I love your ideas for this edit! The preview clips you’ve done look fantastic. 😃
Could I make a suggestion? How about removing Reva’s unnecessary dialogue at the end of the conversation with the other Inquisitors?
Inquisitor: "I will get what I deserve, Third Sister, and so will you!”. The camera then goes to Reva; cut it there, leaving her in silence.
Cut her timewasting speech of “I hope so. I certainly hope so”.
It’s much more dramatic to leave her in silence, rather than have her voicing her thoughts to an empty room.

jrs81 said:

Wanted to make an opening suggestion with a pretty bold idea. Forgive the rough edit, just through this together quickly. Needed a star field and keeping in line with TESB and ROTJ, I wanted to open this Obi-Wan movie from an imperial perspective. I imagine a scroll with something like this:

"Darth Vader continues his search for Obi-Wan and has created his own personal Jedi Hunters, Inquisitors.
The ambitious THIRD SISTER has come up with her own secret plan to find KENOBI…

https://vimeo.com/716590202

Also includes a new introduction to Leia.

Link doesn’t work

jrs81 said:

Wanted to make an opening suggestion with a pretty bold idea. Forgive the rough edit, just through this together quickly. Needed a star field and keeping in line with TESB and ROTJ, I wanted to open this Obi-Wan movie from an imperial perspective. I imagine a scroll with something like this:

"Darth Vader continues his search for Obi-Wan and has created his own personal Jedi Hunters, Inquisitors.
The ambitious THIRD SISTER has come up with her own secret plan to find KENOBI…

https://vimeo.com/716590202

Also includes a new introduction to Leia.

Very efficient! I like it.

My interpretation of the scene was also that Anakin didn’t want to kill a weakened and defenseless Obi-Wan Kenobi. One might even say that the reason Darth Vader is as evil as he is, is to get back at obi-wan (“see what you’ve done to me?!” approach) and that that hatred is what drives him to never look back on his mistakes and fuel his powers with it. Then, when he finally kills Obi-Wan in EP IV, is when he starts to shift his moral compass as he becomes aware of Luke and actually starts slowly but steadily question himself. That is at least how I like to view it with how the story has progressed thus far.

Imperial March Piano Theme

A lot of people seem to like the Imperial March Piano Theme with added reverb, and it might become the go-to for this edit. I think Vader’s actions along with that theme presents the scene both extremely haunting and very sad - feelings we should experience as an audience seeing Anakin hunting down Obi-Wan in this manner. I feel like it should be both scary and heartbreaking.

I will however make one more version with Anakin’s Dark Deeds (either tweaking my own variation of the original OST like I did for the “Kenobi senses Vader” clip or find something fitting) and then we’ll go from there.

General responses

I agree with @Sirius that this is the best episode so far and literally everything except Inquisitor cringe and some pacing issues (along with removing cringe) from the final “duel”) will mostly be kept. The scenes between Obi-Wan and Leia alone justify her being in the series for me now without a doubt, and the actress has great chemistry with Ewan. I have a feeling the first scenes in Episode I were her first scenes filmed, and if that is the case that was a stupid mistake on the director’s part mesa be thinking dis.

leftshoe18 said:

Anjohan said:

ANAKIN RETURNS - IMPERIAL MARCH EXAMPLE:

https://streamable.com/sbzh7g

The version of the Imperial March used here makes this feel super cheesy. If you could find a more horror-esque arrangement of it then I think it would work a lot better.

Edit: saw further down you did another one with the piano version and I LOVE that.

Thank you. Yes, we decided against going for the more bombastic theme and The Piano Theme ia currently the main approach to that scene (although that might change).

WitchDR said:

I thought the duel in the new episode was pretty awful… If by the end of the series we are able to remove the duel or Ep3 all together, I think this may be a cool way to retool the scenes.

This is just a quick mockup… and would require a ton more work to pull off that good “dream” feel… But since I’m not planning on doing an edit myself, figured I’d share the idea at least!

https://vimeo.com/716626643

I agree with you. The duel ia not impressive, although it is not meant as one, mostly for my part down to pacing issues and the HORRIBLY rendered sabers - that I suspect in some scenes are not even added visual effects to. Sometimes the sabers look like plastic toys from Toys R’ Us, so I will probably have to create new sabers for the scene (ugh! I have PTSD from rotoscoping Qui-Gon’s in TPM).

jrs81 said:

Wanted to make an opening suggestion with a pretty bold idea. Forgive the rough edit, just through this together quickly. Needed a star field and keeping in line with TESB and ROTJ, I wanted to open this Obi-Wan movie from an imperial perspective. I imagine a scroll with something like this:

"Darth Vader continues his search for Obi-Wan and has created his own personal Jedi Hunters, Inquisitors.
The ambitious THIRD SISTER has come up with her own secret plan to find KENOBI…

https://vimeo.com/716590202

Also includes a new introduction to Leia.

Not a bad idea for an opening, but I don’t think I will take this approach for my edit. One reason is that I like the film opening with Obi-Wan’s trauma from his failed attempt at saving Anakin (in all literal senses), and that is what the series is also all about; - and the other reason is that I do not want the edit to feel like a fan edit, and when you start restructuring a lot this often happens, no matter how good the intentions. I, however, love radical edits done for all the right reasons, and if you do decide to make your own with this approach I would be most eager to watch.

Anjohan, some of the most basic directing principles were violated during Episode 3 which add to the fight segment feeling “off”. For example: https://streamable.com/n0llyy

When Kenobi seemingly runs right back into the same area because of the faulty left/right relationship of the camera, it almost appears as a comedy sketch where he runs back into the scene “oopsies, forgot my lightsaber!”

It is extremely disorienting when you can’t tell which direction characters are moving, and as you see this can be mended by a simple horizontal flip effect, but I’ll rewatch and keep my eye out for more.

There’s something fishy going on during this whole act because it doesn’t seem like they filmed enough takes, didn’t invest in the props to build a good looking set, the lighting is setup as an amateur-like fan film instead of hollywood-esque production, basic left/right principles were not followed, lightsaber graphics are very poorly implemented, fight choreography left much to be desired etc.

On the surface, all of these factors indicate a lack of budget, but Disney+ has become notorious for an over reliance on post-production to enhance the on-set content. As we know, Kenobi was given a very large budget so it truly just comes down to poor decision making during the on-set filming process and thinking that it will look great after post-production. Obviously that did not occur as you can only fix so much in post. As we see from Vader’s castle interior, they did not properly divert the budget across to the board to make some of these scenes come to life. These are top level decision making mistakes, not the fault of the actors or crew.

Acbagel said:

Anjohan, some of the most basic directing principles were violated during Episode 3 which add to the fight segment feeling “off”. For example: https://streamable.com/n0llyy
[…] post up above

You are absolutely right. Great post!

I have already made cuts to the final duel yesterday, and can do some more tweaks (with your post in mind) and release the clip when I get back home from the gym.

I know i have cut many of the problems you mention, without fully analyzing why some scenes were so shiet.

By the way, did you guys know they inter-cut Reeva and Leia FIVE times within the span of that four-minute “duel”? It’s insane. I re-structured that yesterday so that only two inter-cut’s happen, and we focus mainly on a rather short “duel” between Obi-Wan and Anakin.

The main selling point here is definitely not the duel, but rather Anakin sharing his pain on Mustafar and scaring the big jesus out of Obi-Wan.

So, I did some remixing of a variation of a fanmade Dark Deeds, original Dark Deeds (John Williams OST) and some custom-made Sith Whispers from YouTube along with my own dark ambience and SFX for the scene. This was made for those who requested a more haunting theme, and although I think I still prefer The Piano Theme because of the sadness within the Imperial March and Anakin’s/Vader’s actions in the scene. Tell me which you prefer.

Vader Returns - Anakin’s Dark Deeds Version

https://streamable.com/3w3hls

Vader Returns - Piano Theme (the frontrunner for the scene as of right now)

https://streamable.com/vwhsix

And then I’ll tweak and upload the Duel with Vader once I get back.

Anjohan said:

So, I did some remixing of a variation of a fanmade Dark Deeds, original Dark Deeds (John Williams OST) and some custom-made Sith Whispers from YouTube along with my own dark ambience and SFX for the scene. This was made for those who requested a more haunting theme, and although I think I still prefer The Piano Theme because of the sadness within the Imperial March and Anakin’s/Vader’s actions in the scene. Tell me which you prefer.

Vader Returns - Anakin’s Dark Deeds Version

https://streamable.com/3w3hls

Vader Returns - Piano Theme (the frontrunner for the scene as of right now)

https://streamable.com/vwhsix

And then I’ll tweak and upload the Duel with Vader once I get back.

I still heavily prefer the piano track. I think the Dark Deeds one is still an improvement over release, but actually I just felt more blanket sadness during that one compared to the piano one. The piano one is chilling as well as depressing which I think fits what Obi-wan is feeling.

During this sequence, I would also recommend re-organizing the shots of Obi-wan telling Leia and officer lady to leave. It is very strange pacing when they all just stand inside the building for so long as Vader goes on his tear. I understand Obi staying there to watch, but there is absolutely no reason the other 2 should be standing there for so long. I’d re-cut this so that Obi tells them to flee way earlier on. They stand there watching Obi look out the window for 2 whole minutes as Vader comes closer and closer. Leave! Run! Flee as soon as Vader turns the corner! The imperial officer obviously knows who that is and should know to book it out of there the second she sees what’s coming. This reinforces the power of vader’s presence, and also helps that constant cutting to characters flaw you mentioned about the battle scene too. I think when those segments are grouped together it helps the viewer keep focus appropriately. We all knew Vader wasn’t going to catch Leia in the building there so clear her out earlier on so we can lock into Obi-wan’s emotions for the entire duration instead of getting distracted by wondering why the others are just standing there doing nothing instead of following the plan

I prefer Anakin’s Dark Deeds. For Obi-Wan this is not yet “omg it’s Darth Vader bum bum bum buh buh-bum, buh buh-bum,” but rather whatever Anakin has turned into. It harkens back to his moment with Padme in ROTS of reckoning with what Anakin has done.

Or… how would it perhaps go to start with Anakin’s Dark Deeds, but switch to the piano Imperial March when he begins killing people? (Maybe skipping into the main part of the theme without the preliminary percussive buildup.)

Kenobi Duel - Part I (Still needs work on the new saber)

https://streamable.com/vwkgr5
So, changes:

• Pacing.
• Obi-Wan only flee from Darth Vader once. The fear of the moment falls flat when Obi-Wan escape twice within one minute, in my opinion.
• I had to add a saber to one of the scenes with Darth Vader, as it was originally off (“I am what you made me”).
• Obi-Wan ignites his saber as muscle memory when Vader ignites his, even in fear - the original ignition felt out of place, when he is in a less dangerous situation.
• Removed Obi-Wan looking for Vader in the darkness with his glowing plastic saber. The scene just… reminds me of AOTC when Anakin & Dooku have that weird closeup with their sabers. Urgh.

Part II is as in the original episode.

Kenobi Duel - Part III (Still needs volume adjustments due to some overlapping music)

https://streamable.com/hy7k9f
Changes:

• New soundtrack at certain key parts to mirror the emotional weight from ROTS and give the scene more identity.
• Fixed pacing.
• Removed two horrible shots.
• Improved pacing when Anakin grabs Obi-Wan. The original lingers on shots for way too long.
• Prevented a bunch of inter-cuts.
  … and some new sfx.

Phase3 said:

I love your ideas for this edit! The preview clips you’ve done look fantastic. 😃
Could I make a suggestion? How about removing Reva’s unnecessary dialogue at the end of the conversation with the other Inquisitors?
Inquisitor: "I will get what I deserve, Third Sister, and so will you!”. The camera then goes to Reva; cut it there, leaving her in silence.
Cut her timewasting speech of “I hope so. I certainly hope so”.
It’s much more dramatic to leave her in silence, rather than have her voicing her thoughts to an empty room.

Thank you, friend!

Yes, cringe like this is removed - all throughout the film.

You could always do two audio tracks, one with added score and one without, I suppose.

Hal 9000 said:

You could always do two audio tracks, one with added score and one without, I suppose.

I’m not opposed to the idea. I’ve never made an mkv with different audio tracks before, so I’ll dive into it when the final cut is locked.