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***//BUILDING EMPIRE\\: PAL & NTSC DVD - NEW EDITION NOW ONLINE! *** — Page 27

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Take it as a sign of respect, Jambe. For lesser quality products we don't care as much.
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This just popped up on news.google.com's newswire:

http://www.macobserver.com/article/2006/05/12.9.shtml

TMO Reports - Macs Used to Create Empire Strikes Back Fan Documentary

by Brad Cook, 2:00 PM EDT, May 12th, 2006

When he rediscovered the original Star Wars trilogy years ago, Jambe Davdar recalled that The Empire Strikes Back immediately struck him as his favorite because "it seemed so much more than the other two." Later, he went on to be a freelancer in the U.K. TV industry, and his discovery of Deleted Magic, a fan-created documentary that digs into the making of the first Star Wars movie (also known as A New Hope), inspired him to make one of his own.

Mr. Davdar employed a Dual 1GHz Power Mac G4 equipped with over 500GB of storage to make a DVD called Building Empire. Like Deleted Magic, which was also made with a Mac, he set out to chronicle the making of the movie by incorporating archival materials -- behind-the-scenes footage, old interviews and laserdisc and DVD commentary tracks, and rare photos -- into the film itself. The extras on the disc include restored music sequences, the audio of the original radio drama and "story of" album, and even an alternate version of the crawl that was described in an early draft of the script.

To assemble the project, Mr. Davdar employed Final Cut Pro HD 4.5, DVD Studio Pro 3, Miraizon Cinematize, and "a number of freeware programs where necessary." He also used A.Pack, an audio encoding utility included with DVD Studio Pro. He said that he had been a PC user until 2002, when he realized that he had been spending "more time fixing [PCs] and altering them than I did using them." That's when he made the switch to Mac, noting: "I just loved the contrast between Windows and OSX. Everything just seemed to flow so much better."

He explained that he set out to create Building Empire because of his dissatisfaction with the VHS and DVD versions of the movies. "Each successive one seemed to ignore what fans really wanted to see," he said. "I for one wanted to see more behind the scenes footage and more anecdotes and facts from the making of the films." He found many like-minded people at the forums on the Web site originaltrilogy.com, where Deleted Magic creator Garrett Gilchrist is a regular contributor.

Mr. Davdar noted that response on originaltrilogy.com "has been very positive." He added: "To my knowledge nobody of an 'official capacity' has seen Building Empire yet. The copyright issue does concern me slightly, but as I say on the DVD and on the forum, I have never and will never accept any money for this project. It was done purely out of a genuine affection of the films."

Anyone who wants their own copy of it should visit myspleen.com, where Mr. Davdar said that a third party has uploaded it. "So far it's been 'snatched' nearly 1,000 times," he said. "A figure that I find absolutely amazing!"

He's currently at work on Returning to Jedi, a documentary that will explore Return of the Jedi in the same vein. This week, he posted a trailer for it on his blog.
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Cool! Another one of my pals get famous. Maybe me someday...
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For those interested in an NTSC version, I'll be having to do it shortly.

Because I'm now in HD-DVD land, i'm not keeping a player around to play a couple of discs so I'm going to have to convert any of the PAL discs.

If anyone is interested, please let me know.
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Originally posted by: digitalfreaknyc
For those interested in an NTSC version, I'll be having to do it shortly.

Because I'm now in HD-DVD land, i'm not keeping a player around to play a couple of discs so I'm going to have to convert any of the PAL discs.

If anyone is interested, please let me know.


Yes this would be very cool.

I love everybody. Lets all smoke some reefer and chill. Hug and kisses for everybody.

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ditto.

even though i own a PAL copy, an NTSC version would be much easier to distribute freely amongst my friends.
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WOW. Just finished watching this and I have to say another fine job by another fan. Thanks Jambe Davdar for making this jem and thanks to Rikter for putting it up. Alot of stuff I had not seen here.

“Good… Bad… I’m the guy with the gun.”

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I finally got to see this recently. Great work, Jambe - I really wondered how someone could pull something together for ESB considering the lack of material, but I guess there isn't a lack of material at all. Thanks for identifying the potato. I love the alternate crawl - really intriguing since it would have been a break from everything that came after. I love the use of editing to create humor. I really can't wait for Returning To Jedi. The only point of criticism I would have is that it did occassionally seem like there were certain scenes with long periods of just plain movie in there - I know there's not a lot of ESB alternate footage, but I'm sure more random facts - or just plain commentary - could have been crammed in. This is a very minor issue, though. Even that said, this and Deleted Magic are probably my favorite fan-created projects so far; although the Deleted Magic comparison is probably getting tired, to me, they are equal for different reasons. Still, it would be interesting to see you go back and do SW...

Here's a random question - what sound mix would ESB have if it were broadcast on HBO in 1985 or so? That's the version I grew up with.
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"Ah, the proverbial sad sack with a wasted wish."
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Originally posted by: andy_k_250
... The only point of criticism I would have is that it did occassionally seem like there were certain scenes with long periods of just plain movie in there ... Still, it would be interesting to see you go back and do SW...

Here's a random question - what sound mix would ESB have if it were broadcast on HBO in 1985 or so? That's the version I grew up with.


Thanks Andy, I'm glad you liked it.

I totally understand your criticism. I did struggle towards the end to get something on each scene. But I was reluctant to put just any old thing in there for the sake of it.

Maybe I will go back to Star Wars one day. 'Returning to Jedi' and my 'Other Project' are eating up lots of time at the moment.

I guess HBO would have 35mm 1980 mix. Ocp might be able to confirm that. Is he back with us yet?

Thanks
JD

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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He's back, but he told me he is sticking to Forum 11 (non-SW fan edits).

Is that a rare mix by any means? I have a copy of the tape that has not been played many times.
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Super Mario Bros. - The Wicked Star Story
"Ah, the proverbial sad sack with a wasted wish."
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Originally posted by: andy_k_250


Is that a rare mix by any means? I have a copy of the tape that has not been played many times.


I don't think it's rare. In 'Building Empire' I simply stuck to looking at the major changes across each audio version. In some instances I didn't mention a change simply because there was no room to do so. E.g 3PO's "This is suicide" line.

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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I saw deleted magic and loved it. ONLY a fan could show this love for a movie.

I havent seen Building Empire yet, I just PMed trying to get a copy

I am so looking forward to seeing it.

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You best bet is to head over to myspleen.net and download it.

To fall in line with the new forum rules, I will soon be uploading a full list of the sources used for 'Building Empire'. I encourage all of you to take a look at it.

JD

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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Please put me down as one who's very much interested in an NTSC version of Building Empire. I got to see it for the first time this weekend and it was brilliant! I enjoyed it a lot and would love to be able to play it on my NTSC only DVD player. I'm too cheap to pay $40 for a DVD player for one movie. But if there were no other option, I might seriously consider it. But thanks for considering doing this version, I know I won't be the only one who'd appreciate it.
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Originally posted by: DarthPrince
I saw deleted magic and loved it. ONLY a fan could show this love for a movie.

I havent seen Building Empire yet, I just PMed trying to get a copy

I am so looking forward to seeing it.


Turn on your pm's. Also, I sent you an email. Did you get it?

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Super Mario Bros. - The Wicked Star Story
"Ah, the proverbial sad sack with a wasted wish."
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Originally posted by: sunday256
Please put me down as one who's very much interested in an NTSC version of Building Empire. I got to see it for the first time this weekend and it was brilliant! I enjoyed it a lot and would love to be able to play it on my NTSC only DVD player. I'm too cheap to pay $40 for a DVD player for one movie. But if there were no other option, I might seriously consider it. But thanks for considering doing this version, I know I won't be the only one who'd appreciate it.


Did I say I was doing an NTSC version??! I'm sorry, but I don't have time to do that at the moment.

JD

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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Too right !!!

Anyone who expects you to spend hours converting to NTSC just to save them $40 deserves not to see it.

P.S. Thanks for the dvd, loved every minute of it.
Everyone, there's a possible method of making a PAL dvd play NTSC here. Though obviously it doesn't work for all players, you'll just have to suck it and see.
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Actually, at least 2 people have said they are working on NTSC versions.
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Originally posted by: ColinK
Too right !!!

Anyone who expects you to spend hours converting to NTSC just to save them $40 deserves not to see it.


Well, that's a little harsh. But I know what you mean. It would be quite a job to do it. Particularly when I have so much else happening!

Thanks for you interest.

JD

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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I made an NTSC version of the BE movie but don't have the right software to cram it and the extras on to a disc, just the movie itself. I've not given it to anyone, just made it so I could watch it on my TV. Jambe, how would you feel about the movie without extras going out into the world? I'm happy to pass it on here and there if you're OK with it, or keep it out of circulation if you feel that it's not your proper 'vision' without the extras.
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I am happy for people to do most things as long as they don't sell it.

Any alternations, even conversion to NTSC should be mentioned clearly though.

E.g "Jambe Davdar's 'Building Empire' main feature converted to NTSC by ....."

Thanks
JD

Creator of Star Wars Begins, Building Empire and Returning to Jedi
Follow me on twitter @jamieSWB. Please support me at - http://www.patreon.com/jamiebenning/

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I don't think anyone should have to pay $40 to buy a new DVD player to watch one film. That's a bit ridiculous I think, but at the same time it's also ridiculous to expect someone to convert a film from PAL to NTSC just for their sakes.

Me personally, I'd love to see an NTSC version of BE. Do I expect it? No, but would I like it...by all means. So if anyone's able and willing to convert and spend the time, your work will not go unappreciated I'm sure of that.

Anyway, extras or no extras I'd be totally happy with either version.
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Originally posted by: sunday256
I don't think anyone should have to pay $40 to buy a new DVD player to watch one film. That's a bit ridiculous I think, but at the same time it's also ridiculous to expect someone to convert a film from PAL to NTSC just for their sakes.

Me personally, I'd love to see an NTSC version of BE. Do I expect it? No, but would I like it...by all means. So if anyone's able and willing to convert and spend the time, your work will not go unappreciated I'm sure of that.

Anyway, extras or no extras I'd be totally happy with either version.


Thank you.

I just got rid of my region-free player and I'm never buying another one again. I'm in the midst of converting all my PAL titles. In the end, it'll be worth it.

Building Empire will be done eventually. I'll let those know who are interested when I'm done.
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Originally posted by: digitalfreaknyc
I just got rid of my region-free player and I'm never buying another one again. I'm in the midst of converting all my PAL titles. In the end, it'll be worth it.



Why did you get rid of a region-free player? And why wouldn't you want to buy one ever again?

F Scale score - 3.3333333333333335

You are disciplined but tolerant; a true American.

Pissing off Rob since August 2007.
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Originally posted by: Jambe Davdar
I am happy for people to do most things as long as they don't sell it.

Any alternations, even conversion to NTSC should be mentioned clearly though.

E.g "Jambe Davdar's 'Building Empire' main feature converted to NTSC by ....."

Thanks
JD


OK, with that said--since people are interested in an NTSC version and Jambe's OK with my transfer getting out there, here's the scoop:
I really, really, REALLY don't have the time to physically distribute/trade/etc. with people, nor do I have the technical knowledge/bandwidth/time to make and/or host a torrent of it. If someone out there has the ability/willingness/committment to somehow pass it on to other people, via torrent or whatever, PM me. Whomever seems most sincere, I'll mail you a DVDR of the NTSC version and from there on in, it's your responsibility to look out for your fellow man/woman/rodent.