mrbenja0618

brash_stryker said:

Well I'm a bit late to comment as my internet has been down all day.

In terms of the narrative structure you've chosen, I have no problems. I love the direction you're going with this and I can seriously see this being my preferred way of watching the prequels in any form from now on. This edit isn't meant to be star wars as we know it, but a fresh experience :-)

Technical editing is excellent, except I feel in one transition (which I've already discussed with you elsewhere but can't resist seeing what other people think) ;-)

In the escape pod shot in the 'a quick escape' clip, Benja has transitioned from the launch of the pod straight to it's fall to the planet, so as to save all the r2 and threepio stuff for later.

In our conversation about it last night, I felt the transition was a bit jarring and could use some smoothening out. Benja thought I might just be too used to the way it was originally.

I've created a clip with an example of how, using the soundtracks, it can be (in my opinion) improved. It's probably not a dealbreaker, but I'm curious what everyone else thinks. Maybe it's fine the way it is and I just need a hearing aid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WH0aCt7VesI

Thanks Brash. And I would like to know what people think. It's really hard to turn off your SW brain when watching edits like this. I know, because I really have been working on this thing forever as most of you know. So, if there really is something wrong with it, I want to know. I just always ask myself, does it sound musically correct? I find myself saying yes the more I watch it. We really need someone who has never seen star wars to comment. lol Anyone know one? My child hasn't seen it yet, but she's 3 months old, so it's forgivable. =)

rpvee said:

It's verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting, to be sure.  The transition from Obi-Wan's hut to the Tantive works for me because I get the kind of editing you had in mind.  The cut from the Tantive back to Obi-Wan, however, is too rough in my opinion.  It almost seems to indicate that Obi-Wan and Luke were talking while the Vader stuff was happening, which counters the flashback feel of the whole Tantive scene.  You should fade between them or something instead of just a straight cut.

Also, when we first see the escape pod launch at the very beginning, it's unclear exactly where it came from (the Tantive or the Devastator).  I'd include the shot from the flashback of the pod leaving the Tantive.

 

Very interesting project, I look forward to upcoming clips and the likes!

I knew some people would connect to it and some wouldn't. Thanks for the nice comments.

I'm also thinking about what you said. I've been so buried in this edit that I need fresh eyes. It may work better to fade back instead of a hard cut. Thanks for the advice.

I'm ok with the way the escape pod is in the beginning. I'm ok with people not knowing everything just yet. I think you figure it out when you flashback, because you will always have the droids as that connection. For me, the mystery makes it that much more interesting. Also, I really love the classic shot of the rear of the pod as it releases. Just looks so awesome, physical and real. Don't want to lose that if I don't have to.

Ripplin said:

I think the second clip depends on how much footage there is between the first and it. Hard to say.

Is that new escape pod clip from Revisited? Funny I can't remember that...

Yes, as Brash said it's from the official menu. I felt since I was going back to that event it would help to have a fresh angle of the pod launching.

What Plans? said:

I don't like the Tantive scene as a flashback.  The other stuff looks great... but this one feels more awckward than the others.  It almost feels disorganized, particularly the transition from Kenobi's hut to the ship.

Are you talking about when we first transition? Just wanted to be sure we're on the same page.

timdiggerm said:

I think the transition back to the present happens far too late. It's a flashback, which means its narrative shouldn't have anything other than R2 and maybe 3P0. The stuff with Vader and Leia really feels out of place in that context.

The new shot of the escape pod leaving might need work, but I love the concept of it!

I understand what you're saying, but it's also an important Vader scene that is needed. And honestly, R2 and 3P0 are not the REAL reason to flashback... Because the hologram of Leia takes us back and it's as if we're hearing her story. So the scenes with Vader and Leia in my mind are needed. And I still need the droid shots because I need to bridge that gap too.

But if you think it's off, and have another idea, I'm all ears. Thanks for the comments timdiggerm.

Anyone else?

Haha. No love?

These clips might require some explaining. I want to show you guys a few examples of what I plan to do in this edit. This first clip happens right after the opening crawl. I ask that when you watch this, that you try to flip on your Star Wars virgin switch. These movies are so imprinted into our minds, that we know when things have been changed, and that can sometimes trick us into thinking it's a mistake. Watch the clip more than once and ask yourself... Would this be jarring for a Star Wars newbie? I'd like to know. Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6oYpMmJXpI

So, now you may be wondering why I skipped all the interiors scenes on the Tantive IV. Well, I believe people watch these edits for two reasons. 1. They think the prequels suck. 2. They want to see what's been changed. We KNOW A New Hope so well that I wanted to change a few things around so that the material is somewhat fresh for old SW eyes. I hope I've achieved this. THIS next clip will further show you that I didn't actually get rid of the interior scenes of the Tantive IV. Normally you wouldn't see this style editing in a Star Wars movie, but with this style edit, I believe it grants me permission to do this. I like it anyway. What do you think? In the last clip you saw the droids leaving the escape pod, and the rest the shots progress as you know them to do, and then we get here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teA3FPS0eVY

Now I've skipped ahead to show you how I transition back to the present.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOBPJ1IqJKk

There you have it. I hope this gives you a clearer vision of what this will be like. I'm having a blast working on it now that I found a direction that is working for me. When I see a clip that begs posting, I'll do so.

Thanks to everyone who views these.

Sorry about your hiccups. But hey, good luck on your short film. Far more important than this. =)

TV's Frink said:

@Quackula: No.

@mrb: No.

Based on the big smile on your avatar, I have to assume your no means yes..... Really excited.... DISGRUNTLED ANNIE ASSEMBLE!!!!!

Working on some new clips. I really want some feedback on some the more drastic things I'm trying to do to make this thing really work. If I don't have a new clip up today; it will be tomorrow.

You could splice in some of his college aged rants from that creepy video where he talks about how much SW destroyed his life. lol PLEASE?

The point of hitting it there was to actually show this "Great" friendship that the prequels butchered for the most part... Again, trying to squeeze the blood out of a turnip.

Hope to find something else to show off soon enough.

Thanks Ripplin.

Here is another transition....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMdn4yYy7-s

I know it cuts off before some action, but you get the idea. You'll have to download the edit to see the rest of the scene and what cuts I made there.

What do you think?

 Thanks for the kind comments everyone. I've been working on this for awhile. Wanted to share one of the highlights. I plan to show another transition, and I think I finally have something I'm happy with.

Hope to show it off soon. Should have a fresh clip sometime today.

I'll try to have a fresh clip next week.

Thanks. What stood out to you about the clip?

Hmmmm......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs9CbQKGBSE

And yes, i'm editing this..... Have been for quite awhile.

A bit, actually.

brash_stryker said:

If that's "the point" it's a stupid one. Sidious would never associate with a clone let alone address him by name.

A fairly radical idea: When he sends the hologram, let's not have it received by "Commander Cody" or any clone on Utapau for that matter. Instead have it received by a suited officer on Coruscant (I've never liked the fact that SOME clones can advance to "commander" status - they're all identical and disposable!)

Obviously this would require some refilming of a costumed actor in front of a green screen, but as far as the ideas here go, it's a pretty simple one. Get an amateur actor who looks a bit like Peter Cushing and it can even be 'Commander' Tarkin's career defining move, and why he gained such favour with Palpatine and was able to talk to Vader the way he does - he was loyal to Palps and had this 'Order 66' in place long before Anakin turned.

EDIT: Thought I was on the Radical Redux thread, but I'll leave the idea here just for people's interest. I'll also repost it over there.

I like that idea. Any Cushing look-a-likes?

I can't help with this, but I'm very interested in seeing this!

How far along are you, Brash?

TV's Frink said:

I checked a few days back and many of the links were definitely dead.  I never downloaded it so I don't have the ability to upload it, unfortunately.

Did you shop a smile on your face, or was it there all along?? hmmmmm...

Let me know if you're successful in downloading Darth Editous' cut. Last time I tried some of the links were dead.