“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
-Klokwerk, it looks great. I’m still kind of flabbergasted that I have one of the best (if not the best) covers created for a fan edit, even better than the MagnoliaFan covers, and I haven’t even released it yet. I’m flattered!
-How is the edit coming? Very well, I am pleased to say. At this point, however, I am working solely on the sound mix (mainly removing Anakin and Lama-Su’s dialogue, but also sprucing up a bit when needed and adding a couple of other subtle sound effects). After that is done, I’ll synch it to the film and actually begin to work on the video cutting and contrast/color correction work, cropping, subtitles, and re-sequencing. As I have already planned each aspect of this in detail, it’s simply a matter of executing it at this point.
Future plans after Ep. II- I will do edits of both Ep. I and Ep. III. In my opinion, the best titles are “Balance of the Force” and “Revenge of the Sith.” My work with III will involve a major reworking of the action sequences at the beginning (cutting the juvenile silliness) and will involve dubbing Anakin once again as well as General Grievous. Also cut will be some of Palpatine’s antics (in the duel with Windu), Anakin’s “What have I done?”, the hair-combing scene, etc. Also changed (as has been with several other edits) will be Palpatine’s line about the midichlorians being able to create life.
Episode I, on the other hand, is an interesting story. I like Balance of the Force very much. Many of the things Kevin did with it are brilliant (particularly the podrace and the subtitled alien dialogue). Therefore, my edit of Episode I will be largely based on his- with a few key differences. First, I will not use his disc as a template, as the quality is not very good and I do not own a copy (only the XVID). I will therefore recreate his edit first, ripping directly from the official DVD, re-dubbing music that was present in his edit that I liked, and so on. Then, I will use the sound mix from an official German language DVD of Episode I and will mix these German lines in for the Gungans and the Nemoidians. Therefore there is no backwards dialogue and the language is not as instantly recognizable as French or Spanish, especially if muffled or distorted a bit. The subtitles will also be redone using a combination of the originals, Hal 9000’s, and ADigitalMan’s sets (and a couple ideas of my own). The ending sequence music will be replaced with part of the first movement of the Karelia suite by Sibelius- I have already completed the track and mixed it with the end credits music, and it is seamless. Even better transition than the original, in fact, because it actually builds up to the correct key in my version. There will other minor changes throughout.
I’d also like to get hold of the ADigitalMan edits at some point for some more ideas on these.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
-Klokwerk, it looks great. I’m still kind of flabbergasted that I have one of the best (if not the best) covers created for a fan edit, even better than the MagnoliaFan covers, and I haven’t even released it yet. I’m flattered!
Awww shucks. *embarassed* Thanks. I guess, given the feedback so far, that everyone likes the cover as is, even the fix (which I don't consider perfect, but still think looks okay). I'll go ahead and start on an inksaver cover now I guess.... *toddles off to Photoshop CS2*
It's also nice to get an update on the project. And get a bit of a tease concerning your edits for I and III.
To contact me outside the forum, for trades and such my email address is my OT.com username @gmail.com
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Hello again- I have done the 1st dialogue recording session for this project and have completed the dubbing for the Anakin/Watto scene and the Padme/Anakin scene (when Anakin decides to leave Naboo to save his mother).
A couple minor changes in the latter that occurred to me as I recorded:
Original: Anakin: Don’t go. Padme: I don’t want to disturb you. Anakin: Your presence is soothing.
Anakin: Don’t leave. Padme: I don’t want to disturb you. Anakin: Nothing can stop that now.
CUT is: Anakin: I saw her as clearly as I see you now.
Original: I have to help her. Dubbed: I have to save her (camera is off Anakin’s lips anyhow).
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
I don't know. "Nothing can stop that now." Doesn't really fit, IMO. That exchange was one of the few things I thought actually worked in the AniPadme romance.
Well, what I did was: first, I recorded a lot of takes of the orginal line. Then, the other line occured to me and I lip synched that a dozen times as well. So the original lines were all recorded as well. I record originals, I record changes, and then I record alternates that seem appropriate at the time. Later, I can select original lines or alternate lines and have a variety of takes to choose from.
Come to think of it, that line may not be appropriate there. I was just thinking of the Vader unmasking scene in ROTJ for some reason, and I for some reason thought of an extremely rude exchange:
Anakin: Don’t go. Padme: I don’t want to disturb you. Anakin: You already have.
(Another one of Vader's lines from that scene). Then, I thought of the other line, and it may have seemed brilliant at the time because I was comparing it with the one above. You know what- I'll use the original line.
"Don't fix it if it ain't broke." I sometimes find myself (like Lucas) forgetting that. Actually, I'm just starting to appreciate how much restraint it takes to not go bananas during the editing process. Although I've written and edited more than one amateur film, doing this with Star Wars is giving me a different perspective on the whole thing.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
We're all counting on your good taste. You have to change what bothers you, but I think it's a good call to leave this line alone.
I'm not THAT fond of it in the original edit, but in this one where we are going to be "hearing" his vision of Shmi -- you can let those sounds move down in the mix as Padme enters, thus setting up and reinforcing the line--
"Your presence is soothing"
As if his sense of her presence pushed away the painful vision -- a sorely needed opportunity to show romantic sparks between these two.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Did some more recording today. Also, the new Jedi Analysis Robot dialogue is as follows:
The item you have placed in the sensor tray is a toxic saberdart. As you can see on your screen, these projectiles are used by the cloners in the Kamino system. They are rarely found within the Republic (in place of, “Stand away from the sensor tray, please.”)
Any suggestions or improvements on dialogue are welcome.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Sorry for all this consecutive posting. So you know what direction I’m taking with this overall, the following is the map of scenes in SotDS from my personal notes, in the tentative order that they will appear in the final cut. It occurred to me that some of you may be able to give better overall advice if you had my game plan as to what order I’m doing things. So here it is:
MAP OF SCENES
1. Opening scroll/entrance into Coruscant 2. Interior shot of ship 3. Ships land 4. Ship explodes. Corde dies. 5. Palpatine and Council scene. 6. Palpatine and Amidala scene. 7. Anakin and Obi-Wan show up at Padme’s apartment. They have meeting. 8. Part of Anakin/Obi-Wan discussion (at night). Cut with interior shots of bedroom. 9. Shot of unknown person putting something in droid. Droid flies away. 10. Anakin and Obi-Wan talk about mother. Meanwhile droid lands and unleashes bugs. (cut together). 11. They sense danger. Obi-Wan jumps out window. Anakin says to stay here. “Are you all right?” 12. Chase scene- describe in more detail later 13. The ships crash. Anakin chases Zam and meets with Kenobi 14. Anakin/Kenobi talk and go into club. Obi-Wan catches assassin. 15. Outdoor scene with Zam. Zam is shot. 16. Jedi Council scene with Obi-Wan and Anakin. “Track down this bounty hunter.” 17. Anakin/Palpatine conversation. Fade to black. 18. Anakin’s dream sequence. Intercut with images of Tuskens and of Shmi. “Don’t look back.” 19. Padme hands the reigns to Jar-Jar 20. Padme and Anakin talk in the bedroom. “You’ve grown up.” 21. Padme and handmaiden cry and say goodbye. 22. “Don’t do anything without consulting either myself or the council.” 23. “I do hope he doesn’t do anything foolish” 24. Jedi Temple Analysis robot scene 25. Jedi Library/Obi-Wan talks with Yoda 26. Anakin and Padme dinner aboard ship 27. Mace and Obi-Wan talk. Obi-Wan leaves in ship 28. Anakin and Padme land at Naboo and talk as they walk out 29. Obi-Wan lands on Kamino and talks to Lama-Su 30. Bedroom scene directly followed by dinner and kitchen scene-Anakin and Padme 31. Lama-Su shows Obi-Wan the clones. 32. Grassy picnic scene 33. Obi-Wan and Jango talk in apartment. 34. Anakin and Padme moonlit scene-leads directly into fireside scene 35. Obi-Wan exits Kamino. Sends message. 36. Mace and Yoda receive message and talk. 37. Jango and Obi-Wan have fight. Obi-Wan throws homing thing on Jango’s ship as it exits. 38. Anakin and Padme. Anakin tells her he has to leave. 39. Jango and Obi-Wan have space dogfight above Geonosis 40. Anakin and Watto chat on Tatooine 41. Obi-Wan follows Jango and lands on Geonosis 42. Anakin and Padme meet C-3PO 43. Anakin and Padme meet Owen, Beru, and Clieg Lars 44. Anakin and Cliegg chat about Shmi’s fate at the dinner table 45. Anakin sulks outside. Hugs Padme and leaves to find mother. 46. Search montage as Anakin….searches. 47. Obi-Wan sneaks around. Overhears Nute and Dooku talking. Spies on them as they talk at table. 48. Anakin finds the tent-dark scene. 49. Shmi dies in Anakin’s arms. 50. Anakin goes bananas. 51. Yoda’s scene- “Skywalker is in pain.” 52. Anakin returns home and stares at everyone sullenly. 53. Anakin and Padme talk in the garage. 54. Obi-Wan searches for Anakin’s signal outside. Realizes where he is and transmits message. 55. Funeral scene 56. They listen to R2’s message and transmit it. We cut between this and Coruscant as both parties listen. 57. Message ends. Anakin and Padme disobey Mace and depart Tatooine to save Obi-Wan. 58. Coruscant scene- “We must stop them before they’re ready.” Jar-Jar is duped. 59. Dooku talks to his prisoner, Obi-Wan. 60. Jar-Jar gives Palpatine emergency powers. Yoda and Mace talk. 61. Anakin and Padme arrive at Geonosis. 62. Droids bicker briefly. 63. Anakin and Padme get out of ship and enter a passage. 64. Droids bicker some more. R2 leaves. “Have you no sense at all?” 65. Anakin slices up some Geonosians (unseen until this point). 66. Droid factory scene 67. Trial scene 68. “I love you.” First kiss scene. 69. Into the arena- the heroes are chained up. 70. Dooku and company arrive. 71. Escaping the monsters 72. No way out- surrounded by droids 73. Mace and the other Jedi show up. Big battle. 74. Jedi are finished. Dooku makes speech. 75. Yoda and the clones save the day- gunships take off and Dooku leaves 76. Boba Fett holds his father’s helmet 77. Yoda/Mace talk, and Anakin/Obi-Wan/Padme hit the fuel cells. 78. War room scene 1 79. More fighting 80. War room scene 2-Death Star is handed off to Dooku 81. Battle/Dooku escapes on speeder 82. Yoda and the clones take down a starship 83. Little clip of Obi-Wan and Anakin aboard ship/Little clip of battle-dramatic lighting 84. Dooku speeder chase 85. Padme falls overboard- Obi-Wan and Anakin argue 86. Yoda reacts to this (“Hmm.”). The droid army is in full retreat. “Bring me a ship.” 87. They chase Dooku into the hangar. He goes in and they run in after him. 88. Confrontation. Anakin rushes ahead and is force-pushed (or something) by Dooku. Lies on ground. 89. Padme is safe. Runs away with clone. 90. Obi-Wan gets creamed. 91. Anakin interferes, saving Obi-Wan. Anakin is then creamed. 92. Yoda enters. “Master Yoda.” Dooku starts throwing objects at Yoda. 93. “I’ve become more powerful than any Jedi.” Brings crane down on heroes and runs for his life. 94. Yoda lifts the crane. (climactic moment with appropriate music) 95. Dooku escapes. Padme shoots at him in vain. Then, she runs in and hugs Anakin. 96. Dooku and Sidious chat. 97. Mace, Obi-Wan, and Yoda chat. 98. The beginning of the end. Palpatine looks at his handiwork and tries to look upset. 99. Marriage 100. End credits (with original score)
Also, Twister- sorry I forgot to respond before. I’m using Vegas to color-correct the Anakin/Padme balcony scene. I’m adjusting brightness, contrast, and red/green/blue levels (taking midtones, highlights, and shadows into account). Also, the saturation is adjusted. This is rather painstaking because it is done on a shot by shot basis (because one setting doesn’t fit all the shots with such a radical change). I’ll need to spend a lot of time making certain that the shots are consistent and match each other in the final scene. Also (as Chaltab suggested), I need to watch out for the sky, which was too light in the rough cut.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Trooperman: Thank you for responding. I don't mind the late reply. It seems that Vegas is the way to go for when I do my edit. I have another question. In Vegas is it possible to flip shots? I also, like that your redoing the analysis scene. Although, since your keeping the Jedi library scene, I think that the dialog should be something like this "The item you have placed in the sensor tray is a toxic saberdart. As you can see on your screen, these projectiles are used by the cloners of Kamino. There is no other information available.". "these projectiles are used by the cloners in the Kamino system. They are rarely found within the Republic." implies that they should have the planet in their records. Although, by having the "there is no other information available" then, going to a library to try to find out more information seems more natural.
Edit: Either that or, put "the library may have more information." Instead of the "no other information available".
Reading your beat-sheet outline is great Trooperman. Hurry up and send my discs because I can't wait to finally like Episode II.
I see you still want to do the "meadow" scene which I keep objecting to. Fine, you're the boss. I've finally come to terms with it -- but I offer this: I think the scene will work best if it can end on Padme saying "You're teasing me" without letting Anakin say anything in reply. As long as Padme doesn't believe Anakin's thoughts on politics are serious then it works as intended -- as a foreshadowing of Anakin's fall. But if she suspects he means it (which is how it plays as written) then he comes off as her worst possible love match.
Second objection (sorry), I see you still have the "You've grown up" Anakin/Padme scene after she gives Jar Jar her power. What does this scene get you, I wonder. It is so awkward and all it's content is covered better elsewhere in my opinion.
Otherwise, great work. Thanks for keeping it going.
I think that the dialog should be something like this "The item you have placed in the sensor tray is a toxic saberdart. As you can see on your screen, these projectiles are used by the cloners of Kamino. There is no other information available.". "these projectiles are used by the cloners in the Kamino system. They are rarely found within the Republic." implies that they should have the planet in their records. Although, by having the "there is no other information available" then, going to a library to try to find out more information seems more natural.
That is a good point. So...
The item you have placed in the sensor tray is a toxic saberdart. As you can see on your screen, these projectiles are used by the cloners of Kamino. No other information is available at this time.
Thanks for the dialogue polish!
Hurry up and send my discs because I can't wait to finally like Episode II.
I hope to have this released by Christmas time this year- that's my goal. This will be very polished and professional before I send it to anyone. I'm thinking now that it may not be a good idea to include some of the extras I proposed, because of the limit of a 4.7 GB single-layer disc. I'm thinking that that space could be better utilized with a stereo audio track in uncompressed PCM (along with the mono Dolby Digital commentary) and a higher bitrate for the video.
Perhaps the disc will not have any menus at all- you could switch to the commentary using your DVD remote. The same would apply for the English subtitles. And at the end of the film (after the credits), I could include my trailer at the end.
Also, distribution- I don't really want to distribute this disc myself. I had originally planned to send out 1 disc only (to Rikter) and then let him distribute it (for free). However, I'm thinking that for a select few people (like you) that I trust, I might be able to send a disc directly.
I see you still want to do the "meadow" scene which I keep objecting to. Fine, you're the boss. I've finally come to terms with it -- but I offer this: I think the scene will work best if it can end on Padme saying "You're teasing me" without letting Anakin say anything in reply. As long as Padme doesn't believe Anakin's thoughts on politics are serious then it works as intended -- as a foreshadowing of Anakin's fall. But if she suspects he means it (which is how it plays as written) then he comes off as her worst possible love match.
Yes- I was rather fond of certain aspects of that scene, and I felt that a scene was needed in between the dinner/kitchen scene and the outright rejection scene (balcony/fireside). This scene establishes that they've been doing things together not work-related at all. The rolling around in the grass has been resequenced at the beginning of scene (end of mountains montage) so that it's not actually part of a scene, and we don't know what set of circumstances got them to that point. But we get a sense of passing time and increasing friendliness between them, which I find to be essential (in believability).
That having been said, I see exactly where you're coming from and I can make a simple switch in shots to do as you suggested:
Anakin: Well, if it worked... Padme: You're making fun of me! Anakin looks serious. Then he smiles as transition takes over- clock-wipe to next scene.
Second objection (sorry), I see you still have the "You've grown up" Anakin/Padme scene after she gives Jar Jar her power. What does this scene get you, I wonder. It is so awkward and all it's content is covered better elsewhere in my opinion.
That was the last encouragement I needed to remove it. It's gone. The only points that it makes are- 1. Anakin is a juvenile brat and 2. Padme observes how much Anakin has changed. But she makes that point anyway while on the flight to Naboo.
The only problem with removing it would've been a scene that was too short with Padme and Jar-Jar. But with the dream sequence directly before it, it works perfectly.
In looking back through this thread (to ensure that I hadn’t missed any suggestions) I came upon an excellent idea posted by Jeten San Hett that really got me thinking about the final saber duel at the end. I don’t want to completely give it away (I mean, there should be some element of surprise in this somewhere), but I’ll just say that it involves some intercutting of Anakin vs. Dooku and Yoda vs. Dooku. This cut is much more tense, fast-paced, and more complicated. Furthermore, the only FX work I need to do is to recolor one green lightsaber blue in one shot. All of the rest can be covered with clever editing, help from the full-screen DVD, and additional sound effects and music in the mix. But it is not corny at all, now- finally I’m happy with the exciting climax that this film should’ve had to begin with. I don’t know why this didn’t occur to me sooner.
Oh…what the heck:
Anakin is fighting Dooku. Dooku is clearly playing with them. Suddenly, without warning, we cut out of their fight for one shot, as we see Yoda’s shadow advancing. They continue fighting. Yoda appears. Dooku completely disregards Anakin, shutting off his saber and turning around to face Yoda. He certainly isn’t worried about Anakin. “Count Dooku.” “Master Yoda…you have interfered with our affairs for the last time."” He throws an object at Yoda. He shoves it aside. Uh-oh, thinks Dooku. He raises his arms and starts to bring the crane down (Obi-Wan looks up in horror).
Meanwhile, Anakin has been sneaking up behind Dooku, waiting to make his move (none of his limbs are gone yet). After Dooku starts toppling the crane, Anakin jumps across the room wildly at Dooku, and lands right in front of him, saber ignited. No problem- Dooku slices his arm off and force-pushes him in the direction he came from, resting right by Obi-Wan (under the falling crane). Meanwhile, cut to Yoda using the force to stop the crane. Then, we see the Count run to his ship (saber still lit) to escape.
Here’s the corresponding excerpt from my notes (illustrating why I don’t post my actual notes here):
OR Anakin and Obi-Wan fight. CUT to shot of Yoda’s shadow. (use saber sound effects in background from the original movie). CUT to them fighting, and then they pause. CUT to Yoda appearing around the corner. CUT to Dooku turning around (add lightsaber turn-off). Yoda: Count Dooku. Dooku: Master Yoda- You have interfered with our affairs for the last time. He immediately throws an object at him. Yoda blocks it. (no long shots of both of them. Use the first of Dooku hand motions, the second of Yoda’s blocks. Utilize the full-screen DVD). Use shot of Dooku motioning upward. Use shot of crane which was directly after, “This is just the beginning”. Cut to Obi-Wan looking up in horror. And the following original shot of the crane falling. CUT to Anakin (saber recolored blue) jumping across the room. (add sound effect of Dooku’s saber igniting-make it obvious) CUT to Dooku chopping his arm off and sending him alongside Obi-Wan under the pillar. CUT to Yoda using the force (and Dooku running off), immediately followed by the brief close-up of Yoda. CUT to pillar falling on both of them. CUT to Dooku looking behind.
Making for a MUCH better sequence, in my opinion. Also, here’s the plan for the kiss scene on Geonosis:
Anakin: Don’t be frightened, Padme. We’ll escape this nightmare before long. Shot of Padme looking sad. Shot of Anakin looking sad. Padme: Anakin… I love you. Anakin is surprised. Anakin: What are you talking about? CUT to shot of Padme. Anakin: We had decided not to fall in love. That it would destroy us. Padme: Our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. Silhouette of them kissing. (climax in music) CUT: to the Geonosians cheering in arena. Cut to the last part of shot of them riding out.
Also..one good thing about including the line “You haven’t learned anything, Anakin” (outside of the nightclub) is that it sets up Anakin’s later line to Dooku: “I am a slow learner.”
Also, to get rid of the “you give me warm feelings” line from Yoda to Padme, here’s what I’ve done:
Yoda: Senator Amidala. In grave danger…you are. Padme: Do you have any idea who’s behind this attack? Windu: Our intelligence points to disgruntled spice miners on the moons of Naboo. CUT in shot of Padme looking at camera (the one where she’s staring straight ahead when Bail is talking. Zoom in so as to remove Bail’s face, and cut out before Padme begins talking). Palpatine: Master Jedi, may I suggest the senator be placed under the protection of your graces. CUT: Bail Organa’s line: Do you really think that’s a wise decision… Yoda’s suspicious look comes after “Do it for me, milady. Please.” Put it in place of the reaction shot of Padme, when Palpatine says, “The thought of losing you…” Then, take it out of its original place and slow another shot down or cut another one in to replace it. Reduce saturation to about 260.
This way, Padme doesn’t ignore Yoda- she asks a related question.
Another thing- Dooku now has his own musical motif (from Uranus, by Holst) It crops up at several key points in the film.
And yet another thing- I’m replacing the lightsaber sound effects with the classic ones from the original SW. I really disliked the new types of sounds that were used in the original cut.
And I promise this is the last one- I’m thinking about adding a very light, almost imperceptible grain to the entire film to make it seem like you’re actually watching a film and not a video game (which will also be helped by reduction in saturation). Thoughts on how much?
As always, I value your input. However, before too long, I’m going to lock down and pretty much go with what I have before doing the final mix and cut- so please don’t wait to post if you have something!
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Also...I would still accept auditions for Lama-Su (just PM me for my email, so that you can mail a voice sample). He only has two scenes (not a lot for someone to record and send to me) but I would like to change his lines. Whether it happens or not won’t really affect the movie or any of the others- but it would be very nice and would certainly strengthen the movie. ChainsawAsh is already going to do this, but are any others interested? Or, better yet, a voice actor to do alien languages for Jar-Jar or the Nemoidians? (who would also be able to do Episode I?) You don’t need a fancy audio recording program- just mail me the uncompressed .wav files (stereo or mono if you like) in synch with the character’s lips, and I’ll do the rest. A fun thing to do if you’re into this type of thing or if you’ve always wanted to be in a SW movie somehow.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Trooperman: Thank you, for all the information about Vegas and, other editing tools. Very helpfull. I'm glad I could help with the dialogue. I also, like your description of the fight. If you can make it work like that then, that would be great.
...Making for a MUCH better sequence, in my opinion. ------
BRILLIANT! That fight's going to freak people out --it's such an improvement.
------------------- Trooperman: ...This way, Padme doesn’t ignore Yoda- she asks a related question. -------------------
More Brilliance! The way you're taking hamburger and reconstructing it into a cow is frickin' impossible. I cannot wait for this thing (but be sure and take your time and get it right -- but hurry up! I mean take your time-- I mean ARRGH!
---------------------- Trooperman: Another thing- Dooku now has his own musical motif (from Uranus, by Holst) It crops up at several key points in the film.
And yet another thing- I’m replacing the lightsaber sound effects with the classic ones from the original SW. I really disliked the new types of sounds that were used in the original cut.
And I promise this is the last one- I’m thinking about adding a very light, almost imperceptible grain to the entire film to make it seem like you’re actually watching a film and not a video game (which will also be helped by reduction in saturation). ---------------
This is why I love Trooperman. This is the kind of talk I've been waiting for from edit-fans -- concrete ideas to make these things fit with the OT.
"Fake" grain (film-look) can get distracting, so my observation with the stuff is that a little goes a L-o-n-g way. Remember that wear shows up at the ends of the reels, so at the beginning and end of each reel -- or every twenty minutes or so might be a good place to put a bit of "wear."
------------------- Trooperman: As always, I value your input. However, before too long, I’m going to lock down and pretty much go with what I have before doing the final mix and cut- so please don’t wait to post if you have something! ----------------
Well, since you bring it up... :-)
---------------------- Trooperman: Also, here’s the plan for the kiss scene on Geonosis:
Anakin: Don’t be frightened, Padme. We’ll escape this nightmare before long. Shot of Padme looking sad. Shot of Anakin looking sad. Padme: Anakin… I love you. Anakin is surprised. Anakin: What are you talking about? CUT to shot of Padme. Anakin: We had decided not to fall in love. That it would destroy us. Padme: Our lives are about to be destroyed anyway. Silhouette of them kissing. (climax in music) CUT: to the Geonosians cheering in arena. Cut to the last part of shot of them riding out. ---------------------
My big comment to that is where does any of that dialogue get us?
Compare to the following:
Leia: "I love you" Han: "I know"
Padme wouldn't be frightened. Anakin knows that. They're looking for a chance to escape, they both know it. Anakin's face says "what are you talking about?" better than his words can. She knows they decided not to fall in love, but it happened anyway and he knows it. Who would ever say that at a moment like this? Their looks convey all the confusion better than this dialogue ever can.
With my DVD remote, I've "cut" this scene many times to see if it could work better. I keep the "Don't be frightened..." line but cut it off to imply it's just a nervous bit of speaking to break tension.
POST EDITED TO ADD: then Padme says "I'm not afraid to die."
But then he looks at her and the truth is clear. We move closer and she says "I love you." He reacts silently and she moves closer and closer until they kiss (climax with music).
Cutting to the cheering crowd is great and I didn't think of that. It's much more "realistic" and threatening.
But keeping all that dialogue will gum up a fine moment, in my opinion.
Other than this note, I love everything I've read from you, Troop.
It would be an honor to get a "direct" package -- as long as you don't feel compromised. The way you've handled this whole thing -- suggestions, nay sayers, the hard work of it -- I've got tons of respect for you. This is probably the coolest Star Wars fan thing I've been involved with. Thank you.
Just a quick Bump to point out I edited my last post (wanting to be absolutely clear, y'know).
And to ask about your promised discussion about music-- when are you going to spill all your ideas? Giving Dukoo a theme from Planets-- awesome! What about using variations on the Han and Leia love theme for Anakin/Padme? Whatever you use, I have to vote that they get a simpler, more memorable love theme than the one they got. I couldn't hum the current one to save my life.
What musical goodies do we have to look forward to?
It sounds as though people like the fight scene at the end this way, so that's the way I'll cut it!
MTHaslett- I'm pleased that you like the ideas so much! And that's a very good point about the kiss scene on Geonosis- I didn't have my heart set on the dialogue but had never considered the alternative.
Anakin: Don't be frightened Padme: I'm not afraid. (pause) I love you.
We move closer and closer until they kiss. Cut to Geonosians outside.
Sounds great to me
MUSIC:
Out of respect for John Williams (and technical issues as well), the original love theme will be in the film. There's just so many scenes that contain it (and so many variations) that it would be murder to replace it. Not to mention that if I did, I don't think any of JW's music would make it to the movie!
One very irritating aspect of this is the lack of a 2-disc AOTC CD set. Very irritating, especially when there's no clean tracks in the DVD surround channels either. Oh, well...
The Coruscant speeder chase and the whole arena/clone war sequences have completely different music. For example, the beginning of the arena is a new recording scored with 2 grand pianos and tuba, expanding on one of the earlier themes. The battle is scored with a combination of "Mars" (from Planets), the concert version of "Forest Battle" from ROTJ, the alternate sail barge music from ROTJ, and possibly some music from the "Shadows of the Empire" soundtrack.
We have some moody swing music in the nightclub, alternate binary sunset during the dark scene when Anakin finds his mother's tent, a tense high strings cue during the garage scene with Anakin, and completely reworked music for the marriage at the end of the theme. We have the first part of section A (like it was before), but then we hear section B (the "angst" section) in entirety before going back to the first part of section A to wind it off. And it works much, much better that way. Also, the end credits music has been restored to what John Williams originally wrote (which was partially replaced in the original cut). Also restored was the original scoring for Dooku's escape and the end of the Yoda/Anakin/Obi-Wan scene.
I know I'm forgetting a lot of alternate music, but there is a considerable amount of replacement, especially during the percussion only scenes. If there's a scene with just drums and out-of-key whistles (like part of the Coruscant chase), then it's a very good bet that it's been removed. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you think....about the garage scene beginning with Anakin's back to camera, in a bit of a soliloquy- before Padme arrives.
Anakin (very upset): I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead. Every damned one. And I...
He trails off, turning around to see Padme approaching with the food tray. Then, scene plays out as suggested.
Anakin: Why did she have to die? Why couldn't I save her? etc.
Because otherwise we don't know that Anakin killed all of them. Also, this way, it isn't unrealistic that Padme sticks around with him- because Padme didn't neccessarily hear what he said, not being in the room at that time. This would be done by cropping from the full-screen DVD. I think it might be good for the audience to know this, to lead up to Palpatine's line in ROTS: Remember what you told me about your mother? And the sandpeople?
Thoughts on this?
And another thing- I've been doing some reading and practicing on rotoscoping lightsabers- and now, it may not be so inconceivable to make Mace's saber green or blue. I can post screenshots in a little bit.
“Back when we made Star Wars, we just couldn’t make Palpatine as evil as we intended. Now, thanks to the miracles of technology, it is finally possible. Finally, I’ve created the movies that I originally imagined.” -George Lucas on the 2007 Extra Extra Special HD-DVD Edition
Those are some thorough music ideas. Too bad the romantic theme can't be replaced. The one scene I beg you to do something about, however, is the "fireplace scene." You've shortened it a lot, so it'll work better-- but the theme is so inadequate to carry off what's supposed to be a really emotional decision to hide a burning love. Just a touch of the Han/Leia theme here? Maybe? Just an echo in the background? Maybe?
Anyway, your music ideas are obviously as smart as all your others. Thanks for sharing.
In the dialogue of the Geonosis scene -- I suggested keeping the Padme line: "I'm not afraid to die" as a response to "Don't be frightened" because it leads directly to the "I love you" thought. In other words, she says "I'm not afraid to DIE, (implying) there is SOMETHING I'm afraid of..." What is it? "I'm afraid to lose you because I love you."
A small point, but there it is.
As for the "I killed them all" soliloquy-- if you like it then I bet it works. For my money, I don't care if he killed ALL the sandpeople or not-- I know losing his mother because Obi-Wan held him back plants a very dark seed into his conscience. If never mentions what he did out there, we still saw how mad he was and understand that wasn't Jedi behavior. I would ask myself, if I were you, does it seem natural watching Anakin soliloquize about his regret? If it does, then keep it. The major problem with that scene is how much exposition it has and how unnaturally it all comes out.
my two cents...okay, maybe one cent, or half a cent...
i don't see why padme needs to know that anakin kills the sandpeople. it's very heavily implied by the action in the camp that he kills many of them, and unless my memory fails, we see him kill at least one. (i haven't been following your changes to the letter so perhaps you've changed this and I'm not aware of it.)
i think the anakin/padme scene in the garage is better without anakin discussing killing all the sandpeople. i don't see why it can't just be about his regret and sadness over the death of his mother. WE see him slaughter sandpeople, so when palpatine mentions it in Sith, there is a context for it. that isn't dependant on padme hearing about it.
i've never liked that the two of them discuss his slaughtering these sand people, if only because padme seems to have little to no reaction that makes sense. i mean, wouldn't just a hint of revulsion be appropriate? the guy lost his mother, and then responded to that by slaughtering wholesale an entire village of sentient beings. it's always pushed the boundaries of credibility for me, in an emotional and character sense. Pop Geek (my blog) Entertainment Geekly
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