The New Republic Movie Series EPIV: A Threat From Beyond (An Ahsoka Series Edit) [RELEASED] — Page 4

smudger9 said:

Yes, it was a rather meaty episode. For the sake of my edit I was hoping for lots of filler. Not a huge amount that can be cut on first viewing, but that often changes on subsequent viewings. One thing I will say is that this series feels the most cinematic of the D+ shows.

I guess I could cut more by weaving it into episode 5 but it is going to be very difficult to cut this season down to 3h.

Maybe the 7th episode will offer us some more fillers. I feel it in my bones that the next episode will be New Republic-centered.

If you cannot cut it down to 3h, well, c’est la vie 😉 As long as it’s a good, quality content and a coherent, well-paced story, it doesn’t matter if it’s 2.5h or 3.5h 😉

Warhorn said:

I loved this first cut.

Ignoring the abrupt sound cuts and small errors (I hear the cut scene of the villains in the destroyed temple during the Sabine and Ahsoka one after the reunion), I feel that as a first act the rhythm flows well and that it is a model introduction to a film, without a rushed pace but also feeling light and pleasant.

I also really like how you have resolved Sabine’s injury, I think it looks wonderfully well and that it can be understood that she has been injured without it being something as serious as what is seen in the series.

I haven’t been able to see the clip with the two medbay scenes combined, but it also seems like a great idea to me.

As a silly detail, I feel that the cut of the shot in which the New Republic cruiser appears is very noticeable
after the opening crawl. I suppose you will polish these details tho.

On the other hand, have you decided 100% to make just one movie for the entire season? I really felt this sixth episode like the beginning of a second part of something, with Ahsoka’s arc quite closed in the previous one. The second film may be considerably shorter than the first, but narratively it suits me better divided into two films.

Thanks Warhorn. It’s a very rough cut at the moment - I haven’t done any work on the audio yet. That will come when I settle on a final cut.
The decision on one or two movies will come at the end of the series… Although it’s starting to feel like a lot for one movie.

Could I please have a link to the rough cut?

Is there any reason the “movie” couldn’t just start with Episode 3 and the opening crawl updated to state that Ahsoka and Sabine are en route to stop villians who broke Morgan out of jail and have a map to Thrawn?

Think of it as:

• ACT 1: Recovering the map and failing
• ACT 2: Interconnect Ahsoka and Anakin with Sabine/Thrawn/Ezra
• ACT 3: What’s to come, TBD

DZ-330 said:

Is there any reason the “movie” couldn’t just start with Episode 3 and the opening crawl updated to state that Ahsoka and Sabine are en route to stop villians who broke Morgan out of jail and have a map to Thrawn?

Think of it as:

• ACT 1: Recovering the map and failing
• ACT 2: Interconnect Ahsoka and Anakin with Sabine/Thrawn/Ezra
• ACT 3: What’s to come, TBD

As much as I loved the introduction of Baylon and Shin, I agree that this is probably the best way to start the film.

Then, maybe the Baylon/Shin scene could be some kind of poat-credit cliff-hanger scene for a previous film.

While I get that, I worry that it does gloss over Ahsoka and Sabine’s falling out. If we open on them together, and Ahsoka training her, the impact of them having stopped training isn’t quite as apparent.

You could start the movie halfway through episode 3 when Ahsoka and Sabine drop out of hyperspace near the planet where Morgan is at with the map. Here is a crawl that could work, also better explaining the state of things so Rebels won’t be as much of a requirement:

It has been years since the heroic Jedi Padawan, Ezra Bridger, and the menacing IMPERIAL GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN went missing during the Battle of Lothal. During their exile, the EVIL GALACTIC EMPIRE has fallen, but rumors are now spreading of Thrawn’s return, which would galvanize the IMPERIAL REMNANTS and reignite war throughout the galaxy.

Sinister agents have infiltrated the new fragile government and are already at work to undermine the newfound peace. Failing to convince the NEW REPUBLIC to act, AHSOKA TANO, former Jedi Apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, has taken it upon herself to investigate this emerging threat.

Forming an uneasy alliance, Ahoska has recruited a former student and friend of Ezra, Sabine Wren, to assist in her quest. They have tracked the location of a recently escaped prisoner, MORGAN ELSBETH, who is in possession of a secret map which is vital to the enemy’s plan…

DZ-330 said:

You could start the movie halfway through episode 3 when Ahsoka and Sabine drop out of hyperspace near the planet where Morgan is at with the map. Here is a crawl that could work, also better explaining the state of things so Rebels won’t be as much of a requirement:

---

It has been years since the heroic Jedi Padawan, Ezra Bridger, and the menacing IMPERIAL GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN went missing during the Battle of Lothal. During their exile, the EVIL GALACTIC EMPIRE has fallen, but rumors are now spreading of Thrawn’s return, which would galvanize the IMPERIAL REMNANTS and reignite war throughout the galaxy.

Sinister agents have infiltrated the new fragile government and are already at work to undermine the newfound peace. Failing to convince the NEW REPUBLIC to act, AHSOKA TANO, former Jedi Apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, has taken it upon herself to investigate this emerging threat.

Forming an uneasy alliance, Ahoska has recruited a former student and friend of Ezra, Sabine Wren, to assist in her quest. They have tracked the location of a recently escaped prisoner, MORGAN ELSBETH, who is in possession of a secret map which is vital to the enemy’s plan…

It is way too long for a Star Wars crawl. Usually they are shorter and more concise.

szopman said:

It is way too long for a Star Wars crawl. Usually they are shorter and more concise.

Okay…

Years have passed since Jedi Padawan, Ezra Bridger, and the menacing IMPERIAL GRAND ADMIRAL THRAWN went missing. Rumors now spread of Thrawn’s survival, which could reignite war throughout the galaxy.

Failing to convince the NEW REPUBLIC to act, AHSOKA TANO, former Jedi Apprentice of Anakin Skywalker, has taken it upon herself to investigate this emerging threat.

Ahoska has recruited a former student and friend of Ezra, Sabine Wren, to assist in her quest. Together, they have tracked the location of an escaped prisoner, who is in possession of a secret map which is vital to Thrawn’s return…

Egh, I’m not particular on Ahsoka and Sabine’s falling out either, but it’s instrumental to their relationship in this show, especially Sabine’s decision at the end of 4. Besides, it’s been 10 years. A lot can happen.

I do think that the celebration on Lothal scene should be kept, it introduces the audience to Ezra quickly and will free up the crawl for other details. We’re already asking the audience a lot, assuming they haven’t seen Rebels. Cutting the first two episodes out is gonna strain it.

This is going to be a really tough edit isn’t it! As many have said, the footage is there to make an amazing movie, but Filoni always makes it difficult to cut elements because one scene always leads to the next!

I’m not too keen on the idea of opening with episode 3. The presence of a crawl does give a lot of freedom regarding where you start the story because it’s free exposition. However, there will be way too much for the crawl to achieve in order to explain the state of the galaxy, the map, Thrawn and the Sabine/Ahsoka relationship. I think there are elements of episodes 1 and 2 that we need to see.

I think this edit is going to have to be done “back-to-front”, which is what I used to do with my Clone Wars edits. Figure out where you’re going and then figure out how you got there. So what I’ll probably do is edit together 7 and 8 as the final act and see what threads need a start point.

In terms of act 1, one idea I’m floating is to have Ahsoka already in possession of the map, which will be explained in the opening crawl. I’ll still open with Baylan and Shin rescuing Morgan, but then cut to Ahsoka arriving on Lothal. Then I can reinstate the scene where Morgan sends Shin to Lothal. That should all bring in act 1 at 45mins and streamlines things.
We open on the Republic cruiser and the story then moves to Lothal before heading to Seatos.

The real battle I’m having with this edit is episodes 3, 4 and 5. It’s so difficult to get those episodes edited down. Has anyone got suggestions of how to remove Ashoka’s stupid space walk? It would be easy if she hadn’t changed her damn outfit! Grrrr

Thanks for all the input. I’ve sent the link to those that have requested it.

smudger9 said:

This is going to be a really tough edit isn’t it! As many have said, the footage is there to make an amazing movie, but Filoni always makes it difficult to cut elements because one scene always leads to the next!

I’m not too keen on the idea of opening with episode 3. The presence of a crawl does give a lot of freedom regarding where you start the story because it’s free exposition. However, there will be way too much for the crawl to achieve in order to explain the state of the galaxy, the map, Thrawn and the Sabine/Ahsoka relationship. I think there are elements of episodes 1 and 2 that we need to see.

I think this edit is going to have to be done “back-to-front”, which is what I used to do with my Clone Wars edits. Figure out where you’re going and then figure out how you got there. So what I’ll probably do is edit together 7 and 8 as the final act and see what threads need a start point.

In terms of act 1, one idea I’m floating is to have Ahsoka already in possession of the map, which will be explained in the opening crawl. I’ll still open with Baylan and Shin rescuing Morgan, but then cut to Ahsoka arriving on Lothal. Then I can reinstate the scene where Morgan sends Shin to Lothal. That should all bring in act 1 at 45mins and streamlines things.
We open on the Republic cruiser and the story then moves to Lothal before heading to Seatos.

The real battle I’m having with this edit is episodes 3, 4 and 5. It’s so difficult to get those episodes edited down. Has anyone got suggestions of how to remove Ashoka’s stupid space walk? It would be easy if she hadn’t changed her damn outfit! Grrrr

Thanks for all the input. I’ve sent the link to those that have requested it.

Smudger, I think a lot of episode 3 could be cut out, namely the dog fight. Have the starfighters arrive, brief battle in space, and then dive down to Seatos. Don’t include any of Ahsoka’s cockpit scenes, on account of her outfit change. Then, have them lose them in the Purgil, and land. Cut to Baylan sensing them, and then cut to the beginning of 4. If you really need Huyang’s explanation of the hyperspace ring and purgil, you may move that to another scene, as his dialogue is very easy to move, due to not having a mouth.

Also, I still think most of the Jacen content can be cut from 5. Him showing up as Ahsoka wakes up is plenty explanation, it leaves with the audience knowing as much as Ahsoka does. You can intercut the WBW scenes with Sabine’s scenes on Peridea.

4 kinda needs to stay the way it is. I guess you could cut the saber fights down a bit, but honestly they’re some of the best parts of the episode.

losthead said:

smudger9 said:

This is going to be a really tough edit isn’t it! As many have said, the footage is there to make an amazing movie, but Filoni always makes it difficult to cut elements because one scene always leads to the next!

I’m not too keen on the idea of opening with episode 3. The presence of a crawl does give a lot of freedom regarding where you start the story because it’s free exposition. However, there will be way too much for the crawl to achieve in order to explain the state of the galaxy, the map, Thrawn and the Sabine/Ahsoka relationship. I think there are elements of episodes 1 and 2 that we need to see.

I think this edit is going to have to be done “back-to-front”, which is what I used to do with my Clone Wars edits. Figure out where you’re going and then figure out how you got there. So what I’ll probably do is edit together 7 and 8 as the final act and see what threads need a start point.

In terms of act 1, one idea I’m floating is to have Ahsoka already in possession of the map, which will be explained in the opening crawl. I’ll still open with Baylan and Shin rescuing Morgan, but then cut to Ahsoka arriving on Lothal. Then I can reinstate the scene where Morgan sends Shin to Lothal. That should all bring in act 1 at 45mins and streamlines things.
We open on the Republic cruiser and the story then moves to Lothal before heading to Seatos.

The real battle I’m having with this edit is episodes 3, 4 and 5. It’s so difficult to get those episodes edited down. Has anyone got suggestions of how to remove Ashoka’s stupid space walk? It would be easy if she hadn’t changed her damn outfit! Grrrr

Thanks for all the input. I’ve sent the link to those that have requested it.

Smudger, I think a lot of episode 3 could be cut out, namely the dog fight. Have the starfighters arrive, brief battle in space, and then dive down to Seatos. Don’t include any of Ahsoka’s cockpit scenes, on account of her outfit change. Then, have them lose them in the Purgil, and land. Cut to Baylan sensing them, and then cut to the beginning of 4. If you really need Huyang’s explanation of the hyperspace ring and purgil, you may move that to another scene, as his dialogue is very easy to move, due to not having a mouth.

Also, I still think most of the Jacen content can be cut from 5. Him showing up as Ahsoka wakes up is plenty explanation, it leaves with the audience knowing as much as Ahsoka does. You can intercut the WBW scenes with Sabine’s scenes on Peridea.

4 kinda needs to stay the way it is. I guess you could cut the saber fights down a bit, but honestly they’re some of the best parts of the episode.

I’ll have another look at moving Huyang’s hyperspace exposition to see if it’s doable. That is an essential scene and it won’t work as well for the audience without the hologram. The issue with cutting all of Ahsoka’s scenes with the spacewalk outfit is that it will be obvious something is missing. There is also the issue of the seat changes in the shuttle cockpit which would need to be worked around.

My main issue with episodes 3 and 4 is that there was no urgency from Sabine and Ahsoka once they land on Seatos. They just bumble around like they’re on a camping trip with a vague mention that their ground base isn’t far. I may need to use some AI Huyang lines to help with that.

juan-man said:

Hi! First time posting here. Since Ahsoka started, I’ve been thinking how could a TV-to-movie fanedit of this season work. I supposed some of the ‘usual suspects’ would end up doing it, so I searched and I found that, yes, none other than Smudger9 was already planning on it. So here I am.

In my opinion, the season is unfolding in a manner that will lend itself more to a two-movie edit: the first one comprising episodes 1 to 5, and the second one with 6 to 8. I agree with Smudger when he says that, because of how Filoni has structured the series, it is difficult to cut a lot (as opposed to The Mandalorian, Boba Fett or Obi-Wan). But I also think that, even if it seems that the first episodes do not advance the plot a whole lot, they tell a complete story (sort of) in emotional terms. And, also, the end of episode 5 marks a change of setting, and also an ellipsis, that structurally would make for a perfect ending for the first movie. That movie would tell, on one side, the story of the search for Thrawn. But it would also tell the story of how Ahsoka comes to terms with her heritage, and how she emerges changed, renewed and reborn in order to start the next stage of her journey. The confrontation with Anakin would be a perfect climax, with the second part of episode 5 serving as resolution and epilogue (like Rey travelling to Ach-To to find Luke). Then, hyperspace jump, end credits, cue John Williams fanfare!

Depending on how the last two episodes unfold, the second movie could be the return of Thrawn to the galaxy, and maybe the introduction of a new and previously unknown threat (or, knowing Filoni, it could be something completely different). In any case, I think this series could work perfectly as two movies with a minimal time skip between them, similar to the one between TFA and TLJ. Until now, this show has been, rythmically speaking, quite similar to the movies (or, at least, more similar to them than the rest of the TV shows), and the big emotional stakes would make it work perfectly as two parts. Also, it would simplify a lot the editing process! Anyway, those are my two cents about it.

(P.S.: I absolutely LOVED Ahsoka’s space walk! That was the one moment I could see our beloved padawan Tano through this older, seasoned and tired Ahsoka. And, because of that, I think that’s the first moment (maybe the second, after her jump through the glass in the Corellian shipyards) the audience thinks Ahsoka can really get to ‘loosen up’ and return to her former, lighter, more heroic and peaceful self. Which I think is what has finally happened after her encounter with Anakin. So I hope you don’t end cutting the moment altogether)

Hi Juan! I agree that 1 to 5 feel like a completed arc and that would run at just over 2 hours. The finale would be slightly weak without the classic Star Wars “battle”, but it does have the emotional climax with Aksoka and the Purgill and the gap between movies with a little time skip would demonstrate just how far it is between galaxies.

My fear is that Episodes 6 to 8 won’t fit well as a movie edit on their own with lack of material and also lack of story. Had it been 9 or 10 episodes then I would agree. Unfortunately I think we’ll end up with footage for one and a half movies! Our only hope is that episode 8 is and hour or more and has more to it than simply Ahsoka and Ezra v Thrawn, Baylan and Shin. 7 and 8 do have different directors so at least we know it’s not one slightly longer episode split in half.