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Mojo_LA

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Join date
5-Jan-2007
Last activity
7-Jun-2014
Posts
132

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Post
#284168
Topic
.: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/284168/action/topic#284168
Time
I am very tempted to donate, and I love the website and the effort these guys are putting in.

I can even understand why they won't even guess at a release date, since so many things can get in the way... but have they even told us how much of the film has been completed?

If we knew it has taken them a year to do 15 minutes, at least we'd get SOME idea of the time involved.

Maybe the website can have a % counter that is updated to reflect how much of the film is completed. Is that too much to ask for?
Post
#283998
Topic
FAN EDIT REQUEST THREAD - Post your dream Fan Edits Here!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283998/action/topic#283998
Time
While I love the fan edit phenomenon, it seems like 80% of them is basically putting deleted scenes back in, or the same thing with extra footage from broadcast airings.

This might be fun, but I'd hardly call them fan edits, or even worth watching.

Still to this day, the greatest fan edit of them all is "Attack of the Phantom." This total rework of the movie completely transformed the film and is the first time I enjoyed one of the prequels.

Of course, this kind of edit requires a movie that NEEDS it... a film that essentially has a good story but is so bogged down with unesseccary and/or misdirected scenes that a good edit CAN fix it... and it requires a LOT of skill and patience on the part of the fan editor.

When I see "Time for edit: 2 days" I just can;t imagine it's really worth watching.

Let's see if we can come up with films like Attack of the Clones that, with some good editing, can really change a mediocre film into something better.

The Donner Cut of Sup II is another great example, but of course they had access to footage we'll never get our hands on...
Post
#283995
Topic
.: The XØ Project - Laserdisc on Steroids :. (SEE FIRST POST FOR UPDATES) (* unfinished project *)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283995/action/topic#283995
Time
Ok I am sure this has been asked over and over, but in all the pages of this thread that I've read I don't see any real discussion of it...

WHEN are we going to see the X0 transfer complete?

I know you guys don't know for sure, but how about a guess? How much is done so far? 20%? 50%

Can you ballpark a release? 6 months? 12 months?

It really would be nice to have an idea... I'm holding off an getting any of the previous LD preservations because clearly this one will best them all.

How about a guess?
Post
#283762
Topic
.: The Lancer DVD Project :. (* unfinished project *)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283762/action/topic#283762
Time
Maybe I missed it elsewhere in this thread, but I'm not sure why you're using a wipe between the two shots of the rebel fleet - wipes generally infer a passage of time, and these are two back to back shots from the same moment.

I think a wipe here is inconsistant with the usage of wipes from the rest of the fims.

The new CG shots looks good, but that first shot looks odd being completely static and locked off until the first ship flies in - I thought I was looking at a still frame.
Post
#283756
Topic
The Lord of the Rings - Special Abridged Edition (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283756/action/topic#283756
Time
I downloaded this from Rapidshare last week and have to admit, I was looking forward to this fan edit more than most - I haven't been keen to watch all 3 LOTR movie again, but was very curiuous how this edit would capture the story.

My friends and I gathered tonight to check it out and... we couldn't watch it because of the "stuttering" issue. It looked like it was playing back every other frame.

I've been reading this thread and it looks like this edit goes back a bit - was the original Xvid edit the one that was supposed to have this problem, and a DVD was made to correct this? Or does it exist in all formats?

Wmgan, I really am sorry if this bugs you... I am sure you put a monumental effort into doing this, and I really want to see it... but we just couldn't bare the idea of watching 3 hours of choppy video on my friend's 10 foot screen!!

Honestly, the video quality looked fine - it was clear and sharp - it's just the stuttering.

Have you looked into every possible way of fixing this? I've done quite a bit of editing myself, and it seems like if you go through enough conversion scenarios and hit it from every possible angle there is usually a "magic combo" that can fix just about anything.

If this is indeed a result of going from 23.97 to 24, I'd be willing to bet it can be fixed.

Maybe re-convert it from 24 to 23.97 and run a pulldown pass on it?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing this!!
Post
#283474
Topic
.:. MoveAlong's - The Story of Star Wars .:. Complete!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283474/action/topic#283474
Time
I am with you 100% in being an aspect ratio snob... but again I have to say, the image quality of your encode and seeing it larger than ever on a true 16:9 display was a unique experience. Far from a true pan and scan 4:3 version, the 16:9 box worked very well and it never felt "cropped."

We all know and love the trilogy in 2.35:1, I think it would be great to have 16:9 versions just for fun... it would certainly be a unique set and, as you said, you did slide around the frame where neccessary to make sure you were framing what was most important.

I know it's blasphemous to some extent, but it IS nice to see that amazing image you produced fill a true 16:9 display!

And it's never been done before... please consider it!
Post
#283376
Topic
STAR WARS: EP IV 2004 <strong>REVISITED</strong> ADYWAN *<em>1080p HD VERSION NOW IN PRODUCTION</em>
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283376/action/topic#283376
Time
I'd be more than happy to help Adywan, but from what I gather most of the work he is doing is 2D/compositing... as in taking elements from one part of the film and "cutting and pasting" it into others (with a lot of manipulation).

I mostly specialize in 3D work, and I don't know if he's actually planning to go as far as creating entirely new effects shots.

On the other hand, I don't know where Ady lives, but based on what I've seen I can almost guarantee him a job in Hollywood doing this type of work!
Post
#283269
Topic
STAR WARS: EP IV 2004 <strong>REVISITED</strong> ADYWAN *<em>1080p HD VERSION NOW IN PRODUCTION</em>
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283269/action/topic#283269
Time
Ady: Glad my suggestion on the displays helped.

In regards to the Falcon firing right away in that "through the TIE window" shot, you are absolutely right that the Falcon WOULD be firing right away. Of course, it could also be true that it took Han a few seconds to line up the target before he fired, but this leads us to another discussion.

When working on BSG, or really when anyone is doing anything on a movie, there is always the balance of what is real vs what works dramatically. For example, if you've seen it, I did the big seqeunce where the Pegasus takes on the 3 Baseships and rams one. There was the very valid question "why would the Baseship just sit there? Why doesn;t it jump or move out of the way?"

Well, first of all, if it jumped or moved out of the way, we wouldn't have our story. But the point was well taken so I felt it was important to justify the action, so my take on it was that the LAST thing the Cylons would expect from humans is that they would ram their ship. They have been protecting their fleet to the death, plus the Cylons didn't know the Pegasus was deserted, so they really were taken by total surprise.

In the case of your shot, I still strongly feel the pacing and grace of the shot are hindered by having all that laser fire back and forth right from the start. Your eye is drawn all over the place and you don't have a chance to feel that moment of dread and suspence as the Falcon is being locked into the sites of the TIE window.

However, you can have everything you want by letting the Falcon get lined up, the TIE starts firing and a half second later the Falcon fires back. It's totally reasonable to assume that it takes Han a second to aquire HIS target. There's enough logic to justify it and I think it would help preserve a wonderful shot from the film that should largely stay untouched.

Remember, I think everything else you've done with that sequence is great - this is the ONE shot I felt should stay closer to the original.
Post
#283266
Topic
Info: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (Michel Parbot)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283266/action/topic#283266
Time
I think I did not come across the way I intended... at least half of my post WAS complimenting the site and acknowledging how amazing it and the material is... but my "negative" comments have been what is focused on, so perhaps my response was not written the way it should have been.

Also, I didn't know Neo was planning to offer more material for download and I guess it was dumb luck that the only images I tried to save were the restricted ones.

Maybe I was playing "sour grapes" over the announcement of that amazing, lost documentary and the simultaneous news that it would not be made available. So I apologize if I came across that way. Empire is my favorite film and watching the clips from that doc just made me want to see the whole thing!!

It would be interesting to know why the person who provided it to Neo doesn't want it released.

In any case, I am sorry if I came across as bitter and accusatory, that was not the point. As I said before, it is an incredible site - it's so professional and, especially because it has the words "star wars" in the URL I really hope Lucas doesn't shut it down!

Neo, have you considered that possibility? LFL is usually most interested in targeting sites/merchandise that could be confused with official product, and I could easily see with a name like "Star Wars Archives" and the professionalism of the site that people might think it's official.
Post
#283183
Topic
The Star Wars Archives, a different kind of preservation
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283183/action/topic#283183
Time
I remember reading in Starlog when the film was released about a specific incident where Marquand told the actor inside the Gamorean Guard costume how to act, and shortly afterwards Lucas gave him entirely different direction.

Although I can't say that Marquand, if left to himself, would have done a great job anyway. I specifically remember an interview with him where he said he "wasn't going to make the same mistakes Kershner made." His example was Darth Vader holding his lightsaber with one hand when he began fighting Luke on Bespin. "Everyone knows a lightsaber is too heavy to hold with one hand!" That is a Marquand quote.

Even at 15 years old, I knew he wasn't getting it - Vader was holding the saber with one hand to demonstrate that he was being cocky and UNDERESTIMATING Luke - later in the fight, when he realizes Luke is a greater foe than he realized - he's not just holding the saber with two hands, but he's feverishly fighting for his life!

THAT is brilliant direction. All hail Kersh/Kurtz.
Post
#283182
Topic
.:. MoveAlong's - The Story of Star Wars .:. Complete!
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283182/action/topic#283182
Time
Thanks for the seeding help, I finally managed to get it (and I kept seeding for another 2 days before I had to reboot!)

MoveAlong, it's great. A fun, unique Star Wars project (just when we thought there were no more angles) and yes, your picture is stunning.

The color correction is the best I've seen yet (did you have to change your settings for EVERY scene??) and, for something that had to be resized and re-encoded, the picture look as good (if not better) than most first generation DVDs I've seen! Truly reference quality.

I'd love to know what you used to re-encode the MPG and what your settings were!

I know it sounds blasphemous, but after seeing the great job you did with the "pan and scan" into true 16:9, I'd love to see you go ahead and complete correcting the rest of the movie and release a 16:9 version.

Between your CC and the video filling my screen (I have a 16:9 projector), it has to be one of the best SW viewing experiences I've ever had!
Post
#283179
Topic
Info: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (Michel Parbot)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283179/action/topic#283179
Time
I looked at the site, it's an amazing piece of work and one of the best made websites I've ever seen.

But it's a museum... we can't save the images, the clips are not available for download... it's designed to only be viewed if we look at it on your site.

The material is not being "shared" so others can make use of it.

In some cases I wouldn't mind, but you are talking about it here, on a site that's main purpose is to preserve and share all things Star Wars - not to preserve and "tease" people with low res bits of your unique material.

I know I might take flak for saying all this, and please understand, I loved looking at what you've got and it is amazing stuff - I just find it ironic that you are asking a community that is all about truly sharing to look at what you've got but you will keep it to yourself.

As I said before, people like Jambe and Garrett Gilchrist should have this material - they have put months of tireless work making the best Star Wars documentaries out there. If I were to unearth some rare footage, I would give it to them first so they could use it for their next versions.

I think you should too.

At least give Jambe the audio track of the "Making of Empire" so he can use it for commentary on Building Empire 2.0!!
Post
#283143
Topic
The Star Wars Archives, a different kind of preservation
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283143/action/topic#283143
Time
I am sure it's absolutely true that Gary Kurtz is the unsung hero of Star Wars.

If you look at Lucas' work - from American Grafitti through to Empire, you can see the maturity and quality - everything from Jedi onward - after he fired Kurtz - clearly has a more uniform look and feel, and it's a poor one. It seems clear that Jedi is the first film that is the pure creative expression Lucas, doing everything he wanted exactly the way he wanted - no collaboration, no input from anyone, and being surrounded by "yes men."

Gary and probably his ex-wife Marcia Lucas had far more input and say than any of us will ever know.

I really wish Kurtz would do a podcast commentary for Star Wars and Empire so we can hear who really contributed what.

A girl I know who went to school with Kurtz's daughter told me how she would talk about how upset her father was after George fired him. A quote from her attributed to Lucas was that (in refernce to Empire) "He and Kershner stole my movie from me."

Here's what I think happened: It's well documented that, after finishing Star Wars, Lucas was miserable and (according to a friend who was in contact with Lucas duing the making of SW) even suicidal. He hated directing. George's definition of directing was "coming to work with 100 problems every day and being able to solve 50 of them." He didn't enjoy it and swore he would never direct again.

He was so disenchanted with making SW that he PURPOSELY took a back seat and let Kurtz, Kersh, Leigh Brackett and Kasdan do most of the work. But, part way into the film, once Lucas had physically and emotionally recovered from SW, the train that was making Empire was moving full steam ahead and he realized it was mostly moving along without him. Everyone knows Lucas is not a very forceful guy; shy and quiet has always been his trademark. He probably didn't have it in him to step up and tell everyone to take a hike and do things HIS way - so he quietly steamed about it, did what he could, and when it came to Jedi, he fired everyone he felt threatened by (his wife and his producer) and from then on just hired people who would take orders.

There are MANY recountings of Lucas on set for ROTJ basically countermanding what Marquand was telling people - Lucas practicaly directed the film behind Marquand's back, but unfortunately Mr. Marquand isn't around to tell us more about it.

Anyway, this is my take on things, and I think it's obvious because of the downward spiral that started with Jedi and has remained the status quo for Lucas ever since.

I'm sure Kurtz doesn't want to sound like sour grapes and start saying "this was my idea, that was my idea" but I think fans would really like to hear more about the process of making SW and Empire and get a better idea of how it went wrong from there to Jedi.
Post
#283140
Topic
Info: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back (Michel Parbot)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283140/action/topic#283140
Time
Everything should be put on Usenet! SO easy to grab...

So let me get this straight... you've got a website (is there a link yet?) dedicated to showing off that you have this rare ESB documentary, but you have no intention of sharing it with the SW community?

You should at least give a copy to Jambe so he can do a V2.0 of Building Empire and use clips from it and sound for an updated commentary.

I've read this whole thread and I have to agree, if the thing was broadcast even ONCE on TV, it's fair game to set free and no one - the makers of it or otherwise - should expect it to stay locked away. Who's to say that someone won't find an old VHS they recorded of it next week and upload it?

If it was broadcast, it could happen.

And it SHOULD.

Please, be a hero and set it free.
Post
#283138
Topic
STAR WARS: EP IV 2004 <strong>REVISITED</strong> ADYWAN *<em>1080p HD VERSION NOW IN PRODUCTION</em>
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/283138/action/topic#283138
Time
Yeah I agree I wouldn't "fix" the rack focus from the Flacon to 3PO, it was shot that way on purpose and for a legitimate creative reason.

I agree with the poster who said that some of the shots of gunfire between the TIEs and the Falcon feel a bit busy - Adywan, this is primarily what I meant when I was talking about "doing something because you can." I think it's great to have a little bit more back and forth gunfire, but I also found it distracting in that first shot through the window of the TIE. There is a nice rythym and pace to that shot... we stare at the Falcon coming into targeting range... there is a moment of suspense... then BAM the bad guys fire and we're under attack. Having the Falcon firing right from the start really does distract from one of the best shots in the film. I say let the TIEs fire first and then all hell can break loose (which is another point - it's important to let things build up momentum - any battle scene should generally start out small and get bigger - so saving shots of chaotic cross fire for later will have more impact if you SAVE it for later!)

So, here I am saying that just because you CAN make the Falcon fire back in more shots doesn't mean you should in EVERY shot.

I agree, the moving starfields are great and increase the tension and feel of action.

As far as the readouts go, I do admit the first time I saw them they did feel a bit too "perfect." Even today, despite them being far more advanced, movies still often tend to make computer readouts look "computery" because that's what people excpect and, frankly, I think it looks cooler - especially on the Falcon, where Han has put his money into making the ship fast - I'd bet a fancy targeting readout is the last thing he would spend money on.

Changing the TIEs to simple markers is a good idea, and I would personally alter the frame rate on the displays to twos (i.e. 12 FPS) so they look a little choppier and low-tech. Just dropping the frame rate and ditching any motion blur (if you're using it) would make the displays look a lot less "perfect."

Remember, Lucas made a conscious effort to have the Empire's gear new and high tech, while the rebels and much of the rest of the Star Wars universe was very "used" and beat up.

Anyway, great work and I can't wait to see it finished.
Post
#282478
Topic
STAR WARS: EP IV 2004 <strong>REVISITED</strong> ADYWAN *<em>1080p HD VERSION NOW IN PRODUCTION</em>
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/282478/action/topic#282478
Time
Re: Lightsaber fight music

Adywan, remember that sometimes the ABSENCE of music can be just as powerful. Not having music during the ObiWan/Vader fight makes the moment feel more real because it has not been "movied up." In all the Star Wars films, despite the long and powerful score, Lucas has always found moments to leave the music out, making it that much more effective.

Personally, I think taking a part of the movie that has no music and adding it is an example of "doing something because I can." Again, consider that the music is left out of that scene FOR A REASON.

Also, consider how powerful the musical score is that is about to follow; when Luke sees Ben die and screams, it's one of the best musical moments in the film. Again, the absence of music preceeding it "clears the pallete" if you will and makes the cue more emotional.
Post
#282338
Topic
STAR WARS: EP IV 2004 <strong>REVISITED</strong> ADYWAN *<em>1080p HD VERSION NOW IN PRODUCTION</em>
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/282338/action/topic#282338
Time
I've very impressed with everything... the new laser blasts are top notch and the exterior shots of the Falcon zooming by with TIEs all around it are perfect.

My only reservation is the new music when they are approaching the ship on the Death Star. I'd loose it.

The work you're doing is outstanding, just try to keep some perspective and let's not fall into the trap of changing things simply because you can, or want to have a longer list of "new stuff."

As you get closer to finalizing, take a step back and anything that doesn't improve the movie, fix an obvious mistake or looks PERFECT should go.

You are well on the way to a project that looks as good (if not better) than something LFL would have done - if you have even ONE shot in there that isn't as good as the rest, it will bring the whole thing down with it.

For what it's worth, I'm a professional CG artist (I work on Galactica) and my friends and I agree what you are doing is outstanding - just be sure every change you make is as good as the one before it; anything that stands out as a weak link should either be fixed, of if it can't be done right, no matter how cool the concept is, leave it out.

Come to LA and we'll set a screening for ya!