Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Edit Suggestions — Page 21

topdawg193 said:

Musicman - I had that exact cut in mind, also.

I agree with you, jones1899, that there is far too much exposition, and feel that we don't need the 'what if's, or the musings about Oxley at this point; transitioning from 'what is this thing?' to Indy and Mutt going up the steps would be seamless.

Remember, with the whole 'return' business, in regards to the word 'return' being written all over Ox's cell and the realisation that Oxley left clues in the note to find the skull, I think it's safe to assume that the audience would be able to grasp that Oxley was the one who both found and then later returned the skull (we are even reminded of this in the following scene with Indy and Spalko in the tent; 'now I know why Oxley put the skull back - he knew you were looking for it').

It's good to hear that you're tackling this head on, jones1899 - on the topic of needless-exposition, what are your thoughts on other areas of the movie which you think ought to be trimmed down, dialogue wise? I think this removing-of-pointless-explanations is possibly the best way to tighten up the film, and give it some velocity in terms of pacing.

Thanks topdawg. I think this was the biggest cut as far as exposition goes, but I've made a few others as well. In the sand/obelisk puzzle scene I took out the "you figured this out in your cell didn't you professor?" Just really unnatural. And with that line gone and a few changes to the order of the shots, it looks like Indy was more so the one to figure it all out. There are plenty enough clues there for Indy to figure it out.

I took out Spalko saying "what is the point of all this Dr. Jones" in the warehouse and I'm toying with taking out Indy's response. He JUST said it the box was highly magnetic and it works better if he just doesn't offer a reply and lets the magic gunpowder do the talking. Again, still playing with this one.

Beyond that, I cut Ox's Henry Jones Jr! line just before the jungle chase.  In fact, I cut a lot of Ox. Now it really does seem like he's just a tool (not like that) and that the skull messed him up pretty bad. He's not the "funny' messed up like they were going for. Now when he returns to normal it works much better since we haven't heard him talk much. I HATED Ox in the original. 

On a seperate note, I also cut way back on the alien content - not that I had a problem REALLY with aliens being in an Indy movie, just the way it was handled. So you don't see exactly whats in the box in the warehouse until the jungle tent scene and even then its always behind the cloth. I'm going to fool with the color in the climax to keep the full alien figure a bit more of a mystery (and yes I cut the mean alien face looking at Spalko - really Steven...?)

I have to say this is all coming along nicely. Well, for me it is. I'm far from an expert. But until I get that audio figured out, it's kinda at a stand still. I just can not get 6 tracks of audio or some reason. I really want to add more original trilogy music too. Not TOO much, but in key places. 

jones1899 said:

topdawg193 said:

Musicman - I had that exact cut in mind, also.

I agree with you, jones1899, that there is far too much exposition, and feel that we don't need the 'what if's, or the musings about Oxley at this point; transitioning from 'what is this thing?' to Indy and Mutt going up the steps would be seamless.

Remember, with the whole 'return' business, in regards to the word 'return' being written all over Ox's cell and the realisation that Oxley left clues in the note to find the skull, I think it's safe to assume that the audience would be able to grasp that Oxley was the one who both found and then later returned the skull (we are even reminded of this in the following scene with Indy and Spalko in the tent; 'now I know why Oxley put the skull back - he knew you were looking for it').

It's good to hear that you're tackling this head on, jones1899 - on the topic of needless-exposition, what are your thoughts on other areas of the movie which you think ought to be trimmed down, dialogue wise? I think this removing-of-pointless-explanations is possibly the best way to tighten up the film, and give it some velocity in terms of pacing.

 

Beyond that, I cut Ox's Henry Jones Jr! line just before the jungle chase.  In fact, I cut a lot of Ox. Now it really does seem like he's just a tool (not like that) and that the skull messed him up pretty bad. He's not the "funny' messed up like they were going for. Now when he returns to normal it works much better since we haven't heard him talk much. I HATED Ox in the original. 

Hm.  He didn't strike me as funny that often--and I didn't feel like they were trying to make him funny.  The dancing at the camp for instance, I didn't get a vibe of "Wow, what a crappy attempt at humor."  I got a vibe of, "Whoa, what's wrong with him?"

I can see how a silent messed up could be really effective too, though, and it's your edit, so do what you will.

Musicman, that's odd we had such a different take on Ox. Looking at the "help" gag in the quick sand scene, the dancing, etc. He seemed to me like a goofy attempt at Lucas humor. 

Either way, I think it works better with less Ox. 

Laser, I'd be happy to post some of my edits up. Of course... like many other things... I have no idea how. :) Give me a quick tutorial and I'd be glad to. Also, I have no audio in these. Any help on the audio thing? Or are you talking about doing the audio based somewhat on my video edits? Either way let me know. I'm anxious to see my edits with audio.

Yeah. The Darabount script was pretty good. For the most part it felt less goofy than KOTCS with a few exceptions (Ox acting like a odg and biting through Indy's ropes...really? Indy getting swallowed by a giant snake... Really Frank?) But the biplane scene would have been classic and I think the Indy/Marion dialog sparring was better handled as well. I edited a bit of that in my KOTCS edit BTW. 

So, anyway, can ANYONE help me with this audio problem? I still can't seem to get 6 audio tracks from the DVD. As soon as I do I'll be able to finish my edit.

Thanks.

Heks. Not sure of the version. I'll have to check when I get home. So if Premiere does do this for me, will I have to restart? Any idea how to get the tracks now? And just to be clear (since I don't know much about this) this will seperate the dialog from the score from the effects, etc right?

Thanks

Indy is my childhood hero and I consider Raiders to be the best movie ever made.

Crystal skull was like the Mummy meets the Phantom Menace.  I tried my best to change that and reclaim the feeling of the original trilogy. I cut back on the goofiness, CG, and slow repetitive exposition. I feel like there may be a decent movie in here somewhere.

I have the video as complete as I can get it without having the 6 audio tracks to edit the audio.  As soon as I get that going I will finish this bad boy up.

This is of course my first edit, so thanks for all of the help so far. 

1.       First of all, I did some color correction on the film as a whole. MUCH less green tint to everything and less bloom lighting. IOW, doesn’t look like a Barbara Walters interview anymore. Actually looks like the OT.

2.       Also, though I haven’t done the audio yet, I plan on using a BIT more music from the OT. We need that familiarity, but I still want to keep as much of the new stuff as possible.  More details coming.

3.       Laserschwert did a great job at removing the prairiedog from the opening. I will use his edit with his permission.

4.       Cut some of the awkward opening dialog when Indy meets Spalko for the first time. No use getting the move off to an awkward start.

5.       Magnetic gunpowder – I cut down on the amount of magic CGI gunpowder we see floating around the warehouse. Now Indy throws it, we see it drift in a certain direction (clear enough to follow), then we cut right to the group walking down the isle.

6.       Cut Spalko asking what the point of this was. Seriously Spalko? You Indy JUST explained it to you.  Now she just says don’t toy with me Dr. Jones. Works much better.

7.       Cut the peek at the alien. We see the container opening. We see its some sort of shape, but not EXACLTY what it is that’s in there.

8.       Toying with the “damn I thought that was closer” line. Trying to overlap it so that he says the last few words of the sentence AS we see the soldier get knocked out of the truck.

9.       Minor fix makes Indy’s jeep burst through the crates more suddenly so that the group of soldiers don’t appear to be just standing there waiting on it.

10.   Increase volume of soldiers screaming as they get torched by the rocket sled.

11.   Cut the prairie dogs from the rocket sled sequence.

12.   Cut Indy saying “Fine then don’t wait for me” as he attempts to catch the soldiers’ fleeing car on foot in doomtown.

13.   Cut some of the fridge bouncing to TRY to make it a BIT more believable that he could survive the trip in the fridge. (I know I know, but I at least tried)

14.   Trying to increase the time it takes for Indy to open the fridge door. So it APPEARS that he is pretty messed up in there.

15.   Bye bye prairie dog.

16.   Laser also did a great photo swap on the pictures of Henry Sr. and Marcus so I will ise this as well with his permission.

17.   In the sanitarium, I cut the second shot of the weird inmate reaching for Mutt. One was enough and the guy looks too much like Sean Patrick Flannery.

18.   I think it was Marion who added gunfire to Indy’s pistol in the cemetery fight scene. I will use this with permission.

19.   Also, I’m cutting back on the acrobatics of the fight to give it all more immediacy and brutality if possible.

20.   Cutting the silly noises the little guys make also. Especially when Indy blows the dart back into the baddy’s throat.

21.   Cut the “what ifs” given by Indy and Mutt after they find the skull. Now the scene ends with Indy asking “What IS this thing?” Then we see the two emerge from the tomb and run into Mac and Dovchenko.

22.   Cut any and all clear and direct shots of the alien corpses. Now they are only seen behind the cloth. Cut a bit of the repetitive dialog here as well so it moves a bit more quickly.

23.   Cut OX’s STUPID dancing by the fire and twirling the cane shit. Now they push him into the tent seemingly into Indy who grabs Ox by the wrist to tell him who he is. We do still here Ox babbling so Indy can tell the dude is messed up.

24.   Cut the AWKWARD Indy head spasms as he get hypnotized by the skull.

25.   Cut Ox saying three times it drops (since it does not in fact drop three times now.)

26.   Cut the “or have you retired from Marion’s “you still leaving a trail of wreckage…” to Indy. Just works better.

27.   Cut Indy saying good when Spalko figures out one of the ideograms. Why the F is he complimenting her?!

28.   Cut the science lesson from Indy in the quicksand.

29.   Now Indy tells Ox to HELP instead of GO GET HELP (from who exactly Indy?) Now when Ox runs off its kinda funny. AND when he returns with the commies it’s funny too.

30.   Cut Indy insisting Mutt and Marion call the snake a rope.

31.   Cut Indy’s pants ripping and Mutt saying Oh shit in the truck.

32.   Cut one of Mutt’s kicks to Dovchenko. So Indy plays more of a role knocking him out.

33.   Cut Ox saying Henry Jones JR! before the jungle chase. Idiot.

34.   Cut “HI MAC! “ So that now Indy just punches Mac.  

35.   Cut Marion getting hit by the branches while driving AND Mutt getting hit in the crotch by the plants.

36.   Cut the number of Spalko kicks it takes to knock Mutt back.

37.   Mutt sees only one monkey now.

38.   Increased immediacy of Indy’s jeep on the edge of cliff and Spalko threatening him and Mutt spying the chase from the trees. Flows much better now.

39.   Cut monkeys attacking Spalko

40.   Cut Mutt’s Woa. Now just Indy says it.

41.   Cut the truck landing in the tree bit. Now it just goes right into the water. They climb back in. Rapids take them over the falls. They all fall out. Crawl to shore.

42.   Cut Marion laughing with the steering wheel.

43.   Now Mutt says they have to go through waterfall Skull and we cut away with Indy looking at the crying skull.

44.   Reorganized the obelisk puzzle so that Indy now appears to be the one to figure it out. I did this by rearranging the order in which things happen. It works well I think. Indy follows Ox as he searches for the right face block, Indy sees sand pour from skull. Ox puts sand into Indy’s hand from the ground. Tells him a clue. Indy goes off to get big rock. Mac pushes Ox aside. Indy knocks face block. We see sand pour out then Indy and Mutt watch as the center column lowers. Then everyone jumps in to help.

45.   Cut the awkward double shot of the gang falling/jumping from the stairs booby trap. Now they just fall once. Sloppy editing Steve.

46.   Now we finally see an alien, but JUST BARELY for all of the light and flashes. Fooled with color here as well to accomplish this.  AND cut the pouting angry alien looking close at Spalko.

47.   Shaved a bit off of Spalko’s death so we are more so left with the image of her eyes burning and less with the CGI Spalko dust.

48.   Cut some off of Indy helping Mac. No more of Mac saying “it’s alright” or whatever. Now Indy holds tight to the whip, there’s a quake and Mac breaks free.

49.   Made the water bit more immediate also. Now the water appears right at their feet, hits em quick and fires them upward. Less of the fun WEEEE!!! Feeling.

50.   Cut the second time Indy says knowledge was their treasure. We get it.

51. Cut SOME of the UFO. Now it leaves a bit more to the imagination.

Still would like to replace Part Time and Not as easy as it used to be lines with those from the trailer. 

Also, I love that they are overlooking the Nazca lines, so I'm trying to color correct this so it is more obvious. Wouls also like to hold on the nazca lines a few seconds longer to set the mood. 

Anything else I think of that I changed I will add here. This is the bulk of it though. 

Can't wait Jones1899.

Laser, you mentioned a LONG time ago that you were trying to make the Spalko death scene more gruesome. Any ideas on this? Also I forgot about an idea I had a while ago about the scene where Indy is trying to save Mac. I was thinking that we could have Indy reach for his whip, but then see the quake shake the treasure room, which knocks Indy back on his ass and sends Mac flying. In other words, Indy never even gets a chance to toss the whip to Mac. Not sure if this will work, I'll try it out though. It just always thought the effects in that scene were poor and I hated Macs dialog (which i did cut in my first edit of this scene.) 

Still haven't tried using Premiere for the audio, but Infodroid did recommend a free program that just might help. I'll try it out as soon as I can. 

Yeah. The thing with the quicksand lesson is if it appeared in a movie like Raiders or Temple of Doom I wouldn't really have a problem with it. But KOTCS has such a lighthearted tone overall with no real sense of peril, I needed to take some drastic action. Thats not to say I'm cutting every last attempt at humor though. The quicksand scene still has the Ox "help" laugh and the snake and Indy's reaction to hearing he has a son.

Glad you like the rest of the ideas. Let me know if I've missed anything. 

Laserschwert said:

jones1899 said:

Laser, you mentioned a LONG time ago that you were trying to make the Spalko death scene more gruesome. Any ideas on this?

Well, I thought making it more gory would help, but that would require a completely new CGI-scene... I'm not sure if or when I find enough time to do that.

Yeah I can't imagine how much work that would be. 

My only idea in helping this scene out is to end it on her eyes burning up, but I feel like it needs an ending, a payoff. Maybe if I use some color correction tricks to go to a white flash or soemthing? I just don't like her turning into CG dust and floating upwards. Any ideas on this?

Haha. Yeah TMBTM, I'll get right on that. Now... what's morphing? lol

I wish I had the tech knowledge to provide a bigger payoff. Plus, I'd really like if that payoff was more focused on her head considering whats happening in the scene... 

Tough one.

I think Spalko's face should melt as a nod to Raiders. :)

Wow. Of all the terrible things I've thought about this movie, not once did it occur to me that Spalko wasn't really all that mean of a bad guy!! I mean sure I realized the complete and total lack of peril was a HUGE factor in the poor quality of the movie, but I think I linked that to everything BUT the villain! Crazy.

Well regardless I think seeing her turn to a CG mist is weak. I like ending it with her eyes burning and maybe a bright flash, but it could definitely be better. Far from being a major issue though. Also, now that I've cut the aliens (mostly) from the end it works a bit better also. 

Not that I'm trying to bug anyone (especially now that I realize what goes into an edit) but is anyone else still planning on doing an edit at some point? Or are we putting all of our sankara stones in my inexperienced basket? :)