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SS4DarthPayne

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Join date
2-Nov-2005
Last activity
27-Apr-2021
Posts
186

Post History

Post
#646764
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

dark_jedi said:

Truly sorry for the lack of updates on these 2 releases but I am still waiting on menu packages for a couple in front of these then I will get these and also waiting on case arts to be finished, ALL assets are done and have been done for a long time now, so hopefully we will have something to show soon and get out there, these files do no one any good just sitting on my hard drives, again real sorry it is taking so long, that is all I am going to say, because I said it would be "soon" months ago.

You_Too and I are actually ready to hit the ESB's now, I think we had our nice SW break and are ready to get back.

Stay tuned

 

So excited for these. As always, thank you very much

Post
#638491
Topic
Clean-up and restoration of deleted scenes (* unfinished project *)
Time

thxita said:

I know it has been a long time but is there any update on this project? I would love to see these clips restored to a decent enough quality

I would like to see this too. Several months ago, seeing as how no progress appeared to have been made, I tried to do it myself, and embarked on three week crash course of learning AviSynth and wrestling with the files. 

I would say I had mixed results. I think I was severely handicapped having never used AviSynth before, and had more problems than a more experienced user probably would have had. When it was all said and done, I was able to create a few short sample clips, and to be honest, they looked pretty good, at least in terms of cleaning up dirt. 

Several factors worth mentioning on my journey:

-My original goal was to try and fix up the deleted scenes so they could be inserted into the original versions of the films. Thus I was more interested in scenes that could be more or less drag and dropped into the films. 

-For anyone who has researched the "cleaning up old film" topic even a little bit, you will have come across, I think it was called, "VideoFred's script" or some name like that. I believe that is, yes, what I ended up using, or some offshoot thereof. 

-This did a good job with the spots/dust/specks, but stationary vertical lines still were troublesome.

-Another bad part of the resulting clips was that anytime the scene cut to a new angle, all of the dirt remained on the last frame of the first angle and the first frame of the second angle. I think this is because the script looks at a given frame, and then the frames directly before and after it to decide what to clean. I suspect this is where manual cleaning would come into play, but I had no desire whatsoever to go down this road (I believe some scripts in Vegas claimed to be able to help with this, but I did not have success). 

-The most frustrating thing, though, was that the beginning of every clip I rendered would jump up and down horribly for a second or so, before "settling" in and playing normally. After Googling, a few other people seemed to have this problem, but I could not find any real solution. This is probably what most directly led to me stopping my attempts.

-The next thing that discouraged me was the sound. I felt like if they were going to be truly "cleaned up" they would need to have sound. For example, for the Treadwell scene, I believe a while back ..Sluggo(? not sure) helped make a version of the scene hosted on T'bone's site that had recreated audio from the Radio Drama. But, I was at a loss what to do with scenes like the Tatooine sandstorm. My only thought was finding other films that say Harrison Ford or the other actors appeared in and extracting certain lines? Perhaps voice actors who could imitate someone's voice? Either way it was a lot of work I didn't want to do.

-Rendering took a LONG time. I think six one to two minute scenes would take my computer (which is not slow by any stretch) an entire night. This definitely hindered progress. As a result, I would just normally render 8 or 9 second clips to see how things looked. 

-Even previewing in MPC was incredibly slow with the complex clean up scripts. This was also a downer.

-Luke in the tank on Hoth was in black and white. I know The Man Behind the Mask had a great workaround with blue and red masks that he used in his War of the Stars / Grindhouse version, and I practiced emulating it myself. It was hard, but I think doable for someone like me. 

-The Luke and Yoda training scene did not have the glowing lightsaber effect yet, which I thought would be necessary, so I found some guides for Vegas on how to do it, and while not too difficult, it was very tedious.

When it was all said and done, it was just too much work for me, especially since my job started picking up quite a bit then. I still have a dream of having them all beautifully restored and then reinserted into the original films for a sort of "extended version," but a lot of work would have to be done to get to that point. My only thought is that perhaps a committee of people might have a better shot of actually completing it than a single individual. I am also wary of investing too much time, because if Disney takes a more favorable view of all these old scenes / versions and ends up releasing them, I don't want to have wasted all the time (that might sound a little jaded, but it's true). 

That's all that comes to mind at the moment.

In short, my ideal vision/workflow looks something like:

1) Automated dirt cleanup
2) Manual dirt cleanup for the rest
3) Fixing the colors
4) Somehow figuring out an audio solution (no idea on the how of that) 

Post
#634040
Topic
Star Wars Prequels 35mm 4K Filmized Editions by Emanswfan (a WIP)
Time

Jetrell Fo said:

If I could find someone to scan my 35mm Trailer for TPM we could at least get a better idea of theatrical coloring.

I have been watching this thread, unsure of how I felt about what's going on, but I am interested to see how it plays out in the end.

I was initially skeptical too, but as I said earlier, I'm just really liking how most of the screenshots are looking... For the most part they just look better, for lack of a better word (at least to me). I'm definitely in the excited camp

Post
#632162
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

dark_jedi said:

How long have we been working on SW BV2 and ANH 97 SE Blu, I do not even want to know lol, but it seems like forever, and I am sure the other 2 would agree, but I feel like once these 2 are out the others will not take to long, we are only going to fix the worst parts, not the whole film, and the 2 remaining 97 SE's won't take long at all, ESB BV2 is going to take the longest by far of the remaining titles.

On a positive note I already have the ESB work print done and ready to go, and to be honest another thing that will add some time is we like tot take breaks and work on "non Star Wars" releases, these projects help keep us sane lol.

This is fantastic to hear! I would just like to add my voice to all of those expressing extreme excitement for this release. As always, thank you!

Post
#629110
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

dark_jedi said:

I just want to thank everyone for all the kind words, we are at the authoring stages on both the SW BV2 as well as the ANH97SE Blu, then I will burn copies for testing, it looks like we will have like 4 projects done at almost the same time, which is a good thing because I am needing hard drive space bad! HD files take up a lot of room especially when you have 4-5 projects going at once lol.

So stay tuned goodies are on the way!

Good to see you back. Thanks for all of the hard work. It looks great!

Post
#626918
Topic
Star Wars Prequels 35mm 4K Filmized Editions by Emanswfan (a WIP)
Time

While I have personally rolled my eyes at some of the inanely detailed color issue discussions that happen on this site, I must fully admit that in that Naboo shot, the colors just look... more correct? Right? Better? I am not really sure how to describe it. They just seem to more closely match the Star Wars mythos that I have come to know and love. I am definitely starting to appreciate a little more how much role a movie's colors can play.

Post
#626414
Topic
HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY OT.COM!!!!!!!!!!!!!(was: When is/was the OT.com 10th anniversary?)
Time

As with the above, formally Happy Tenth Birthday to the site! I haven't quite been here since the beginning; I think it says I registered in November '05, but I was lurking since the beginning of 2004. Either way, I've been here for quite some time, and there is a reason that this is the one forum I have consistently visited all of these years. Thanks to everyone who has made it what it is, especially you Jay.

It's amazing how far the preservation idea and we have a whole have progressed - from Dr. Gonzo and TR47's sets based on LaserDiscs to what I can only hope are stupendous Blu Rays from Team Blu, Team -1 and Harmy. Cheers to everyone

Post
#625299
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

vbangle said:

When this set is done, and if I am lucky enough to acquire it, I might be tempted to call it quits in looking for that next Star Wars edit or preservation. This edition is that good.

Honestly, I'm more or less in the same place as you. As far as I'm concerned, this is all I'll really need / all I really want going forward (I will keep my eye on -1's project also, though). I've been following this project a loooooooong time, and am pretty much giddy that it's all shaping up so nicely.

DarthBoMan, while there are certainly a few other projects that mildly pique my interest around here, like you, this project is essentially the one reason I visit the site every day as diligently as I do.

You_Too, as always, thank you for your hard work, and absolutely pass along my appreciation to DJ. What you guys are both doing is really, truly appreciated.

Post
#624431
Topic
Extras on SW laserdiscs and not on DVD or BD...
Time

As I said above, I just like consistency. If Andrea is going to do a quality transfer, why not just to them all for posterity's sake? I.e., this is what we had, at this point in time, at this quality. May as well preserve it in one fell swoop. I like having completion, and (again from a personal standpoint), it would just feel weird to not do it all.

But I digress. I was just mildly flustered that the assumption was my desire was due to the fact that I didn't legally own the material. I like Star Wars too much to do that. 

So, back on topic, I am very much a fan of this idea Andrea, and hope that it all works out! 

Post
#624328
Topic
Extras on SW laserdiscs and not on DVD or BD...
Time

TV's Frink said:

SS4DarthPayne said:

On a personal note, I would be happy if you included ones still on BD/DVD, but I totally understand if that's not what you want your purpose to be. 

Or you could, you know, buy the BDs and DVDs.

I own them all, for what it's worth. Every DVD or Blu-Ray of the movies released - 2004 set, 2006 individuals, 2006 individuals a second time (long story), and the 2011 Blu-Ray. I don't know why the assumption was that I didn't...

Post
#624210
Topic
Extras on SW laserdiscs and not on DVD or BD...
Time

_,,,^..^,,,_ said:

As now I'm a proud owner of a "brand old" computer with BD-burner, I'd like to release a BD with all the extras found on laserdisc editions (like trailers, teasers, featurettes, documentaries etc.) and still not on DVD or BD.

I'm aware there were some threads about laserdisc extras, but I'd like to have one dedicated thread instead of sparse ones, with updates right in the first post.

I know for sure that some of these extras, in particular the ones on the Definitive Collection, are present on DVD or BD, but I don't know, or I'm not sure, which ones...

This. This I would be very interested in. Very interested. Especially since you seem to do a quality job with your transfers. Like, I know some/all/most(?) of these have been transferred from a LaserDisc at some point, but it would be great to see them in one place, and at a consistent quality. I would be very appreciative. So, two thumbs up from me!

On a personal note, I would be happy if you included ones still on BD/DVD, but I totally understand if that's not what you want your purpose to be. 

Post
#623877
Topic
Have you met or seen someone from the Star Wars universe, and props?
Time

canofhumdingers said:

But the best time I had seeing props was when the Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit came to Saint Paul, MN while I was living there. Went twice it was so good. They had a ton of screen used OT props costumes and models on display. Major highlights included the full scale landspeeder and the show-stopping five foot Millennium Falcon. That was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

Ditto for me. The exhibit came to my city, and it was incredible to go. By far the coolest thing for me was the full scale landspeeder. It felt like I was finally close to the history of the movie that I loved so much. I took a bunch of pictures (enough that I killed my battery I remember), but sadly they are not on this computer. I cannot say I remember the Millennium Falcon in particular, but now this makes me want to go find that folder full of pictures on my other computer. 

As for people, I have not truly met anyone, per se :( I guess the only thing close to that was when I went to a Star Wars: In Concert performance also in my city, and Anthony Daniels hosted / narrated. So I saw him in person, so that has to count for something. That is it though.

Post
#623367
Topic
Info & Project: Episode 1 TPM game sounds files
Time

So, I played the PC version of this game extensively when I was younger. It was in fact the first video game I ever owned / played / finished, so it holds a special place in my heart. 

I am struggling to remember about the dialogue.... I certainly remember that there were dialogue boxes with yellow (I think) letters, so I am wondering if that means that nothing was spoken.... Sorry, it's been so long for me. 14 years in fact, which just makes me feel ancient. Man where did the time go

Post
#620958
Topic
Star Wars Trailers
Time

As I was trying to research the topic of Star Wars trailers, I was rather shocked by the lack of resources on the topic. I eventually had to resort to using ImperialFighter’s list (http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Imps-MOVIE-TRAILER-SHOWCASE-Past-Present-and-Coming-Soon/topic/11782/) and a little bit of this: http://www.swonvideo.com/vcd/imageslarge/vvcdstarwarstrailersback.jpg although I am not sure how accurate or helpful that second one actually was. Sorry if the formatting is messed up, it was an absolute pain to try and wrestle with this posting editor. So:


     1) Does some wonderful database of all Star Wars trailers exist and I have just not found it, or is this about as good as it gets?

    2) Is the below information accurate?

    3) Could you guys help me fill it out, particularly what the best current sources of each are (and hopefully official names for each)? I anticipate that the EditDroid 4 Disc Set and the 2004 Bonus Disc are the best sources for most, but unfortunately both of my copies are across the ocean so I cannot check myself.

 

After each trailer below, the words in soft parenthesis are the first words spoken in the trailer, so they can be easily identified. If I un-lazy myself, I may start trying to fill this list out with Youtube links as well.

 _______________________________________________________________

Star Wars:

                Teaser Trailer (Somewhere in space, this may all be happening right now)

                                Best current source: ?

                Theatrical Trailer #1 (Luke Skywalker was just a farm boy)

                                Best current source: ?

                Theatrical Trailer #2 (20th Century Fox and George Lucas bring you)

                                Best current source: ?

                Re-Release Trailer (Now you can experience the Force again)

                                Best current source: ?

                Special Edition Trailer [This January] (For an entire generation)

                                Best current source: ?

                Special Edition Trailer [President’s Day Weekend] (For an entire generation)

                                Best current source: ?

 

The Empire Strikes Back:

                Teaser Trailer #1 [McQuarrie] (The Empire has been repulsed)

                                Best current source: ?

                Teaser Trailer #2 [Vivaldi] (A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away)*

                                Best current source: ?

                Theatrical Trailer (Luke Skywalker and Han Solo rescued the princess)

                                Best current source: ?

                Re-Release Trailer (The Star Wars Saga continues, with a special limited engagement of)

                                Best current source: ?

                Special Edition Trailer (On February 21st, 20th Century Fox and George Lucas present)

                                Best current source: ?

 

Return of the Jedi:

                Teaser Trailer (Altaiagffa: the next chapter in the Star Wars Saga. Join the further adventures of Luke Skywalker)

                                Best current source: ?

                Theatrical Trailer (Altaiagffa: the next chapter in the Star Wars Saga. The battle between good and evil rages on)

                                Best current source: ?

                Re-Release Trailer (Return to a galaxy far, far away)

                                Best current source: ?

                Special Edition Trailer (On March 7th, return to the fight for freedom)

                                Best current source: ?

 

Trilogy on DVD/Blu-Ray:

                2004 DVD Trailer (For generations, only one trilogy has been the heart)

                                Best current source: ?

                2006 DVD Trailer (For generations, one trilogy has created countless memories)

                                Best current source: ?

                2011 Blu-Ray Trailer #1 (The Force is what gives a Jedi his power)

                                Best current source: 1080p versions floating around online

                2011 Blu-Ray Trailer #2 (The Force is with you, young Skywalker)

                                Best current source: 1080p versions floating around online

 

 

*Are there two versions of this trailer? I know the original has blue lasers. I am interested in knowing what the version floating around on Youtube, with red lasers and a weird font at the end is. Is it a recreation?

 

Post
#620038
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

You_Too said:

Small update: With the 97 SE we're gonna include the trailer for the 97 SE trilogy and a making of-documentary, both ripped from DJ's own Laserdiscs.

Both has been upscaled and slightly denoised. The documentary has some horribly oversaturated yellows though, and there was nothing we could do to completely fix it so we just toned it down a bit. It'll still be very enjoyable though.

Also, since the documentary is mostly shot on video it is in full 60i motion so when upscaling it we've deinterlaced it to 60p to keep all the smooth motion intact.

Sounds great. Does that mean the release date is drawing near, or is that still a ways off?

Post
#618959
Topic
Star Wars OT & 1997 Special Edition - Various Projects Info (Released)
Time

You_Too said:

Not much. DJ is working on putting back the fixed frames in SW but ran into some problems with the rendering so I'm trying to help him troubleshoot.

Other than that I can tell you that I managed to make our final color settings just that last little bit better. Once these are ready, they're gonna look as close to theatrical as possible.

Awesome! As always, I await with unabated excitement.