Hey Acbagel, how are you enjoyed bad batch? Have you done anymore tinkering with the final book yet or taking a needed pause to recharge? By all mean take your time, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I can’t wait for the final book this series (at least for now)!
Hey Darth! I did have a little bit of a break, took the family on vacation, had a huge event at work, and then have been working on two editing side projects as well (one relates to The Way of Mandalore and I’ll announce below). I also did indeed watch all of Season 2 and Season 3 of The Bad Batch + Tales of the Empire over the last three weeks, so that was a lot of spare time consumed but I like to stay relatively up to date with ongoing Star Wars stories. To be honest, I thought The Bad Batch peaked in Season 2 Episodes 7/8, the senate ones about the clone conspiracies. End of Season 2 was great as well, but I thought Season 3 went absolutely nowhere and didn’t wrap up any of the plots I was most interested in (Project Necromancer, the developments in the senate, the Clone Rebellions, Rex/Cody/Wolffe etc). So I was quite let down by the conclusion and ended up feeling like the whole series is a little bit pointless. I didn’t connect with the Batch or Omega at all, so I know they got a good story together but I thought they were by far the least interesting part of the series. Oh well, still might try to complete a movie edit one day…
So Book 6 update, I have spent a few hours going through Act 3 which is the battle on Mandalore. It’s not good, there was a lot of criticism about the nonsense structure of the base, starfighters completely disappearing, and very poor pacing, but some of the scenes are well made too (jet pack battle comes to mind). It’s been a lot to sift through looking for solutions. The first 2 hours of the movie are pretty much ready for a final polish check, but that last hour of the film is still a doozy to work out. I could release Book 5 updated right now, but I am somewhat worried I am going to have some idea in Book 6 that makes me need some scene from Book 5 or at least make me need to change a line or two so I’ve just been sitting on it… I might just drop it though as I’m still at least a month+ away from Book 6.
I can see why it can be seen as a bit wordy, but as it is such a short scene I feel this takes the edge off of it. When imagining this taking place between two scenes I can see it not being so overbearing and giving it some substance as it is just a “travel” scene, but either way I think it’s a good job. The AI for Din is unbelievably great here! I like to keep the Skywalker inclusion as it shows with everything that’s going on Grogu is still on his mind.
I think there are a couple of instances where I can cut a word or two out, but I think we have to realize how much Din’s character is presented by season 3. He is VERY talkative compared to “peak Din” in season 1/2 that most people have in their minds. Not as many people have rewatched season 3 a lot, but he does indeed speak 2x-3x times more than in previous seasons. I look at it as part of his character growth in developing real relationships with people. As far as the mentioning of Skywalker, I have it integrated throughout the film that Grogu is still always on his mind and he’s constantly checking his pings to see if anyone from the academy has reached out because he wants to be with Grogu.
I like what you are doing with Boba, trying to integrate him into season three. The audio exchange isn’t completely there yet, but I definetly see what you are going for. I think less may be more. It seems a little too wordy as I know you are trying to sell the new plot through dialogue and insert in some legend’s material. Also, I would let the subtitles for the mando language stay on screen for slighly longer, they are a bit abrupt.
“Sorry, I can’t join you (just) yet. The Hutts are (already) showing interest in my territory. But I will be there when you need me.”
"Check again for a ping from Skywalker('s acedemy on Ossus).
I was thinking the same thing actually, no need for some of those words and phrases.
Acbagel, I feel like I remember seeing this somewhere, but have you already/do you plan on integrating Mando’a into your earlier movies? I can imagine it being pretty jarring otherwise, especially for someone like Boba to speak it since he hasn’t typically lived alongside Mandalorians.
Yes! So, announcement time… I have also been working on “Special Edition” releases of Books 1-5 with integrated Mando’a where appropriate, as well as tossing in more easter eggs throughout (akin to the ones I shared in Book 5/6 previews) plus adding new SFX in a number of scenes. Examples of that include recreating the SFX of the Armorer working on Din’s new armor in Book 1 (previously her hammers never made any sound, so I have reconstructed that whole scene’s audio track to make it actually sound like a sci-fi blacksmith), recreating the audio for Din’s final “flashback” of the Mandalorians saving him as a child etc.
Book 1 Special Edition is released now and in the folders I have previously sent. Will release the Special Editions of the others soon. Just been also trying to rewatch the whole series and make notes of little improvements to make. Also helps me brainstorm the right way to end the saga in Book 6 (for now). Post/DM if you want to see the films and do not have them.
The other side project has been starting my movie saga of The Boys, but I won’t go into detail about that here. I finished the first film of that, going to watch over the weekend and then make a thread and release that next week.
Thanks for checking in, hope to share more soon!