Thanks for the reply, TM . That's an interesting idea you have too; perhaps it could not only parallel the scene in ESB, but also what takes place moments before in which Obi-wan turns his back on his fallen apprentice. I'm not sure about which biblical parallels you might be referring to besides the beginning of Genesis: the whole "First Sin" thing with God turning his own back on his creation. (Haven't gone through a bible since I was a lad) Well, if it's on the same track anyway, that's be cool, to have Quigon not respond similarly to how Obi-wan doesn't respond to Luke's crys for help after his duel in ESB. I love Parallels!!!
Yes, and I'm kind of fascinated by the idea that Anakin thought that the dark path was only a temporary thing- then, when he cries for help, nobody answers. It's too late at that point, and he is doomed. The Emperor comes to rescue him and saves him using the Dark Side, and Anakin joins him permanently because everyone else has turned their backs on him. As for the Biblical parallels...well, one has to do with the whole Mustafar/Hell comparison.
Don't want to get off-topic, but I wanted to get a general idea of what I'm going for in the PT in case it would affect my current view of Episode II. And it doesn't seem to at this point.
Regarding the Force ideas -- I love that basically it's not an issue for Episode II and frankly I love the ideas as discussed for Episode I -- not because it addresses the Force ghost problem, but because it addresses the whole lack of an emotional climax for Anakin in that story. The final version of that movie should be that Anakin can feel Qui Gon's guidance through the Force and that when he FEELS Qui Gon DIE, he lets loose with those torpedos. He cuts loose with his first bit of anger and murder because of Qui Gon's death. I don't know how to do it yet, but the changes you suggest get us a little further down that road.
GREAT idea- it has to be this way. Episode I will be great fun to work on, especially if we actually have *gasp* a CLIMAX! Who would've thought?
In brief, I'll go over the balcony scene for more notes, but I think the dialogue as written and filmed fits the scene okay. It's even better with this bit of "voice over" at the end. The way it works is as "comfortable conversation" between two people with a lot to hide -- then they look at each other and the conversation stops BUT we HEAR what they want to say -- dubbed in from the next scene in which they ACTUALLY SAY IT. This bit of editing tells the necessary lover beats. We all go through it-- hanging out with a girl you like, talking to her about stuff, listening to her and hoping she likes you, gathering your nerve as you both say dumb stuff and finally taking the leap to say "I like you, a LOT." This little editing trick condenses all that without skipping it or screwing it up the way it was in the original cut. Your work on the balcony scene makes it a natural fit to cut into the fireside chat -- that makes Lucas' point better than he was able to.
What you're saying makes perfect sense- however, if you're lobbying for the "I don't like sand" dialogue, I just can't do it. Maybe just a personal thing for me; I just want to crawl under my chair everytime I hear those lines. What I was wondering was if I could find an alternative that sounded less foolish and could synch with the lips, so that I could use the shot containing both of their faces before doing close-ups (editing thing). I'd like to hear your suggestions on this.
I really don't know about Qui-Gon disspearing in the fire. My reasoning is the same as yours, "I just don’t like the idea that Qui-Gon died, and somehow after he was dead he managed to find out how to come back as a ghost in his original form. I like the idea that during his life, he worked towards discovering this secret so that when he died, he was able to fade away." But something as significant as that would surely be worth a mention, which of course would be absent. All that aside, if you're going to go for it, showing Qui-Gon dissapear on-screen is the way to do it. If not, it's TOO ambiguous. So in the final shot of Qui-Gon burning, he would fade away, then Yoda and Mace discuss the Sith, omninous shot of Palpatine, cut to end celebration. Of course, we have plenty of time to work this out. Btw, all you can see in RotJ is Vader's burning armor, no physical Anakin.
Yes- however, my way around this was that the disappearance ended the scene; otherwise, it would look funny if a Jedi disappeared for the first time in history and they kept talking as though nothing had happened. So my idea was to do "But which one? The master or the apprentice?" Pan over to Palpatine (looking ahead at something). Cut to Qui-Gon in fire- he disappears. Cut back to Palpatine, who understands what just happened. CUT to celebration.
On the soundtrack it is a very powerful piece, but I thought in the context of the film the music was a bit downplayed and not loud enough. I do think it would be excellent accompanying Obi-Wan's death in ANH...
I was not really planning on editing the OT, just to prove that the prequels could have been made to fit the OT without any tweaking of the originals. Are you thinking of possibilities for the Magnoliafan SW trilogy?
Anakin calling for Qui-Gon would be heartwrenchingly tragic, but if he does not see him it would make little sense. Of course if he has continued to communicate with him through dreams and whatnot, it might make perfect sense...
Exactly. Particularly if Anakin tends to hear him in his head in Episode III, even outside of dreams....(or "dreamses" from Backstroke of the West
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-As you know, I'm a little stuck on the balcony dialogue right now.
-Just a kind of vague question- any ideas on how to make Coruscant/the Coruscant streets a little darker, more like Blade Runner? (I don't know- compare the 2 aliens arguing about which brand is better to the billboard in BR of the woman taking the pills). Shots I could use from other movies? Because right now, we have a lot of stuff/costumes that looks like it's out of Harry Potter- just wondering if anyone had suggestions to make it more like a filthy, inner-city dump. Inside the bar, I've already done some things with color, added some old nightclub music, and occasionally cut away to other movies in an attempt to make it more gritty and interesting.
I would appreciate any and all suggestions. Thank you very much! I will try to respond quickly.
TM