Interpretation is a funny thing. I saw it as less of a physical presence and more of the detonation of a memory bomb she implanted as a last chance to get through to him. In my head that’s why the conversation mirrors so closely the bridge conversation in TFA and why I painted him out in the wide shot. I can totally see where you are coming from though. Thanks for checking it out!

I’ve been away for a bit but I had a thought about tying Leia’s final moments to Ben’s redemption more closely. Not sure if someone else has already beat me to this particular punch but here’s a take nonetheless.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16uoi_8jiqei5ooLU2BptMp_LwmBcb5pV/view?usp=sharing

Clearly a lot of thought has gone into that and whosever edit these changes make it into I would love to see.

Oh man, how good would it be to repurpose Finn’s, “They’ve taken enough of us. Now we take the war to them” line as a holograph being watched by storm troopers. If only.

I’ve always wanted to find a way to have her say, “that was you!?!” That way it would be less of ‘I can’t believe you’re a storm trooper too’ and more of ‘I can’t believe you’re that storm trooper.’

Duuuuuude. I’m about half-way through all of my purple saber edits for the 4K release and my FCPX automatically updated to 10.6.6. Unfortunately, the plug-in I use for the effect (mSaber) isn’t compatible. Even worse, this update also updates the libraries so they won’t open in a previous version! I checked with the developer and it’s not as simple as waiting for an update apparently.

I guess my plan right now is to download a demo of a previous version (that shouldn’t overwrite my current application) and try to rebuild just the relevant project. The only catch is the demo only works for 90 days so by hook or by crook these purple saber effects will have to be finished by then. Awesome.

Rant over.

Wow, thank you so much for the awesome feedback! Your kind words and thoughtful criticisms have given me much to consider for when I revisit this cut.

Cheers!

Spectrometer said:

Hello, having watched Ascendant, I really like the ideas in this edit, can you give me the link to the latest release?

Ascendant is wonderful and is also the giant whose shoulders this edit sits on. I absolutely love my take on Rise of Skywalker but it wouldn’t exist without Ascendant and the threads here with people discussing ideas and criticisms.

DM sent and I hope you enjoy.

Cheers!

jadenkorr41 said:

Here’s my as many frames extended of force ghosts as I can. I realized it’s 1080p, because I didn’t want to upload the 4K on YouTube. But it was from a 4K source and compresses for YouTube uploading.

https://youtu.be/2w3WMFKfX2o

Yeah, no absolutely. I’d love to see what you’re working on. Feel free to DM the links, or post them, or post a link to a post in your thread that has the links already—whichever.

Regarding mSaber, it does appear to be restricted to FCPX or Motion so it won’t work for all workflows. Bummer.

As far as HDR—more power to you. I don’t have the foggiest notion about working with that technological terror (hence my conversion to SDR). I can’t wait to see what you come up with though! Keep me posted.

Sure thing! My work flow starts with color correcting the entire 4K source (see this post for reference). Then I upscaled jonh’s force ghost clips with the blue lightsaber as I figured that one had the least amount of processing applied and I like the results I’m getting when adding my own lightsaber effects (using MotionVFX mSaber). My upscale settings are as follows:

• AI Model: Artemis Medium Quality v13
• Output Size: 4K UHD
• Grain: On
• Amount: 5.0
• Size: 3.0
• Video Format: MOV - ProRes 422HQ

Finally, I only slot in the upscaled clips that have actual added VFX and process color adjustments to blend in with the original 4K source as seamlessly as possible. This leaves me (and in the future other editors once everything is uploaded to my share folder) maximum options and flexibility for future editing decisions.

Cheers!

Things are happening. I finished and posted the 4K Leia Training sequence with my own application of the purple saber effect previously and now I’m moving on to Rey using Leia’s saber on Exegol. It’s very tedious but so incredibly rewarding to watch it in full resolution with my own color correction applied as well.

I’ve already upscaled jonh’s force ghosts and am pretty happy with the detail, grain, and color balancing when compared to the 4K source without the additional FX work. I can’t wait to see it all come together with the rest of the purple saber effect and I’ll be posting progress updates here. Stay tuned!

4K Color Corrected Purple Saber - Exegol Pt. 1

Runtime: 0:08
Size: 669.2 MB

DM sent

Nope. It’s just a test clip to show what my rendition of the purple saber effect looks like in 4K. Also, just be aware the preview that loads is of lesser quality and if you want to see the full resolution you have to download the 2GB file.

Here is the training sequence in 4K with both the blue and the purple saber for comparison. It’s mostly hue replacement and masking but for the close up in the end I used the mSaber plugin from MotionVFX as well.

Leia Training - Purple Saber

Runtime - 0:59
Approximately 4.3 GB

I genuinely appreciate your kind words! Honestly, I’d love to do a ‘Ben lives’ alternate cut someday. His demise in the original cut felt empty but having ghost Ben goes a long way (for me) to making it right since I don’t see Star Wars movies mysteriously reviving him in the future. He is no Palpatine after all.

Realistically though—I have so much that has to be done on my Rise of Skywalker and Last Jedi edits for their 4K final release that it will be a while before I take up alternate cuts. If you come up with something in the meantime—do share. I’d love to see it!

Here are some comparison test frames from my 4K color-corrected work in progress of Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker.
I’m trying to dial in the purple saber effect currently.

Note: Each thumbnail is a link to the full resolution file.

Leia - Blue Saber

Leia - Purple Saber

Rey - Blue Saber (no color correction)

Rey - Blue Saber

Rey - Purple Saber

If you can stomach another TROS edit then check this version out. The major goals of this edit include:

• Making the Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker more of a coherent experience
• Giving Leia more of a ‘Star Wars-y’ send off and an earlier exit (nothing but love and respect for Carrie Fisher—I’m just telling a different story)
• Granting more agency to Rey and Ben in their own story
• Establishing Emperor Palpatine as a credible threat with an intelligible plan
• Walking the fine line of introducing original or enhancing existing story lines that won’t obviously break with cannon in future Star Wars installments
• Making sure the film still has heart and humor when all is said and done. Hopefully it feels more contemplative and intentional but never dour

There’s a lot in this edit that I’m incredibly proud of. I encourage you to check the test clips in the top post to get a sense of what’s different BUT even if some of the plot points aren’t what you’re looking for in an edit I still think you’ll find it a satisfying, thoughtfully-crafted story. AND credit where credit due—a lot of this edit owes it’s existence to Ascendant and the discussion and contributions in that edit’s thread. Thank you all.

Cheers!

Would it be possible to get a link for this? Let me know!

I unambiguously love this and can’t wait to see more.

I’m really glad you liked my other edit and thank you so much for the kind words! PM sent and I hope it lives up to expectations for you.

Cheers!

The Last Jedi - Saga’s End Edition V1 is RELEASED!

I had no intention of doing an edit for this movie because other members had already tackled most of my issues with the original presentation. That said, as I wrapped my edit of The Rise of Skywalker I felt compelled to revisit The Last Jedi and now I am excited by this movie! It was a joy to work on and while, admittedly, it won’t fix everything for everyone I do hope you enjoy it as an alternative viewing option.

All the changes are listed below but some of the highlights for me are the adjustments to Luke’s characterization, the space given for different character beats and interactions, and a more emotional Leia-in-space sequence.

Cheers!

TECHNICAL

Format: MPEG-4
File Size: 13.47 GB
Run Time: 2 h 20 min
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Audio: 5.1 AAC

Available by PM

CHANGE LIST

NEW CRAWL

Chaos reigns. The First Order’s destruction of Hosnian Prime reverberates throughout the galaxy as Supreme Leader Snoke deploys his merciless legions.

Only General Leia Organa’s band of Resistance fighters stand against the rising tide of tyranny, keeping the spark of hope alive.

These brave heroes mount a hasty evacuation while a scavenger girl races to find and recruit the Jedi Master of legend, Luke Skywalker…

PROLOGUE

• Broom boy epilogue repurposed as a cold open with the re-telling of one of Luke Skywalker’s legendary exploits

*First Act Structure inspired by Acbagel

ACH-TO

• Wipe to Rey and Chewie traveling to Ach-to
• Luke senses Rey’s presence through the Force
• Sequences of Rey meeting Luke Skywalker from TFA and TLJ cut into one scene
• Music cue change when Luke tosses the lightsaber used courtesy of poppasketti
• Cut from Rey standing outside of Luke’s hut shouting “Hello” to the Resistance evacuation

RESISTANCE CRUISER

• “Oh no” moved to over-shoulder delivery
• Prank call sequence trimmed
• BB-8 repair gag slightly trimmed
• “Bombs away” removed
• Cut from Finn’s “Where’s Rey?” to sequence on Ach-To of Rey retrieving the lightsaber

ACH-TO

• Cut from Rey sitting on hillside staring off to the distance to Luke inside hut saying, “Go away”
• Wipe from Luke’s, “Where’s Han?” to Rey’s, “There’s no light left in Kylo Ren”
• Luke has a moment cut scene reinstated
• Rey follows Luke around the island
• Green Milk sequence removed
• Cut from “It is time for the Jedi to end” to Rey sleeping
• Trim but don’t fully erase Porg humor as Luke sneaks aboard the Millennium Falcon
• Cut from Luke reacting to Leia’s old transmission to Kylo approaching Snoke’s Throne Room

SNOKE’S THRONE ROOM

• No changes
• Cut to Leia having a moment on cruiser

RESISTANCE CRUISER

• Poe gets demoted
• Reverse play shot of Kylo in cockpit and add green laser flash as Kylo circles after bridge is fired on
• Custom sound mix of ears ringing and muffled/muted environment to indicate Kylo’s emotional state
• Intercut Luke on Acho-To at night in the Jedi temple with Leia still floating
• Leia opens her eyes after Luke whispers her name
• Add reverb to hallway voices as Leia is transported for medical attention
• Cut to from dropped tracker to Rey sleeping on Ach-To

ACH-TO

• Remove reference to specific number of Jedi lessons
• Wipe to Resistance meeting

RESISTANCE CRUISER

• Holdo’s introduction very modestly re-sequenced
• Holdo’s line about the “down-trodden and oppressed” removed
• “It’s weird that you recorded that” cut scene re-instated with slight modifications
• Finn and Rose meet cute slightly trimmed to remove continuity error of the traveling packed bag
• Cut from Rose’s realization about active tracking to Poe being told their plan
• Maz call re-sequenced to remove innuendo and for brevity’s sake; red plomm bloom detail removed
• Cut to Rey waking on Ach-To

ACH-TO

• Remove references to Luke cutting himself off from the Force
• Wipe to Resistance fleet

RESISTANCE CRUISER

• Finn and Rose leave for Canto Bight
• Wipe to Rey on Ach-To

ACH-TO

• Rey and Kylo force Skype; no changes
• Iris to Finn and Rose arriving at Canto Bight

CANTO BIGHT

• Casino sequence re-cut with extended footage of creatures and costumes
• New sequence ends with Finn and Rose being arrested
• Cut to Rey training on Ach-To

ACH-TO

• Lesson two has Luke reveal to Rey the entire truth about his confrontation with Ben Solo (idea by ImperialFighter)
• Removed references to Kylo killing Luke’s students
• Wipe to medical frigate running out of fuel

RESISTANCE CRUISER

• No changes
• Wipe to Canto Bight jail

CANTO BIGHT (Inspired by discussion in The Last Jedi: a Fan Edit Ideas thread)

• Flipped shot of Finn and Rose leaving the cell
• Trimmed DJ and BB-8 encounter before droid shoots coins at guard
• Escape sequence ends with open tunnel hatch
• Cut to Ach-To at night

ACH-TO

• Removed Rey asking if Luke tried to kill Ben Solo
• Luke doesn’t get knocked down by a cheap shot
• Luke’s turmoil at Rey leaving to turn Ben back to the light rouses Leia and she calls out to him
• Wipe to Finn and Rose traveling to Snoke’s ship

*VARIOUS PLOT THREADS CONVERGE AT SNOKE’S SHIP WITHOUT ANY CHANGES

SNOKE’S SHIP

• Created a new sequence of Rose, Finn, and DJ infiltrating Snoke’s ship using deleted scene footage
• Tense elevator sequence used courtesy of lorang
• Cut to Resistance Cruiser

RESISTANCE CRUISER

• Slightly adjusted Holdo’s counter-attack for smoother action
• Back and forth between Resistance Cruiser and Snoke’s ship continues as normal
• Modest resequencing of Leia and Holdo’s goodbye
• Cut to Snoke’s Throne Room

*NO CHANGES (well, layered in a screamed “no” when the FO fires on the transports otherwise…) UNTIL CONFRONTATION WITH SNOKE

SNOKE’S THRONE ROOM (sequence idea courtesy of Acbagel)

• Removed shot of lightsaber being turned
• Removed Snoke’s initial reaction to being stabbed

*NO CHANGES UNTIL FINN AND ROSE ESCAPE

SNOKE’S SHIP (Inspired by discussion in The Last Jedi: a Fan Edit Ideas thread)

• Cut from Rose telling Finn there’s a shuttle to the shuttle taking off
• Rose and Finn go to where they belong cut scene reinstated
• Cut back to Snoke’s ship

SNOKE’S THRONE ROOM

• Kylo declare’s himself as Supreme Leader; no change
• Cut to Ach-To at night

ACH-TO (ovarall placement idea courtesy of darthrush)

• Use previously cut shots of Luke’s hut interior with Jedi robes (re-colored for night time)
• Wipe to Crait

CRAIT

• Removed close up of Rose crashing into Finn
• Used explosion flash and fade to remove kiss but kept message and reaction
• All guns fire at once on Luke Skywalker
• SloMo effect on Luke appearing through dust
• Trimmed initial interaction between Luke and Kylo
• Delayed placement of Kylo’s lines “Did you come to say you forgive me? To save my soul?”
• Modestly reduced action pauses in the duel (I promise it does not reduce tension)
• Gently resequenced the final interaction and Kylo’s charge on Luke
• Iris to credits after Leia’s line: “We have everything we need”

I took another pass with that moment still in but retaining some of the subtle adjustments like timing of music in relation to dialog, removing Rose’s look of exasperation, etc… I think it may not be as obtrusive to a romance edit now and possibly gives a better transition into the next sequence.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GhL7MS1LOEiT0ajUJ0Zl3qldXjUXIGNB/view?usp=share_link

That’s fair. The problem I have with that scene in a Finn-Rose romance edit is when he walks away with the hand on the shoulder and the tight-lipped smile I read it as almost patronizing. There is no warmth there. Ultimately it’s less about adding in a suggestion of romance but more taking out something that possibly contradicts the believability of romance between them.

And one last one–not so much to imply romance but more to remove stiffness/borderline disinterest. This one required more invasive methods to pull off so if anything looks or sounds wonky let me know.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AdWQB5pXLEfXc6BQFNJFnLhAXbU1h9kL/view?usp=share_link