Info Wanted: "The Mask" Workprint Composite? has anyone done / made this?

Has anybody ever made a workprint composite of “The Mask”? If not, that should definitely happen.

For those of you unfamilar with the workprint version of “The Mask”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5JCC7EIVmI

Since the workprint is in 4:3, a fullscreen version of the theatrical cut should be sourced. Another vital source is the two deleted scenes (which are in essence workprint excerpts) from the DVD/Blu-Ray which are in 16:9, I don’t know if they should be cropped to 4:3 or matted over the workprint footage. There are apparently a few other usable sources as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG0Y4C-QOu8

The audio should be mostly sourced from the workprint, using bits from the theatrical where it’s identical and using the audio from the DVD deleted scenes where applicable.

I know the first DVD of “The Mask” was a flipper disc with the film in 16:9 on one side and 4:3 on the other (though I don’t know if it was an open matte transfer or pan-and-scan). I personally would source the original VHS for the theatrical cut, as the transition between the VHS workprint and the VHS theatrical cut would probably be smoother than with the DVD. That, and the material from the VHS just deserves to be preserved IMHO. It might just be because I grew up on that videotape, but I just find it classic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2P9oObQy3Ks
The opening commercials on the tape and the “Space Ghost: Coast To Coast” episode after the movie should both be included as bonus material. In a perfect world, THAT would be the perfect workprint composite disc for “The Mask”.

I've only watched the workprint once, but if I recall, it had alternate takes with the same dialogue. If I'm right, that would mean the editor taking on this project would have to take a little liberties and decide which one he/she likes better, hehe.

Also, a double set of this along with the tv footage put back into Ace Ventura would be the tits.

TylerDurden389 said:

I've only watched the workprint once, but if I recall, it had alternate takes with the same dialogue. If I'm right, that would mean the editor taking on this project would have to take a little liberties and decide which one he/she likes better, hehe.

Also, a double set of this along with the tv footage put back into Ace Ventura would be the tits.

There were definitely alternate takes used. I'd say use the workprint audio throughout except with the DVD deleted scenes (which are workprint excerpts) and when the audio is identical to the theatrical cut. There are also bits missing from the workprint, like the entire Ben Stein scene. I personally would include that and every other bit missing for completions sake, but other than that I would base this edit wholly from the workprint, making it a reconstruction of sorts.

I saw a while ago somebody was going to make an edit of "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" using HD 16:9 television footage and I've yet to see anything come of it. I've personally always wanted to see a Jim Carrey Blu-Ray set with his three 1994 hits along with their respective alternate versions. "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" would have the theatrical cut and the television version (or a new extended cut using the television footage), "The Mask" would have the theatrical version and the workprint (or a new extended cut using the workprint footage), and "Dumb & Dumber" would have the theatrical cut (which has never been released on Blu-Ray and is now out of print on DVD) and the unrated cut (the only version you can get on Blu-Ray).

Hello my friends, i am your saviour. I am the owner of the mask workprint channel on youtube and have been working on a composite version for over 3 years now. I am on my 4th attempt now, and am trying to make it the best one yet. I have sourced many different archives and have spent hours going through the workprint remastering it, frame by frame. I am so glad to see a few people out there are interested in a composite version, i will keep you updated and post screenshots and clips of my progress. I am predicting it will be done around late july maybe august. I plan to keep the aspect ratio in 16:9 cropping the 4:3, (this is not definite, i still might do it in 4:3 open matte, if possible. The soundtrack will mainly be the original workprint, ‘Beetlejuice’ soundtrack remastered. Some of scenes with no music in the background will be added and i hope to have the full audio in 5.1. Any questions feel free to ask, check my youtube channel for regular updates.

Anymore info on this? I’ve been dying to see the workprint for quite some time but it seems to have disappeared from the web.