Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released) — Page 106

It wasn't youtube, it was someone who I thought was a copyright agent but as it turns out, may have been just a really nice guy.  I probably overreacted.  Sorry for scaring you guys.  Clearly I need some sleep...

-TM

It was me being paranoid because someone PM'd me and I thought it was too good to be true and had to be some kind of agent.  Actually, it was the man behind one of the coolest fan edits I have ever seen.  Sorry again for the confusion. 

I'm not supposed to say in public, but it's one of the best.

My money's on Topher Grace, but... meh.  What do I know?

or The pHANTOM EDITOR, or Adywan, or bobgarcia, or TheCutter....

I just found all of my old project files (in 20 pieces) and I've found backups of all of the source audio files.  This means I can get back into the audio mix and fix the problems (including replacing the bad dubs).

Work is starting, then, on a new and improved audio track that will synch with the original single-layer DVD. 

If this is well received, I will also put out a dual-layer version of this with some video fixes (for example, to fix the inconsistencies with Mace's saber color, and remove some of the more radical use of temp footage). 

-TM

Well, don't be too excited yet. 

I am redubbing Anakin using myself again with better acting and mixing. 

It is the quickest way to get this thing going again. 

Hopefully it turns out OK...

I just opened the first file for which there was dubbing done.  It is tedious at first because all the files are spread across different hard drives, different virtual machines, and labeled under different folder than 5 years ago.

Once I reset the file paths, though, it is good to go....

You know, what finally swayed me was a friend that came over recently.  We were talking about Star Wars (he is only a casual fan) and he said he thought that Episode 2 had the best CONCEPT out of all the three prequels, in terms of the setting and basic plot. 

I casually mentioned doing this edit back in high school, and he wanted to see it.  I didn't have a DVD on hand, but we watched the dual-layer version on my laptop. And he looked enthralled. 

He even had some place that he had to be, but he was not anxious to leave because he was immersed in the movie.  Immersed in a Star Wars prequel!  A casual fan!  I said, "We don't have to watch the whole thing," and he said, "No, I'm really enjoying this." 

That was such a thrilling thing to see somebody in real life actually becoming immersed in a Star Wars prequel that it was enough to push me over the edge and give this thing the respect it requires.

EDIT: Plus, it's looking like a good year for "Star Wars".  We have coming out

-A 35mm transfer of "Star Wars"

-A 16mm transfer of "Empire Strikes Back" (Puggo)

-The 1978 Baltimore copy of Star Wars

-A new HD version of "Star Wars" (Harmy)

Hopefully I can add a respectable version of "Shroud" to that list.

My motivation for doing this was not necessarily because Episode II was the worst prequel (although it may well be), but because all of the edits up until that point couldn't make it watchable.  Episode I was pretty bad too, but MagnoliaFan did such a radical overhaul of that (despite the limitations of using backwards audio) that I thought that fixing Episode II was a more urgent emergency. 

Now, with:

-MagnoliaFan's Episode I

-Trooperman Episode II

-Pick your favorite edit of Episode III (which felt more like the OT anyway)

we will hopefully have a watchable prequel trilogy.  I also intend to do my own pass at Episode III, but that version may be much closer to a traditional fan edit and not nearly as radical as this one was. 

ben_danger said:
are you likely to revisit any of the ideas from your edit, now considering there has been a considerable amount of new ideas bashed about since its initial completion?

Maybe, but I want to do a more finished audio track that will synch with the original DVD first.  Once that is done I will be free to swap out temp footage and maybe revisit some of the story points.

I'll admit right now that I haven't been keeping up on the new breakthroughs in fan edits.  Prior to doing this one, I found copies of all the Episode 2 edits that had already been done, plus I stumbled across an old thread of a "lost edit"- I think the guy did it and then his computer crashed, and all he had was a written record of the changes.  That had a lot of innovative ideas I used.  Also, Mark Haslett is an actual screenwriter in LA and he is greatly responsible for the love story in SOTDS making sense.  Of course, the members at OT.com had a huge impact on the product because it was an open discussion and lots of people made suggestions. 

Now that I think back on it, I had made a huge Word file where I dumped every single Episode II editing idea I found.  Then I put them all in chronological order.  When a new one came, I would put that into the list.  Then I would pick the ones that I wanted to try.

But no, I have not seen those three Episode I edits mentioned in the post above, and I have not seen any Episode III edits yet, or any Episode II edits that came out after my rough cut. 

I guess I ought to try and hunt down copies to keep myself up to date with what is being done....

EDIT: I see a massive thread called "Prequel Redux" that looks chock-full of ideas.  It looks like I have a lot of homework to do!

1. What would be great would be a commitment from a pro ADR guy to do lines for both Ep. II and Ep. III at the same time (and maybe pickups for Ep. III if needed).

2. That, and an ADR guy who could do a good Jar-Jar and get a commitment for both Ep. I and II all at once. 

Other stuff:

Then we have 2 lines from the blue-horned guy that could stand to be redone (recording quality).

Also, it may be worth addressing the Nemodians now, too.  I got some GREAT foreign voice work for SOTDS (I think they were friends of user Sluggo).  Would be great if I could get recordings for a possible Episode III and I. 

Those could free me up to finish not only SOTDS, but a possible complete PT. 

But Anakin is really the major issue.  Even though I'm probably a better and more honest actor than I was when I did the rough cut, my voice doesn't always mesh with the thin and tall Hayden Christensen.  Something closer to his sound, but a little deeper (remember he is Darth Vader) and not so wimpy and whiny would be perfect.