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Trooperman

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15-Feb-2005
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15-Jun-2015
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Post
#100979
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/100979/action/topic#100979
Time
I'm doing the reference cut on Nero (kind of hard to work with, and not many options). For the final editing, I'm going to use Roxio VideoWave (along with MGI VideoWave, ArcSoft, and VirtualDub). Even so, I'm realizing more and more that for the types of things I want to do (including soft wipes and transitions, filters, and complicated color modifiying), I might need to invest in a higher-end program like Adobe (I've read that it is very good). I might purchase that in the near future and learn to use it.

As for the audio, I'm using AudioHQ, SoundForge, Cakewalk Pyro, and Sonar to do the sound mix, and I'll need every bit of it for the dubbing.

Thanks for asking!
Post
#100809
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/100809/action/topic#100809
Time
Good suggestions guys.
you could mirror the opening shot, but you couldn't keep the opening crawl.

Correct. I would love to make it pan down so as to fit with the other movies, but can't at this time because I can't redo the crawl myself.

-Corde's line "I've failed you" makes no sense. It was pretty much her job to die in Amidala's place, so that should be cut.

I've already cut it! I've actually made quite a few other cuts to this, and I've also slowed down the longest shot of Corde's face (dead) so as to end the scene with her face (and a wipe to the following scene). Gives it a much darker tone.

-When Padme arrives in Palpatine's office, Yoda tells her "Seeing you alive, brings warm feelings to my heart." Besides just being really awkward, Padme totally ignores him! So that should be cut.


Long gone! That line always irritated me.

-Also, Padme just comes out and says "I think Count Dooku was behind it." Um...why would she think that? She offers NO motive. Of course this is to set up Count Dooku's character in the absense of the Lost 20 scene (which hopefully Lucas will restore in a future release), so I'm not sure what can be done with this.


That is not as easy. I'd really love to cut that, but I don't see another way to introduce Dooku's character (aside from the opening scroll). Maybe he doesn't need to be introduced. I don't know, so I'm still kind of puzzling over that one.


I think the the Senate scene at the begining should have been kept in. You can always edit it back in and make a few cuts to the Chancelor's office scene that follows it immediately chronologically.


This might wind up in the final cut (not sure right now) but is not reinstated now for the following reasons:

1. Contains tracked music from scene directly afterwards
2. More exposition, which makes later scenes less interesting. Gets political.

As I said, I'm still thinking about it, and I might actually put in an edited version.

I edit the deleted scenes as well as the original ones. A good example of this is the scene with Padme's family. I've cut various corny lines (like "It's obvious he has feelings for you") in that one as well. Remember, one of my goals is to make the films feel older.

I should also add that I've gotten to the chase on Coruscant on my rough cut of this edit (with inferior image quality). I'm just doing it for reference and pacing, before I start on the full quality version.

So there is some progress taking place; I just have a busy and erratic schedule.
Post
#100448
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/100448/action/topic#100448
Time
Although I do not have the ability to do a new opening crawl for AOTC at this time, I’ve been trying to come up with a good title for it, should it become possible in the future, or if someone felt obliged to do one for me after the completion of this edit. The title “Dark Force Rising” was suggested previously, but I did some thinking and came up with a few other possiblities:

Dark Side Rising
Shadow of the Dark Side
Attack of the Separatists
Shroud of the Dark Side

Does anyone have any other good ideas (serious ideas)?
Post
#100454
Topic
Star Wars haikus
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/100454/action/topic#100454
Time
This isn't Star Wars related, but what follows is a haiku my dad composed when he was in high school. He was quite a poet:

Walking my dumb dog
I feel a wet sensation
As he lifts his leg


Unfortunately, the teacher did not enjoy the poem and hit him over the head with a textbook (back when you were still allowed to do that without getting sued).
Post
#100446
Topic
Idea: Rescoring AOTC DVD: Fan edit?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/100446/action/topic#100446
Time
Quote
Following a bunch of links, the rabbit whole lead me to this story: http://jwfan.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=43


Thanks for that link! I'm a huge fan of John Williams and it really interested. It also made me very irritated about all those unreleased cues and alternate arrangements. The lack of this music really irks me because it's going to make my edit very difficult.

That having been said, my edit is going to include some coherent action music for the arena scene, the original end credit music, and some other alternate takes on the soundtrack.

So if that's what you were wondering, I'm going to be doing a lot of that in my edit (which isn't too hard because I'm redoing the sound mix to begin with).
Post
#100014
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/100014/action/topic#100014
Time
what you're doing now doesn't seem to be working...


That's the understatement of the year! I got a good night's sleep last night, looked at my work in the morning, and laughed at how bad it was.

Actually, I was never going to actually get into changing the FX in the first place, because I'm new at it and don't know much about it.

So Mace's saber is probably just going to stay purple.
Post
#99892
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99892/action/topic#99892
Time
I have to do a different edit of Episode III, because I need to re-dub Anakin's voice for consistency with Episode II. However, depending on how good it is, that may be the only thing I change.

Whoooooo boy are you wasting your time.

Then I won't go out of my way to get a copy to you when I'm done

Also, I'm assuming everyone here has seen the Revenge of the Sith trailer, in which force lighting is shown, well, in full force. So it IS going to be in the saga before RotJ, like it or not, and the way things are set-up in the film it's going to be pretty much impossible to edit out. Therefore, focusing so much on removing it from Episode 2 to 'save' it for RotJ is futile.


Good point- but in ROTS, Palpatine uses the lightning, not Dooku. All I care about is that the lightning is restricted to Palpatine. Hopefully, McDiarmid's performance will be good in this next film.


Oh...one more thing. Mace's lightsaber will be blue. With a simple trick in Photoshop, I'm able to change just the blade frame by frame, and then run them at 30 frames/sec. The effect is actually of very high quality (because purple and blue are so much alike), and it looks professional. I'll try to post a couple screenshots shortly.


Post
#99816
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99816/action/topic#99816
Time
WHY THE KESSEL are you taking the Yoda-Dokuu fight out!?!?!

Because it’s silly, and not in the style of the OT.

Not even MagnoliaFan was that cynical!

Ha ha! I take that as a compliment. I am attempting to make a “classic” out of Ep. II and to give it an older feel, and Yoda with a lightsaber goes against this.

Awesome list Trooperman. There's a lot of stuff on there that I had considered doing for my edit one day. Now I will go total obsessed fanboy on you and comment on everything. Yes, I know I need a life.

No, you don’t need a life! You need to continue to comment on my edit; I enjoy it.

I know this isn't what you meant, but I think it would be a good idea to try and make your edit first without redubbing Anakin at all. That way if it doesn't turn out well we're just stuck with Hayden instead of nothing. But considering the nature of some of the alterations, such as the lakeside scene, this might not be possible.

Good idea, but I don’t think I’m going to create a finished version of my edit with Hayden’s voice. However, after I have made all of my cuts and adjustments (with the original voice), I will archive it before creating the new sound mix, so as to have something to fall back on if the dubbing doesn’t work (but it will!).

Please, please, please, delete "Good call my young Padawan!" Way too Batman and Robin for my taste.


Will do; I don’t mind that change. I’ll change it to, “Good call.”

i mean, the wounds were courterized


If lightsaber wounds are cauterized, then why the pile of blood on the floor of the cantina in the original SW? Just a thought.

Idea on keeping the Yoda lightsaber duel, which is almost necessary in a way IMO.


this seen is filled with contradictions/problems might be better to just get rid of it



We clearly have some differences of opinion here; this has become a hot topic! Perhaps you will understand where I’m coming from when you see my plan for the scene:

Obi-Wan and Anakin enter the room. (first three notes of Space Odyssey theme).

Dooku turns to face them (the two dramatic chords following).

Obi-Wan: We’ll take him together.
CUT
Shot of Dooku smiling knowingly.

CUT to clone war footage which has been excised previously in the film for this purpose. Then, suddenly, we cut unexpectedly to the clashing of lightsabers (in classic Star Wars tradition). We see Obi-Wan and Dooku in the middle of their duel. We have a shot sandwiched in of Anakin lying on the floor, smoking and helpless. Dooku had defeated him easily.

This serves two purposes: I needed to get rid of Dooku’s lightning (explained below), and I also wanted to make Anakin seem less stupid. Yes, I know that the attempt was to make Anakin seem headstrong and too ambitious, but he just winds up looking stupid. Better to cut away from the battle for a while and then come back in the middle of the duel with Obi-Wan.

Fight between Obi-Wan and Dooku progresses, until the Count wounds Obi-Wan (I’ll see what I can do about making his wound bigger). Dooku lifts his saber to deal the death-blow, but is stopped by Anakin’s blade (a surprise. I’ve omitted the CG shot of Anakin jumping across the room. This makes sense because without seeing Dooku zap Anakin, you don’t know how far away from Obi-Wan he is.

Dooku’s dialogue about how he thought Anakin learned his lesson is confirmation for the audience that Dooku wounded Anakin (if they needed any).

And I’ve left it alone until Yoda comes in. At that point, Dooku sends the objects flying at Yoda with the Force, and Yoda stops them all. “The dark side I sense in you,” says Yoda. “This is just the beginning,” says Dooku (dialogue taken from lightsaber fight). And then he uses the force to bring the crane down onto the Jedi. Yoda saves the day (with a little less effort than in the film), but Dooku escapes.

Why am I deleting the electricity scene with Yoda and Dooku, you ask? I think that the Force electricity should be a special power that only Palpatine has. This would raise ROTJ’s impact, because this is the first time the audience has seen anything like this. That’s why I’ve deleted all three times when Dooku uses the electricity. The lightning in this one doesn’t look real; it looks CG. Also, the thing that bothered me the most was the lack of effort with which Dooku uses the electricity. If you look at the scene in ROTJ, Palpatine is putting forth an enormous effort when he zaps Luke; he isn’t casual like Dooku. And is Palpatine not more powerful than Dooku? It has always bothered me how Dooku doesn’t look like he’s really doing anything.

I might change this to include the lightning scene with Yoda if the cut winds up with a weak build-up and finale. I don’t know; the lightning with Yoda actually worked really well dramatically. I’ll think long and hard about that one. But I’m sticking to my guns on Yoda with a lightsaber! (in this film, anyway)

Other changes….

Oh, yes. I like the idea of Zam’s not being a changeling. It serves no purpose other than a needless distraction, and removing the changeling line does result in that funny line by Obi-Wan (in that case, be extra careful). Immediately after that, I’ll cut to a wide shot of the club, and the music will come more to the foreground. Therefore, I will use MagnoliaFan’s ideas in regard to that.

Thanks for all the advice! I value your input and oftentimes make use of it in my work.
Post
#99782
Topic
The Pope
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99782/action/topic#99782
Time
Quote
The Catholicchurch needs a lot of help to really regain a lot of the respect it has lost in recent years. Pope John Paul II was one of the only good things going for Catholicism. It will take one heckuva great man to fill his shoes.


You guys are completely missing the point. Catholicism and Christianity are actually affected very little by the Pope. If you think that the religion depends on who the Pope happens to be, you don't know what you're talking about. It's not about filling the last Pope's shoes; it's about leading the Church and providing an example for others to follow.

Trust me! I'm actually a Catholic myself and I know about this.
Post
#99712
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99712/action/topic#99712
Time
OK, I had some time to compile some of my plans into one coherent post (maybe). Here goes:

First of all, I will not be dubbing Anakin until late in the game, possibly not until everything else is finished. First, I’m going to;

1. Write Anakin’s new dialogue
2. Cut rough movie together
3. Complete the audio mix, almost (with all of the original Anakin lines removed).
4. Record Anakin’s dialogue
5. Mix the lines into the audio track.
6. Do what I’m going to do about Jar-Jar, and mix his few lines in
7. Render video!

What follows are some more changes that will be present in my version. Keep in mind that all of my changes are based on 1. Personal irratations, or 2. Things that Lucas wouldn’t have done 30 years ago, things that are not classy or seem too P.C., crowd-pleasing, contrived, or corny to me. I’m trying to get it as much into the style of the OT as possible.

One think I don’t think fits is the “younglings” scene with Yoda. It seems to be a crowd-pleasing scene (“Aw, aren’t the little kids cute…”), and I think it also makes Obi-Wan look stupid. He doesn’t need a four year old to suggest that the information was deleted; Obi-Wan would have thought of that. I will still utilize a clip of this scene (maybe starting at the point where Obi-Wan asks Yoda whether it’s impossible for anyone to remove information from the archives.)

Another big stylistic mistake in AOTC was Natalie Portman running around in the last part of the movie with a bare midriff. I know Leia had a skimpy outfit in ROTJ, but it was in style (and Jabba made her do it, after all). I think the “strong female lead” thing, while it could have been handled well enough, was completely butchered for AOTC. It’s just not believable and it gets really tiresome and irritating for me. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not against a woman having a good role in the movies. Leia’s role and attitude in the OT was just right. But the bare midriff outfit especially is not in the style of the OT, and so every effort has been made in my edit to cut it down in the film. Padme no longer gets on the gunship with Obi-Wan and Anakin; she continues to fight in the arena until we see her next (when she shoots at Dooku’s ship). This streamlines the Dooku chase as well, and we don’t have the “Padme falls off the ship” subplot.

That’s the biggest change to Padme’s role, but some of her lines are being seriously chopped or changed for my version, simply because I couldn’t stomach several of her lines. Lucas would never have written them 25 years ago. Yell at me all you want, but Padme is quieter in this version and not quite as bossy, which I think is for the better. How will Padme’s absence from the Republic Gunship be achieved? Sometimes by zooming in slightly on the widescreen DVD, but sometimes by taking the full-screen DVD and lopping off the top and bottom (if much zooming is needed, to improve quality).

Other changes so far?

1. I’m keeping the fox logo but replacing the glimmering Lucasfilm logo with the original one, only it’s lifted from the Ewok DVD instead of the OT because it’s of better quality.
2. As in the MagnoliaFan edition, the first scene between Zam and Jango will be deleted. While it’s a neat scene, it does nothing but ruin the appearances of both characters later on (when it’s more exciting).
3. Various scenes have been streamlined. There are times in the original version where you’ll have a shot followed by two other shots, and then a reaction shot to the original shot. What I’m doing is cutting the other two shots (whatever those may be) so that action and reaction are back to back. This happens in several places.
4. The scene with Anakin and Padme in the grass field has been reworked considerably. It begins with the camera panning across to show a view of the mountains, green grass, etc. (taken from different movie, but it still fits). The love theme is playing in the background. Then, we fade to Anakin and Padme rolling around on the ground, laughing (as the musical theme finishes). Only at the end of this shot, we have a straight cut to the picnic portion of the scene. It plays until Anakin says: Well…if it works… Padme stares at Anakin, and then we have a shot of Anakin. He smiles at the end of the shot. So instead of the “Making fun of a senator” dialogue, we have a clock-wipe to Kamino, which is done in such a way so as to leave Anakin’s smile on the screen for a short period (similar to when they have Palpatine ending a scene. He looks very serious until the wipe starts, and then you can see the corner of his mouth turn up in a smile right before he’s covered up by the wipe.) It ends the scene on a much more eerie note.

I don’t know if any of that was coherent, but the important info is that this scene has been rearranged considerably.

5. “Blast, this is why I hate flying” and other dumb one-liners by Obi-Wan have been cut.
6. Music has been added to the fight sequence in the arena (besides the percussive stuff).
7. Some of Yoda’s corny dialogue (like “to the forward command center, take me.”) has been cut. Didn’t
feel right.
8. You don’t see the back of Mace’s head before he ignites his lightsaber; completely ruins his entrance.
9. “This party’s over.” No longer present; didn’t sound very classy coming from a Master Jedi. A couple silly shots of Jedi igniting their sabers have also been cut.
10. The pause when Dooku about to kill Obi-Wan and Anakin jumps in has been shortened.
11. And in case there was any question, Yoda will not be participating in a lightsaber fight with Count Dooku. Dooku will also not be trying to zap him with electricity. Dooku shouldn’t be concerned about having a “contest” with Yoda; he just wants to get the heck out of there. He also knows Yoda too well to try anything like force lightning against him. Therefore, we have Dooku saying, “I’ve grown more powerful than any Jedi.” He then brings the object down onto the two Jedi. He doesn’t say, “Even you.”
The only problem with all this is that Dooku’s saber is still ignited as he runs inside of his ship, but I still want that shot. It’s only about a dozen frames long, so I’m painting the lightsaber out, frame by frame, in Photoshop.

Some miscellaneous notes:

-Anakin: Don’t say that, Master. I love you like a father. (adapted from rough draft)
-Insert swing music in nightclub. End it as patrons clap.
-MUTE DIALOGUE: You don’t need guidance, Anakin.

Anakin: But I have grown up (dialogue change). You said it yourself.
Padme: Please don’t look at me like that.
Cut.
Anakin: I’m sorry, milady.

Use deleted Jedi Analysis scene. Dub over robot’s voice (in robot mode in Audio HQ) to say “Dex’s” dialogue and identify the bullet. Delete the diner scene, therefore; not classy.


Oh, I should probably address the Jar-Jar question. I think what I’m going to do is use a modified version of MagnoliaFan’s subtitles (if he doesn’t mind) for Jar-Jar’s speech to the Senate. Why is he speaking in another language? Answer: He has to speak in Basic, because it’s the galactic standard. My dilemma, as I’ve said before, is that I don’t know whether I’m going to have time to go back and redo Episode I to the extent that I’m doing this one. Therefore, I think I’m going to create two versions of my edit; one containing Jar-Jar’s voice in a blend of the French and Spanish audio tracks (that still kind of sounds like his voice from Episode I), and one where Jar-Jar is dubbed in English with a British or Scottish accent. Being an animated character, lip synch is probably easier. This way, if I’m not able to do Episode I, then my Episode II will still be consistent with Lucas’ Episode I. If I do get around to Episode I soon, then there will be continuity as well.

Feel welcome to ask any questions; I’ll be happy to answer when I get the chance. Constructive criticism, suggestions, or new ideas are also welcome; I won’t get offended if you don’t agree on some of my changes; I just might not listen to you if I really like my change!

Trooperman
Post
#99663
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99663/action/topic#99663
Time
Thanks. I don't have a lot of time to post changes right now, but one thing I'm going to do for AOTC is use some of Anakin's dialogue from the rough draft screenplay when I'm dubbing him. Some of this includes some mild language which Lucas later removed from the movie. I'm only using this dialogue, however, if it's better than in the film.

I'll post some more soon.
Post
#99427
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99427/action/topic#99427
Time
I really wish I could help. I would think it would be awkward 'acting' along side Natalie Portman not there and all. And stuff.

Thanks, Chaltab. Yes, it will be difficult, but there's an element of fun, as well, creating the illusion that I'm talking with this particular actress.

Trooperman, your edit is by far the most extensive yet, and if you can pull it all off, I'd definitely want a copy!

I'll mail you a disc when I'm done; perhaps even dual-layer with commentary.


Will it still be "Attack of the Clones" or are you changing the title and opening scroll?


I'd love to change the scroll, but I don't have the technology to do so. Perhaps someone who does could create one specifically for this edit, using text I have written as the scroll.

Are there any other signifigant changes you're making that you'd like to share with us at this time?


I'll post some more soon.


And now to address the difficult question of: Jar-Jar. Jar-Jar presents a real dilemma for me. I still don't know whether I'm going to use the original voice, dub him using English, or do an alien language with subtitles. I'm worried that I won't have the time to redo Episode I with an alien language for Jar-Jar. The problem with dubbing him in English is a lack of a capable voice actor. At one point, I was toying the idea of Jar-Jar with a Scottish accent.

Anakin: I've thought about her every day since we parted...and she's forgotten me completely.
Jar-Jar: Maybe that's for the best, lad.

A little too silly, though, and tricky to pull off.

Also, if you DO decide to redo alien voices maybe some of us could help out with that as A) it would save you from having to do all of them, B) those would be 'lines' could be trimmed or sped up/slowed if need be and C) it would just be fun!


That would be absolutely wonderful. I just don't know if anyone would have the interest and time to do a professional-sounding job. Because I'd rather go with the original dialogue than use an amateur-sounding track.

Thanks for all the interest! I'll post some more soon.
Post
#99392
Topic
Video Editing: Where Do I Start?
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/99392/action/topic#99392
Time
Great. Thanks very much for answering my stupid questions. I’ve been busy this week and haven’t had the chance to try everything to get this to work.

I now have an .mpg video file, but the video speed is incorrect. Therefore, the audio (which plays at the correct speed) is out of sync. Do you know the easiest way to slow the video down to the correct speed?
Post
#98936
Topic
Episode II: Shroud of the Dark Side (the TM edit) (Released)
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/98936/action/topic#98936
Time
After listing the changes I want to make and kind of analyzing Attack of the Clones, I have officially begun to actually start re-editing the film.

I have good news and bad news.

The good news is that during tests, I was able to split up the 5.1 surround track from the DVD into 6 mono .wav's, and upon doing this I discovered that dubbing Anakin's voice is going to be a heck of a lot easier than I thought it would be. Especially with the help of Sound Forge. Dubbing will be the fun part!

The bad news is that it looks like the voice actor that will be dubbing Anakin is going to be me. I'm the only person I could find obsessed and dedicated enough to read the lines the way I want. Not that I'm a bad actor (I've been in some amateur films), but it's just going to be really weird for me, watching the movies and hearing my voice. It may or may not distract me.

Will I be able to do a good job? Others can be better judges of that when it's finished, but all I can say is that I'll put all I've got into portraying this character better than Hayden did. I’m the kind of guy who would do 73 takes of a line if I thought that I could do better than before. I also have the advantage of a lower and somewhat darker voice.