Update

I have cut together and incorporated what one might call the “Cringeless” version of Episode 4 into my edit as a side-piece for when Episode 5 and 6 are here, and I mean that in the sense that the cut is ready for either an alternate version of the film (for those who want a complete experience of the show) or as a stand-by copy-paste into the final product if Episode 5 and 6 allow the structure of the film to have this (perhaps then more crucial) piece to the puzzle.

The cut goes something like:

Obi-Wan in ship, burned -> thrown into Bacta Tank (no Vader connection yet) -> Reeva interrogates Leia Part I, without cringe -> Obi-Wan is in bacta tank, connection and parallels with Vader are there - only one shot of them dueling as a PTSD memory rather than five intercuts with a duel that happened three minutes ago and also let’s us focus on the two, burned individuals -> Obi-Wan wakes up from Bacta, asks where is Leia -> Cut to Obi-Wan and Tala planning the invasion of the Inquisitor fortress -> Reeva interrogates Part II without cringe (Part III with the droid and the mindreading is gone, except for a few seconds of Reeva playing with the droid) -> then it proceeds chronologically, but without cringe and more intensely paced. I also strengthened Reeva’s character by her not interviewing and analyzing Tala for what feels like one hour instead of either mindreading, killing or taking her into custody (it goes something like: Obi-Wan saves Leia -> Tala has just been accused for lying, Reeva is interrupted by alarms, and goes to hunt Kenobi).

The content counts for 23 minutes in total, and puts the film from 1 hour and 27 minutes up to 1 hour and 50 minutes, and the flow felt way better than I expected. So this will be interesting to evaluate once we continue the editing journey.

I did have to re-score certain parts to not make the Episode cliffhanger’s feel like cliffhangers, which they all are - oh my - but this came across rather flawlessly imo.

I COULD render a beta version of the edit with the episode included, so that people can give feedback on both the cut as it stands and on their opinions as to what they feel about the second Leia kidnapping, but then again it would suck to “spoil the release” by rendering a BETA which I am not done perfecting or that ruin the “freshness” of watching the enitery of it. So I myself would vote against this for now.

Acbagel said:

Anjohan said:
Sadly, Episode 2 will be the Leia Kidnapped plot - and with the removal of a lot of cringe, believe me, it works a lot better. Seen the edit many a times now, and what removing dumb shit does for this series/film - you have no idea!

This I do believe! It’s actually astonishing how those little adjustments in removing the distractions help the entire experience. When the viewer isn’t constantly being pulled out of the show, everything just keeps building up and absorbing you in.

Couldn’t have been said better. Exactly. Spot on!

Anjohan, since it seems like we won’t be getting an explanation as to why Vader let Obi-wan leave in Episode 3 as he appeared angry about it in episode 4, I have cut a draft for how to make Obi-wan’s escape through the fire seem less like Vader intentionally let him go. Still would need a lot of soundtrack work but as a concept I thought something along these lines would make it more believable: https://streamable.com/kmx5y8

Impressive. Most impressive.

Besides the re-use of same shots one time too many, your idea is good nonetheless. I will edit it so that the droid is stand-by the moment the fire re-ignites, almost as part of the plan, and then leave it at that instead of re-using footage (not because it doesn’t necessarily work - i think I could make it work by adding some smoke effects and cropping the footage to make it distinct), but simply because I don’t think it is needed and it would still flow better.

This way, at least, it doesn’t seem like Vader has all the time in the world to make up his mind. Therefore, this was a brilliant idea - now we can also better assume that although Obi-Wan got away in a more believable way, Vader almost acknowledges to himself that he will find him again - and soon - and that the hunt gives him both purpose and some sort of twisted enjoyment, although he might have prefered to kidnap and torture Kenobi more right there and then and later on.

Artan42 said:

revel911 said:

Artan42 said:

CMMAP said:

Artan42 said:

You have to. I don’t know if episode 4 can be saved. It’s bad bad. No underwater security? Darth Vader now speed walks? Snow speeders just hover oddly? vader doesn’t kill failures? Obiwan thinks a trench coat for a disguise will work? I literally cannot think of one salvageable moment? What if Obiwan let the water come in and they will escaped through the water?

Either way it would be convinient and/or bad writing. How so? Obi-Wan doesn´t have the opportunity to look for a better disguise (per your argument) because the writers deem it to be that way. So your rhetorical questions running nowhere.

Unless the Empire has Bantha costumes knocking around for R&R events then there’s no disguise he could have worn at all that would have hidden Leia as well. That’s not the writing, that’s just bad viewing of a scene that doesn’t require other interpretation. Also bare in mind he made it to within a few metres of the shuttles so it must have been an effective disguise.

If Obiwan was in a Storm Trooper outfit with Leia in a supply crate being wheeled/hovered around, that could have worked. What if it wasn’t them caught, but then Tala for the earlier scene as a potential spy.

Because that wouldn’t have been quick. The point is to show the time crunch the escape is under, having time to change into a full set of armour and dig out a crate would not convey a hurried rush in the same was as throwing on a coat did.

The real question is why not bring more rebreathers and escape under water in the first place.

Agreed. I felt the same way. The disguise wasn’t meant to mindfuck people, it was more a “this looks weird but we’re in a wannabe sith fortress and there are a lot of weird aliens and generals all over the place” and just as people start to expect they’re already in the next area. I think people fooled themselfs because of their own belief in the authority and security of The Empire, not because the camouflage was flawless.

True… that should’ve been the plan. Could’ve also made for a cool underwater battle/chase. Some handheld submarine equipment with scary-sounding sounds and speed. Could’ve looked awesome and felt unique. Oh well.

jordanbcooper said:

How could you cut out episode 4 from this edit when we have the most emotionally moving part of the whole series here with the death of the legendary Wade?

There is no question in my mind that we have to keep Episode 4 for the purpose of such an emotional farewell. I am still in shock.

revel911 said:

Anjohan said:

A lot of good ideas and excellent discussions about the episode in here from the last day.

I honestly have no idea if I am going to include it or not as of yet - I haven’t even put it into my editing timeline, simply because I expect that the last two episode’s will be of great significance (they should!) and that I will have to cut this episode for pacing.

Unless episode 5 or 6 is filled with filler and useless or dumb moments, It might be hard to include this episode because no one would want to sit through a movie and watch a secondary/main character get kidnapped TWICE in the span of 50 minutes.

But let’s say that episode 5 is filled with about 20 out of 40 worthy minutes of content, and episode 6 the same, that would leave the possibility of an additional 20 minutes for the final cut - leaving some of the best from this episode in contention for screen time.

However, I deem it highly unlikely that the last two episodes will have a combined 40 minutes of wasted time, so this will be very, very interesting.

I have been wondering if you could make them part of the same kidnap?

I’ve thought about this, and it would turn this entire fanedit on it’s head, cause me to do major re-editing and would probably end up feeling too fanedit-y, so I’ve gone against it. Sorry. But yeah - this is what the writers should’ve done. The storyline of Ep 2 should be this, and the original Ep 2 shouldn’t even have been a thing (although I do enjoy the planet).

Sadly, Episode 2 will be the Leia Kidnapped plot - and with the removal of a lot of cringe, believe me, it works a lot better. Seen the edit many a times now, and what removing dumb shit does for this series/film - you have no idea!

Sirius said:

Anjohan, you plan to cut the Vader/Reva scene of episode 4? Because Vader calmly accepting Obi-Wan escaping in episode 3, and then Vader clearly pissed off that Obi-Wan escaped in episode 4 is too strange, at least for me. Two completely different reactions to the same fact, one hours after the other.

If I don’t include Episode 4 as a structure to the film, I won’t keep that scene in. So far I’ve found Reeva to be a horrid villain in all the wrong ways, and the less she speaks to Vader the better.

Phase3 said:

The odd thing I found with episode 4 was the exchange between Leia and Reva. It went on for far too long, with tired old dialogue found in a thousand other movies.
How about cutting it so that after Leia says “I’ll never tell you where they are”, Reva then gets the Stormtroopers to take Leia away. No more long-winded, boring conversations!

The Disney style of writing is atrocious…

The rest of the episode was great though! It’s so good to see Obi-Wan in action again!

Yes, if episode 4 is kept in the film structure this would be a preferable cut - without a doubt! Completely aree.

Hal 9000 said:

I could certainly see excising this episode almost entirely if 3 and 5 bridge well, if you’re trying to cram things into a ~2 hour movie. And that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy it.

Yeah, it is totally expendable - and I liked the episode a lot, so I’m excited for what the final two episodes will bring as far as worthy content.

Axios said:

Anjohan I really like that current edit of Vader in the village! And all your points are certainly fair. I greatly appreciate your interest in working with so many view points!

As for my feeling on the ep… Tbh I feel like if you cut any more of this ep (which I feel like it needs it here and there for pacing and dialog) it will be too short an excursion to even include in any meaningful manner…It is soooo easy to cut this ep out entirely as well. I dont know, like the rest of this show so far it had pretty cool moments (Jedi tomb, swimming into base and glass/water break) but they were few and far between with every other moment being average (not bad) and really dumb (Leia under the coat, slapping a storm trooper & sending him against a wall smh).

I’m no expert here but, I feel like this might just be useful for spare parts in future eps.

All in all, thoroughly disappointed so far (I had very high expectations for this show).

Thank you for that, Axios. For the fans, by the fans.

It is more likely to end up as a “spare sparts” episode than one added to the film structure as of now, but again, depends on how much content there is to work with from the last two episodes. I don’t want the film to exceed 2 hours and 50 minutes - and that is if the pacing is on point!

headtaker18 said:

And PS:

imagine how beautiful it will feel when The Force Theme plays as Obi-Wan prevents the glass from crushing down upon them, followed by him steering it towards the Stormtroopers.

And:

As for Darth Vader not killing Reeva for her “failure” (although she for the first time ever did something smart in this series you ask me), remember I don’t have the scene with Vader on his throne warning her, so this doesn’t create any problems whatsoever.

100% yes to The Force Theme, but one thing I’m curious about is the Reva scene, are you going to completely cut Vaders “YOU were warned what DEFEAT would bring!” line? Because it will feel a bit out of place considering the scene where he first talks to her in his castle is going to be cut. Maybe there’s some potential to reuse that scene somehow to transition into the final scene with the tracker on the ship? Something like:

Obi escapes Inquisitior fortress > Vader talks to Reva “don’t fail me again or you won’t live to regret it” “yes my lord” > final scene with Obi and Leia which pans down to the Droid with the tracker?

Apologies if it’s to wordy I’m just throwing stuff to see whats possible.

The little I’ve thought about this to be completely honest, I don’t think it will be much of a problem. I mean, it is obvious the Inquisitors are expendable - and I also find it obvious that The Inquisitors look up to Vader and see him as their superior. This way, as their superior, I think it should come across natural that any defeat would not sit well with Vader.

revel911 said:

RogueLeader said:

Found this rescore of the Vader scene from Ep 4 that might be up your alley for this edit.

https://youtu.be/uALjoXJ0qRU

Before the score is added, I wonder if his walk in can be slowed 10% to feel
more like Prowse.

If the scene is kept, I think I would just leave it. Since we have kept The Imperial March out of the film thus far, I think if we are to use it it should be in a scene where Vader goes absolutely mental - hopefully, fingers crossed, Episode 5 or 6.

A lot of good ideas and excellent discussions about the episode in here from the last day.

I honestly have no idea if I am going to include it or not as of yet - I haven’t even put it into my editing timeline, simply because I expect that the last two episode’s will be of great significance (they should!) and that I will have to cut this episode for pacing.

Unless episode 5 or 6 is filled with filler and useless or dumb moments, It might be hard to include this episode because no one would want to sit through a movie and watch a secondary/main character get kidnapped TWICE in the span of 50 minutes.

But let’s say that episode 5 is filled with about 20 out of 40 worthy minutes of content, and episode 6 the same, that would leave the possibility of an additional 20 minutes for the final cut - leaving some of the best from this episode in contention for screen time.

However, I deem it highly unlikely that the last two episodes will have a combined 40 minutes of wasted time, so this will be very, very interesting.

jrs81 said:

I originally hoped to get 2 movies out of these 6 episodes, now I’m questioning the possibility of just ONE quality movie edit.

I expected more out of an Obi-wan series, Lucasfilm needed a homerun from their greatest characters, Kenobi and Vader, and instead we get a lazy pop fly to center field. Just my 2 cents.

Here is hoping this community can do something special with this clunker because I have completely lost faith in Lucasfilm at this point. With that being said, it does have its moments, they are just few and far between.

This should always have been one, quality movie. I completely agree. I hope I or another faneditor can bring some joy to you from this mess. This episode worked for me, it didn’t work for you. However, our frustrations are the same and hopefully fanedits can salvage this immense clusterf* of bad/good dialogue, bad/good music, bad/good acting, bad/good action, bad/good character arcs and on and on it goes…

This series could have the tag “It’s bad… and it’s good… but the bad is really bad”. Removing the bad should help tremendously.

AND PS:

I also know that having watched the fanedit many times now (at 1 hour and 26 minutes up until the end of episode 3) without all the horrible dialogue and chase sequences, not to mention The Inquisitors, and an overall increased pace, I am way more optimistic than I was after Episode 2.

I hope that when you see so much of what you dislike gone, be it this or any other fanedit, you will find great(er) joy.

Don’t give up on Obi-Wan. He just needs some help 😄

jrs81 said:

If this was a 10 or 12 episode season, I think this episode would have been fine, but we have only 6 episodes and Obi-wan just fought Vader and was nearly killed. Instead of the emotional impact and ramifications this should have had on Obi-Wan, we have to deal with ANOTHER Leia rescue mission. These writers are awful. Zero creativity and lazy.

I completely see your point, but I would rather argue that Episode 2 is the true filler episode and that Episode 4 is the better-crafted episode with increased stakes and emotional weight, way more deserving of it’s place.

It should actually be Episode 1 -> Episode 4 -> Episode 3 -> Episode 5&6

If anyone wants to do a more radical edit then I think trying to remove one of the “Save Leia” plotlines, preferably Episode 2’s, could be a very interesting and perhaps immensely successful approach. For this edit, though, that would feel fanedit-y and perhaps break immersion for most, so I think that reducing the time spent on Episode 2 and increase the time spent on Episode 4 would be ideal. But again, this completely depends on the overall pacing of the fanedit - I might find myself having to remove most of this episode, only keeping the opening in the Bacta Tank and the end of Obi-Wan and Leia as suggested above.

As for now I will edit the episode into my timeline as “canon” for the edit, but I will definitely remove it if the last two episodes are immense (and important at that) in content.

What?

I mean, this one could be skipped. And depending on the last two episodes and their content of worth, I’ll take the removal of this episode into account when those are released, but what? Are we watching the same show?

This episode (despite some of Reeva’s dialogue and running) had the highest production value and interest of conflict thus far in the series for me, and the lack of security and intellectual stormtroopers (which, let’s face it, has been a thing since ANH) doesn’t ruin this for me.

This episode had me engaged from the get-go, and unless the last two episodes have so much content that keeping this episode would be impractical for the overall pacing, I think I would keep most of it.

And come on. The “the good guy gets away” has been a thing since 1977. Outside of Star Wars, it’s been a thing since the beginning of film. That Darth Vader gave up a hunt I think we all can assume he finds amusing and fills him with purpose doesn’t break immersion for me the slightest. I’ve come to expect that.

This was levels above episode 1 and 2.

The underwater sequence, the Jedi tombs, the torture device, Leia grabbing Obi-WAN’s hand at the end, the music finally delivering, Obi-Wan finding back to his Jedi ways, Tala as a character, the shot of the stormtroopers drowning, the probe droid hunting Obi-Wan - searching through the glass window with the eerie music… this episode had memorable, emotional, intense moments!

And of course, perhaps since I went in with insanely low expectations this time around, perhaps I also saw more value in the episode, but this was a 8/10 for me.

And PS:

imagine how beautiful it will feel when The Force Theme plays as Obi-Wan prevents the glass from crushing down upon them, followed by him steering it towards the Stormtroopers.

And:

As for Darth Vader not killing Reeva for her “failure” (although she for the first time ever did something smart in this series you ask me), remember I don’t have the scene with Vader on his throne warning her, so this doesn’t create any problems whatsoever.

lavoyd said:

My Star Wars radar must be broken because my friends all criticized the same things, yet I found myself thoroughly enjoying this episode. The Snow Speeders were a bit shoddy but it wasn’t so bad that it bothered me.

It isn’t broken at all if you ask me. I agree with you.

And the Snow Speeders aren’t actually Snow Speeders. They were used in other climates as well throughout Star Wars lore.

Update

So, another little showcase:

I realized quickly when I was editing late last night that as much as I will have to replace or update old, compressed music, I will also have to do something about certain sound effects and not to forget dated visual effects. So for this example, I go with when R2-D2 is zapped by Jawa’s.

https://streamable.com/y9nazb

Changes:

• Added glow and intensity to existing Visual Effect
• Regraded original visual effect
• Added color and glow to rocks with Jawa’s as R2-D2 is being zapped
• Replaced Shot SFX
• Added electrecution SFX
• Added glow to rocks to the right of R2-D2 before shut off
• Re-compressed and modernized all existing sound effects (this goes for the original footage in the clip as well)

IlFanEditore said:

I’m soooo hyped for this edit. I tried to do something similar, but with my - let’s say - limited capabilities I was only able to change colors here and there, add some suns to space shots and add music.
Even if obviously it’s a WIP, and anything can change from day to day, I’m really looking forward to this.

Thank you for that, FanEditore. I hope it will work as a great bridge for Prequel and OT lovers alike.

G&G-Fan said:

Anjohan said:

I’m not following. You mean the emperor’s theme?

No I mean this

https://youtu.be/ZK52tEenER8?t=403

Ah, got’cha. Brilliant. Thanks for the link, G&G. Will definitely be re-scoring the end with that.

Update

https://streamable.com/o56pu8

I’ve been rotoscoping and tweaking the scenes with R2-D2 and C-3P0 on Tattooine now for the better part of a week, and am looking forward to showing you all how they now look compared to the original footage.

The original footage of them in the desert is unfocused at places, colors are changing and especially C-3P0 changes color and sharpness and goes in and out of focus due to what I suspect are changes to the sun’s placement on the sky as they were filming the scenes.

The scenes also jump up and down in overall brightness and contrast. This is fixed.

Changes:

• I modernized the shots with changes to the skies and the colors around them
• I have, as best I can, kept the colors and focus on R2-D2 and C-3P0 consistent throughout their movements in the desert
• I have increased the quality of the ambience
• Improved overall dialogue compression as to make their interactions sound renewed and modern

… and a lot of rotoscoping on C-3P0.

VIDEO:

https://streamable.com/o56pu8

Upcoming Changes:

• Add glow to C-3P0’s eyes on close-up’s.
• Try to add even more focus to the two droids in the establishing shot
• Add more focus to C-3P0’s (who’s kinda out of focus/blurred out) in the shot at 0:40)

G&G-Fan said:

One thing you could do to modernize this movie is to use the version of the throne room theme from the ROTS soundtrack.

I’m not following. You mean the emperor’s theme?

CMMAP said:

Anjohan said:

Horror Version

https://streamable.com/y7ew0r

So as a response to my recent post and a suggestion from Hal9000, this is the recent update.

Yeah you probably right leaving it mainly as it is for your goal and these divers opinions.
I like the subtle dark deeds. Only thing that stood our for me was, that the sith whispers at the beginning could be more in tone with those later in the scene (quieter).

Yeah, I think so. Good to hear - I’ll tone down some of the whispers for sure.

Axios said:

• DARTH APPEARENCES
  I like the idea of Darth sensing Obi wan because his necessity to save Leia! phenomenal idea there. With a bit more polishing and contribution from other editors this among many other edits might flow perfectly. I just wonder if it would flow better than an edited/improved end scene from the original.

In the edit so far it is far more ambigious if Obi-Wan know of Vader’s existence or not (the original does NOT sit well with me, and I hate the cliffhanger ending-approach to it), but it flows something like “Vader senses Kenobi using the force” -> “Reeva telling Obi-Wan on the platform Vader will be pleased” -> Obi-Wan has a softer reaction, although he looks to fear the name -> Then it proceeds to the other clip from the frontpage of this thread chronologically after. I think it works, but time will tell.

• MUSIC CHANGES

With ALL the respect Anjohan, it seems you have your heart set on the introduction of Vader to be a heart wrenchingly sad scene. If you are going to pursue this direction, I would (humbly) recommend cutting off the “Anakin’s Dark Deeds” after Vader stops, and leaving things as is, if not (like others have said) mute the music to be pulled into the moment with obi wan further.

No , I don’t. I have made several versions and want one that both I and the community feel most comfortable with and respect Vader’s re-introduction the most.

I think this new version (from right up above) might be more preferable.

I appreciate the “burning Ani” theme (lol) while Obi is burning very poetic, the sudden burst of music when the shot is fired is a bit too jarring though and it might be best to leave that be.

Yeah, I think it mirrors the scene from ROTS poetically. The scene is not volume adjusted properly as stated next to the link, so that will be better.

• CONTINUITEY/EDITING

I am fully on board with keeping the two timelines during the fight more succinct. However in the current clip Obi travels from cutting the smoke pipe to being immediately grabbed by Darth in an unknown location. You’ll need at least an establishing shot so we know where they are after returning from Reva.

I see your point. Added Obi-Wan running and Darh Vader keeping chase so as to clarify they have moved further away.

To be clear I think we should stay away from investing much time into edits that may be rendered useless later as we are only 3 ep in (i.e. Padme references, completely editing out ep 3 etc).

Although the full picture is as of yet not obvious, editing the episodes as they come out I find to be a great way to fine-tune the edit and deliver a much better fanedit in the end due to the great back-and-forth between all the community members that have their say on the different matters.

I think most of us can agree that Disney’s dialog/writing is treating everyone like children. As for the “LESS IS MORE” like I mentioned before, this is mostly regarding scenes with unnecessary dialog/camera shots. many of the lines by the Inquisitors can be cut as well as like you have already done cutting the useless 4th scene of obi cutting meat. Its a bit ridiculous that we have to rectify the editing in this show so as to not slap the audience with the most obvious dialog, but here we are.

Yes, unfortunfately.

All this to say, I think we should at least focus on making these characters feel like they belong in Star wars and not a fan film, before we start changing the way this story is told.

This is the reason the edit exist in the first place, to make it better fit within my (and many other’s) subjective opinions on what fits and doesn’t fit within the constraints of a Star Wars universe.

Many of us do for instance not like dumbded-down dialogue interactions, being spoon-fed information or cartoony villains. But some do and that is absolutely fine and then this edit is definitely not for them.

Anyway, sorry for the essay, I just want to see this show get what it deserves…in the good way. In the future I’ll focus more on adding specific ideas, lol.

Nothing to apologize for. Honest and hard opinions is what makes us all understand the intricacies of filmmaking and the Star Wars universe as a whole and have better discussions and therefore better fanedits.

For example, It’s always annoying wasting six hours creating eight different versions of the same scene only to realize it is not fully what people want. But if it makes the final attempt at the scene an improved one or at least one that gives emotional resonance then it is all worth.

Horror Version

https://streamable.com/y7ew0r

So as a response to my recent post and a suggestion from Hal9000, this is the recent update.

People are split. I think I might actually just leave the scene as is but with some of the Sith Whispers and add a subtle, unsettling ambience to the background, to truly play on the original tone of the scene. I coukd add a subtle dark deeds upon the initial walk towards Obi-Wan as well, almost like a shadowy whisper in the background, if requested, but for now this would be preferable for the overall purpose of this edit.

It is such a crucial moment in the series - the first time we see Vader back - that it is the moment most subject for fan edit flaws probably in the whole film/series because of it, and also definitely the scene most people have the strongest opinions about. Sometimes when people are mixed it might just be better to leave the scene as is, unless I would want to go radical (which I don’t, for this edit).

And for those who like the Piano Theme, it might find a better place later on.

I think to keep the edit feeling as organic as possible, leaving this very scene alone and perhaps playing with subtle nods to Dark Deeds later on when he is fighting Obi-Wan is the way to go.

Dark Deeds & Piano Theme, with Sith Whispers:

https://streamable.com/5uz2sr

Might this be more preferable?

CMMAP said:
Although the piano theme does have a nice ring, i think the horror is missing with it. But ultimately it´s your edit.
Anakins dark deeds could work, though.

But isn’t Anakin’s actions horrifying enough, and the sadness in the music just a representation of Obi-Wan’s feelings in that moment? I always feel like Obi-Wan is heartbroken watching this, more heartbroken than scared.

I also think the Piano Theme would be a nice theme for the film, coming back at the end.

leftshoe18 said:

I think the piano works not because it implies Anakin’s sadness over doing this but rather Obi-Wan’s sadness over not being able/willing to stop it.

^

Darth Raditz said:

I prefer Anakin’s Dark Deeds over the piano. The former sounds more personal (it’s names after a character after all), while the piano, though good, sounds more like something you’d play over a montage at the end of a story. The piano also sounds too sad for what Vader is doing, like it pains him to do it, which it doesn’t.

The lightsaber editing is also good, though I’m wonering if you can add bac Vader saying “the year’s have made you weak,” as a way of clarifying when Ben was weak but ready in episode 4 & weaker/unprepared now.

I respect that. I intend and interpret the music as a reflection of Obi-Wan’s feelings in this scene rather than Darth Vader’s, him being the main protagonist and all.

There are many mixed opinions on this matter - as it should be, and although we have not settled on anything as of yet, the most likely outcome will be Dark Deeds or Piano Theme over that scene rather than silence.

Hal 9000 said:
Now, if they go balls to the wall with a hard comment on the discrepancy by having Ben inject memories into her or something like that in a way essential to the story…

Hmm, I could actually see Kenobi doing that.

I don’t think most of us dislike the show or anything near that. I enjoy it way more than it bothers me - but I am perfectionist (and a victim lol) for my own subjective views on good filmmaking, tone, structure, continuity and musical fluidity, and fan editing is a tool to take that subjective opinion and craft something I believe is an improvement on the original product.

I can only speak for myself, and my problems are clearly stated on the first page of this thread so I can only repeat myself; there’s good, bad and ugly in this show, and I am one of those people who only see potential when faced with what are subjective problems. I just want to improve upon what I think they do bad, and keep all the stuff I think they do good - and then make something completely epic out of that.

That is the main focus of this edit, and I also think the main goal of everyone chiming in on their dislikes, love and ideas for the show.

I notice a lot of you complain about the directing and visual effects - and I agree on both, but I have a feeling the majority of the budget is saved for the latter half - and especially the inevitable Kenobi Duel. I mean, let’s be real - they kinda have to do something in-between ROTS duel and A New Hope duel.

Something that start like the ROTS duel and ends with them both injured and weaker for Episode IV.

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.

Here is something to lighten the mood. Don’t you guys wonder what Yoda was up to during Kenobi?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QJdqNK6BFA

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

CarboniteSolo said:

Anjohan said:

Since a lot of you would love to see Anakin/Darth Vader return in Kenobi to The Imperial March, I made this:

ANAKIN RETURNS - IMPERIAL MARCH (made for fanedit)

https://streamable.com/sbzh7g

Very nice, but can you use the slower version of the imperial march during the actual duel.

This one, thank you.

https://youtu.be/B1_Wcaa-lf4

We scrapped the original Imperial March idea. We agreed that it was too bombastic (in the fanedit thread for Obi-Wan). This one, although slower, is also too bombastic.

Here is the alternate (for now) version - going for something more sad and haunting:

Anakin & Kenobi Reunite - Piano Version

https://streamable.com/vwhsix