...Making for a MUCH better sequence, in my opinion.
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BRILLIANT! That fight's going to freak people out --it's such an improvement.
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Trooperman:
...This way, Padme doesn’t ignore Yoda- she asks a related question.
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More Brilliance! The way you're taking hamburger and reconstructing it into a cow is frickin' impossible. I cannot wait for this thing (but be sure and take your time and get it right -- but hurry up! I mean take your time-- I mean ARRGH!
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Trooperman:
Another thing- Dooku now has his own musical motif (from Uranus, by Holst) It crops up at several key points in the film.
And yet another thing- I’m replacing the lightsaber sound effects with the classic ones from the original SW. I really disliked the new types of sounds that were used in the original cut.
And I promise this is the last one- I’m thinking about adding a very light, almost imperceptible grain to the entire film to make it seem like you’re actually watching a film and not a video game (which will also be helped by reduction in saturation).
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This is why I love Trooperman. This is the kind of talk I've been waiting for from edit-fans -- concrete ideas to make these things fit with the OT.
"Fake" grain (film-look) can get distracting, so my observation with the stuff is that a little goes a L-o-n-g way. Remember that wear shows up at the ends of the reels, so at the beginning and end of each reel -- or every twenty minutes or so might be a good place to put a bit of "wear."
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Trooperman:
As always, I value your input. However, before too long, I’m going to lock down and pretty much go with what I have before doing the final mix and cut- so please don’t wait to post if you have something!
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Well, since you bring it up... :-)
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Trooperman:
Also, here’s the plan for the kiss scene on Geonosis:
Anakin: Don’t be frightened, Padme. We’ll escape this nightmare before long.
Shot of Padme looking sad. Shot of Anakin looking sad.
Padme: Anakin… I love you.
Anakin is surprised.
Anakin: What are you talking about? CUT to shot of Padme.
Anakin: We had decided not to fall in love. That it would destroy us.
Padme: Our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. Silhouette of them kissing. (climax in music)
CUT: to the Geonosians cheering in arena. Cut to the last part of shot of them riding out.
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My big comment to that is where does any of that dialogue get us?
Compare to the following:
Leia: "I love you"
Han: "I know"
Padme wouldn't be frightened. Anakin knows that. They're looking for a chance to escape, they both know it. Anakin's face says "what are you talking about?" better than his words can. She knows they decided not to fall in love, but it happened anyway and he knows it. Who would ever say that at a moment like this? Their looks convey all the confusion better than this dialogue ever can.
With my DVD remote, I've "cut" this scene many times to see if it could work better. I keep the "Don't be frightened..." line but cut it off to imply it's just a nervous bit of speaking to break tension.
POST EDITED TO ADD: then Padme says "I'm not afraid to die."
But then he looks at her and the truth is clear. We move closer and she says "I love you." He reacts silently and she moves closer and closer until they kiss (climax with music).
Cutting to the cheering crowd is great and I didn't think of that. It's much more "realistic" and threatening.
But keeping all that dialogue will gum up a fine moment, in my opinion.
Other than this note, I love everything I've read from you, Troop.
It would be an honor to get a "direct" package -- as long as you don't feel compromised. The way you've handled this whole thing -- suggestions, nay sayers, the hard work of it -- I've got tons of respect for you. This is probably the coolest Star Wars fan thing I've been involved with. Thank you.