Smudger9's Bad Batch Movie Series [EP1 & EP2 RELEASED; EP3 WIP] — Page 2

TheDimitrios said:

Watched it today and it was super nice as always!

The cut from Tarkin announcing a demonstration to after the training was a bit abrupt, maybe this could profit from leaving at least a few seconds of it in…

Smaller thing that can probably not be easily solved: Omegas Bow kinda comes out of nowhere. (Dont remember how the show originally introduced it, been a while)

Yes, the Tarkin cut was as good as I could get it because his opening line references the training test, which I cut.

Omega gets the bow on a random side-quest that has no relevance to the main plot of the season. It first appears in this edit as she runs out of Cid’s bar. Since you see a shot of her taking an interest in one of the artefacts there, one could suggest that she takes it from Cid’s office.

TheDimitrios said:

The Bow thing is definitely not worth including a complete side arc.

With the training sequence I would say it might have a bit of value to show at least a little of it, not only because it flows better in that moment, also because the location comes back at the end.

But make no mistake: Outstanding edit and just like TNR my Goto version of this content from now on.

Tip for bystanders: Rebels Recut has the Ryloth Arc as a bonus episode which can be slotted in after this cut without too much headache, giving a very full-universe picture for a complete Star Wars Binge.

I agree with your points on the training sequence. However, time was the main issue with this edit. I just didn’t feel I could accommodate another 5mins, I needed to get them out to Onderon as quickly as possible to move the plot along.

yoshif8tures said:

How far into episode 2 have you gotten?

Not that far unfortunately. Editing time is pretty limited at the moment due to life getting in the way!

I have the clone conspiracy and crosshair plots sorted. I’m struggling most with the Batch’s story. They almost play second fiddle in the core storyline and the separation of Echo and move to Pabu are real spanners in the works!

I finally had some time to sit down and get a plan together with this edit. There is a great edit hidden in this series with a very strong core story. The side quests also have nothing to do with the core story, which makes them easy to ignore - there are no Omega’s Bow problems in this season!

Cone Conspiracy/Truth & Consequences and The Outpost plots work beautifully side-by-side and feed perfectly into the 3-part finale as the final act.

However, the challenge here is the Batch themselves, thanks mainly to Echo separating off midway through the season. Had he not separated I could have started the edit with the Batch already on Pabu and covered their separation from Cid in the crawl, but Echo’s absence on Pabu means that is a non-starter.

The solution I’ve come up with is to have the Batch working for Phee and opening the edit with Entombed, which of all the side quests its probably the best with a great India Jones vibe. Entombed can be intercut with Clone Conspiracy to set up Rex’s request for help. Entombed also ends with a reference to searching for another ancient item which can then feed into the start of the Pabu episode later.
As the Batch leave the entombed planet I’ll add in the Hunter/Echo conversation from EP1 about doing more to fight the empire, this sets up their response for Rex’s call for help and Echo’s separation from the Batch.

The Batch then join Rex in Truth and Consequences and I will intercut this episode with The Outpost to introduce crosshair.
The final scene of Truth and Consequences will lead into the final scene of The Outpost and then Hemlock’s arrival on Tantis from Metamorphosis. This gives enough time for Echo and The Batch to go their separate ways - the Batch will continue their treasure hunt with Phee from the start of Pabu and Echo will intercept the clone transport.
Crosshair’s escape and Echo returning the rescued clones to Coruscant are intercut with the Batch settling down on Pabu and then once Echo arrives on Pabu, the finale plays out in order.

This is a very basic first cut and it’s clocking in at 3h2mins. It should be very easy to edit it down to 2h45, which is a very similar running time to my season 1 edit.

Sounds like a great outline. Still haven’t brought myself to finish season 2 so I’m looking forward to what you put together for your edit. Any chance you’ll have something ready before s3 releases?

Sirius said:

I watched the season 1 edit, and I really liked it. Personally, I found Cad Bane’s plot a bit filler and out of touch with the main plot of the movie you constructed, but I think that’s just me. And personally I didn’t understand much What happened to Gregor, because it seems like he disappeared out of nowhere 😄. But I thought the edit was very solid, I really had a good time watching it

Yeah the Gregor cameo was very random. I wish I could have cut the whole episode out, but Hunter’s capture is pivotal to the story.

Kestrel said:

Sounds like a great outline. Still haven’t brought myself to finish season 2 so I’m looking forward to what you put together for your edit. Any chance you’ll have something ready before s3 releases?

I’ve just cut together the first act and Entombed really isn’t a good episode and doesn’t have any relevance to the plot.

There really isn’t a perfect way to integrate Phee and Pabu into the story so I think I’m going to change tact.

Phee does need an establishing scene but I’m now going to switch it to her actual introduction from episode 1. I’m then going to have Hunter completely shut down the mission to Serrano and have the batch stay on Ord Mantell until Rex contacts them.
The downside to this tactic is that Phee gets a rather left field reintroduction at the start of the Pabu episode, but I’ll edit in a time gap for the Batch’s story buy using the outpost and some Tantiss scenes.

It also gives a better 3 act structure:

Act 1: Clone Conspiracy
First part of Spoils of War, Clone Conspiracy, Truth & Consequences.

Act 2: Mysteries of Tantiss
Small sections of Solitary Clone, couple of scenes from Metamorphosis, first part of Pabu, Outpost, first half of Tipping Point.

Act 3: The Finale
Second half of Tipping Point, The Summit, Plan 99.

A big update on this project. I now have a first cut of Episode 2. It has an even 3-act structure and is clocking in at 2h42, which I’m really happy with. As I refine the cut this will come down further and should end up around 2h35.

The working title is “Army of the Empire”. I’m not totally happy with the title and am open to suggestions.

If anyone fancies watching the first cut then I’m happy for input. It’ll be a low res video with centre channel (completely music free)… it’s actually a cool experience to watch it without any music.

Here is the current breakdown:

Act 1 (57 mins)

• Logos, opening crawl & pan to planet
• EP1: Opening scene with the Batch on a mission for Cid. I have cut Omega jumping off the Marauder, she stays dangling from the line.
• EP7: Opening scene of Cade and Slip in the bar discussing the destruction of Kamino. Cade is shot by a sniper and Slip escapes.
• EP1: Marauder in hyperspace. Echo talks to Hunter about doing more to help clones. Cut reference to Dooku’s fortune. This scene sets up Echo separating from the Batch at the end of act 1.
• EP7: First senate scene discussing the defence recruitment bill. Rampart and Mac Amedda discuss the events on Kamino.
• EP1: The Batch return to Cid’s bar with the haul. The Batch meet Phee. The mission to scavenge Dock’s fortune is discussed but Hunter doesn’t agree to the mission.
• EP7: Chucci discusses her demands for the clones with Rampart.
• EP7: Clip of Slip on the run.
• EP7: Chucci meets with Organa and she discusses her clone contact with information about the destruction of Kamino.
• EP7: Rampart gives the order to assassinate Chucci.
• EP7: Chucci & guards v Assassin. Rex kills the assassin.
• EP5: Wrecker and Omega trawl through a scrap yard looking for a compressor. Phee tells a tale to the patrons in Cid’s bar. Omega & Wrecker return and Phee notices the treasure map. The Batch agree to join her on a hunt. AI line from Phee telling the Batch to wait for her to contact them.
• EP7: Rex Interrogates the assassin.
• EP8: Batch wait aboard the Marauder. Cut Omega’s references to Gungi. Echo contacts the Batch asking for help. Change Wrecker “I’m tired of waiting for Cid” to “I’m tired of waiting for Phee”. The Batch agree to go to Coruscant.
• EP3: Crosshair woken by an alarm. He is summoned to Ramparts office and given a mission. Cut specific references to the mission and Cody’s clone number.
• EP8: The Batch arrive on Coruscant and meet Rex. They discuss getting to Rampart’s Ventor.
• EP12: Crosshair meets his mission commander and they depart Coruscant.
• EP8: Cucchi discusses her plan with Organa and he tells her to contact Burtoni.
• EP8: The Batch retrieve the data from the Venator - the shipyard infiltration sequence has been edited to shorten it.
• EP8: The Batch get the data to the senate and Rampart is exposed. The emperor appears and introduces the stormtrooper program.
• EP11: Hemlock arrives on Tantiss. The assets now refer to clone troopers rather than the Zillos. Hemlock threatens Taun We in her cell.
• EP8: Echo and the Batch got their separate ways.

Act 2: (62 mins)

• EP12: Crosshair’s shuttle exits hyperspace. They land on tBarton IV and meet the clones troopers stationed at the base. Insurgents attack the base. Crosshair and Mayday pursue them into the caves.
• EP13: The Batch and Phee negotiate over the artefact. They grab it and escape.
• EP12: Crosshair and Mayday continue their pursuit of the insurgents. The pressure mine sequence has been cut. They discover the base and attack. They cause an avalanche and are buried. Crosshair emerges and rescues Mayday who is injured.
• EP13: Batch and Phee in hyperspace. Cid contacts them due to their absence. Cut Phee’s references to cutting ties with Cid (they turn up at Cid’s in act 3) but keep the rest of the scene.
• EP11: Lama Su arrives on Tantiss.
• EP12: Crossshair hauls Mayday slowly back to the base. Nolan refuses to help Mayday. Crosshair kills Nolan.
• EP13: The batch arrive on Pabu.
• EP12: Crosshair wakes up in a cell on Tantiss.
• EP13: The Batch are given a tour of Pabu by Phee.
• EP14: Clone troopers are ushered aboard a transport. The transport enters orbit and is attacked by Echo & crew who disable it and rescue the clones before escaping.
• EP13: The Batch Enjoy dinner on Pabu. Omega views the sunset from a boat.
• EP14: Echo delivers the clones to Chucci on Coruscant. Echo departs to contact the Batch about the data he collected from the Imperial ship.
• EP14: Hemlock Interrogates Crosshair.
• EP14: Echo Arrives on Pabu. Part of Omega’s flying lesson is cut.
• EP14: Crosshair’s failed escape attempt.
• EP14: The Batch decrypt the Imperial data.
• EP14: Train and Hemlock discuss the attack on the Imperial shuttle and the Summit.
• EP15: Echo finds out about the summit.
• EP14: Hemlock again interrogates Crosshair.
• EP15: The Batch leave Pabu

Act 3: (42mins)

• The Remainder of EP15 and all of EP16 play out with minor trimming.

spunkmeyer said:

Hi Smudger,
Please feel free to send me a link for this, and the Andor project please.

I’d love a bad batch movie without Omega, failing that one without the crew telling her to stay put so that she doesn’t disobey them every frickin’ time !

Omega-free Bad batch! Now that would be an interesting project! I’ll send you the links.

TheDimitrios said:

There is an instance in the first Cad Bane scene where Omegas Bow just disappears from her back.
I think adding the few missing seconds there is worth it to not have the Continuity issue. 😃

What is it about that bow? 🤣

Just got round to looking at this. You’re correct. I’d cut Todo knocking the bow out of Omega’s hand. D’oh. Its back in and will be updated when I release episode 2.