Let me take these in reverse order as best I can! I probably will comment by topic rather than each person’s comment just to save time, sorry!
REBEL RING
Hal, (one exception!), here’s the link to the updated Broom Boy scene, which has the exact same audio timing, but extends shots after the ship goes to hyperspace to cover the rebel ring shot:
https://vimeo.com/393368723
pw: fanedit
FINN/ROSE SHUTTLE SCENE
I definitely will not be cutting this scene. It means too much to Finn after his story was trimmed, and after all of the chaos, it’s nice to have a quiet character moment. I will look at the scene again to see if anything can be done to make it feel a bit more polished, but not sure exactly where I will land on that.
PRAETORIAN GUARD FIGHT CONTINUITY ERROR
This is just one of those things that doesn’t really bother me, and without an easy solution, is not worth fixing. However, looking at Jar Jar Bricks’ edit, it does seem like a pretty clean and simple edit! I also like the masking idea which would maintain the pacing, and if someone has done that already I’d love to see it.
FINN COCKPIT EXPLOSION
I’ll take another quick look, but I think I’m happy with it looking natural. I don’t think it needs to be in your face just to show that there’s a change (the idea really being to hide the change). The Rose explosion is different because it’s an exterior shot and the blast hits the rear of the cockpit, whereas Finn’s speeder was hit in the middle of the ship, spliting it in half. That and the red from the cannon beam would cover much of the bright flash.
CANNON HUM WHEN FINN EXITS COCKPIT
This is a good call, and something I think I should be able to EQ out of the mix so you can’t hear the cannon beam sound (or at least minimize it).
3RD LESSON CARETAKERS SCENE
As we’ve discussed before, the third lesson scene is not really visually complete and doesn’t seem necessary. It’s nice, but I don’t think it’s worth bringing the caretakers back for, and doesn’t add enough to the narrative in my opinion.
I think the covers the last day’s comments! I do appreciate the pouring in of positivity and ideas, and I’m sorry I can’t respond specifically to every single comment. Thank you all for the interest and help!