logo Sign In

darkhelmet

User Group
Members
Join date
23-Apr-2006
Last activity
21-Jul-2015
Posts
520

Post History

Post
#231851
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231851/action/topic#231851
Time
Originally posted by: Mike O
The interesting thing is this: they're answering. They may be answering with what amount to a backhandedness or at worst a big "!@#$ you," but they are answering.
I don't think there was really any backhandedness in John Singh's response, but it does not seem so surprising that they are answering since we are so near the release date; there is likely nothing that could be done to change the release at this point anyway, so damage control seems plausible.

The source for the bonus material is the 1993 Laserdisc master, which represents the best restoration that has been possible on the original movies.

No, it does not. That is a bald-faced lie.
It may not be a lie from where Mr. Singh is sitting; consider the idea that Lucas has said that the LaserDisc source is the only one he is making available for the DVD. In that scenario, it is the best restoration available to the team that has pushed this idea this far. It seems that we have like-minded people within Lucasfilm but that they are being denied, too (even if they are only in it for the money, I'd see no reason that there wouldn't be people pushing for the best quality possible).

There are no plans for further restoring those earliest theatrical versions.

Really? Like when the OOT would never be released on DVD or when the 1995 release was the last time?
This official statement is really disappointing, but, like you said, "Yeah, right!" Again, consider the fact that this guy is bound by his job.

You might be aware already, but in 2004 the three movies (Episodes IV, V and VI) were fully restored and released on DVD in beautiful digitally remastered prints.


The ones with the inverted sound and the miscolored video? As the SEs. Which is not what we want.

Isn't this also referring to the SEs only? Technical mis-steps aside, this is what bothers me the most: Lucas referring to the SEs as the REAL SW Trilogy.

I really do appreciate your enthusiasm for the movies.


No, clearly you don't.

I don't see any reason to doubt that John Singh appreciates my enthusiasm. For all I know, he may be a bigger SW fan than I'll ever be, and it may kill him that these films aren't being made available in the highest quality fashion possible.

I hope you will be able to understand that we want to both honor George Lucas's artistic intentions as well as provide those first versions for DVD viewers.


Then do. No one is denying Lucas's artistic intentions. We just want properly restored versions of the OOT.

It seems likely that Lucas is afraid that the market (read: "the fans to whom he's been a god all of these years") might prefer the OOT to his "artistic intentions" and deny the SEs in their choice of which version to buy. The issue seems to lie with Lucas alone.

Until you give them to us, we are not going to be satisfied.

Amen and amen. We can keep complaining here in the forum, or we can try to take this battle to Lucas by writing to the media.

I forget (sorry) who mentioned the idea of Lucasfilm getting bad press over the quality issue of the OOT, but I think that's the only angle we have: to point out the ridiculousness of the treatment of the OOT on the upcoming "limited time only" DVD release and to place the question square:

Why would one the most technologically innovative movie companies in the world settle for outdated, non-anamorphic transfers of three of the most popular movies of all time which are known the world over AND include them ONLY as BONUS FEATURES sold with the SE versions that have been sold multiple times in the last 5 years in various incarnations?

Of course, we'd need to state these points a little more succinctly to get anyone to pay attention. Who's up for making a list of points that we can write about to various magazines and/or TV shows?

If we could make some waves at the same time that the DVD rrelease comes out, we might be able to weaken Lucas' contention that this release will prove whether or not people want the OOT on DVD.

Post
#231703
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231703/action/topic#231703
Time
Here's my final reply to John Singh stating my chagrin over Lucasfilm's upcoming DVD release and their lack of plans to further restore the original theatrical versions of the films:
Hi, John. Thank you for your quick reply and for the clarification on the sources for the movies for both discs in each DVD title release this September.

It is unfortunate that no effort has been made to reconstruct suitable masters of the original theatrical releases to allow for an anamorphic transfer for this DVD edition, and it is regrettable that there are no plans to do so in the future to preserve these films in their original epic forms for future generations.

Thank you for your appreciation of my concerns and for your kind attention.

Sincerely,

Michael Banks,

Lifelong Fan

Post
#231686
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231686/action/topic#231686
Time
Here's the reply to my follow-up email kindly answered by Lucasfilm, Ltd. Publicity representative John Singh:

Michael,

You might be aware already, but in 2004 the three movies (Episodes IV, V and VI) were fully restored and released on DVD in beautiful digitally remastered prints.

These are the movies you will find on disc one in each of the two-disc sets that are being released on Sept. 12. The source for the bonus material is the 1993 Laserdisc master, which represents the best restoration that has been possible on the original movies.

There are no plans for further restoring those earliest theatrical versions.

I hope that answers your questions, and I really do appreciate your enthusiasm for the movies. I hope you will be able to understand that we want to both honor George Lucas's artistic intentions as well as provide those first versions for DVD viewers.

Best regards,

John Singh


Lucas has apparently spoken, and his "artistic intentions" have trumped both fan demand and film history.

Our only options now seem to be: (1) Buy the September release, (2) Try to bring the sub-standard DVD treatment of these historical films to light in the media, or (3) Do both.

Anybody up for a rash of letters-to-the-editors of various film/entertainment magazines/TV shows?
Post
#231199
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231199/action/topic#231199
Time
Well, what about AFI, then? What about contacting A&E (the Arts and Entertainment Channel) and IFC (Independent Film Channel)? Since it's quite late in the game to change the DVD releases (right?), maybe an expose on the irrationality of Lucasfilm's move is the way to go?

What if we were to write letters to Entertainment Weekly and other movie mags? At least, get the stupidity of "no anamorphic treatment for one of the most important movies of all time by one of the world's foremost cinema technology pioneers" into the public forum. Get John Q. Moviegoer to understand that it's ridiculous for the original version of "Star Wars" to get a lesser DVD treatment than "The Toxic Avenger Goes Back to High School"!

Okay, now I'm getting fired up!
Post
#231196
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231196/action/topic#231196
Time
Maybe we could start with John Singh. The only thing that concerns me is that our emails en masse might get in the way of his day-to-day business and make us a combative presence and not just a concerned citizenry.

We might become the bad guy that we don't want to become in the media's eyes. What do you think? I mean, what if the number of emails amounted to flaming his in-box? I don't think that's how we want this to play out.

Maybe a mass email to all of originaltrilogy.com's petition signers to sign a new petition that we could send over and over again (without the flaming part)?
Post
#231190
Topic
Lucas' real reasons for changing the OT
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231190/action/topic#231190
Time
Originally posted by: auraloffalwaffle
An auteur is supposed to be an individual that controls (or influences) all aspects of the filmmaking process (screenwriting, production design, casting, direction, soundtracking, scoring, editing, etc.) in order to create the artistic work they envisioned.
Thanks for the much-needed clarification. It would seem clear that, though Lucas influenced the final script of Star Wars, it was not in a truly auteur fashion, seeing as he handed it over to Gloria Katz and that other guy (what's his name?) for a final check. Where's Zombie84 when you need him to bring the behind-the-scenes expertise? Anyway, 30% of the script was written by people other than Lucas.

Originally posted by: auraloffalwaffle
Luca$h, I believe, has shown that he is not capable of producing films of quality as an auteur.

I tend to agree. As a collaborative story creator, he is amazing (please, don't let Indy 4 disprove this!). As a stand-alone filmmaker, he leaves much to be desired.

Post
#231189
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/231189/action/topic#231189
Time
I just received my first AND second reply from any Lucas or Fox representative!

John Singh of Lucasfilm, Ltd. Publicity emailed me an "out-of-office reply" first but followed up with a personalized email! And he sounds like a nice enough guy.

Below are my email and his two replies. Interestingly enough, he answers my concern for the quality of the DVDs as reported by Quint of Aint-It-Cool-News.com by stating that "[t]hose who have been communicating their opinions and beliefs online have not seen the DVDs." He also says something about the care that went into re-mastering the movies in 2004, but it is unclear as to what this is to mean for the original theatrical versions of the Trilogy.

I will be replying to him requesting clarification (straight from the source) as to the sources for the DVDs. More to come once he replies!

The emails:

Mine:

Dear Lucasfilm and Fox Studios,

It is very disappointing to hear from Quint of Ain't-It-Cool-News ( http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=23941 ) reporting from Comic-Con that the upcoming release of the original and unaltered theatrical release of the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD is not looking good.

The material being put on DVD that has been created from the 1993 LaserDisc masters sounds sub-standard ("A little washed out, pixelated and strobey"), hardly the treatment that these classic, culturally-phenomenal blockbusters should be given.

As a lifelong fan of these films from childhood, I feel personally slighted that Lucasfilm, which consistently pushes the envelope in regard to cinema technology, would resign itself to release this watershed epic in such a disappointingly shoddy fashion.

Please, reconsider the plans for the upcoming September DVD release of the original theatrical versions of the Star Wars Trilogy, three of the most popular and beloved movies in film history.

It would be wonderful and fitting for them to created from a truly high quality source and for them to be offered in the industry-standard anamorphic format that so many lesser movies have been honored with.

Sincerely,
Michael Banks,
Lifelong Fan

Reply #1:

***PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE!***

I will be out of the office on Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28. My access to e-mail will be sporadic at best.

If you are a member of the news media on deadline or if you need immediate assistance for any other reason, please call (415) 623-1962 and speak to one of the members of our publicity team, or send an e-mail to publicity@lucasfilm.com.

Thank you,

John Singh
Lucasfilm Ltd. Publicity


Reply #2

Dear Michael,

Thank you for your note. We genuinely appreciate your concerns. It is precisely because the "Star Wars" movies are among the "most popular and beloved movies in film history," as you so nicely put it, that they were remastered and restored with great attention to detail and enormous care in 2004.

I hope you will have a chance to see these first versions of the movies on DVD when they come out. Those who have been communicating their opinions and beliefs online have not seen the DVDs.

I'm sure I speak for the others you cc'd when I say thank you for your passion and your enthusiasm for "Star Wars." It is truly, sincerely appreciated.

John Singh
Post
#230837
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/230837/action/topic#230837
Time
I finally dropped another batch of emails to Lucasfilm and Fox courtesy of Mielr's contact info. Thanks, again, Mielr!

Has anyone gotten any significant response from either company? My last batch netted no response whatsoever.

Thanks to Quint's article on AICN, I had a little extra ammunition to give my complaint some strength and credence (I hope).

I tried to make it personal by telling them that I'm a lifelong fan from childhood who is disappointed in the sub-standard treatment that the OOT is apparently getting. I just want it to be clear that there is reason to be upset by the upcoming release.
Post
#230830
Topic
Lucas' real reasons for changing the OT
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/230830/action/topic#230830
Time
I've wondered about Lucas' validity as an auteur director of Star Wars, too. It seems that an auteur director gives the final film a signature touch no matter what film they are working on.

Lucas has admitted that he doesn't like directing that much. The only sweeping reason that I can see that he should be considered an auteur is that his movies (as a younger filmmaker) deal with issues of the innocent individual versus the dominating society. THX1138, American Grafitti, and Star Wars all have this theme to some extent.

Not sure if this makes ESB and ROTJ the works of an auteur filmmaker, though, since they were not Lucas' films as far as directing goes.

Also, it seems that his "auteur-ship" comes more from his story ideas than his directing, which seems pretty straight-forward and un-stylized to me.
Post
#230820
Topic
Addresses and contacts for various media outlets go in here
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/230820/action/topic#230820
Time
Originally posted by: Mielr
Originally posted by: Mike O
Given that about 75,000 people signed the petition, perhaps Jay could enlist their support and we could all agree on a specific day to send e-mails. Given the influx of new members, if these addresses all receve 75,000+ e-mails on the same topic on same day, it'd be hard for them to ignore. Just a suggestion.

That's a fantastic idea- Jay has the email addresses for everyone who signed the petition, maybe he could send out an email to everyone on the list and ask them to help out.


This seems like a logical step! Can this be done? I don't want our side of this stupid situation to come out sounding like we're just a bunch of whiners when other lesser movies get the honor of anamorphic transfers from high quality sources. I mean, for heaven's sake! Star Wars is on the Academy's "100 Most Important Films" list, isn't it?

Post
#230816
Topic
first viewing of the 2006 OOT dvds
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/230816/action/topic#230816
Time
Originally posted by: andy_k_250
I am honestly really surprised that we aren't seeing ads already. I mean, it is now just about a month away. I mean, they are shooting this release in the foot if they don't notify the general public (the non-Star Wars nerds) about this set. But, maybe low sales equals "No one wants the OOT."

I'm thinking that you may be right with the summation that "low sales=no one wants the OOT". This tactic would seem to be in line with what Lucas said on MTV.com and gives more credence to the idea that Lucas is dealing with us from a stacked deck.

In the thread on Leonard Maltin's response to one of our OT.com co-members, Maltin says "that [Lucas] tends to do exactly as he pleases", but I just sent off a batch of emails to Fox and Lucasfilm just to have done my part.

Originally posted by: andy_k_250
I really wish we could all just legally claim perpetual license to own any future SW releases free of charge since the majority of us all have purchased enough copies to effectively own stock in the franchise. Who else agrees?


If Lucas would just give the market what it wanted, we wouldn't need to even fantasize about perpetual license, and he might get even richer in September than he will anyway.
Post
#230804
Topic
first viewing of the 2006 OOT dvds
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/230804/action/topic#230804
Time
Originally posted by: grifter
Quint from AICN has seen some images of the the dvds of the September release, it's not looking good!

comicon presentation


Thanks for this info, grifter. It gave me a little fuel to send out another batch of emails to Lucasfilm and Fox even though time is almost up, and I never got a response from my first round.

How can we get this into the public eye so that Lucas can't turn our complaints around on us?


Post
#225354
Topic
SW: R.I.P. - 9/12/06
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/225354/action/topic#225354
Time
Well, more emails aside, I'm throwing in the towel. Lucas has won. His ego is just too well-fortified to be contended with.

I'm not a big proponent of corporate greed, where the slogan often seems to be "where you see green, that's the place to be", but, at least a corporate studio mentality, free of the need to protect the ego of a filmmaker who has made a film which they own and he doesn't, would probably see the value (in $$) of giving the market what it wants. If it had been up to FOX alone, I'm sure they would've picked up on the fan demand for the OOT and given the three movies the grand DVD treatment that would make the fans happy.

Since this is apparently not the case at Lucasfilm, where CEO Lucas has the ultimate pull, we will most likely be stuck with the OOT as non-anamorphic bonus features sitting back seat to Lucas's precious "original vision", SE versions of the Star Wars films.

I'd fully be behind another petition, but I won't be giving my money to Lucas for a non-anamorphic, "limited-time-only" DVD set that treats these historical movies as bonus features. This treatment screams that he is only begrudgingly putting the originals out. And not only that, but it amounts to scare-tactics as well: "You better be happy that we're giving them to you at all. Now, pre-order them before they're never available again!"

The marketing that his company has done for the SE release has been nothing short of misrepresentation, if not outright lying. Anyone who goes into Best Buy to buy the currently available DVDs will find no indication that the DVDs are anything but the original versions. They are simply labeled as STAR WARS TRILOGY.

It's the attitude that Lucas seems to exude regarding the originals that really has taken a lot of the fun out of being a fan. The illusion of a masterpiece has been shattered, now that the supposed master seems to be only a leader of a team who has produced three movies that he doesn't consider to be his "true vision", aka, not true master works.

Lucas seems to pride himself on being an auteur filmmaker, and, yet, so much of what made his originals so powerful seems to be the creativity of so many others that worked with him. And this creativity, he seems to readily disregard in favor of supplanting it with his own extrremely after-the-fact retooling.

Why won't he graciously accept the fact that the originals are what made him and that people love the versions they grew up with?

As Aldous Huxley, author of the sci-fi and literary classic BRAVE NEW WORLD, said about his most popular work:

"[T]o attempt to patch a faulty work into the perfection it missed at its first execution, to spend one's middle age in trying to mend the artistic sins committed and bequeathed by that different person who was oneself in youth - all this is surely vain and futile."

Sound like anyone we know?

I won't be paying Lucas for SE ammunition to throw right back at him. I'll be more content to tell my kids, "Not too long ago in a reality not too far away, there existed three of the most magical movies ever made..."

That is, unless of course, they end up on Blue-Ray or HD-DVD, which isn't a possibility too far afield.

It will be interesting to hear how all of this pans out, and I will be sending another round or two of emails to the people in charge telling them that I won't be buying the September release. But, for now, this is the straw that broke the bantha's back.

SW: R.I.P. - 9/12/06