Can I get in on this battleplan too, since I'm a little bit involved?
Sure. Sorry to leave you out! I have PM'd six of you with my notes. Please comment on anything you see, anything you are reminded of when viewing, and anything that you don't like. Keep in mind that there may be some old ideas on there that I have not changed or wiped out yet. Darthpreston, if you turn on your PM's, I can send you the link too.
I had to set the brightness on my monitor all the way up to just barely be able to make out that scene and I still couldn't really tell what was going on. Could you upload a brighter version of that clip please?
I'm sorry about that- if I get to a DSL computer soon, I'll try to upload a brighter version.
1. I'd like the worm shots to reverse -- so the order goes from bad to worse -- the moving worms on Padme's arms are not biting, so I'd show them first, THEN cut to the biting worm.
2. I think there are three beats that take too long -- 1. Anakin crossing the room, I'd cut on movement so he only spins his blade once to get from the door to the worms. Currently it spins twice before he's there. 2. I'd cut the "smoking" worm carcass shot so we don't hold on that so long and get Padme to wake up quicker. She takes too long now and it bothers me (maybe no one else, but me). 3. Obi Wan takes too many steps before going out the window -- he should see the droid, take one step and LEAP!! That'll shorten the shot of Anakin with Obi Wan in the background.
Great advice as usual! I have reversed the worm shots, and it looks far more natural. I don't know why I made that mistake to begin with. Now, out of your other suggestions... I like the one about omitting the shot of the carcasses. It's a mistake I missed (the fact that bugs are crawling around on Padme and she gets a lightsaber in her face and she still doesn't wake up immediately. Heavy sleeper!). As for number 1...I think you didn't realize it (because I didn't dub in the sound effect yet) but on the second swing you refer to, Anakin actually gets one of the worms. On the third swing, he gets the second one. And this has never bothered me pacing-wise. It's kind of the same thing with Obi-Wan's run to the window- I like the shots as I've cut it because we have the close-up of Obi-Wan directly followed by his run. I like the longer run because it seems more like a real stunt to me. Also, if we make the sequence too short, I don't have as much time to make a musical statement. I guess it just comes down to....nothing really bothers me now besides the smoking carcasses shot.
I like the concept of the Ceti Alpha V Eel
You guessed it!
Good music too, I don't recall it from Raiders exactly
That's because it was never in Raiders in that form. I cut it and transposed a section to a different key, and then synchronized it with the Star Wars scene. So this is the only place you'll hear that music in that particular form.
Can we get a clip of the new dream sequence, Trooperman? I'm working on one now as a test for Episode I, but in the end, of course, I'd want it to match up with yours.
I didn't really want to release a video clip (until maybe the trailer), as this is one of the editorial highlights of SOTDS. Also, I still need to revisit it and do a bit more work on it. I need some good sound effects of a female screaming, and then I'll have to mix that in with the tusken raiders, along with the thumping of the gaffi sticks. Generally, the style completely sets it apart from the rest of the movie (intentionally). In general, scary imagery and very stark colors. Lots of crossfading, although I have a very specific different style for Episode III, the dream where Anakin and the audience get a glimpse of Anakin's future. His face changes, he gets uglier and uglier... but I don't want to ruin it.
Thanks for the breaking glass sound, Twister. I think I'm going for something that sound "bigger" than that, though. I'll keep searching, though...
Hi, jra166! Thanks for the kind words! If I was going to keep "I miss you...so much", it would of course be dubbed over and therefore bereft of the whininess Hayden incorporated so well. However, just taking a look at this shot, his actual face in the shot is not good at all. And yes, "I won't fail you again" is a much more powerful line. I'll end on this- thanks for the suggestion!
I just noticed this bit -- I wanted to end on the close up of Padme too -- I don't think we need to see Lars say the line "she's dead son, accept it" at all -- it looks bad and Padme's reaction is so ON and perfect for us to see AS we hear that line -- but time it so the close up lasts longer than just the dialogue, for sure. I just think the shot is actually weird coming completely after the dialogue is over -- as if it didn't bother her until we cut over to look at her.
Good idea.
Long live Trooperman!
Thank you. You fellows are great. I'm sorry I haven't been contributing to this or the "Ranch" thread- I've just been very busy and I have an erratic schedule that does not guarantee me time to use this forum. You have my notes now, though, so hopefully interest will be rekindled.
Thank you all!
-TM