Now we separate the men from the boys ;-) -- This next bit has the strategy of preserving the reveal of Nute for as long as possible and building up tension before we do. So the next shots have to be massaged into something they're not--
(CFSS) = Cropped Full Screen Shot
INT. CONTROL ROOM
(From the Jedi saying "the negotiations will be short.") CUT to just one (CFSS) close up of a hand hitting a console with droid icons (from the Gungan battle) -- the icon "stands"
Cut to:
INT. HALLWAY
Droids with weapons march toward camera (add Imperial March type music -- the hammer is coming down). The idea is that the Jedi are about to be assassinated by their hosts without us knowing who they are or why they want to kill these guys.
Use the two shots that currently follow the destruction of the Jedi's ship.
First shot: Marching droids. Then, just a couple beats of the Side angle wide shot: The droids reach the door and halt.
Third shot (grabbed from a few shots later): Closer front view of droids (continuity problem of yellow droid is there -- can we crop him out?) MUSIC HITTING CRESCENDO... then holding a suspenseful note that continues--
INT. WAITING ROOM
-- ...as the Door opens-- (suspense, suspense) -- and TC13 enters with drinks.
Jedi say lines; Qui Gonn takes the drink. MUSIC remains on the tense side, but still holding back--
INT. LANDING DOCK/QUI GONN'S SHIP
The MUSIC does a sly lurch as the gun descends in the hanger -- the crew panics -- the gun fires -- the ship EXPLODES and the music hits its full throttle action tempo--
INT. WAITING ROOM
The Jedi react to the explosion. The gas comes in. They hold their breath.
INT. HALLWAY
(Remembering that the droids are already at the door), cut to them opening the door and seeing the gas. Adjust their interaction per BOTF. TC13 comes out. The Jedi emerge.
Battle
Use all the battle footage in one stroke as the battle continues all the way to Obi Wan force pushing a group of droids away.
INT. CONTROL DECK
NOTE: ALL DIALOGUE IS TEMP
(Use footage from talking to TC13 scene) (CFSS) Over Nute's shoulder, favoring flunky, hiding Nute's face.
Flunky: "It has been a long time since you killed a Jedi. Let the droids handle it."
Nute: "You prevent me from killing them?"
CUT AWAY: the Jedi cut one more Droid down
BACK TO SCENE (next shot favoring Flunky off Nute's shoulder) (CFSS)
Flunky: "Your safety is vital-- The entire Trade Federation rests on your--"
CUT AWAY: the Jedi cut another Droid down
BACK TO SCENE
Nute: "Get out of my sight."
Flunky shrinks away -- using the "stunted slime" shot -- this is the first shot we get of Nute's profile. He turns toward camera (cut to CFSS on movement; add Nute Music Cue) -- cut away before Sidious image creeps in too much--
Nute: "Keeping me from my enemy endangers us all."
Cut to shot of communications flunky with the mask
Com Flunky: "We've lost their transmission sir."
Next shot: Nute spins from the screen (currently where he says "What's going on down there?").
Nute: "Lead the Jedi here. I will show you what a Nemoidian is capable of!"
Note Flunky #2 was in background of "stunted slime" shot. He now talks to Nute as they walk across the bridge toward the door together.
Flunky #2: "Please, your Lordship, reconsider. If the Jedi should get lucky and harm you, our Federation will be destroyed by the Republic. We have arranged so much to make this invasion legal. Now is not the time to jeopardize things for sport. [an order to the driods] Seal the bridge."
Nute: (Gesturing to the droids) "I will not forget this. You waste our time. The door is no match for Jedi."
Flunky #2: "Send for Destroyers. These Jedi will fall quickly."
The door closes on the bridge, sealing them in.
INT. HALLWAY
Obi Wan and Qui Gonn arrive outside the bridge. Q attacks the door.
INT. CONTROL DECK
(The shot where Nute says "That will hold them" as Flunky #2 stares at the door)
Flunky #2 (awed tone) "Close the blast door."
Nute (going crazy with desire to fight) "Let them in, the doors will not hold!"
Too late, the blast door shots-- stopping Q's blade.
INT. HALLWAY
Qui Gonn thinks, plunges into the door again-- Force theme (no changes here for me)
INT. CONTROL DECK
Door gets hot. Flunky #2 points "They are still coming through!"
Nute: "Why are you protecting me? I can smell them. Let them in!"
INT. HALLWAY
Qui Gonn continues --
INT. CONTROL DECK
Flunky #2 turns to ask "Where are those Destroyer Droids?" Nute gives him dirty look.
INT. HALLWAY
Destroyer Droids arrive. (still no changes for me)
The Jedi run.
INT. CONTROL DECK
Nute and Flunky #2 watch Jedi run. ("No match for Destroyer Droids")
Communications Guy says "Sir, a transmission from the planet"
Queen Amidala contacts them. Talk to Queen. Threaten her blatantly and brutally. End transmission.
Nute orders invasion to begin "we will conquer them now."
Cut to: Communications guy interrupts: The Jedi are in ventilation shaft.
Cut to: Shot of Nute where he whips around and says "Close the blast doors!"
Nute: "I want them! Bring them to me!"
----
The Nemoidians continue searching for the Jedi as the next shot is of Amidala's castle and we have the "communications interruption" which means only one thing: invasion. I'll be cutting Tanaka out of that as much as possible when I post it.
I don't know if this above strategy is going to fly with everyone, so I await your feedback.
More later...
By the way, InfoDroid-- The Amazon Full Screen discs are available used-- so no money would be going to LucasFilm in the purchase. Just to some online used disc dealer.