has a very different look. 

All this to say, both projects are invaluable in their own ways and I very much look forward to this one.

-TM

lurker77 said:

negative1 said:

if you're new to all of this, and want

to see samples, and examples of

pics/videos, there won't be many

posted here..

Aw, that's the best part. And I've already seen most of what's already been made available... :(

i didn't say there won't be any.

just not that much. mostly reel change frames,

and maybe a few more in the cinematography thread.

later

-1

jero32 said:

-1 would you be ok with a screenshot thread if I made one? (where people compile the screenshots you have posted so far)

i'm pretty sure they're already in the links provided above.

right?

later

-1

frank678 said:

dammit it STILL makes me mad why Lucas and Co. created a situation where you guys have had to do this project this way. fingers crossed you get the best results possible for all the hard work you've put in

i'm not mad. but that's because i got to play 

around with all this stuff for the last 2 years.

maybe if it never got released, then yeah,

but life's too short. so i probably would just

live with what we have.

later

-1

frank678 said:

You have a very patient way of looking at this stuff and to patience to tackle this in the first place(!), I suppose you could thank Lucasfilm for inspiring you to learn more about 35mm film and film restoration, and to develop a new skill set. Can I ask if you were already into 35mm projection before this project (i.e. already have access to it etc.) and has it lead to interest in it further? I would be interested in (apologies if youve answered this before) if you have the means/chance to compare analog vs digitised projection of this source and if its perceptibly different?

good question:

-----------------------

i have 0 (zero) experience with film, restoration, preservation and

digitizing before jumping into this 4 years ago.

this whole thing has been an amazing experience. from dealing

with people (not always good, but mostly!), to coming across people

will amazing skills, talents, and time to explain things to me.. especially

cinch!

i'm not that smart, but i learn quickly, and have a huge appetite when

something interests me. this started of as a technical challenge, but

once we got rolling, it's been more of a project management, and

people skills effort on my part. which is weird, because i'm a software

developer, and looked at this like i would a software development

project....

the amount of information right here on the board is STAGGERING,

seriously, just pick any technical, video or audio thread, and you

will discover all kinds of information and detail.

the best thing about this board, is that there are many

people who will help, explain, and SHARE their information,

data, results, pictures, video, and everything else if you

just ASK... only the private stuff (which isn't much) stays

private.....

if people here hadn't thought of these things, or came

up with these ideas. we wouldn't be here..

i can't comment on how the digital version will compare

with the project one just yet.. but i do know there are

plans on my end to screen it in a movie theater later

this year with some friends..   also, in watching the

many raw versions of it digitally, it DOES feel like watching

film, due to the scratches, dirt and image warping/jumping.

most people would hate that, so the more normal version

that is cleaned up will be more like the version you will

watch. as i mentioned i have plans for my own grindhouse

versions after it comes out...

it's been an amazing trip, and i'm sure WE WILL have

a very cool behind the scenes documentary about all

the neat stuff that made this happen (this would come

out MUCH MUCH later, when we're done), and be

anonymous of course.

later

-1

jero32 said:

Well I thought maybe a dedicated thread would stil be easier for people to "wade" trough.

i don't want to deter you.

but i'd PREFER if people DID wade through those threads.

there's a lot of good information in there. we would be

duplicating a lot of it.. (in some ways, we already did

in the 35mm thread) but that couldn't be helped.

since i didn't really know where all of this was going.

hope you understand.

later

-1

frank678 said:

@negative1

thanks for the reply. its tricky to ask a question about this project whilst keeping in mind sensible privacy about it. i imagine for me if i was involved in this project i would hope to develop a real love of the organic qualities of film and love for keeping projection alive for the future. However I know this stuff can also be over romantised and might be in reality a pain in the ass in these digital times.

well, of course i'll be selling all the prints i have,

both star wars, and empire strikes back..

the digital versions were the point..

i'm sure others will enjoy the film though.

later

-1

the last of the reel change

marks frames are up for reels 4, and 5:

reel 4

------------------------------------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Tantives-Orange-Items-Thread-other-unintended-objects/post/593198/#TopicPost593198

reel 5

------------------------------------------------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Tantives-Orange-Items-Thread-other-unintended-objects/post/593195/#TopicPost593195

that should just about wrap that up..

will work on the end credits next..

later

-1

getting ready for preview 0:

=============================

1) All 6 reels completed in raw format

2) some of the reels have been slightly

   color corrected

3) resolution is a minimum 720p, with a few

reels in 1080p

4) sound is a temporary Stereo soundtrack

synched up

5) watching in on 24" /1080p monitor, and will

rewatch on 2 other screens

========================================

private clean up notes will follow,

but i will post general thoughts about it also..

this is a major milestone in the first preview,

and we will get to previews 1 and 2 later on

as the cleanup and color correction are done

on the reels.

===============================

most of the cleanup has been done in order.

however, the original crawl , intro, and han

shoots first all need special attention and

will be dealt with separately in trying to 

restore them to an acceptable state.

later

-1

ok, watched the last couple of reels now!

they look great, especially the colors!

so now we have access to ALL the frames

in the movie..

will be posting some samples in the 

color timing/cinematography thread:

===============================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Colortiming-Cinematography-was-What-changes-was-done-to-STAR-WARS-in-93/topic/9805/page/12/

check them out.

later

-1

jero32 said:

The 720p parts, is that a result of the capture resolution being too low? (the raw files) Or did you guys purposely scale it down that much because you felt higher wouldn't have brought out more detail in those shots?

that had nothing to do with it.

all work is being done for a 1080p release.

i just have some of it in 720p, because it was

quicker and smaller to preview. also some of it

was rendered with cleanup, and it was a lot 

faster to do it for 720p.

later

-1

put up a whole bunch of untouched

screen shots from several of the reels:

==============================

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Colortiming-Cinematography-was-What-changes-was-done-to-STAR-WARS-in-93/topic/9805/page/12/

and here:

-------------

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Star-Wars-Colortiming-Cinematography-was-What-changes-was-done-to-STAR-WARS-in-93/topic/9805/page/13/

check them out.

later

-1