MTHaslett:
Final cut? Great Googly Moogly!
Two last points to emphasize since the last cuts are being made...
Ack! The last cuts aren’t being made! (The first final cuts are beginning). I have to completely start over when doing the final cut- I can’t use anything from the rough cut besides the sound mix. I haven’t even finished recording all my dialogue yet. Just don’t want anyone to think I’m farther along than I am and then become disappointed when I take longer than expected, that’s all.
But it is true that in a little while, I'll be very reluctant to change my plans for the film. But after I complete the film, there's so much to do! Writing the subtitles and synchronizing them with the film, doing the audio commentary, crediting everyone I need to, getting an opening crawl, etc. I really, really don't want to disappoint anyone who expects it sooner than it will come out. I'm a busy guy but I'm trying very hard to dedicate myself to this as much as possible to get it done as soon as possible. Many times, the work happens at night, and that's what coffee is for (just kidding
)If there were only some alternate take, some variation on the theme that was vaguely recognizable instead of solidly linked to any major ESB events.
You probably weren't thinking this, but that actually could be arranged (pun unintended).
But yes, I might be able to write a variation (or a hybrid of the 2 themes) and slip it in the film somewhere.
Anakin's character- extremely good points about how Anakin should be angry at Obi-Wan after Shmi's death. And I can certainly incorporate hostility into Anakin’s dialogue to Obi-Wan after that point- I think that would be a major improvement. And no hilarious banter- Anakin is not happy with Obi-Wan. I can't believe that GL had this beautiful story arc with the Obi-Wan/Anakin confrontation and then killed it with the joking around in the previous scenes. I guess the answer to that is that the confrontation aboard the ship was filmed late in post-production, as an afterthought- it wasn't in the original script. Also, in the original version, Anakin was not directly saying that Obi-Wan held him back and that's why his mother's dead. I was thinking of putting in an additional (or alternate) Anakin line in the confrontation.
Anakin: I'm not going to sit here and lose her the way I lost my mother.
Thoughts?
The scene on Tatooine, however- I had originally cut it this way:
Mace: Protect the Senator at all costs. That is your first priority.
Padme argues with Anakin.
Anakin: He's like my father! But you heard Master Windu- he gave me strict orders to stay here.
Padme: Well, I want to help Obi-Wan. (Pause)
Anakin: We will. (Padme looks at him, surprised, and he smiles).
It won't be the first time we've gone against orders. OR I've had my fill of this planet
Part of the reason I did this was to eliminate the sickeningly PC scenario when Padme says: "You'll just have to come along" and she flies the ship away while Anakin grins foolishly and is bossed around. This is not Darth Vader material here. But perhaps you have a better suggestion for this scene.
About Anakin's "suicidally stupid" charge at Dooku- ha ha! Like I said, I was going to cut that entirely but decided to keep it (because of Obi-Wan's line at the beginning of III). As it stands, Obi-Wan doesn't tell him to move in slowly from the left- Anakin kind of runs at him quickly after entering the room. Does this seem like enough?
That backbone will turn this movie from mush into a story.
I agree. And I'm so happy that you have contributed so much with advice about Anakin's character. It's the type of non-technical big picture character motivation stuff that I'm not as good at recognizing. That's why I'm convinced that with so many minds working together on this, the final result will be an edit unlike any other.