Almost done commenting my way through the nice, happy, family-friendly scene at the mansion, meaning that I’m now more than halfway through recording the commentary track.
I know I said I was done with the color grading, but I have one more idea. I decided to play around with the Fusion features in DaVinci Resolve and see how they worked, and as it turns out, there’s a film grain effect on there. Naturally, I couldn’t resist. Plus, the film grain is customizable too. I was able to increase the size of the grain by about 25% to accommodate the film being shot in Super 35. I was also able to change the x and y sizes, so that the grain looks like anamorphic grain, too! The only downside is that the grain is easy to see. I had to reduce the strength down to roughly 0.35/5.00 in most clips. Even then, there’s a possibility that it’s too noticeable. I have uploaded this sample clip of the opening to give everyone an example of what the film grain looks like so far. Keep in mind that this feature is customizable, and I’m able to change the size, strength, roughness, and offset of the grain, so none of this is final. I recommend watching the video in 1080p for best results.
EDIT: Actually, come to think of it, I’m pretty sure there’s a deleted scene with a handful more lines, so that should help some.
You are correct!
It’s a little choppy (so many cuts, especially noticeable before the action starts) but it’s a definite vanilla-like improvement.
I’d still like to see some of the more radical openings come to fruition.
I can fix a lot of the choppiness simply with some audio crossfades, especially since I made a few of those cuts already in my edit of Episode I (namely the Jedi lightsaber fight scene).
Commentary track is now a work in progress!
I think I like it. AotC is a better film for the symbolism than it is for the story and the colour grading helps with that.
Glad to hear you like it, Artan! 😊
SomethingStarWarsRelated said:
End of ROTS, add a line for Owen:
“Take [the boy] to Anchorhead and have [his] memory erased. That’ll be the end of it, [he] belongs to us now.”
Don’t you mean at the end of Kenobi?😄
Oh, please! That would make too much sense for this thread.
Alright, here’s what I’ve cooked up. I’m not sure if the results are great, but it is a start. Let me know your thoughts!
Sorry Eyepainter, I really mean this constructively and respectfully, but I personally feel like these new grades are too radical - both these examples and your Ep1 movie which I recently watched. I think they’re super saturated and quite flat, and the grain is too strong. For me, it feels like we’re really deviating from the usual look of SW, as best exemplified by the OT/ST/Mandalorian/Andor. Definitely not trying to be rude there as I really appreciate your efforts, but if it were me I’d focus on your lovely VFX changes and dial down a lot of the grading changes.
Harsh words, but I’m listening. I should note that the “lovely” VFX changes you mentioned are the grades you’re criticizing, but your point has been made. I think I mentioned earlier that I read Jeff Bartsch’s book “Edit Better,” and pretty much all the adjustments he makes are in simple dials such as saturation, contrast, offset, midtones, and shadows. I’ve entertained trying out this method, but never really did because it requires skill to get a pleasing result. However, Episode II might make for a nice first demonstration on this. I’ll see if I can cook something up with it when I’m not cooking something up in the kitchen.
My application has been accepted, and I will be starting online classes for a diploma in pastry arts tomorrow!
Wow. I’ve been gone a while!
Before I continue, I have an announcement to make. I just got accepted at an online baking school and I will be attending classes tomorrow!
This is part of the reason I’ve been quiet here lately, and why my responses and replies might get a little slow for the next year or so. I’m learning how to make delicious pastries! My apologies if classes cause any inconveniences, but I think all of you will understand why.
Now, back on topic!
After listening to NotTheDri0ds comment on the contrast, I decided to go back to the color grading on Episode II yet again, and try the same techniques I used for my Episode I v3.5 edit to see if it works again. I had problems with the image looking rather flat, but then I found out I forgot to set the gamma to 2.4, and now it looks so much better. What are your thoughts on this grade? Is it an improvement, or does it need some more work?
Looking at the other official crawls, they do like their exciting language. So you could maybe have the Queen’s request be “urgent” and/or the Jedi being dispatched “swiftly” or “urgently”. You could also do something to imply the Trade Federation have arrived in a “stunning” or “bold” fashion. So here’s an example adding a bit more fruit to the language. (I’m also not quite sold on painting the Republic’s history as a golden age, so trying something I feel is a little tighter and more exciting.)
The Galactic Republic is failing.
As corruption spreads, Queen
Amidala of Naboo stands as a
vocal champion of democracy.Sensing an opportunity to sieze
profit and power, the greedy
Trade Federation has boldly
surrounded her wealthy home
planet with a fleet of deadly
warships.At the Queen’s urgent request,
the mystical Jedi Knights have
swiftly dispatched Qui-Gon Jinn
and his apprentice to the planet,
seeking to protect the peace
and ensure the safety of her
people…
The one issue I have with this is that the film keeps reminding us that Chancellor Valorum sent out the two jedi, not the Jedi knights (even though I like the idea of the Jedi sending them out more). I know this because I tried to get rid of that connection myself, and couldn’t, because there were too many mentions and lines to cut out.
Submission form is good, and the edit is now officially released! Time to work on Episode II!
Edit is uploaded! Having a few difficulties getting the final submission form on IFDB, but I think it’ll be okay if I start sending PM’s now. Sorry for the long wait (and therefore, inconvenience), but submitting to fanedit.org took a lot longer than I expected. Hopefully I’ve learned a few valuable lessons, and I know what to expect once I’ve completed work on Episode II!
As of this text, my updated v3.5 file will be uploaded soon. I will send PM’s as soon as the updated file has been uploaded!
I’ve always thought a group edit of ANH where everyone picked a scene and edited it with their best worst ideas would be fantastic, but far too impractical to organise.
Actually this doesn’t seem like such a crazy idea. And it could be a cool way to involve forum members who like to edit but don’t have the time or resources to do a feature-length fan edit.
I second this!
Under request from fanedit.org, I’ve been asked to create another trailer. With this trailer (and an FE.org title card to add), my edit will most likely be approved soon. Possibly even this week!
Until then, though, here’s the trailer I’ve submitted to fanedit.org:
Insert a stormtrooper impaled Cannibal Holocaust-style into the background of every Ewok village shot.
Actually, I think making the Ewoks a bunch of bloodthirsty critters would make their victory over the stormtroopers a lot more interesting and believable. Sure, it will never happen due to the PG rating, but making the Endor battle R-rated would honestly be an improvement.
Doing some more tinkering with the color grading in preparation for my submission to fanedit.org! Here’s the progress I’ve made so far. Let me know what you think and if there’s anything that might be in need of improvement:
Edit is now being reviewed. I’m optimistic that it will get approved, since it’s being reviewed by someone who has already helped me out in the past. Not sure how long the process takes, but I will send out those PM’s as soon as the edit is approved! 😌
My submission form has been sent out, and I’m waiting for the verdict. Keeping my fingers crossed! I’ll be sending those links once the edit is approved!
Just tested the re-upload, and the commentary track volume is good now. I think v3.5 is complete and ready for submission now. Here are the specifications:
File size: 11.3 GB
Codec: H.264 MPEG-4 AVC (Part 10)
Resolution: 1920x818
Frame rate: 23.976fps
Audio tracks
MPEG AAC 5.1 surround - 960 kbps - 48000 Hz
MPEG AAC 2.0 stereo - 384 kbps - 48000 Hz
MPEG AAC 1.0 commentary - 192 kbps - 48000 Hz
Running time: 1 hour and 32 minutes
47 chapters
And here’s a special thanks to everyone who helped out with v3.5, including:
CaptainFaraday
GMatias
EddieDean
ArtisDead
Mrebo
NotTheDri0ds
GelflingHand
BrotherOfSasquatch
Necramonium
Canon Editor
theomega
revel911
Mario
…Everyone at fanedit.org!
and everyone at originaltrilogy.com!
I will now begin work on the submission form in fanedit.org! Thanks again to everyone who worked on this! 😘
Create a gangsta version of the saga.
I said gangsta, nor gangsta rap.
WHAT?!
I CAN’T HEAR YOU OVER THE SOUND OF THE COMMENTARY TRACK! CAN YOU PLEASE RE-UPLOAD ONE WITH LOWER VOLUME LEVELS?
LOL
A movie must have characters that I can relate to or/and can get emotionally attached, has to have a great narrative, a very well put beginning middle and end and acting has be at least subpar. If a film lacks any and or all the movie will fail.
Damn. When did this become unpopular?
