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NeverarGreat

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11-Sep-2012
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7-Jul-2025
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Post
#1311139
Topic
Episode VIII : The Last Jedi - Discussion * <strong><em>SPOILER THREAD</em></strong> *
Time

screams in the void said:

this sums up my thoughts on the film and the fan base very well. To the creator of this video, I say Kudos and drop the mic dude ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2cBTLsWiDg&fbclid=IwAR1lUEbfBOn5Yr2VPJSfqaLPzlQf5WDqjUQEZEfG46_WMcctzcbjJqODgoI

It’s weird how he complains that TLJ detractors are placing too much emphasis on the Force and then feels the need to construct a diagram to explain TLJ’s own reductive take on this mystical energy. I guess Kylo’s inner turmoil is merely a result of a mathematical equation in which his power must turn positive to oppose the negative energy of Snoke in the absence of Luke. I guess Luke’s refusal to reform the Jedi was based on the scientifically proven law of Sithgenesis in the face of Jediliferation, which only a fool would ignore. I guess the prequel Jedi, in wishing to bring balance to the Force, were clearly wishing for their own destruction based on their belief that no Sith existed to counterbalance Jedi light. I guess I just wish the Force could be a nebulous mystical power again and not constrained by talk of Midichlorians or reductive agency-stealing math problems.

Post
#1311019
Topic
Star Wars: The Fall of Skywalker (PT 3-in-1 edit) (Released)
Time

So I just gave this a watch, and I quite liked it! It really does a good job of cutting extraneous plot threads in favor of Anakin’s turn to the Dark Side. I especially liked how Obi-wan’s mission on Utapau was almost entirely removed in favor of Anakin on Coruscant, since this made it feel like the audience itself was being excluded from the Jedi council and really allowed solidarity with Anakin and his frustrations.

Apart from a few rough cuts in the beginning (most notably the elevator scene and Padme’s apartment from AOTC), the music and audio was cut well and flowed nicely.

There are a few notes I have concerning the particulars of the edit:

I understand why you included the two clips from TPM, which were important moments setting up Anakin’s romance with Padme and his desire to free his mother, but they were so brief that they felt out of place. I feel like if you were to have those moments, they would need more context in the form of the whole scenes to really shine. Anakin leaving his mother in particular is a real highlight of TPM and it’s a shame to lose that beautiful music.

The overall structure of the edit makes it very light on action in favor of Anakin’s psychological turmoil, and this is mostly to the benefit of the film, however in practical terms this means a lot of shot-reverse-shot and people walking slowly in hallways while talking. The beginning and end of the edit has enough action to sustain these talky scenes, but the middle drags a bit. I’d actually like to see some of the rescue of Palpatine from ROTS, because apart from a needed respite from the psychological drama it would establish the violence of the war which you allude to in the interstitial text. To make room for these additions I think you could still lose some more from the Yoda/Palpatine battle and Anakin’s murder of Sandpeople (I think his journey is stronger if he merely dreamed of murdering them, since actually doing it this early tips his hand).

Speaking of the transition between films, I would really have liked to see some of the end of AOTC with Anakin and Padme’s marriage and the beginning of the clone wars. It could even be presented as a series of vignettes between the lines of blue text indicating the buildup to war. I’m imagining something like the time jump in Dune, except with text instead of voiceover: https://youtu.be/OKStvZJQBDg?t=75

Despite these issues, I really enjoyed this and consider it one of the more successful prequel edits I’ve seen.

Post
#1310905
Topic
<strong>The Mandalorian</strong> - a general discussion thread - * <em><strong>SPOILERS</strong></em> *
Time

Puggo - Jar Jar’s Yoda said:

The only thing I didn’t care for was all the hissing, and looking like vampires. Other than that, this was a really fun episode. I especially liked that Mando prevailed mainly because of his cleverness, not just his strength. Interesting that he got paid, even though the hiring organization essentially went from one prisoner to three prisoners. I guess that guy was more important than the other three.

The guy probably thought that the others all died in the attempt, and deaths were far more acceptable than a living prisoner who could rat out everyone else.

Post
#1310849
Topic
<strong>The Mandalorian</strong> - a general discussion thread - * <em><strong>SPOILERS</strong></em> *
Time

I enjoyed this episode more than the last for sure, though it did drag a bit near the end. It’s actually one of my favorites so far. One of the biggest issues I have had with the other Filoni shows has been the unrealistic action scenes and faux danger, and in this show the Mandalorian’s physical armor helps explain his plot armor while still allowing him to get roughed up quite a lot.

Post
#1310445
Topic
The Prequel Radical Redux Ideas Thread
Time

TheAlaskanSandman said:

Well, Its not like we’re getting paid already. Its already a passion project for everyone on here. Now as far as deciding up something, yes we would need a Director (vision) and Producer (budget control) to help guide the ship and manage it. The rest is a chance to show our skill, work, and dedication to something we obviously care about and are already taking time to do. I would love for Adywan to just have done it, but he has chosen to just do the OT. I am completely open to teaming up as opposed to try and tackle it all myself. Im located in San Diego and have considered putting out an ad or something for fans with materials. Props, model ships, and or costumes. Comicon is here so i know there’s gotta be some people who are down. I need to get a camera and have been looking around and trying to figure out what i would need.

Some proposed shot’s i’ve considered include Theed civilians and soldiers shot largely on green screen with some props for buildings. This would be for an assault on Theed. With some Federation and Theed ship models for some scenes. Reshooting a couple elements on green screen like the cockpit view (looks too digital), or pilots in cockpit. Building some of this is not hard to me. Side walls for props, or flooring is easy and i have some stucco materials and paint already. Would just need some 2x4s and plywood. Im an artist though i’ve never worked with models and scales of models, though im more than interested to learn and or help out in any capacity i can. These are just ideas for TPM, but are largely actually fairly easy to pull off with co-ordination. The most extreme shots i had planned was new storm troopers for ATOC and ROTS, replacing a lot of digital ones.

Being able to film new elements allows us to better control narrative, pace, and vfx control. Sure some of us have some more extreme ideas, but there also seems to be a general consensus about somethings.

Just think its a topic worth discussing. The tech and capability is there for us, Adywan already showed us this. This would get the best results though if done right.

I’d be down for contributing to something like this. You’re right that civilians and soldiers would go a long way toward giving these movies more humanity. I can imagine in addition to Theed that Coruscant could really use more grunge and life. Beggars in the alleyways, people camped on the steps of the Jedi Temple hoping to catch a glimpse of the Jedi, graffiti on the walls…and just imagine if we could get our hands on some practical clone trooper costumes! Why there could be entire vignettes created around this, insert shots of troopers holding back the populace in the wake of Order 66, angry protesters throwing alien produce on the shiny clean clone armor…

There’s so much potential without even changing the plots of these movies at all. Perhaps that could be the goal; work to improve the story as it exists in those movies and make it look as good as possible. After that people could fanedit to their heart’s content and provide a diverse array of versions to suit whatever the viewer’s predilections.

Post
#1310435
Topic
The Force Awakens: Starlight (V1.1 Released!)
Time

Wonder no more!

https://vimeo.com/378959824

Password: fanedit

So I know faster and more intense, but…I realized that the slow zoom of the Vader mask wasn’t used yet, so it had to go in and I think it can work as a visual representation of why Rey finds the saber and its visions repelling. There is surely more to do with added sound effects, blasters and frightening things in the first part.

In the second part, I figured it was a good place to use the music originally intended for Rey’s first dream since this dream is essentially replacing it. Placing Han’s voiceover on top of the island imagery with Rey’s fearful response hits all at once what Kylo presently divines about Rey:
“You’re so lonely, so afraid to leave. At night, desperate to sleep, you imagine an ocean. I see it. I see the island. And Han Solo; you feel like he’s the father you never had…he would have disappointed you.”
“Get out of my head!”

Post
#1310144
Topic
The Force Awakens: Starlight (V1.1 Released!)
Time

RogueLeader said:

Some interesting ideas! Depending on how you play with transitioning from shot for shot, you might also consider that there is a shot of Luke placing his hand on R2 from the second TFA teaser that doesn’t have that rain transition like the final film does.

You absolute genius, thank you! That was exactly the problem I was having with the transitions.

I will definitely keep these ideas in mind. Faster, more intense. I wonder if jumping straight from Leia to the dream would read well, but there’s only one way to find out 😃

Post
#1310027
Topic
The Force Awakens: Starlight (V1.1 Released!)
Time

So I’m stumped on how to implement RogueLeader’s idea for Rey’s dream. I’ve put together a vague collection of ideas, but there’s not even any voiceover:

JEDIT: Deleted Video

Some things I really want to include:

-using discarded shots of R2 waking up/Rey seeing R2’s map. I don’t know how this would segue into the dream, but it would strongly seed the idea of her fixing R2 from this early point.

-Something concerning the island tree. It’s not necessary for this film, but going forward it would give more weight to her ‘only in dreams’ comment.

Unfortunately, these two concepts don’t necessarily flow from the context of the previous scenes. Both are moderately peaceful or hopeful, whereas her experiences immediately prior to this were nothing but disturbing and violent. What the scene calls out for is a series of quick cuts to ever more anxiety-inducing music as she relives the past few hours, up until she is awakened.

One thought: The series of images and sounds builds and builds until it is unbearable, then there is silence. The island appears, and Rey approaches the tree. She reaches out for the books, and in response she sees the vision of R2 and the map revealed. Then she wakes up.

That’s my thought. I’m open to others, however. 😃

Post
#1309918
Topic
<strong>The Mandalorian</strong> - a general discussion thread - * <em><strong>SPOILERS</strong></em> *
Time

RogueLeader said:

It is still a child. I don’t think it translates
1:1 with human aging, but this species has a particularly long infancy-early childhood stage.

There might be something unique to the Yoda species regarding Force sensitivity, but it’s already been established in canon that Force-sensitive babies in general have a predisposition to using the Force, regardless of species. The idea being, I’m assuming, that babies and young children lack some of the qualities that adults have that can hold back their ability to use the Force (like doubt or disbelief). And it is possible that the time he spends in this young childhood stage plays a part in why he can lift a mudhorn vs a toy ball.

This exactly. There’s a lot of evidence from the movies (especially the prequels) which points to early training as extremely important in developing skill in the Force, and I think you’re right that it has to do with the lack of a rigid experiential framework present in adults. So if the Yoda species has this super long developmental period, it stands to reason that most of the members of this species would gain some Force abilities. I imagine it could be something like 50% or more of the species would have this ability into adulthood, while for humans that percentage would be far less because of how rapidly they progress through infancy. Of course, I doubt that baby Yoda could really control the Force or plan to use it in advance.

There’s also the angle of hereditary Force sensitivity, and it may be that Yoda’s species is essentially just one family, that is if their method of reproduction is different enough to avoid the effects of inbreeding.

It’s an interesting question.

Post
#1309538
Topic
4K restoration on Star Wars
Time

What’s really weird though is that the creatures look a lot sharper in the D+ version than the Blu-ray. I think you’re right about them using the 1997 version of the buildings and environment, but maybe in the Blu-ray they applied a strong temporal sharpening filter on it so that the stationary objects became super sharp. This would lead to the moving creatures losing detail to blur.

Post
#1309464
Topic
General Star Wars <strong>Random Thoughts</strong> Thread
Time

RogueLeader said:

I like to think of the dark side referencing the unknown or mysteries of the Force. “If one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects…”
Mysteries that the Jedi are too afraid to explore.

It is more likely the Jedi came up with the terms “light” and “dark” to reference how the two sides relate to positive and negative emotions. But Sith kept using the term in defiance of the Jedi doctrine. Or it could be a combination of both ideas.

But that’s all in-universe.

I think this is the best explanation of the use of ‘Dark Side’, but this would require the context of Sith dropping the term in favor of something else when not in the presence of Jedi. After all, according to Palpatine the Sith use a wider array of emotions (and presumably positive emotions) than can be encapsulated by the term. In this way the Sith’s philosophy would become genuinely seductive because of its all-inclusiveness.