- Time
- Post link
-x- I aim to misbehave -x- www.gamerworld.se -x-
The legendary "Starkiller Ranch" Thread — Page 17
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
“Always loved Vader’s wordless self sacrifice. Another shitty, clueless, revision like Greedo and young Anakin’s ghost. What a fucking shame.” -Simon Pegg.
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
What a great edit this will surely turn out to be.... and of all six even.... wowowow!
The Neimodien voices sound nice, but not when I watch the Passion of the Christ again I'll keep picturing them. I don't know if there's such a thing as "audio-morphing", but if so couldn't you morph one or two foreign language tracks and use them?
You could 'morph' the audio from English, Spanish and German for example. This would not be recognized as any language that we would recognize, which is what we need. And plus, it's all coming from a "Star Wars source" too.
I love the Maul/Grevious idea. We've all speculated, but you guys are actually going to tackle it. I love the idea of even having him in a scene in AOTC. And Count Dooku talking to Qui-Gon? BRILLIANT!
Needless to say, I will check back frequently and keep my eyes out. This will be a great alternate saga.
I know I’ve made some very poor decisions recently.
- Time
- Post link
We've had a recent breakthrough on the possibility of doing Dooku as a hologram in front of the Jedi Council, thanks to tjdavis1138. Without tipping our hand too much here, the plan is to use old Hammer Horror footage of a slightly younger Christopher Lee, process it as a hologram, and edit it with Lee dialogue from other films, intercut with reaction shots of Yoda, Mace, etc.
Sorry that the new Neimoidian dialogue will ruin your experience of The Passion, but so far this method has worked extremely well. Although it's not set in stone. "Audio morphing", I'm afraid, might yield the same results as MagFan's edit. I'm actually in talks with an older Greek gentleman I know who has some acting experience and may be interested in translating the Neimoidian script into Greek and recording the dialogue. He's got a great, deep, intimidating voice! Similar to the guy in the Passion. I just wonder if Greek is too recognizable a language. To me, it sounds alien, but to someone who is familiar with it...
On a seperate note, Hal, for some reason I feel indebted to you. We've talked in the past, either you sent me something or I sent you something in the mail. But I haven't seen your name pop up on here in a long time. You might've sent me my Darth Editous edit. If that's so then thanks again and I still owe ya one!
--InfoDroid
- Time
- Post link
I have a way to make the Gungans do what they're supposed to at that point in the story when we meet them.
There should be a growing sense for Qui Gonn that something strange is afoot, something at a cosmic "Force" type level. That's what this movie's about -- a simple assignment for Qui Gonn turns out to have galactic importance -- on the political level and on the Jedi level.
So meeting Gungans who are just dumb symbiots with the Naboo-- and Boss Nass, a leader who is by definition "weak minded" because the force trick works on him -- it truly undermines the sense of importance this story needs.
Solution -- make the Gungans wise. Not Jar Jar, per se, but the Gungans.
Imagine: Jar Jar takes the Jedi to the underwater city. They are taken to Boss Nass.
His first line (more or less)? "The council sent two jedi? Just two?" See, he's ahead of the game.
He continues: "To handle this? Their eyes have gone blind to the living Force. Two Jedi when an army couldn't win. This is the end, the falling of the dark times. You must sense it too."
He looks at Qui Gonn. "Yes, I can tell that you do."
Confused, Qui Gonn tries to bring things to order: "A droid army is about to attack the Naboo. We must warn them."
Boss Nass continues along this new, Force embracing, wisened way. He represents the true, natural order as opposed to the beuraucratic Jedi Council. His flaw is that he's a little too resigned to fate as we meet him:
Boss Nass (more or less): "The droid ships have been here a long time. Their purpose is not what it seems, but it was already too late before they arrived. And the Naboo? They have spent all our good will. When they took our Kaiber Crystal, it was the final straw. You may go to them, if you wish Jedi. If Jar Jar owes you a life-debt, he may go with you. But you will not win. The end is near. The Gungan will face it with honor. Not with our head in the sand like the Naboo -- or the Jedi Council."
This reinforces the disturbance that Obi Wan and Qui Gonn repeatedly mention -- the rise of the Sith. When the Naboo finally reach out to Nass, he is already preparing his army to attack-- but he likes the Queen's gumption and agrees to team up with her. In the end, she gives him back the crystal and things seem to be on an upswing. He does not mention his doubts again -- in fact, he's done what it takes to save his planet from the Sith (as I don't believe the Sith ever mention attacking Naboo again, right?).
This makes the trip to Gungan city a foreshadowing device and a good set up for the Gungan massacre we plan in the third act.
Just thought I should post a little about what I'm thinking. More later...
- Time
- Post link
Also, looking at TJ's edit of your suggestions MTH, I know the lack of subtitles and a musical flow factor in, but the way things are looking it seems to me using the same sequencing as the original opening may be the better way to go, with appropriate alterations of course, but generally the same thing as TPM. That's just the way I'm leaning right now.
- Time
- Post link
CC, I'd have to disagree with your comments about TJ's clip. I don't think you're imagining what it's going to be as a finished project. You're only looking at the first layer and rushing to summary judgment, when there's still six more layers to be added on top of what's there. Not to mention that AFTER those six other layers are applied it's still only a first cut. Try to bear that in mind before throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Proof is coming, you've just gotta give it more time. This project is only into it's first week of serious progress.
Thanks,
--InfoDroid
P.S. - If you want things to be the same as they are in The Phantom Menace, I'm sure you have the DVD. Watch it.
- Time
- Post link
Try watching it with the sound off -- I think you'll get a better idea what's really there.
I'd say what doesn't work is more in the transitions (the appearance of the droids, the dramatic reveal of Nute) rather than the overall structure or execution.
Get those two beats to work and this opening has tons more excitement -- to me;-)
We'll see if we can't prove it. Of course, as you point out, there is always a fall-back. But let's carry the football for at least three downs before punting.
- Time
- Post link
This gets us from the droid ship to Naboo --
From Nute shouting for the Jedi's capture, we CUT TO:
Ext. Amidala's castle -- establishing
Int. Amidala's castle
Wide shot. Then panning wide as Palpatine speaks -- gets cut off. Amidala asks "What happened?" Cut before we pan to Tanaka--
Governor dialogue: "Communications block means-- ...Invasion!" (dialogue as is -- I'm too lazy to type it)
Wide shot -- Amidala: "The Federation wouldn't go that -- " (cut out Tanaka "checking the generator")
Cut to Tanaka standing as he finishes his next line (which we also cut) -- (Amidala finishes): "...far."
Tanaka turns as Amidala continues: "We must continue to rely on Negotiations."
Governor: "Negotiations? Etc. Where are the ambassadors?"
Cut to Amidala: "I will not condone a course that leads us to war!"
(This is a little more mature version of the scene without Tanaka's pointless interruptions and opinions).
CUT TO:
EXT. STARSHIP - establishing shot
Trick: f/x "flip" this shot so the droid ship is on Left with landing ships flying from it-- Musical sting. Only show for a second or two -- keep droid ship the focus, then cut --
INT. DROID LOADING HANGER
Qui Gonn and Obi Wan fly out of vent into hanger.
Jedi see droids loading. "We'll go with them."
"Negotiations were short."
CUT TO:
EXT. NABOO
Remaining portion of Droid loading ships flying in space -- toward planet (NOT reversed)
The Droid ships hit ground
EXT. LOADING SHIPS
Droids unload.
Droid Captain receives orders from Flunky and Nute:
"Destroy everything in your path. Cause as much destruction as possible. We will conquer this world as our own. The Republic has been a thorn in our side long enough...!"
EXT. FOREST
SF/X -- ADD SOUNDS OF BLASTERS AND EXPLOSIONS THROUGHOUT
First shot -- The Animals run from something we can't see (currently the third shot)
Second shot -- The Transports crash through the trees
Third shot -- From above, Qui Gonn runs ahead of the transports
Forth shot -- From ahead of the transport -- Qui Gonn runs toward camera
Fifth shot -- Close on Qui Gonn looking mad
Sixth shot -- Med shot of Jar Jar in the way
Seventh shot -- Close on Jar Jar panicking.
Eighth-Tenth shot -- Qui Gonn tackles Jar Jar (cut faster -- from behind Jar Jar/from behind Qui Gonn/back to Jar Jar's back as they hit the deck -- it's a tackle; they fall FAST)
Eleventh shot -- The Transport rides over them
Qui Gonn stands -- cut to a CFSS of Jar Jar standing to avoid the "flip up" and to shorten this shot. They turn to leave -- Cut away while the Transports are still near. LEAVE SOUNDS VERY LOUD -- TRANSPORTS ARE ALL AROUND.
- Time
- Post link
http://www.erikstormtrooper.com/ranchedit.html
You know of the rebellion against the Empire?
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
InfoDroid? TJ? Commander? Trooperman? Did the Ranch go on holiday?
- Time
- Post link
- Time
- Post link
I say let him be a surprise in ROTJ.
- Time
- Post link
One concern that I do have is the use of the name “Darth Grievous” throughout Episode I. I much prefer “Darth Maul”- it’s so much better aesthetically that it’d almost be worth it to me to just leave General Grievous as is in Episode III.
The only other concern I had was that the Nemoidian dialogue was great, until I heard one of them say, “Allah”. Even if I was the only one who heard it, it was kind of distracting (I understand why it slipped in, though). Could you remove it? And by the way, when it comes time to write the subtitles, I would very much like a chance to make suggestions/polish before finalization.
THANK YOU, whichever of you listed all that Christopher Lee dialogue. It’s very much appreciated. I’ve also seen Narnia- and I just jumped when Aslan made a terrifically ambiguous comment about the “prophecy”. This would fit right in.
I’m also very pleased that you’ve decided to go with my plan to title this film “Star Wars”. I’m not as happy about the omission of the prologue. Thinking back, I didn’t really care about having a LOTR style narrator and accompanying video. Even a series of blue sentences (in the same font as “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away) that fade in and out would be very nice. We could have eerie music- or just fade the very brief and succinctly worded cards in and out. Kind of like the beginning of “2010”. I just think we need something for the beginning of everything, telling us about a war between the Jedi and the Sith in which the Sith were completely wiped out. “But there were whispers ever afterwards that the Sith had survived…”. Fade to black. “STAR WARS” logo appears, with familiar music.
Perhaps this could be handled with seamless branching technology? A choice to watch it or not?
MTH in particular- GREAT conceptual ideas and great bits of script you’ve posted. I especially like the new Boss Nass. How intelligent and wise he is now! The only issue is the cartoonish imagery, which I suppose is cured by taking the eyes off of the picture and onto the subtitles.
“I've volunteered to do the editing on this project, as long as you guys (MTH and CC) take the responsibility of making this into your TPM dream-project. Going through the whole movie by committee is not going to work. But, if you guys (MTH and CC) can write the script and direct me where you want it go, and we can iron out any controversies as we go along, then I'm ready to start knocking this puppy out.”
This sounds great! I’ll continue to follow this thread- however, I’m not going to be able to give consistent feedback and ideas on this, as I don’t have a clear picture in my head of what Episode I should be like. It’s such a flawed film, but there are so many interesting ideas to fix it. I liked MF’s approach to Jar-Jar; cocky and arrogant. However, I also think that some charm and wit is in order for his character, along with some British or Australian type of subtitles. That’s my picture of Jar-Jar (and the alien voice certainly needs to sound more normal in pitch). As far as the imagery- I would REALLY think to yourself with every shot- how is the cinematography? Is this classic filmmaking? Are these good compositions? Are the colors ridiculous, does the CG look like a cartoon, and are the colors oversaturated? That’s one big issue I have with this movie, particularly with the end battle. I don’t think they could have made the imagery more phony. We need realistic and muted colors, better and more dramatic lighting, impact flashes and lighting fluctuations during the battle, etc.
I’m not sure how you’d feel about this, but perhaps when InfoDroid and whoever else is helping completes this movie, I could get hold of a copy before release and edit it to my own liking before it is released. Depending on how it is, these may be very small and subtle changes. Of course I don’t want to butcher any of InfoDroid’s work, or take away any of the credit or praise that is rightfully his for doing this film, but I really think the film might benefit if I was able to edit it based off of InfoDroid’s cut (and of course in keeping with everyone’s suggestions). I think it might also provide even more stylistic consistency throughout this new PT, if I was physically involved at the end like this. After I was done, InfoDroid would get a copy of the revised movie, and he could keep or lose any changes that he wanted before the release. There’s just something about actually sitting down and editing the film yourself that you can’t do through the forum suggestions or the script. Of course, this would mean three cuts for the archive: InfoDroid’s original cut, Trooperman’s revised cut, and InfoDroid’s revised cut. Only the revised cut would be put on DVD for the general public. Just an idea- maybe a desirable one and maybe not… I just realize that this project is a lot more difficult to produce than SOTDS because with the latter, I came in with a plan, and it was more geared towards making suggestions to an editor who already knew what direction he was going in, rather than a system where the creators, visionaries and the editors are two different entities. Granted, so many things in SOTDS were influenced by the likes of MTH, CC, InfoDroid, Twister, and so many others; but I guess the difference is that I already had the concept and the plan.
I can try to share with everyone the specifics of using the full-screen DVD for anamorphic widescreen shots, but it generally just involves an anamorphic math calculation, making the choice of what part of the full-screen frame you want, and sometimes, a bit of sharpening to counter the softness sometimes apparent using the method. I think the advantages in storytelling and cinematography far outweigh the technical issues.
“The best 20% can be preserved, and the rest will have to be dusted off and prettied up... And turned into a classic.”
YES- and this is the most important to me. I’ve realized that to some people, believability in the PT is a big thing. To some, it’s the storyline. To some, it’s the excitement of adding new scenes, or changing lines, or what have you. To me, it’s the overall aesthetics, the cinematography, and the music that is most important. When I’m editing, this is first and foremost on my mind. Occasionally, I will make a decision to keep a beat, or to cut something out, not because it makes a lot of sense, but because it is dramatically effective. There are many, many things in these prequels where people might ask, “Why did you change this? There was nothing wrong with the way it was before.” There may not have been anything wrong with it before, but why settle for mediocrity when you can make it breathtaking, exhilarating…classic?
I’m off on a tangent. I will try to comment on some more specifics later. I still don’t know how a dream will advance the story any. If anything, it would seem to be a break stylewise from SW, especially for a stand-alone movie like the original. Yes, I know it will be done in SOTDS and in Ep. III, but there is a very important purpose in these cases. I would still need to be convinced that this is important to the story.
I love the idea of the first Anakin/Padme scene being a haunting moment, with the force theme playing and no dialogue. I would not abuse this technique of using little to no dialogue in a scene, though; I think part of what makes it special is its contrast with everything else, which could be lost if it is overused.
Anyway, thanks very much for reading. I can’t believe the number of responses this thread has gotten in such a short time- why didn’t you guys do this for my thread?
Maybe because I sometimes don’t respond for days on end! (my fault). And a new “Ranch” website- wow! (I still think we can generate a better name). Anyway, with the new interest in this new fan-created SW saga, it doesn’t look like we’ll have trouble securing voice actors for whatever we may need (sinister, Ensligh speaking battle droids, perhaps- to cut down on subtitles, Jar-Jar, maybe even someone’s son to dub Anakin? That’s certainly pushing it). Until later!
-TM
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
- Time
- Post link
And for the rest of you: Sorry for the lack of posts lately guys, but we've been hard at work on this project and I can tell you, it IS progressing nicely. The main group has been conversing through AIM to get all the details ironed out. We'll let you know when we have something to show you.
Thanks! Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
--InfoDroid
- Time
- Post link
Originally posted by: Trooperman
The only other concern I had was that the Nemoidian dialogue was great, until I heard one of them say, “Allah”. Even if I was the only one who heard it, it was kind of distracting (I understand why it slipped in, though). Could you remove it?
The only other concern I had was that the Nemoidian dialogue was great, until I heard one of them say, “Allah”. Even if I was the only one who heard it, it was kind of distracting (I understand why it slipped in, though). Could you remove it?
I noticed this too. I also noticed a few instances where they also used the word messiah or 'meshiach' if you want to get technical. Rather distracting.
- Time
- Post link
Maybe you'd prefer "Wee wood nevva do anneeting wiff-out dee approovle of dee sennat..."?
I don't know if "Allah" was in there. I do know "Meshiacha" was. Along with "Yeshua Nazareth".
But, I mean, really. What can I do? Short of inventing a language and re-recording it. Which I may have to do. We'll see.
The question is, if you didn't know it was from "The Passion" would we really be having this discussion?
- Time
- Post link
By the way, these script revisions are fantastic, you guys are doing a great job shaping this movie up. I'm also with Trooperman on possibly keeping "Darth Maul" as opposed to "Darth Grevious". And the jourey said.........
- Time
- Post link
I'm matching the words to the mouth movements, and I'm trying to match the right cadence and tone of voice for what he's saying. If I further filter it for words that someone may or may not recognize, I'm left with even less material to work with.
So, I have two problems: 1) I have a limited number of phrases to play with, and 2) Most of those phrases probably contain SOMETHING that someone might recognize. Whether it be "Meshiacha" or "Yeshua Nazareth" or... "Allah".
The other thing is the lack of proper nouns issue. Like "Amidala", "Jedi", etc. It's gonna be the same problems when I go to dub Jar-Jar.
You're right, darthpreston, when you say we shouldn't ignore something that potentially distracts from the authenticity of the experience. You're right for pointing it out, as well as Sluggo, and of course Trooperman. It's just frustrating because there's a tendency to over-analyze everything on these boards and to expect the impossible. Sometimes you guys just seem unpleasable.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all about "getting it right". I mean, we can analyze and discuss things, and then we can over-analyze them into oblivion until the idea just doesn't exist anymore.
I'm not saying you guys in particular are doing that now. But so far every clip I've posted has been torn to shreds. Which is fine since they were test clips, but when it comes to serious work on the movie, I'm afraid the same thing is going to happen. But I guess, that's what pushes us to do better... To go beyond what we'd normally settle for.
When I decided to do this, I really didn't even fathom the language being a problem since no one I know speaks ancient Aramaic or ancient Hebrew. With the exception of some unknown tribal island language, that's about as obscure as it gets. But, evidently, I was wrong. Maybe I didn't take the Passion's popularity into enough account.
In any case, I'm thankful for your feedback. Because of this, I'm now considering just recording some totally original material and seeing how it works. Suggestions?