Mrebo

timdiggerm said:

So…

Why is Boba doing this stuff? Why did he go back to Tatooine, kill Bib and declare himself Daimyo? It doesn’t take much Wikipedia to confirm that, in feudal Japan, daimyo served under shogun. If that applies here, who was Jabba’s shogun???

As I said I’m enjoying it but his motivations aren’t being done justice by the story. I’m hopeful it will be fleshed out. I can rationalize that he’s older, went through trauma, etc but the story should make his motivations more central. He could do anything, so why Tatooine?

I wish they used a more familiar term than daimyo. I also wish they didn’t use the term majordomo - it was bizarre and funny for Mr. Fortuna to have that title, now it just feels like recycling.

Rodney-2187 said:

I love the majordomo’s speeder.

Agree! Good design decision.

This was the weakest episode. The swoop gang aesthetically reminds me of something out of contemporary Doctor Who and doesn’t feel genuine on Tatooine nor fit with what those characters are supposed to be. On Coruscant this aesthetic could work.

I’m rethinking the opening sequence because it doesn’t flow. There is too much cutting back and forth between shortened scenes. And the throne room scene doesn’t feel right when the droid army is already occupying the city.

I might keep my basic outline intact by not showing the droid army going to Theed so early and keeping more of the Theed throne room scene so it’s not such a quick jump back to the Control Ship.

In editing the film, I’m becoming more aware of story-telling errors. Too often the same information is given multiple times and deflates the impact when it ultimately matters. I didn’t have a view on this before but Qui-Gon needed to be more plainly portrayed as the protagonist. I’m realizing why a number of editors completely cut Otoh Gunga. I’m keeping it but it is frustrating how little the underwater scenes do.

One small thing that is bothering me in the original film occurs right after Qui-Gon tells Jar Jar he’s headed into trouble. There is dialogue that appears to have been cut (Qui-Gon’s mouth starts moving which is what makes me crazy) and obscured by a Weequay walking in front. The original cuts/edits of that scene are awkward and I wonder why the scene seems so overworked.

I want Shmi to be freed too but haven’t settled on how to finesse this - anyone else tried to make this happen? The pod that won the Boonta Eve Classic would seem to be worth Shmi’s freedom.

Omni said:

Wow, really can’t believe the near universally positive reception from you guys. I hated basically everything from these first two episodes, don’t think I’ll be coming back for more…

Hate leads to suffering!

The broad enjoyment is remarkable. I’m as critical as anyone on most new SW. I’ve written off the sequels. I thought the Mandalorian mediocre but it had its moments that kept me coming back.

I like the current characterization of Fett, Temuera Morrison does a good job, and I’ve always been a Fett fan.

Thinking about what scenes might be repurposed for edits is also fun.

AS, thanks 😂

Eyepainter, I’m thinking you’re right. There are times that Jar Jar can be used to add color or defuse tension, but mostly he’s all over the place distracting as you say.

I did this quick edit just to see the gag but I think it’s too jokey. I’m on the fence whether to keep that single Jar Jar moment at all, in its proper place, but definitely cutting the first tongue shot. I go between not liking the antics and thinking a Gungan creature is not theoretically a bad idea that can work if toned down.

https://streamable.com/mhwxv4

A very good episode. I was almost giddy seeing the Hutts. The CGI has come along enough and it not being Jabba helps immensely. I still don’t like the lame minor characters who try to be funny, like at the mayor’s office, but more concerning Max Rebo’s trunk is too thin, isn’t it?

Rodney-2187 said:

Temuera’s facial expression when fighting are the best. If someone ever looks at you that way, just run.

I’ve been noticing his incorporation of what appears to be Haka facial expressions - it adds character for sure.

These ideas are all terrible.

I’m primarily using DaVinci Resolve. I’m wondering how you knowledgeable people handle audio in your edits - maintaining different tracks and everything else. I find the tracks gets unwieldy. I listen to entertainment through a gramophone horn built into my TV but I imagine a “whatever works” approach is suboptimal.

Thank you for the very encouraging comments.

canofhumdingers said:

(I’ve got a lot of problems with you people! And now your gonna hear about it! 😄)

I don’t disagree with anything you wrote, canofhumdingers. While Morrison was never a perfect body match for OT Boba Fett, it wasn’t so obvious when he was in AOTC (as Boba was going to look like Jango). Morrison is older and that’s a reality I try to make peace with (for him? for me?) and it looks like he has gotten fitter since his Mandalorian appearance.

I have a much lower expectation for television and so I forgive a lot that you point out, like the parkour and the lack of timelessness. I notice it but accept the reality of weekly TV. Some of the acting/humor is less excusable and I have the same gripe about Mandalorian.

I don’t begrudge Boba wanting a different color jumpsuit and I think the black works fine. The choice of Tuskens also wearing black feels like it’s simply the go-to color for new and cool. It’s a nitpick but creatively I would have liked to see something different. What I haven’t thought until now is that he changes to a black jumpsuit because of his time with these Tuskens, so this is a way to explain why he makes that choice. Whether this is meaningfully symbolic or needless explanation for a minor cosmetic choice 🤷

Happy New Year one and all

Betty White

Here is my rough draft of meeting Anakin. Would love any comments.

https://streamable.com/q62z0b

This was a fun watch. I liked the crawl. Some things that I would have thought would feel too abrupt if cut actually worked well on screen. The jump to the Gungan City played decently as an added humorous moment. Maybe a musical element would emphasize that. Removing visuals of the podrace announcers works great. By removing a lot of the preamble to the race, the scene with Shmi telling Anakin to be safe was able to project more heart. Removing the Padme decoy ploy was a more surprising cut but narratively works. All in all it flowed well and it was coherent.

The flashbacks were great. The kind of stuff I’ve waited for. My biggest complaint is for the poorly written/cast minor characters, starting with the mayor’s majordomo. At least do an accent! I rationalize it is the price to pay for a live-action TV show on a budget and what we would have gotten in any decade. The monster was good, almost looked like an old claymation. I’ve nitpicks like Tuskens in black and lean Gamorreans (I hope Boba Fett feeds them well and lets them take a well-deserved nap). It was great to see Max Rebo and I hope we see more of him, even a spinoff.

Eyepainter said:

Mrebo said:

Thank you for the supportive comments 😃

I’ve taken a quick run at Meeting Anakin/Watto’s Shop. It needs polishing and maybe more trimming but I think works telling the story. Is a 4:20 (no pun intended) clip too long to share?

I’m curious about your work Eyepainter.

I’d be happy to send a PM if you’d like. Just say please.

I’m not sure how long is too long, but I did post a link to a 6-minute YouTube video I created detailing changes I made for my Terminator 2 fanedit. I haven’t gotten in trouble for it, so I think a 4:20 clip is probably okay. That is, unless the clip in question is offensive or obscene, but I doubt a clip of Episode I is gonna do that. I would say Jar Jar is obscene, but I think my definition is different from the moderators.

Thor meme with text “is it though?”

Maybe I’ll bleep Jar Jar’s lines and blur him out to make it family friendly 😉

It would be a third scene featuring Jar Jar I’ve posted…

I like the red saber idea. I’ve considered Obi Wan using the force to propel a saber to cut Maul in half, then jumping up after Maul’s halves tumble past him.

Thank you for the supportive comments 😃

I’ve taken a quick run at Meeting Anakin/Watto’s Shop. It needs polishing and maybe more trimming but I think works telling the story. Is a 4:20 (no pun intended) clip too long to share?

I’m curious about your work Eyepainter.

First of all, hello (again, to old friends).

I’ve been toying with the idea of edits and I’ve started in earnest on Episode I.

What interests me most is reordering and recontextualizing scenes. Who knows how far I will make it so I am making this thread for three main reasons: as a self-motivator, for advice, and for others to take any ideas they think worth trying for their own work.

I am making compromises along the way because (1) I want to minimize choppiness (2) I don’t have skills for everything I might want to do, and (3) in theory I want to preserve GL’s overall vision, up to and including Jar Jar - it’s a fun challenge to see how well that can be done.

[Source: TPM bluray]

The Beginning of Episode I:

A new crawl. The Trade Federation is occupying the planet of Naboo and the Republic has dispatched Jedis to negotiate.

From the crawl, pan down to the Trade Federation ship (Attack on Theed theme plays) with ships headed toward Naboo, then the line of troop transport vehicles headed to Theed, their procession in the City, Amidala watching from the window.

Cut to Trade Federation ship scene, exterior then interior, where Gunray is telling Palpatine, “the invasion is on schedule, my Lord.” This scene plays out as normal up until Palpatine says about Amidala, “controlling her will not be difficult.”

Cut to Theed palace, throne room scene (omitting Palpatine hologram) where Amidala talks about they need to rely on negotiations rather than engaging in military action, etc (rejiggering the scene to make it fit the new storyline). Amidala looks weak, seeming to fit Palpatine’s description. Governor Bibble exasperatedly asks “and where are the Chancellor’s Ambassadors?”

Cut to the Jedi ship making its way to the Trade Federation ship (omit pre-boarding call with Gunray). After Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are brought to the conference room, there is lots of reordering and trimming for the sake of the new storyline and for maintaining tension. After the Jedi flee the droids (omitting the fast run and mention of ventilation shafts), Amidala calls Gunray and tells him she believes the ambassadors have arrived, Gunray says he has no idea what she’s talking about.

Cut to Qui-Gon talking to Obi-Wan about stowing aboard ships and meeting below.

Big and miscellaneous changes:

A couple of big changes I want to make down the road relate to Darth Maul. I will omit his going to Tatooine. The first encounter with Maul will be on Corcuscant. After the balcony scene with Palpatine and Maul, taken from earlier in the film, we cut to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan speaking on Coruscant. Perhaps the balcony scene where Obi-Wan is asking Qui-Gon to not defy the council, or else the landing pad talk before they are set to return to Naboo. Digital magic places them in the power generator space where they are confronted by Maul mid-discussion. They fight, ending when Qui-Gon knocks Maul off the bridge and Maul seems to fall into the abyss (rather than onto another bridge). This is followed by parts of earlier scene where Qui-Gon tells the council about the threat he encountered and the council says they will look into it. I’m trying to figure out if I can make the council discussion a night scene to work better for the changed narrative (and not that Qui-Gon waited until morning). No idea how well any of this will work technically (or if I can do it) but think it greatly improves the story.

On Naboo, Maul shows up again, a surprising menace, acting so cool because he is still alive. They fight in the hangar as normal, with Maul kicking Obi-Wan to the floor before entering doorway with Qui Gon, then cut to the force field hallway. Some digital magic to obscure power generator background in a couple of shots.

Another big change is having the spat between Sebulba and Jar Jar occur while Qui-Gon and crew are just looking for a place to buy the parts they need. Anakin steps in to save Jar Jar and by end of scene, there is an inserted line from Qui-Gon about needing parts followed by Anakin’s statement (taken from later) “c’mon, I’ll take you to my place.” This makes the whole train of events, including meeting Anakin more organic. AND makes the story more in tune with GL’s declaration that “Jar Jar is the key to all of this.” There is limited material to work with but I think it is feasible. Minor edits in Watto’s shop scene also makes this work.

Some miscellaneous changes: There will be no 3PO. No midichlorians. After Shmi tells Anakin to not look back, he does. I desperately want to change the podrace announcers. Let it be Max Rebo and Droopy McCool. Musicians need to make a living however they can and maybe that’s how they got Jabba’s attention. Changing the announcers is beyond me and maybe I will omit them entirely, I don’t know. There will be color grading and music changes.

I have two small Gungan scenes mostly complete (links below). For the underwater swim,the original music never worked for me as it has an ethereal and magical feel that doesn’t match grumpy Jedi following Jar Jar underwater for an uncertain purpose. A Mussorgsky tune has been adapted instead. I’m rather proud of the second clip as well, a few subtle changes.

I’m more excited about my ideas for Episode II but I think it will go better if I have Episode I worked out, at least as practice. Episode III is a big challenge but I have similar ideas for its alteration. I’ve been following the The Prequel Radical Redux thread which has ideas worth integrating.

Let me know your thoughts!

https://streamable.com/aph0qy

https://streamable.com/yc1e4t

The Beginning of Episode II:

A new crawl. Opponents of the military creation act are being targeted for assassination. Jedi Knight Obi-Wan and his apprentice Anakin are in pursuit of the assassin.

From the crawl, pan down to Coruscant, ships flying, night side of the planet with the lights on the surface. Cut to surface, very possibly using the following scene from TPM: https://streamable.com/lcc1bh

Cuts from there to Obi-Wan and Anakin pursuing the assassin in their speeder. This provides a strong introduction to the characters, with cringier dialogue trimmed. Anakin tries his “shortcut” and loses the assassin, as Obi-Wan says. The scene cuts to Zam Wesell in her speeder escaping (along with the denouement in the music as it exists) as she removes her veil, now that she’s safe and for the audience to see her.

Cut to Padme’s ship arriving through the clouds, then to Obi-Wan & Anakin going up the elevator to see Padme. All kinds of trimming here of course! I am sure others have done many clever things with this scene that I will have to consult. It is hard not to reduce it to almost nothing. One little change I will make is after Padme says, “Ani? My goodness, you’ve grown,” Anakin responds “So have you… for a senator, I mean.” It makes a bad line feel more authentic, like he is awkwardly covering himself and not being a creep. Then the shot of Captain Typho looking uncomfortable and a simple awkward smile from Padme.

Padme is no longer the assassin’s lone target and the dialogue in this and other scenes is trimmed accordingly.

There is the meeting in Palpatine’s office somewhere, maybe here.

After Palpatine’s office scene with talk about Separatists, we cut to the base on Geonosis, separatists meeting around the table. Letting the audience have a clear idea what is happening is good!

We get to the Jedi protecting Padme in her apartment. I’m pretty sure it is snooker who has done some great work on this scene (I cannot find the post right now), eg makes it look like Anakin jumps out the window. In my vision Zam Wesell flies right up to the window to assassinate Padme and Anakin jumps onto the speeder where the speeder fight ensues. Obi-Wan rushes after in his speeder and lands where Zam has crashed to join Anakin at the club. Another suggestion I want to adopt is to omit shapeshifter talk, change line to “He is a she”/“In that case, be extra careful”.

Obi-Wan and Anakin go before the council, Obi-Wan instructed to investigate the bounty hunter and Anakin is to protect Padme.

Obi-Wan goes to the diner to find out about the saberdart. I think this scene can be charming with careful cutting of things that are too silly or repetitive.

Then we cut to first few seconds of “Star Wars: Underworld” footage showing a grungy lower level street. Cut to Anakin and Padme, incognito, eating there in a shabby cantina (ie what was the refugee ship).

We cut to Anakin speaking with Palpatine who promises to speak to Padme. There is solo shot of Anakin at the council in front of window saying it will be hard to get Padme to leave. That scene can be added here. (Mace Windu/Yoda do not orchestrate her leaving.) This is Anakin’s initiative because he cares too much for her and Palps is more than happy to oblige.

Anakin has a bad dream about his mother (taken from Naboo portion of the film). Cut to Padme getting ready to leave, all upset. The scene is trimmed and revised.

[And much, much more!]

Wrong, mfm. No comparison was made. It was just another example of the U.K. having low tolerance for neo-Nazis. oojason’s post is too much like a political argument, so I’ll leave it alone.

oojason said:

‘Liverpool makes a stand and runs far-right marchers out of town’…

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/nov/03/liverpool-runs-far-right-marchers-out-of-town
 

Pleased to say it’s not the far time these racist neo-nazis have been run out of Liverpool in recent times - last time they took to hiding in a ‘left-luggage’ shop with the shutters down - link 😃
 

Even the racist neo-nazis in the government are in trouble over there..

Watched Rosa. It felt like an episode of “Timeless.” Not a bad thing per se. Did I miss something about the villain that made him anything more than a macguffin that brought them to Birmingham? All the timey wimey stuff and moral lectures to everyone the Doctor meets were replaced by great caution in this episode. Don’t know if this is the new direction of the show or a one-off show of respect to real history. I liked that the moralizing which has pervaded the show was given some real substance at least.

You are young.