Spence's PT Edits Round 3 (V2 of AOTC Released) — Page 9

Watched the AOTC workprint. In short, it’s a triumph, I think you’ve made the best version of AOTC out there from a narrative and pacing perspective. I was a little skeptical of the decision to remove the asteroid dogfight, but it absolutely makes sense looking at the flow of the edit as a whole. The addition of the training scene from Kenobi works wondering from a narrative perspective, nicely foreshadowing Anakin’s downfall the Dooku fight. While it doesn’t totally match up stylistically, I find it no more jarring the the inclusion of the deleted scenes, many of which have unfinished VFX and have long been a staple of prequel edits.

My only quibble is while The 3PO removal is seamless, it unfortunately makes the edit incompatible with other versions of The Phantom Menace. Just something I will have to live with, I guess.

Very excited to check out ROTS!

Octorox said:

Watched the AOTC workprint. In short, it’s a triumph, I think you’ve made the best version of AOTC out there from a narrative and pacing perspective. I was a little skeptical of the decision to remove the asteroid dogfight, but it absolutely makes sense looking at the flow of the edit as a whole. The addition of the training scene from Kenobi works wondering from a narrative perspective, nicely foreshadowing Anakin’s downfall the Dooku fight. While it doesn’t totally match up stylistically, I find it no more jarring the the inclusion of the deleted scenes, many of which have unfinished VFX and have long been a staple of prequel edits.

My only quibble is while The 3PO removal is seamless, it unfortunately makes the edit incompatible with other versions of The Phantom Menace. Just something I will have to live with, I guess.

Very excited to check out ROTS!

Thank you so much for the kind words and for checking it out. I know the 3PO removal will be the thing some people have qualms with, but considering I made these specifically for my preferences, I’m happy with it. I hope and encourage anyone to steal my ideas to make their preferred version.

After some further tweaks, I am going to go ahead and consider all three of these “released”, at least as a version 1. I’m happy to make more tweaks as we go and people make suggestions or find issues I may have missed.

So I was at least able to get these done before the end of the year!

Massive thanks to everyone who go involved in the thread and helped push these to their best possible versions. I really enjoyed working on these films, and I’m very pleased with the result. I think we’ve ended up with a tight, connected, exciting trio of films.

I know there’s a lot of choices in fanedits of these films, but these versions unquestionably feel like “me”. All of my editing strengths, some of my editing weaknesses, and my general stamp is all over them.

Other than the removal of 3PO from films 1 and 2, there’s nothing else that breaks the canon, so you can slot these into your preferred viewing as long as you can deal with that. However, this project was viewed as a whole the entire time, and the three edits work together as a unit.

I’m now going to complete my very conservative preferred versions of TFA and TLJ so that, along with 4K77-4K83 and The Final Order, I now have my full preferred way of watching the entire Skywalker saga. The circle is now complete.

If you don’t like my more radical, canon breaking “Final Order” edit of TROS, you can replace it with HAL’s Ascendent version without there being any inconsistencies.

I hope you enjoy it, and please PM me if you want the links so we don’t get too many “link please!” posts in the thread.

Congratulations! I can’t wait to check them out, especially AOTC. The only change I’ll contest is cutting the Vader scene at the end of ROTS, the whole movie is about him trying to “save” padme so I think it’s important to see him react. But it’s up to you of course. These will probably be my go to edits too!

hinventon said:

Congratulations! I can’t wait to check them out, especially AOTC. The only change I’ll contest is cutting the Vader scene at the end of ROTS, the whole movie is about him trying to “save” padme so I think it’s important to see him react. But it’s up to you of course. These will probably be my go to edits too!

I’d agree if the reaction wasn’t so silly. I’d rather it be inferred than keep that dumb scene. Though I’m open to playing with it.

Yeah, it’s a little silly, maybe cutting some of Vader’s dialogue and using a different scream would make it better. I do like the imagery of him rising on the table and him Frankensteining out of it though.

hinventon said:

Yeah, it’s a little silly, maybe cutting some of Vader’s dialogue and using a different scream would make it better. I do like the imagery of him rising on the table and him Frankensteining out of it though.

Honestly, the only shot I’m sad to lose is him being raised on the table, and I planned to include it originally. But I found the final shot of him being sealed into the Vader suit to be more impactful, both visually and from a character standpoint.

You know what, since it was brought up, here’s the work I did on the final Vader scene that I ended up cutting. It’s not finished from an audio standpoint, but let me know what you think. If this is worth finalizing and adding back in, I’m open to doing that.

The idea was to remove some of the dialogue and not have Vader get up from the gurney. I also used the French version of the “NOOOOO” as I think it sounds more anguished, and a little like Anakin’s voice is squeezing through.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PduGCkPUDS_pQDZbSXAmC70J8ENgbO24/view?usp=sharing

I’ve watched the AoC workprint and it does flow really well. I especially liked how we stay longer with the characters, as some edits can produce a little whiplash with shorter scenes and too much back and forth. The asteroid belt scene is one of my favourites but it’s hard to argue that is little more than padding and upsets the pace, you were right cutting it out. Duel with dooku was great, Yoda should not be there at all.

The only scene I found a bit jarring was the one in the balcony before the chase. Without the dialog and the Jango scene it’s a little hard to follow exactly what’s going on and everything feels a bit rushed.

Is there any difference between the workprint and V1? Is so, I’d love a link to the lastest version.

I’d really like links to your updated versions please. Can’t wait to see how they’ve turned out after all your hard work.

Daiyus said:

I’d really like links to your updated versions please. Can’t wait to see how they’ve turned out after all your hard work.

Please send me a PM for any link requests.

Watched RoS, overall I enjoyed it, i always enjoy your pacing / editing it matches what i enjoy in movies so well. There was only one part i noticed that had a slight audio issue (i have a decent stereo system so it was really jarring for me) 1:03:57 when anakin says “i need him” when that audio track starts it makes a click or something like that. other than that, awesome edit its going to sit as my preferred version 😃

Darthkovacss said:

Watched RoS, overall I enjoyed it, i always enjoy your pacing / editing it matches what i enjoy in movies so well. There was only one part i noticed that had a slight audio issue (i have a decent stereo system so it was really jarring for me) 1:03:57 when anakin says “i need him” when that audio track starts it makes a click or something like that. other than that, awesome edit its going to sit as my preferred version 😃

Thanks for the feedback! I just checked the files and the click doesn’t seem to be present.

Would someone else that has downloaded it be willing to check if it’s there? Before I re-upload.

Yep, your original link to the files no longer works.

I think I can hear it slightly, it’s not that noticeable but right before Anakin says that line it sounds like a transition that needs to be faded a little more. Also, this may just be my display, but I noticed a sort of fuzzyness on the video, like the grain is too big? Here’s a pic from that scene, you can kind of see it in Mace’s saber. Idk, I just kept noticing it while I was skimming through.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FRRl9l_nKiOIlMsIbkfk5ffaEhKUcKX3/view?usp=drive_link

hinventon said:

I think I can hear it slightly, it’s not that noticeable but right before Anakin says that line it sounds like a transition that needs to be faded a little more. Also, this may just be my display, but I noticed a sort of fuzzyness on the video, like the grain is too big? Here’s a pic from that scene, you can kind of see it in Mace’s saber. Idk, I just kept noticing it while I was skimming through.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FRRl9l_nKiOIlMsIbkfk5ffaEhKUcKX3/view?usp=drive_link

Yeah, its when the I need him audio track initially plays, its subtle if you don’t have the volume up you probably wouldn’t notice it, I was watching it on my TV with my surround sound system as I generally listen to movies like a cinema so in a louder playback it was pretty noticeable, but with how well the edit is done its a very minor issue, how you worked the extra scenes from ahsoka in was really good, absolutely loved it. Even though some may disagree about the last time seeing anakin/vader is when the mask goes on, I feel it fits the ending well.

Thank you for all the effort you put into your fan edits ❤️

Darthkovacss said:

hinventon said:

I think I can hear it slightly, it’s not that noticeable but right before Anakin says that line it sounds like a transition that needs to be faded a little more. Also, this may just be my display, but I noticed a sort of fuzzyness on the video, like the grain is too big? Here’s a pic from that scene, you can kind of see it in Mace’s saber. Idk, I just kept noticing it while I was skimming through.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FRRl9l_nKiOIlMsIbkfk5ffaEhKUcKX3/view?usp=drive_link

Yeah, its when the I need him audio track initially plays, its subtle if you don’t have the volume up you probably wouldn’t notice it, I was watching it on my TV with my surround sound system as I generally listen to movies like a cinema so in a louder playback it was pretty noticeable, but with how well the edit is done its a very minor issue, how you worked the extra scenes from ahsoka in was really good, absolutely loved it. Even though some may disagree about the last time seeing anakin/vader is when the mask goes on, I feel it fits the ending well.

Thank you for all the effort you put into your fan edits ❤️

Thanks! I honestly still don’t hear it, but I’ll redo that transition to make sure it’s gone. I’m waiting for more feedback to see if there’s anything else that gets spotted before doing a V2.

Peonthegrate said:

Is there a changelog for Episode 3?

Honestly, not really. Again, I’m very bad at keeping track of that because I just sort of “noodle around” within scenes. Here’s the best I can do:

• Tons of micro-cuts throughout for pacing. They will not all be noted here.
• Added classic Fox fanfare and Lucasiflm logo.
• Cut a lot of dialogue in the space battle and removed the buzz droids sequence.
• Kept the shot of Obi-Wan leaping out of his cruiser. Never got why people cut that. It’s very cool.
• Cut shot of Anakin in the cockpit removing his seatbelt.
• Added some score over the hanger scene.
• Cut most of the business with them reaching Palpatine, keeping just the destroyer droids/droids on the elevator.
• Cut Dooku leaping over the railing.
• Cut some dialogue throughout this sequence.
• Cut a few of Palpatine’s silly reaction shots.
• Obi-Wan no longer has a giant scaffold dropped on top of him.
• Cut Anakin’s hesitation in killing Dooku.
• Cut Palpatine’s line about the sand people.
• Cut Obi-Wan being retrieved.
• Cut some dialogue when the ships are firing their batteries at each other.
• I used HAL’s editing as a blueprint for them getting captured in the elevator shaft, removing the ray shields sequence.
• Cut Anakin’s “I thought you’d be taller”
• Added music over the battle on the bridge.
• Cut some little bits of dialogue as they pilot the ship down to Coruscant.
• Trimmed up Anakin and Obi-Wan’s banter when they arrive to meet Mace.
• Added the “plot to destroy the Jedi” deleted scene after Grievous contacts Palpatine.
• Cut the balcony scene with Anakin and Padme.
• Cut Anakin saying “I’m honored”
• Trimmed Anakin’s reaction to not becoming a master so it’s less whiny, but still angry.
• Added the first Senate deleted scene after Obi-Wan and Anakin speak at the temple.
• Anakin does not tell Padme she’s “starting to sound like a Separatist”
• Cut mention of Midichlorians.
• Added second Senate scene after the Opera
• Added third Senate scene after Obi-Wan arrives on Utapau
• Cut Obi-Wan getting the lizard-horse, go straight to Grievous addressing the Separatists.
• Cut Grievous’ “You fool! I’m trained in the blah blah blah”
• Trimmed up the fight sequence for pacing.
• Trimmed Anakin realizing Palpatine is the Sith lord so he catches on a bit quicker.
• Trimmed the second Grievous fight for pacing.
• Trimmed Anakin and Mace discussing Palpatine so Anakin doesn’t sound so much like he is trying to save Palpatine.
• Removed 3PO from a shot where Padme is staring out the window.
• Darkened Palpatine’s office slightly when he’s confronted.
• Trimmed the scene where Palpatine attacks so it’s a little more violent and sudden.
• Cut some of the sillier shots of their fight.
• Used Hal’s version of the Palpatine reveal and Mace’s death.
• Removed a large chunk of the dialogue in the naming scene. Added a slight camera shake to Anakin’s shots to make him feel more unbalanced.
• Order 66 has been completely reworked. Yoda’s scene is now the cap on the sequence, and footage from Book of Boba Fett and Mandalorian are included to open the scene up. Anakin no longer personally kills the Younglings.
• Cut some of the Padawan’s acrobatics when Bail goes to the temple.
• Combined two of Obi-Wan’s scenes when he swims up and escapes.
• Changed the music when Obi-Wan arrives at Bail’s ship to feel less triumphant.
• Cut Anakin’s yellow eyes and some of his acrobatics when he kills the Separatist leaders.
• Cut Yoda deciding to fight Palpatine.
• Obi-Wan doesn’t say he saw Anakin “Killing Younglings”
• Obi-Wan does not verbally respond to “You’re going to kill him?”
• Cut the shot of Obi-Wan hiding in the toilet, we just see him get onboard the ship in the wide shot.
• Trimmed Anakin and Padme’s dialogue on Mustafar for pacing.
• A few Obi-Wan lines are cut when he speaks to Anakin, so it’s more of Anakin going on an unhinged rant.
• Yoda vs. Palpatine is cut, we stay with the Battle of the Heroes the whole time.
• All dialogue is cut after they start fighting until Anakin is beaten.
• Medical droid dialogue replaced (by me, it’s my voice)
• Cut everything with Vader after the helmet closes.
• Cut discussion of Qui-Gon and training for Obi-Wan.
• Changed the transition from 3PO to Padme’s funeral so it’s not that silly looking circle-in on his face.

Just a heads up that in Episode II, during the scene with Anakin and Padme on the transport, the removed dialogue “you’re exactly how I remember you in my dreams” can be heard very faintly in the background.

Octorox said:

Just a heads up that in Episode II, during the scene with Anakin and Padme on the transport, the removed dialogue “you’re exactly how I remember you in my dreams” can be heard very faintly in the background.

Got it, I can fix that for V2.

Would everyone be irked if I pushed out a V2 now? I fixed the problems that have been mentioned, but I also found some audio transitions in ROTS that mysteriously vanished without my noticing. Most of them were probably not easily heard, but I noticed and it bothers me. I’m also adjusting the size and amount of grain.

There wouldn’t be any other major adjustments, it’s all audio stuff and/or smoothing out transitions. So if you’re happy with them as they are, you wouldn’t need to download them again.

SpenceEdit said:

Would everyone be irked if I pushed out a V2 now? I fixed the problems that have been mentioned, but I also found some audio transitions in ROTS that mysteriously vanished without my noticing. Most of them were probably not easily heard, but I noticed and it bothers me. I’m also adjusting the size and amount of grain.

There wouldn’t be any other major adjustments, it’s all audio stuff and/or smoothing out transitions. So if you’re happy with them as they are, you wouldn’t need to download them again.

Not at all, but I do want to mention I caught another muffled line in AOTC when the delete senate scene is transitioning to the Kenobi duel scene. You can barely make out Palpatine’s next line but it’s there in the mix.

Tobar said:

SpenceEdit said:

Here’s the ending of ROTS. I’m pretty happy with how this is turning out.

I’m coming into this very late, so this might have already been discussed. But have you thought about or experimented with changing their birth order so that Leia is born first? That way it’s Leia that spends the most time with her mother, is even caressed by her before her death. I think it would really help to smooth over the inconsistencies with ROTJ.

No, I haven’t messed with that. I’ve kind of come to terms with that just being an inconsistency.