Hey- I resemble that remark
No, I'll have you know that Episode III will probably take a good deal less time than SOTDS. I already have the system worked out, and on top of that, I was much more impressed with the colors and the cinematography for ROTS. General Grievous and the whole Upatu thing is what needs a major overhaul. But I think Lucas actually hit the nail on the head with the Palpatine/Anakin scenes- before Palpatine becomes disfigured. This scene and some of the ones that follow it are incredibly ridiculous. Some of the ways are very difficult or impossible to fix, such as Palptine's distorted voice and his awful makeup. But there is less to do on ROTS, and I already have the system and the universe/objectives set up.
Also, the scene where Anakin persuades Padme to leave Naboo has been dubbed, along with the Naboo picnic scene. I have gotten to a point where I am now very happy with the picnic scene. Here was the big change:
Anakin: ...agree what's in the best interest of all the people, and then do it.
Padme: The problem is... people don't agree.
Anakin: Perhaps they could be made to (read playfully)
Padme: By who? Who's gonna make them?
Anakin: I don't know. (CUT) Someone smart. (smiling).
Padme: You?
Anakin smiles. Quick cut to Padme, then back to Anakin, who grins.
Padme: You're making fun of me!
Anakin laughs and looks down as music crescendos...and CUT to Padme running through the grass. I won't reveal any more of the sequence, but know that I have cropped out the giant CG ticks! It's really a great scene now- the second part really reminds me of "The Sound of Music".
I'm glad that the Lawrence of Arabia footage seems to be working out for the Clone War. I'm checking out the other movies you guys suggested. Thank you all for your feedback! Yes, dubbing Anakin is a highlight of this movie and the next one- it's actually the original reason that I began the project. No other Star Wars editor has ever redubbed an English speaking character in English again for better delivery, especially one as critical as Anakin. Yet I think that this dubbing is so important because Anakin is the main character of the trilogy. I frankly think Hayden not only completely botched the role for Ep. II, but he wasn't the right actor to play it. Side-by-side comparisons of the new dubs and the originals reveal a ridiculous improvement in the effect of each scene, even when the dialogue matches up exactly, word for word. I think that it's this that will surprise people the most; it's a way of seeing Anakin that nobody's ever had before.
And thank you for that trailer, Sluggo! That's a great fan-made trailer; obviously I can't use any of those shots, but I wish the film had turned out that way nonetheless. I also want to thank Erikstormtrooper so much for uploading my FAQ. I thought perhaps that would clear up some common confusion about this movie.
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I just have one problem right now, having lined all of the scenes in the movie in order for further editing: I cannot stand the bedroom scene. Portman's acting is weak, the style of shooting is weak, the conversation is weak, and I just think that this scene is a waste of time. I know that MTH was pushing for it, but I'm dying to remove this scene. Could you either OK this, or explain to me better how the benefits of this scene outweigh the losses? When viewing it in sequence, it just brings down the whole movie for me.
Oh, just a couple more things...
Your desaturation techniques seem effective to a point; my only concern is the flesh tone of characters ending up gray or blue.
Exactly- I want to keep the flesh tones. If you're referring to the dream shot, however, this gray/green lifeless effect was intentional.
Regarding the tone poems: I did notice that I wasn't able to separate the music from the dialogue. I put it aside and hoped that someone else could find a separation technique. However, a quick listen reveals that in Shmi's tone poem, the music is not very prominent and is pretty much completely inaudible when used in this dream. Between the slight reverberation of Shmi's voice, the faint Tusken grunts, and the very agressive new Sibelius dream music, the fact that there is other music attached to the dialogue seems easily hidden and thus irrelevant.
-TM
P.S.: SHROUD OF THE DARK SIDE comes out Summer of 2006, along with Episode I. Stay tuned
