darth_ender

Wow, this is all good news.  The Yoda puppet in particular is intriguing to me, as perhaps that could allow for some extension of the Dagobah scenes as you and Ronster had suggested.  I'm not sure yet how we would do that, considering we don't have a Dagobah set, but if we kept it simple and used clever filming, perhaps we could simply use a matte, and if necessary use a Luke double from behind.

But I definitely think the highest priority and easiest task to accomplish would be filming new pilots.  If done well, we simply need to matte cockpits behind them, and thus greatly expand the space battle.  B-wing pilots with their weird helmets would be especially fun.  See this thread (also linked in the first post) for further discussion about pilots and cockpits:

http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/B-Wings-in-ROTJ-editing-epiphany/topic/12866/

Regarding Star Tours 1 footage, I will probably try my hand at it again in the near future.  However, I believe I will leave the interlacing in, as it obviously doesn't look so bad on the screen, and it preserves more detail.  I will also try a different program that allows for rotoscoping so I can darken several things without darkening everything.  It will probably be a few days.

DominicCobb said:

MrInsaneA said:

Ender.....if we can do everything in this script....

I think this might turn into my favorite Star Wars movie ever.

Best part has to be....

Ric Olie: Yep, that's a lot of TIE fighters!

Agreed on all points. 

Also, I'm starting to think having Anakin appear as a ghost at the funeral pyre is a good idea ONLY if he disappears. To me, that would mean that Anakin is still redeemed, but the poignancy of his final talk would Luke wouldn't be decreased. He's not going to be punished for eternity, but he won't be able to be among the living anymore. I have more things to say about this, but, basically, this is the way to go with Anakin's ghost.

I'm glad you see it that way.  Ron, I understand the difference of opinion, but I prefer a Vader redeemed in spirit as well as in body.  It's seems like it could be quite dramatic and powerful, to me.  In any case, I'll put it up for a second vote, along with many other things.  If it doesn't fly, then I'll give up on it.

Speaking of the third vote, I would really, really love it if you guys would collect your own suggestions.  You can even reuse old ideas, but I do prefer the ideas that were fairly close in the votes.  Some will be automatically up for re-vote, and this time there will be no maybe option.

I forgot to mention, I think there were three comments in the script/editing guide that were in dark blue rather than black; these were not definite changes, but rather popular votes that I wasn't sure would fit with the rest (if I remember correctly...not looking at it right now).  Anyway, they are "maybe" changes.

MrInsaneA said:

Ender.....if we can do everything in this script....

I think this might turn into my favorite Star Wars movie ever.

Best part has to be....

Ric Olie: Yep, that's a lot of TIE fighters!

You know, I truly agree!  This could really be a great movie!  I can't believe we're really going to add Ric Olie, and I even made his line absolutely ridiculous, but the masses have spoken :D  We'll see when the time comes.

How soon till you can get the rough edit done?  Believe me, I don't expect instant results...it took me forever just to get the script done.  But once you get a rough edit completed, I have a feeling things will start picking up.  May I suggest using snapshots like I did in my crappy little rough edits, utilizing pictures and stuff from the script?  However, do what you feel is best, but I hope you are trying to convey what we will be changing.  Thanks for your hard work, and I look forward to the rough edit!

Johannus said:

Well the guy I spoke to said its quite a wide community of people that visit the site, mostly costumers, but also fan film makers and so on, so if we are very lucky we might even meet someone there with the means to film things for us, who knows.  I'm not 100% sure but I think there is a similar garrison in the US where they have a spefic following of Endor troopers (I think it is in California, but only going from memory), which it might be more useful to get in touch with.  The reason for this is even if I find a dozen suitable costumers willing to help out in the UK, I have no idea where we could film in a woodland that would pass as Endor (though I'm open to suggestions).  Pilots would be easier because there are so many types and they could be used in a number of 'sets' so I'll see what I can do there. 

Would it be easier to find a good Vader costumer and try to reshoot him walking and then superimpose that onto a new background than trying to restore the delete scene footage of Vader walking down the corridor?

Something I always wanted to see is a couple of Wookiee troops mixed in with the rebel troops on Endor (and maybe other races too), never given much screen time, but to show a more diverse alliance compared to the human Empire.  I don't know how possible that would be but I think it might be worth considering things like that because I just don't know what costumers might be interested, but if we have a big list of ideas we would like to make happen, we can tick or cross them off as and when we find out what we would have available.

I'd rather not add to Darth_ender's workload with regards to having to keeping track of even more ideas and suggestions so if it is ok with everyone I would be very willing to try to organise these ideas and then see how realistic they are with regards to finding the costumers to help.  Would anyone mind that? 

This is fantastic, especially the part where you keep track of things ;)  I had nearly given up on the hope of newly filmed actors, but perhaps we can actually do it.  Perhaps someone can take care of contacting the costumed actors in California while you see about getting some pilots.  Everybody, all new scenes ideas and suggestions should be directed to Johannus, the point-man on this topic (if that really is okay with you).

Very good, Johannus!  In my mind, the costumes we will most likely need include pilot outfits (and there are multiple types of this), and commando outfits.  Those could be integrated most easily into the film.  If you are able to even get an idea of the likelihood of getting our hands on some of these, that would be fantastic!

That certainly sounds interesting, Ronster.  It makes Tatooine seem even more dangerous.

As for Star Tours, I'm thinking I would need to get into rotoscoping to fix the brightness issues.  Again, I'd need new software, and I probably don't have time at the present to undertake this.  But hopefully someone talented will try this.  It's only a 4 minute movie, so preserving it seem really worthwhile to me, especially for our edit.

DF Shadow said:

ROFLMAO!

 

You used my squeaky shoes idea!

 

And it works!

 

F'in awesome.

 

I also love how you added in the Krusty clown voice. To answer your question, I would also just keep the Jar Jar name.

Completely, totally agreed!  I have tears in my eyes!

Okay, guys, I've spent far more time on this than I ever imagined it would take.  Here's the script/editing guide:

http://www.4shared.com/office/vkbBMYmz/Editing_guide.html

Here is the Star Tours source video for comparison:

http://www.4shared.com/video/O1tZH7YN/star_tours_uncorrected.html

Here is my source video for comparison:

http://www.4shared.com/video/O1tZH7YN/star_tours_uncorrected.html

It is actually too bright,  I tried to reduce the brightness to allow details to show up better, particularly on the Star Destroyer and Death Star.  However, it adversely affected the star pattern.  It does look better if you actually download the video, though, rather than viewing it just in the little window 4shared provides.  I know you are a busy man, Harmy with your own project, but if you ever get the chance to color correct my source, I'm sure it would be a million times better.  I'll upload the VOB for you to compare and for anyone to take a stab at fixing it up.

EDIT: I'm clipping the video just to show the actual movie footage, and I'm converting to mpeg instead.  Should be up soon.

Okay, here it is!  Star Tours color corrected (somewhat).  This is the most stable, color corrected version of the actual film I know of.  There are still problems with it, mostly related to artifacts from enlarging the video and too much blue, noticeable in dark shots.  However, I'm rather proud of what I as a newbie at editing was able to accomplish with the limited, super yellow source.  I will also upload the version I have for others to dabble with it.

http://www.4shared.com/video/aaJyyxSL/star_tours_with_some_color_cor.html

Someone linked to it, and now I can't remember where it is...where is the thread where folks talked about how they would remake ROTJ?  I hope that the idea people here can read through that and other threads (now linked in the first post) and come up with other ideas.  I hope that someone (preferably not I) will then start a new thread keeping close track of popular but not vote-winning ideas that could be later used to expand upon this first edit.  We may even find some good ideas to include in this edit that we hadn't thought up yet.

Very interesting.  Obviously just a rough idea, but the visuals could create some powerful emotions if completed and utilized well in the story.  Nice work, Ron.

I know what you mean about the colors, and I'm afraid my results may not be perfect either, but I think it will be something we can work with.  I do have the advantage of a higher res source (which I should upload for others to use, now that I've said that), but the disadvantage of some of the worst interlacing I've ever seen, and which the many deinterlacing filters of AVIdemux can't seem to completely cure without losing some detail.  Anyway, I will really try to get it all done today for everyone's enjoyment, including the script.  Good luck with your efforts Ron, as they are inspiring.

Ronster, that's great news!  I'm excited to see what you've done, and I'm sure your skills are improving.  As for Star Tours, I actually am finally figuring out how to color correct it better, and I've nearly gotten it to a point where I'm pleased with it, though it will always have its shortcomings while I work with it.  I'll try to upload that today along with my script.  I look forward to seeing what you've done with the various clips for your mockup.  Keep up the good work.

Insert graphic defecation gif here. 

Yeah, while an intriguing idea, it would probably be too distracting from the real story.  We're glad to see you commenting here again, jonathan7.

So I'm obviously not done with the script...in fact I haven't touched it today.  And now I have to work tomorrow, something I generally try to avoid (I make my own schedule).  I've just been so very busy.  But I am pretty sure I can have it ready by tomorrow evening.

If done well, that could be an interesting effect.  Only concern is that it makes the superlaser attack a little less dramatic.  It would probably have to hit multiple ships, I think.

Ronster said:

Johannus that was a really great post before and I really do not think you sound like your ranting It is a concern shared and as you said you will never please everyone no matter how hard you try.

I truly like your idea I think it's brilliant as I would not have bothered doing some work on it myself... Just to clarify with you I'm not against your expanded idea I just would not know how to execute it that is all.... I hope you liked what I did with the glow fx?

I wish you had a black glove on too if that was your hand in the footage lol

Somthing to bear in mind for version 1 or this edit...

The simplist of ideas are often the best

@Darth_Ender you have done an amazing job thus far and this is a suggestion for the final round of votes aswell as any new ideas that could be voted on there should perhaps be a multiple choice section to avoid conflicting ideas so perhaps you could use a site like this and make life a little bit easier on yourself.

http://pollcode.com/

there is others too I just put that site for an example

Say for instance there has to be some sort of craft to the script being essentially nailed down and final for MrInsaneA and the purging of any inconsistancies or conflicts in what has been voted and as Johannus has suggested there needs to be a little dictatorship also as you'll end up with a wishy washy not going in any particular direction as everyone has different ideas or there own.... Yes no and maybe cannot surfice in this regard and perhaps multiple choice is the way to nail via choices between rather than somone voting yes or no to everything.

a control method of you like...

For example Luke and Leia as siblings

Multiple choice options could be

1.Leave it unaltered

2.Remove it altogether

3.Have Obi-wan confirm Luke is leias sister remove the stupid jelousy from Han, Have Luke nearly tell Leia but keeps it a secret as obi-wan instructed, Vader finds out when leia gets shot in the arm while luke is onboard DSII It also triggers lukes rage ... Vader pleads with Luke on his deathscene "tell your sister...." Leia still does not know yet at the end but she realises she has some force powers

4. As above in option 3 but luke tells leia via telepathy after destruction of DSII she is his sister to reolve plot

THis type of vote also needs to be done with the Anakin force ghosts or complete removal to mention another 3 pronged scenario. you get the idea I'm sure as at the momment the voting is somewhat comprmised You could vote down all options or vote for all options without making a specific choice or direction to take.

I'm not saying the voting was not conclusive either I'm just saying use this tool for some things

All very good suggestions, Ronster.  It didn't even occur to me to use polling code from another site.  It would be much easier, though my biggest worry is people submitting multiple votes.  I'd have to make sure a person could vote only once.  Gotta run, but I'll comment more on this later.  This would certainly save me a lot of work.

Johannus said:

darth_ender said:

It occurs to me that while we already do have an existing ROTJ wishlist thread, perhaps a new thread could be started that documents actual specific ideas to be considered for v 2.0, just so we don't lose them.  Maybe that's too redundant, but it's just a thought.

Couldn't we use the ideas lists you compiled for the votes for this?

Anyway just to try to contribute something constructive to this again I found some footage which could be useful.  I am thinking of when the Death Star fires at and destroys the ship with Madine onboard. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKETqaSvCo0&feature=youtu.be

If the ships could be changed successfully and a few shots of the weapon powering up or the shot of Madine or whatever, then I think this could be integrated nicely as additional footage. 

I never felt you were being negative.  I truly agree, many of these very good ideas should be kept and can be used later.  I personally am feeling very overwhelmed at the present, but if someone can compile all the good radical ideas and either make a new thread, or at least make a single post here that can be linked in the first post, that would be nice.  It'd be a shame to lose many of the ideas (for instance, I really did like Ronster's opening idea, even showing a Mon Cal cruiser at the start instead of a Star Destroyer).  I just can't handle it right now.

Bingowings said:

I too think that Jabba's palace should be more like an alien version of those sleazy palaces Frank Thring used to decadently recline in.

Ditch the song and bring on the dancing girls/boys/things/robots/holograms etc.

You could sample dancers from other films and adjust them to look alien or just throw a fantasy burlesque and poseathon night at a local club and film the results.

You could still have the band but they would be in the background with no song at all, just weird arabesque music.

I like the idea of changing Jabba's Palace to a something more like what Sluggo and Bingowings suggested.  I guess it could probably be edited in pretty believably, since that's what was done with the SE girls, as long as we make it keep a similar feel (changing the background, for instance).  If someone can find good footage, this would be a good research project.

Truthfully I am too.  I simply see the best way to do it is to focus on the least radical edit first, and when completed, continue with the idea and further enhance it.  I think focus should be used primarily on what is popular, and then further refining and radicalizing continue when v 1.0 is done.  Those are my thoughts.

EDIT: It occurs to me that while we already do have an existing ROTJ wishlist thread, perhaps a new thread could be started that documents actual specific ideas to be considered for v 2.0, just so we don't lose them.  Maybe that's too redundant, but it's just a thought.