Brewzter

Jar Jar Bricks said:

sherlockpotter said:

Hey Hal, are you interested in using RogueLeader’s ideas for Kijimi in Ascendant too? About having it be mid-Civil War with people fighting stormtroopers off in the distance?

(Slight deviation from the Dagger discussions, I know.)

I would be interested in some spray paintings of Luke Skywalker on the walls.

Side note: I cannot get over the fact that the official canon explanation for why nobody came to help on Crait was that the First Order cut communication lines. Like, bruh. The whole point of the movie is that everyone was hopeless until Luke shows up.

Oh really? I don’t think I’ve heard that before that’s interesting. Do you know what the source is?

Edit: double post

Ed Slushie said:

Brewzter said:

Also, what are you going for with the shot of Aftab Ackbar?

I guess I should explain. I wanted to have more shots of aliens throughout the galaxy reacting to the video, but I couldn’t find very many that were long enough or that had neutral enough backgrounds. Then I remembered that for some reason that shot of Aftab Ackbar during the resistance briefing works really well with optical flow, meaning I could make it as long as I wanted, and because he has a relatively simple head shape I could mask him out and put him somewhere else. Problem is I don’t really know how to add light to the shot in a way that makes it look like he’s watching a bright screen, and the background inadvertently makes it look like he’s in a dungeon. But basically, the idea is that he’s in a random place far away, watching Luke’s sacrifice on a screen slightly above eye level and being inspired to join the resistance, which is when we see him next.

Ah ok, that makes sense! Works in canon too since all we know is that he felt pretty down about his dad dying and then joined the Resistance at some point, so I could totally see him joining because of what Luke did

^ Agreed, it’s a bit odd to transition back to that. Just a bit of moving stuff around could make it clearer

Dude that’s awesome! Kinda got chills from it. I don’t think there’s any canon source that states it was broadcast but it works as a strong headcanon that doesn’t contradict anything.

I think it might work better to start showing it as a broadcast before any of the reactions like at Canto Bight are shown, otherwise it’s a bit unclear what’s happening. And I like the idea of the cut-off at the end on his face, but the cuts between different angles make it feel more like a spy movie than Star Wars, so I’m not sure if it would really fit into TROS like that. Are you going to try to implement it in the actual movie somehow, after the crawl maybe? I’m not sure where it could fit in well since I feel like it would need to be the first thing after the crawl but that may be an awkward transition since the crawl always pans down to a ship flying around a planet.

Also, what are you going for with the shot of Aftab Ackbar?

Knight of Kalee said:
The moment where Rey is revived has great music as it currently stands, with a sweet rendition of the combined Rey and Kylo’s themes, so I wouldn’t really want to see it go. Besides, the score suddenly stops before Rey says Ben’s name, which is convenient and useful for changing whatever music goes after without affecting the earlier Rey/Ben theme.

My thoughts exactly, I really like the original score but think it could be even better with a hint of Across the Stars. And like you said about the score cutting off, it’s pretty much asking to be edited haha

Has anyone tried making a version of Rey and Ben’s kiss that has a hint of Across the Stars? I’ve seen versions where it blasts the score, but I was thinking just a nice little part combined with the original score like Hal did with Duel of the Fates in the Kef Bir duel, so it could allude to how Ben reviving Rey was him finishing what Anakin started by saving the woman he loved from death.

I’ll make a mockup soon, but I’m curious if anyone has already tried something similar. I’ll try different placements like when he crawls up to her, when he actually revives her, when they kiss, etc. to see what works best

I just finished my own version if anyone is interested:

https://vimeo.com/535658696

During the discussion awhile back about adding in Palpatine’s Fortnite message, there was a version where someone managed to fit in the entire message over the “Somehow, Palpatine returned” scene. Does anyone have it? I can’t find it

Just curious, what do you mean by Force glow? And what would it’s purpose be in your edit

Finally figured it out lol so if anyone is ever struggling with this too just DM me

Does anyone have a comparison between the original color grading of the film and the LUT version? I had one from this thread bookmarked for awhile and now when I try to access it it says

Server Error in ‘/’ Application.
The resource cannot be found.
Description: HTTP 404. The resource you are looking for (or one of its dependencies) could have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable. Please review the following URL and make sure that it is spelled correctly.

Requested URL: /image-compare/screenshotcomparison/7DDY7NNX

I’ve been waiting to begin really working on my TROS edit since the crackly saber idea was introduced back in July so I could just wait to start when that was finished, but I’m just gonna stop waiting and finally start it now and it’s whatever if I have to redo it all when that’s finished. My questions:

How do I go about finding the film in the highest quality possible, and then adding skenera’s TROS LUTs to the file so I can begin the edit? I’ve been working with a lower-quality torrent (which is legal AFAIK since I already own the film of course) but haven’t been able to find a very high-quality one to work with. And then I have zero clue how to apply LUTs (or what they actually are beyond the base idea of color grading), is this even possible in iMovie? It’s the only software I know how to use / have available and it’s what I’ve been using for my mock-up clips so far.

Any help would be much appreciated, or if there’s already an edit like this that someone could direct me to that would be even better.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but is there anywhere I can get a version of the original TROS cut in the highest quality possible but with the LUT used in Hal’s Ascendant edit applied to it for editing purposes? If anyone could DM me or point me in the direction of something like this that would be much appreciated.

Is the “Story of Skywalker” line available somewhere?

This sounds really interesting, I think a lot of the decisions like how you’ve handled Han and stuff sound well done. I’d like to take a look for sure if you can PM a link when it’s ready

Jar Jar Bricks said:

Hey, all I’m saying is that it is canon that Lando stayed there for 14 years once he was done with the mission with Luke:

“He embarked on a quest to the desert planet of Pasaana with Luke Skywalker to find answers about the growing darkness in the Force, but failed to uncover anything. Seeking to bury the pain of those memories (his daughter), Calrissian settled on Pasaana and led a solitary lifestyle where he was known as the “Hermit” to the native Aki-Aki. He lived alone for some years while keeping contact with the Solo family and was later asked by Organa’s Resistance for his aid in the war against the First Order.” -Wookiepeedia

I was curious about the actual canon statement on this since that section of Wookieepedia doesn’t list a source. I found the appropriate part of his biography section which said a similar thing and sourced the TROS Visual Dictionary, so I went and checked his page. Here’s what it says:

Six years after the tragedy that befell his family, Calrissian served as a partner and guide to Luke Skywalker as the Jedi Master searched for clues to a growing darkness he detected in the Force. Whispers spoke of a resurgent enemy from the past, and Skywalker was determined to find some answers. Had some remnant of the Sith survived? Calrissian’s underworld contacts passed along rumors of a hunter of Sith relics on Pasaana, and while Luke and Lando investigated the world’s deserts they did not find their quarry. Lando, however, did find some peace and a sense of community among the humble Aki-Aki, and decided to stay. Once again shielded from an escalating conflict, he felt he had earned his rest after so much sacrifice.

It then details that he was there for 15 years before TROS. I’m pretty fine with this actually, I didn’t like the original implication that he was just hiding out in his feelings there but it sounds like he was just chilling there in retirement living in a nice warm community.

Three shot version for sure, besides the new shot looking great I think it helps establish to the audience that this is Mustafar but we’re heading to a new area we haven’t seen before.

If you follow the Ascendant thread, you’ll remember my very long comment regarding the geography of Ahch-To and how long Rey was canonically there:

https://originaltrilogy.com/topic/the-rise-of-skywalker-ascendant-released/id/71835/page/396#1415130

TLDR: Because of a filmmaking error regarding a “sunrise” actually being a sunset, the TROS novelization clarified that Rey actually arrived on the island in the evening and stayed overnight, leaving in the morning (I confirmed all of this with hefty research on the island’s locations, geography, maps, etc.) so my goal is to clarify this in the movie and actually make it fit canon better.

In my version, Rey arrives at dusk, Luke and her chat about fear, Leia, etc., Rey sleeps overnight, she wakes up in the morning, and leaves after Luke lifts the X-Wing.

So I’ve worked with Nev’s recolor of the scenes, inserted some island shots from TLJ along with a shot of Rey sleeping (zoomed in to hide her different outfit a bit), and reworked the Ajan Kloss scenes to further imply the sense of time passing. Ignore/mute the sound because I haven’t done anything with it yet, but here’s the mockup. The only thing I think needs some reworking still is the transition from Rey in the hut to D-O and Finn, which is a bit abrupt.

https://vimeo.com/529594742

RogueLeader said:

From a fan-editing perspective, I feel like I see two strong directions people tend to lean in.

1. People who want to keep the gist of how TROS played. Just try to improve the movie that is there, even if you don’t agree with every decision.

2. People who liked TLJ tend to hard disagree with TROS’ story decisions more, so they have a stronger inclination to change the film more drastically.

Interesting, I loved TLJ but just want to touch up on TROS. The aim of my edit is too remain as close to canon as possible and just fix minor things in my eyes, so sometimes I think “why am I even bothering with an edit, like I’d rather just be okay with the theatrical cut that would be so much easier” but then I immediately remember how much some of the changes (Force ghosts behind Rey, Battle of the Heroes over the DSII duel, crackly saber, color correction, etc.) improve the movie for me lol

Jar Jar Bricks said:

I mean, yeah, it wasn’t a good continuation of TLJ objectively speaking. Isn’t related at all to its ideas really. But was it a good continuation/finale of the sequels for me? Yes, because now I am actually able to go back and enjoy TLJ as well.

Yeah as much as I dislike parts of TROS, none it feels like it retcons TLJ to me and TLJ still remains my favorite film by far.

NeverarGreat said:

RogueLeader said:

I just feel like we relented and are just trying to see the positives of the story they gave us, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But I guess I wish there was more recognition of the fact that maybe this wasn’t the best direction they could’ve gone in.

People will eventually accept the bars of TROS’s storytelling cage just as they accepted the limitations of the prequels in order to continue consuming new Star Wars content.

As for me, I’m still salty as Crait about it.

Absolutely, it’s been happening since they finished and will only get better as more time passes and more supporting content (like TCW for the prequels) comes out,

Oh I agree that’s likely the reason for why that plotline was introduced, but I think it turned out decent anyway.

TestingOutTheTest said:

sherlockpotter said:

I think the biggest failing of TROS was bringing back Palpatine. Kylo was set up in TLJ to be the ultimate villain, and then he was just sidelined in favor of “rotting grandpa GLaDOS.”

I don’t think it’s wrong for Kylo to be redeemed, so I disagree with Dual of the Fates; but I also think he has to more than just redeem himself - he has to fail before he can be saved. TROS should have been the culmination of a really interesting negative character arc; and instead, he just spends the entire movie chasing after Rey. Then his mom dies, and he just…snaps out of it, I guess?

If I were writing the script, it would have focused on Kylo trying to be the Big, Bad, Supreme Leader, but failing at it. The galaxy, inspired by Luke, is revolting everywhere he looks, and the First Order is spread way too thin. The First Order Generals and Admirals are all starting to question his abilities to lead; Hux is planning a coup, and is waiting for the right time to strike. Kylo is stressing out. He was already somewhat unstable (as seen in TFA), but now he’s just going crazy. Any time someone questions his orders, he cuts them down. And the more he loses control, the more the First Order splinters, the stronger the Resistance grows. He’s the maker of his own downfall.

Because he was wrong to pursue this path. He was wrong to join the First Order. He was wrong to seek this power, power that he’s not equipped to wield. And, try as he might to ignore that fact, over the course of the film, he has to finally come to terms with it.

When he finally turns back to the light, he does it in order to save his mother (building off of that moment in TLJ). And then, he sacrifices himself not just to save one person, but to undo all of the damage that he’s done to the galaxy, to atone for his sins. His final act is to destroy what remains of the First Order at the cost of his own life. Leia survives, and goes on to rebuild the Republic (correctly, this time); and Ben is able to visit her as a Ghost.

I really don’t have any major issues with VII or VIII overall (even if they could be improved upon); but IX was the only film in the bunch to truly fail for me.

Palpatine needed to be brought back. By bringing him back this ties the entire Skywalker saga together and gives IX a sense of true finality; he also needed to be related to Rey, to reinforce her toxic core belief that she is worthless. It also pays off RotS, in which he was set up to have a power to keep himself alive in a way Plagueis couldn’t.

Regarding the “tying the Skywalker saga together” thing, Abrams said this:

…when you look at this as nine chapters of a story, perhaps the weirder thing would be if Palpatine didn’t return. You just look at what he talks about, who he is, how important he is, what the story is — strangely, his absence entirely from the third trilogy would be conspicuous.

I completely agree that Palpatine is one of TROS’s biggest strengths. Not only do I think it was necessary for the saga to make sense as a whole and to actually feel like a saga, but I think Palpatine was done exceptionally well in the film… For awhile I’ve felt fairly neutral about Rey’s Palpatine lineage, I really liked Rey Nobody in TLJ, etc. but I think I’m at the point where I actually like it, mostly for all of the different symbolism and messages it brings, especially with Ben’s final act being to revive Rey and then her taking on the Skywalker name- what better defeat could Palpatine have had than not only being destroyed by his own kin (backed by the spirits of his eternal enemies) but then the final living member of the three-generation bloodline born to combat him giving his life to revive his granddaughter, who takes on the Skywalker name to honor, preserve, and carry on their legacy? Love it.

Jar Jar Bricks said:

I personally just dislike the idea that Kylo had to die to atone for his sins. He was a young man. Should he feel regret about his choices for the rest of his life? Absolutely. But he should channel that into doing positive things for the galaxy.

Vader was a completely different circumstance. Living in his body was a living hell, and he had already spent the other half of his life trying to be a good person as a Jedi. He was also old enough for his death to not be so tragic.

Yeah, while I bemoan Ben’s death a lot, at least it was Ben’s death and not Kylo’s. TROS would’ve been truly awful/irredeemable in my eyes if he hadn’t been redeemed to some degree lol. I’m like, hey, we got his redemption in a really good scene with Han, we got him absolutely fucking up the knights, we got the Reylo kiss! Did I want him to talk with Anakin? Of course. Should he have lived? Absolutely. Why didn’t he have a single line of dialogue (ow)? No clue. But it could’ve been way worse :S