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The legendary "Starkiller Ranch" Thread — Page 33
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I am in the middle of a deal that could allow me to return in a couple weeks-- but as you know, I have been bitch-slapped by real life myself for a while. I only hope there will be the chance for a reunion if this Episode I cut finally sees the light of day.
What is the current state of the media? Do you have everything, CC?
I deeply believe in the direction this edit has come from-- Let's work out a way to see it come to a good end, even if it means pushing back the deadlines a long ways. Watching TM take his time should be some inspiration to us-- slow and steady has been his way.
What's the next move, CC?
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Due to various constraints, we've had to cut a couple of plot points we were hoping to change: Qui-Gon talking to Anakin through the Force, and Nute going back to the control ship and dying in the explosion. There are simply no quiet shots of Anakin in the cockpit which could be used for him listening to Qui-Gon. He's always talking or looking around very fast. A "flying back to Naboo" shot also proved nearly impossible to create, and that would also be necessary for the Force-talk. Maybe in the inevitable Special Edition we can work out a way to accomplish that, but for nw unfortunately it's a no-go. Also, the killing of Nute required a couple of SFX shots that could have been completed, but we could never resolve Padme's plot line to our satisfaction. Ideally there would be a shot of her and her group entering an empty throne room and a line "We're too late. They're gone," but it just doesn't exist. Without some kind of major reworking of the Padme/Nute throneroom scene, which is beyond our ability, this would end Padme's plotline at "Put down your weapons. They win this round." That's just not a satisfactory conclusion. So Nute will live an be captured as per the original version (which will make subtle things in II and III work much better).
Going back to the alien dialogue, InfoDroid had planned to use voice actors. I suppose we could still go this route, but personally I think we'd be much safer using a foriegn language track. Japanese would be the preferable language, as it's almost unrecognizeable. That would work for the Nemoidians anyway. The Gungans are a huge dilemma, any thoughts on them would be welcome. The idea behind using a foriegn language track and not dialogue from say, "The Passion of the Christ" (which I thought worked great in the clips ID posted), is that we could use proper nouns like "Jedi," "Sith," "Amidala," etc. This is also possible of course with voice actors, but again, I'm hesitant to use fan voices. Grievous/Maul being the only exception, and yes, that IS happening in this edit. He has only two lines in this Episode I, both coming in the hologram report scene.
As for special effects shots that are necessary:
-Possible new opening shot, something other than a pan down to the Republic cruiser (suggestions welcome).
-Grievous's Shuttle from Episode III, serving as Nute's shuttle here, approaching Theed. This will serve as a transition to Nute and Rune departing the shuttle (which has been moved to later in the movie).
-I'd LOVE to have to shot of the Royal Starship IN hyperspace. I'm not sure if this can be accomplished (suggestions welcome).
-The Royal Starship approaching Tatooine. An example of this shot can be seen in a screenshot posted by TJ. This utilizes the first shot of ANH flipped upside down, though I think it best if the moons were painted out so it's not instantly recognizeable as been cut-and-paste from ANH.
-Grievous/Maul talking to the Nemoidians via hologram. G/M would be sitting in the chair, matted over Sidious, with his original hologram painted out. TJ completed an early test of this which looked promising and was very effective.
With the removal of the two most complicated plot points requiring a lot of special effects, that's about it. Not too much, but what's there certainly isn't easy
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“My resolve has never been stronger!”
Actually, it would have been kind of embarrassing had you gotten Episode I out before my Ep. II, considering the much shorter time period you were giving yourselves. I am very pleased that Commander Courage is stepping up to the plate as the new manager and editor, so to speak, of Episode I. All I ask is that the film is given to me before release to tweak and to add my own bit of style to it. Also, the DVD format should be the same from movie to movie, so I’ll probably do the subtitles and special features for you. As far as editing programs…I’d strongly recommend that you get Vegas 5. Greencapt recommended it back when I was about to get a high-end editor, and I’ll never regret that decision. Having edited using several different programs (including Adobe), I can tell you that Vegas will save you such a ridiculous amount of time, it isn’t funny. It’s absolutely flexible. The other advantage of this would be that were it ever necessary for you to give me the raw files and the project files, or vice-versa, our set-ups would be totally compatible as well. I’d really recommend Vegas.
I would also love as many different talented people to get involved in this as possible (Sluggo, Musicman, Preston, special effects artists, and others I'm forgetting). I have no idea where MTH went, but he was also a critical visionary for Ep. I. It’s important to have his input throughout as well.
My only word of caution is this: In a project like SOTDS, with only myself doing the work, there are a lot of disadvantages (no second opinions and a longer working time). However, the critical benefit is that my editing is totally dependent on music (and sound effects, to a lesser extent). There are many different shots in the film that are very specifically coordinated with points in the music for dramatic effect. So to me, doing a whole rough cut with the editing, and then throwing in the music and sound effects afterwards is not nearly as effective, unless the music and sound editor is prepared to take the film apart again to re-edit and retime shots to create the best and most dramatic effect. Obviously in the real world of films, the score typically comes after the editing, but the composer is scoring to specific shots and actions. When you superimpose an existing piece over the film, it usually won’t line up, no matter how good it is. I have been fortunate enough to carry out these two processes at the same time, which is filmmaking at its greatest.
Sorry for the long-windedness, but I guess my point is I think it would be better if the same person that cuts the footage in a given scene should be the person that synchronizes the music, unless the music editor also has license to cut the footage as he pleases. That’s why one of my ideas for collaboration was to give each of us a 30-minute chunk for us to work on and put our own touch and style into. Then, the sections (which would be completed much sooner), would be sent to one person, who would unify it as a whole. But you see, in this method, you would still have the same man creating individual scenes, and it would be less of an assembly-line type of approach.
And that was about as clear as mud
Anyhow, I’m very glad you guys are going to continue to pursue this. You are making me happier than you know by carrying on with this project without waiting for me to complete everything else. Things get done so much faster that way. And good luck, ID and TJ! -TM
P.S. It’s occurred that we will also need the Nemoidian dialogue tracks for Ep. I and II from InfoDroid to continue (as well as some possible Owen dialogue?…I PM’d you, ID).
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side
“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: Sluggo
That might be handy for droids, but I'd be hesitant for humans.
That might be handy for droids, but I'd be hesitant for humans.
Right, we want it to sound organic. Like I said before, the problem with using "real" language is the lack of proper nouns. However if we can find words that sound enough like "Jedi" and "Sith," etc. that would really open up a lot of possibilities to us. We could then take dialogue from ANY Japanese film (for instance). This is definitely something to consider. Using another foreign language track would be yet another aspect of MagnoliaFan's edit that we'd be copying. So let's get on that.
Trooperman: I am of the same editing mind as you. Music is truly half the experience, and when finalizing scenes I endevour to synchronize the visuals with the audio as much as possible. Eveything flows together much better that way, and it's the best kind of presentation. Thanks for the advice on Vegas; it is best for us to use compatible software. I'll look into it.
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Here's the thing- It was my understanding that in InfoDroid's possession is a complete set of new audio dubs for Nute and the others that were recorded a few months ago by Jeff for this very purpose. So I believe that is taken care of; it sounded as though the dubs turned out very well, complete with the proper nouns and all.
I wasn't that keen on Nute's death, anyhow, so that's not a change I regret too much. The big thing, I think, is securing a special effects artist. There are tons of them out there; unfortunately most are not obsessed with improving SW
. But this would be a huge step in correcting some of the errors in the design of the prequels. Putting Tarkin in the Senate is the most critical and neccessary for me (if it could be done). And yes, definitely give yourself time on this. It's a completely groundbreaking and fabulous thing we're doing with these edits. There's every reason to take your time and give the whole thing the attention and polish it needs.
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side
“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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Wow. Commander Courage, music editing is really my forte, but I'll do what I can as far as overall sound mixing. I'll send you a PM. Anyway, I'm honored to be asked to do this. It's really cool.
As hard as this is losing a couple top guys here, I am also excited about the future of the edits.
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. I wish you too good luck with your private life 
.I'm sure when your edit of Episode I is released, there'll be a lot more people willing to help you out. I am very interested in this project (there has never been an edit to the whole saga before) and I love most of your ideas. How to help? I'm only just a newcomer to editing, have only some limited experience with After Effects and thus I can be of no real help in technical things. However, I have some experience in designing homepages and so I'd be happy to help making a homepage chronicling the changes you are making to the saga. Though, I also have my private life and my contributions my vary from time to time :/. But if you want me to try to make a HP for this entire project, then I'd be willing to.
And of course, I'll participate in the discussions when I can be of help
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This is what I've kind of figured, only with Episode II now that it is probably due for release first this year. I suspect that once Episode II is released, there'll be a lot more interest and help from a lot of people there. But they have to see a complete film first!
And a homepage would be great, perhaps in conjuctions with Erikstormtrooper's scripts and FAQ page.
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side
“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 And a homepage would be great, perhaps in conjuctions with Erikstormtrooper's scripts and FAQ page.
Well if you guys of Starkiller Ranch don't mind i'm willing to help you out, I still have a good amount of webspace left over 
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Originally posted by: Master Skywalker
Originally posted by: Trooperman And a homepage would be great, perhaps in conjuctions with Erikstormtrooper's scripts and FAQ page.
Well if you guys of Starkiller Ranch don't mind i'm willing to help you out, I still have a good amount of webspace left over In a PM, I basically told InfoDroid that I was willing to host all kind of stuff for the project, although I don't think I ever used the word homepage. I don't know if Commander Courage knows that (but now he does). I've made a similar offer to TrooperMan. When I did the logo for the Starkiller Ranch, I also spruced up the starkiller pages at my site (www.erikstormtrooper.com/starkiller.html) a tad.
If anyone else wants to take what I've done and expand it, go for it! My free time comes and goes (mostly the latter) so maybe someone else who can commit more time would like to have a go.
Erik
You know of the rebellion against the Empire?
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Anyway, depending on how you edit it, isn't it possible that Luke created his lightsaber under the watchful eye of Yoda? Yoda could have told him about the blue and green.
Right now as I write this I'm thinking what an intersting EU novel it would be if someone were to tell the story of Luke creating his own lightsaber, hunting for the neccesary crystal, receiving extra tuition from Yoda, returning to Tatooine to visit Ben's hut, with the hunt for Han going on in the background. Perhaps while he was on Tatooine building his new weapon he overheard some rumours about Han being Jabba's prisoner and that's how they found him - almost as if he was meant to be on Tatooine at that moment, the will of the force.
War does not make one great.
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So, just letting everyone know that we are waiting on the materials to do this right and are planning the process while we're waiting.
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Originally posted by: Darth Richard
Any updates about epsidoe one editing?? And Hey Darkhelmet you should see if you could join the team cuz I bet you have some good ideas for episdoe 3.
Any updates about epsidoe one editing?? And Hey Darkhelmet you should see if you could join the team cuz I bet you have some good ideas for episdoe 3.
Yeah, I've got some really cool ideas for 3! Maybe I can join up with the Ranch after my re-edit is complete. If anyone wants to check the rough-cut of my opening sequence, you can download the 15 MB, 320x240 WMV file from YouSendIt.com here:
Episode 3 Rough-Cut Opening
The link's only good for 2 more days, though.
All constructive criticism is welcome.