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Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released) — Page 39

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Have you thought about using the link that SomethingStarWarsRelated posted (http://fanfilms.theforce.net/User_SearchPI.asp). With that you might be able to get someone to do the fx for those ideas that your not able to do to. But then agian everyone on TFN would never want there precious PT touched to match the OOT.


Thanks for the reminder, Richard. Actually, I don't want to give too much away yet, but someone right on OT.com has PMd me about some possible special effects work. He's busy and my requests are difficult, so I don't know how much'll work out, but it's still very good news for me.


Another concern I would have would be the red soldiers from Dune, for anybody who has seen Dune they would be instantly recongnizable. That might be the difference between making this a good replacment for Attack of the Clones or it just being another cool fan edit.

This is precisely what I'm worried about. I have the hope that this film will become the definitive version of Ep. II in times to come. On the one hand I want to augment the movie with this footage, but on the other hand, using something so immediately recognizable by Dune fans is rather unprofessional. And yes, the Lawrence of Arabia stuff does contrast with the CGI (particularly the horse that someone pointed out a long time ago! Oops)

Now, I am definitely for the idea of "Mars", however. I was just looking for confirmation. John Williams was not only influenced by Mars, he actually copied part of it in his Star Wars score, at the beginning and the end of the movie (under pressure from G. Lucas). Therefore, I think this particular piece is OK to use.


I have a suggestion that I don't know exactly how to impliment-- but the idea would be to introduce a mini-story that gets told through the sound-track of clone-soldiers speaking on com-link. It would echo the way com-link dialogue made the Death Star run work.

If we had a little of this:

CLONE 1: "TC17, see if you can get past that first droid line"
CLONE 2: "I think I've got it-- NOOOO!"
CLONE 3: "We lost TC17-- Mothar Squad, get over there now!"
CLONE 1: "Roger"
CLONE 3: "They're coming in on Rolling Artilery Batteries now, launch the counter-measure!"
CLONE 4: "Launching."

Whatever. Keep the tone cool and collected-- Stormtrooper-esque. But paint a picture with words that kind of lays into the background of the sequence and starts to build drama. Let the leader name a target (like the launching transports that Anakin finally helps stop) -- and write lines that get the Clones closer and closer to their target.

This added dialogue would bring the sequence a kind of "guide" which would really help shape that battle and give it a little more form. Things should be pretty tough for the clones too, I think. It would be nice to hear a lot of them die, though we'd also hear how little the remaining clones care about their fallen brothers.

Just an idea.


As usual, a brilliant idea. I wish I had thought of it. Especially the part about the clone's indifference to death. This is exactly the type of idea I was looking for. Again, it gives me focus for the sequence. The only issue is the voice of the clones, which is supposed to be the same as Fett's. However, I can redub all of the clones with his accent, and I'll bet the fact that it's over radio will make it more than convincing enough.


I think MTHaslett has a pretty interesting point with the whole com-link idea. Look back at Star Wars, in the trench run, we see a lot of shoots of x-wings and Y-wings moving through the trench, we see turret firing at them, and we see tie-fighters, but holding all that action together is the pilots communicating via their com systems. Imagine that whole scene without the inside the cockpit shoots and without the pilots communicating with each other and you might have something a slight bit like, but not near as poorly done as the opening battle of the clone war.

Perfect comparison! Actually hearing the radio dialogue will give the battle an actual semi-story, not just a meaningless CG montage. This will make the battle feel like Star Wars, and it solved my nagging problem with editing this thing; I myself was at a loss as to the point of the whole sequence, even with the extra footage and music inserted.

Of course you are the one editing it all, so it is for you to say whether this is feasible or not.

It IS in fact feasible for me.


...the low-tech, "Original Trilogy"-style nuances like sand that kicks up around people's feet and the way real people move as opposed to animated soldiers.


Whether I use the red and black soldiers or not, I can probably still use the shots of the feet moving around in the dirt.


Anyway, I would love to hear even more about what you'd like to see in the clone war sequence, taking our resources into account. Perhaps expand on the talking clones idea...

This idea definitely set my brain off again, though! Thank you...

Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side

Emperor Jar-Jar
“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

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I have quite a few sound files of storm troopers saying lines. I can put them up if some one wants them.


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You heard me complain about the Dune footage before, and I still think it will stand out like sore thumb. I love the idea of com-link battle banter - that whole battle is absent of it. Honestly, another reason I think adding more fighting in will not help is because the battle in itself is overlong, all together, as it stands - there's really nothing very striking about it, either. I mean, you've been working with the movie a lot, Trooperman, but can anyone else really remember much of what happens to either side? I think maybe the most memorable thing is when they shoot down the droid pod-ships. Anyone recall much else? For these reasons, I think com-link chat would add something missing - otherwise, we just hear a lot of machinery and explosions.

This also reminds me - am I the only person who hates the "Vietnam helicopter"-style shot towards the beginning of the battle, showing a quick zoom in of the folks hanging out of the open sides of the clone troopers aerial fighters? Can you get that outta there?
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This just now occurred to me: using Dune footage (and the like) is basically what Lucas did with WWII footage in ANH. Sure, we'd all like to see it (yes, a portion of it is on the DVD), but we wouldn't want it in our "definitive" version. Same with Dune footage in SOTDS (in my opinion).

As far as new music, such as "Mars", that seemed to work well. For some reason, in my mind, it's ok adding new music...rather than new footage.
I guess I don't have a good reason, other than person taste.
I'm gonna get back to you on this, though. My sister has a CD of a guy who seemed to inspire Williams, because his music sounds like something strait out of ANH! I kid you not!
I can't remember his name though (maybe it IS Holst), so I'll be back with a name.

MTHaslett: BEST. IDEA. EVER.
Not to downplay what Trooperman has done! That goes without saying!

SSWR’s YouTube channel

Attack of the Clones: Alternate Timeline Edit Thread:
https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/SSWRs-Attack-of-the-Clones-Alternate-Timeline-Edit/id/66888

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Now, NS is away this month, but he did forget two lines of dialogue from his first scene, so I'll see if these can't be recorded when he comes back.


Which lines did I forget? I could've sworn I recorded everything you gave me...

http://i.imgur.com/7N84TM8.jpg

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And by the way, TM, could you PM me the Lama- SU clips? I'd very much like to see them.

http://i.imgur.com/7N84TM8.jpg

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OK, has anyone seen MasterEdition.com?

I don't agree with everthing he says, but he's got a few ideas that actually seem possible. Check it out:

"4) Yoda’s first statement

Why: “The dark side clouds everything.” It seems too early in the film to be mentioning the dark side of the Force and how everything’s getting dark. Plus it seems rather un-wise of Yoda to be admitting his vulnerability to everyone including the Chancellor. In my opinion, things like this are usually discussed only within the Jedi Council. Either way, it’s too early in the film to mention something like that.

How: Replace the line with something like “Hmm, the future…always difficult to see it is.” Like this it’s more general, and gives less of a feeling that something’s up with the Force from the get-go. There’s plenty of time later to focus on that."

10) Protection and investigation

Why: The dialogue between Obi-Wan and Anakin when they’re talking about protecting the senator as opposed to investigating the matter could be done a little more smoothly. Anakin can still look disobedient, but it could be a little more cleaned up.

How: I think this is just a matter of cut and paste. Take the first line Obi-Wan says in reply to Padmé, “We’re here to protect you, senator. Not to start an investigation,” and place it just before Anakin says, “Why?” after leaving a little pause after the previous line. This way Anakin doesn’t look so goofy when he says, “We will find out who’s trying to kill you Padmé, I promise you,” and the whole conversation flows a little more smoothly.

11) Anakin confessing to Jar Jar

Why: When Anakin is talking to Jar Jar, he tells him that he’s been thinking about Padmé every day since they’ve parted, but here’s a question…who would tell this to Jar Jar?? And in that same conversation we have another example of ignoring kind words when Jar Jar tells Anakin that “Hesa bustin with happiness.”

How: After Jar Jar tells Anakin, “Mesa bustin with happiness seeing yousa again, Ani” have Anakin say, “I’m happy to see you too, Jar Jar. –pause– Padmé barely even recognized me.” He watches her walk away. “She’s forgotten me completely.” This should be a simple dub because Anakin is facing away from the camera and part of his dialogue is off-screen.

18) Anakin’s jump onto Zam’s speeder

Why: Anakin jumping from his speeder and falling hundreds of meters only to fall directly onto Zam’s speeder totally unhurt seems very unrealistic, even for a Jedi.

How: This can be changed by significantly decreasing the distance Anakin falls. Cut all the shots of him falling, just show him jumping out of his speeder, followed by the shot of him falling and landing on Zam’s speeder. He actually falls a good distance in that shot, and it’s more than enough."

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Anyway, if you have time, take a look.

SSWR’s YouTube channel

Attack of the Clones: Alternate Timeline Edit Thread:
https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/SSWRs-Attack-of-the-Clones-Alternate-Timeline-Edit/id/66888

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The link you gave doesn't work for me.


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SSWR, Those are all pretty good ideas.

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Come to think of it, that scene where Anakin jumps out of the speeder always really annoyed me. It is also a scene that I hear smerked at alot.

I never really noticed how Anakin totally ignored Jar-Jar before, that's funny. Of course I noticed Padme ignoring Yoda though. Hmmm I am noticing a pattern here... I think there may be a bit of racism towards CG aliens from real-actor-played-humans going on here. That, or perhaps it is just lousy writting, not sure which.

"Every time Warb sighs, an angel falls into a vat of mapel syrup." - Gaffer Tape

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OK, I must have WAY too much time on my hands

Trooperman:
Are you keeping any of the monster battle?
'Cause I was watching it last night and a few things popped out at me:

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k168/SSWR/monsteredit.jpg
This could be a new way to edit the scene.
We show the monster, then we show the heros' reaction. For some reason this was not done in the movie.
Why? Shouldn't we feel some tension with our heros? Sure, they're Jedis, but, hey, these things look dangerous!
Now, I'm not suggesting that you cut it exactly how I've pictured it here. I like alot of the shots in between these shots.
But showing the Jedis' reaction could help alot. Sadly there's not a good reaction shot of Padme.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k168/SSWR/Padme_Reverse.jpg
OK, we all hate it when Padme jumps 100 feet and lands perfectly undamaged onto the monster and kisses Anakin, right?
Well, I think these shots of Padme could work if you reversed the footage.
These shots are of Padme actually CLIMBING the pillar. Let's just reverse them!
Probably not the first image, because of the smoke in the background, but I think you could use the second.
It would show that, although she is brave and strong, she's not a Jedi and can't do superhuman things.

OK, I'm typing this quickly...hopefully haven't left anything out!

SSWR’s YouTube channel

Attack of the Clones: Alternate Timeline Edit Thread:
https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/SSWRs-Attack-of-the-Clones-Alternate-Timeline-Edit/id/66888

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Hey does anyone hstill have a link to the yoda clip? I'm curious on how this it looks.
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Thank you very much for the recent bunch of suggestions. I had in fact come across the Master Edition site in my research, and all of the problems you've listed don't exist any more, besides Anakin ignoring Jar-Jar, which I may or may not change.

I have quite a few sound files of storm troopers saying lines. I can put them up if some one wants them.

That'd be great! Thank you.

This also reminds me - am I the only person who hates the "Vietnam helicopter"-style shot towards the beginning of the battle, showing a quick zoom in of the folks hanging out of the open sides of the clone troopers aerial fighters? Can you get that outta there?

I can get rid of that, yes. You're not the first person that's brought that up.

Now, I've made a decision on the Lawrence/Dune footage: I'm going to retain a few of the shots (like the pilots from Dune with the Star Wars helmets, the ships coming out of the mist, and men running around in the smoke). These are generic enough that they fit into the film seamlessly. But I will not use the red and black Dune soldiers. I'm worried that it'll take away the film's credibility.

However, I don't mind that because I've got the whole com-link battle banter idea to develop.

Nanner Split: PM sent

Trooperman: Even if you keep the attenea guy I still suggest you use that alternate angle in the Good to G.O. Doc. The one that focuses on Anakin rather then the Lucas' daughter/Ahmed close-up. It comes up around the time there's talk of the old west.

Thank you for the tip, Twister. I did have a look at that shot, but it unfortunately is too short for the music timing of the scene, which I've worked out already. However, I've changed the existing shot so that Ahmed Best and Lucas' daughter aren't even in the shot anymore.

Quick thought:
Droid Factory:
Have Padme yelling for Anakin. I never understood why she didn't say anything while in that giant bucket!


That's a really good idea, and it hadn't occurred to me. Perfect timing as well- I'm still working on that sequence. Thanks!

Come to think of it, that scene where Anakin jumps out of the speeder always really annoyed me. It is also a scene that I hear smerked at alot.

This has been changed for a long time. Anakin is brutal in this version. In the original, he jumps out of the speeder, we see many shots of him free-falling, he finally latches onto the speeder, and then he spends at least another minute positioning himself.

In SOTDS, he jumps out, immediately latches onto the speeder as it goes off into the distance, and the next shot is Anakin pulling out his saber. Zam screams and Anakin cuts through. I had posted a video clip of that some time ago, with the music.

SSR: Regarding the arena battle, I had actually cut it a different way, in accordance with an outline by MTHaslett. The idea was that Anakin/Padme had a plan to get out, and Obi-Wan didn't. Therefore, the emphasis is on Obi-Wan, and the arena battle is pretty much from his point of view. Also, in the new storyline, Anakin is still angry at Obi-Wan for indirectly causing his mother's death, and thus Anakin isn't cracking jokes with Obi-Wan during the arena. Also, the "bad feeling" line has been moved to the sequence before the droid factory, when the door shuts behind Padme and Anakin.

Hey does anyone hstill have a link to the yoda clip? I'm curious on how this it looks.

I can repost it if nobody else does.

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I have rotoscoped three of Windu's saber shots using my new, more efficient process (as efficient as you can be painting it frame by frame in Photoshop, anyway). The results were worth the effort, however. The shots look stunning and as though they were always that way. I can post a clip now, or you can wait until the trailer.

Speaking of the trailer, I am working on that currently. I'm having kind of a hard time building excitement through the different shots, though. The thing is, a lot of what is exciting about the movie is the music, the drama, and the pacing of it- things that can't be shown in a trailer. However, I now have a few new saber shots, Nanner Split's performance as Lama-Su, and my own recordings, so I probably have enough now.

Many, many scenes are coming together now. It's very exciting to me as I continue to see payoff after all of this planning and work. I probably want you all to see this movie more than you yourselves want to see it. No matter what I say on the forum, you won't truly understand what this film has turned into until you see it...

-TM

Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side

Emperor Jar-Jar
“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

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TM, check your PM's.

I was thinking about SSWR's ideas for the monster introductions. It would clean up the presentation, but it seems like it would be a little too formuliac.

The reek that Anakin fights comes out
Anakin reacts
The acklay comes out
Obi-wan reacts

It is too tidy. I do like the idea of Padme climbing down the pole a bit before she jumps.
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Trooperman, here is the stormtrooper voices. I hope there are some lines in there you can use.

Storm Trooper Voices

Also, I would love to see those shots with Mace's improved lightsaber. They sound awsome.


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The trailer! This is what I'm really looking forward to (Well, aside from the finished movie, I mean)!
Light speed too slow??
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I was thinking about SSWR's ideas for the monster introductions. It would clean up the presentation, but it seems like it would be a little too formuliac.

I thought about that as well, Sluggo. I think I know where you're coming from.
The idea behind it (for me) is that it might feel a little more OT.
Just like you said: see the monster, you see the heros (or the person who is going to fight the monster) reaction.
I seem to recall this happening in ROTJ with Luke and the rancor.
The only reason I bring it up is because there never seems to be ANY tension or apprehension in this scene.
Will our heros survive? Well, they don't seem to concerned about it, so yeah, probably.

The idea was that Anakin/Padme had a plan to get out, and Obi-Wan didn't. Therefore, the emphasis is on Obi-Wan, and the arena battle is pretty much from his point of view. Also, in the new storyline, Anakin is still angry at Obi-Wan for indirectly causing his mother's death, and thus Anakin isn't cracking jokes with Obi-Wan during the arena. Also, the "bad feeling" line has been moved to the sequence before the droid factory, when the door shuts behind Padme and Anakin.


Cool! More emphasis on Obi-Wan? I can't wait to see it!
The fact that your dubbing Anakin's voice must give you much greater freedom to play with the overall story, eh? Much more than I've suspected!

Are there many changes when Dooku shows up? How about the Mace and Fett fight?

SSWR’s YouTube channel

Attack of the Clones: Alternate Timeline Edit Thread:
https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/SSWRs-Attack-of-the-Clones-Alternate-Timeline-Edit/id/66888

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Trooperman, here is the stormtrooper voices. I hope there are some lines in there you can use.

Thanks, Marvolo. I actually already had those recordings in my collection...

Sluggo and Laserschwert, I'll get back to you as soon as possible.


I will be releasing a trailer tomorrow. It doesn't feel like a modern movie trailer, but it gets the job done, I suppose. I wanted to get it done before I leave the state in a couple days. Stand by....

Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side

Emperor Jar-Jar
“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

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Originally posted by: Trooperman
Trooperman, here is the stormtrooper voices. I hope there are some lines in there you can use.

Thanks, Marvolo. I actually already had those recordings in my collection...

Sluggo and Laserschwert, I'll get back to you as soon as possible.


I will be releasing a trailer tomorrow. It doesn't feel like a modern movie trailer, but it gets the job done, I suppose. I wanted to get it done before I leave the state in a couple days. Stand by....


*Does extreme crazy hyper happy dance*. I can't wait to see it =]
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TM:
When I recorded my voice clips, I thought they sounded terrible. Then I watched those clips you sent me, and holy crap, those were awesome! I was not expecting that at all!


I've been spreading the word about this edit. It's gonna rule all over the place.

http://i.imgur.com/7N84TM8.jpg

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I can not wait for the trailer! I need it now!


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Originally posted by: Trooperman
I will be releasing a trailer tomorrow. It doesn't feel like a modern movie trailer, but it gets the job done, I suppose. I wanted to get it done before I leave the state in a couple days. Stand by....


It sounds like you've been doing your job right then - it shouldn't feel like a modern movie trailer if you are making this into an "old school" Star Wars movie. I am really excited to see what this looks like!

Are you going on vacation?

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Super Mario Bros. - The Wicked Star Story
"Ah, the proverbial sad sack with a wasted wish."