obikal

asterisk8 said:

aalenfae said:

 

 

I'm sorry, I know this isn't exactly on topic, but this guy's left arm must be dislocated at the shoulder and broken at the wrist to get it into that position. WTF ILM.

.... It looks like he has 2 right hands to me...  

But hey, they're clones - can't get it right every time!  ;)

Having recently watched ROTJ (the collaborative edit, well done overall guys!, not everything was to my taste, but it was pretty dang good, nonetheless), there's a bit of talk from Vader, Emperor, and Luke about destiny.

I assume this is where George was trying to go with the whole prophecy thing, but it never came into play where we see Anakin's issue with the prophecy...

It would be nice to see Anakin struggle with himself being something more, or having some destiny that he doesn't want to accept, but is forced to for some reason or another...  Comes to accept his fate in a dark way, which explains why he is the way he is in ROTJ.

Burdokva,

I REALLY like that idea about Anakin and Owen...  It ties in well with the feelings Owen has towards the memory of Obi-wan and Anakin, and what Obi-wan says...  Man that's so much better, ha  Great idea!  (but yeah - that would take a LOT of re-shooting...)

re: Clones

I'm not a huge fan of clones in general.  To me, it's a weak idea that all stems from Luke's one line mention of "The Clone Wars" that could have meant almost anything.  Heck, they could have called it that because it mirrored wars that happened 1000 years before it!  This idea of Ady's is better though than the original plotline to tie all 3 together... 

muddyknees2000 said:

obikal said:

Just curious - what do you guys like about Darth Maul?  I know a lot of people like him, and say he's the best thing in Ep 1, so I'm curious what it is about him that people like.

 

(and I know, being the best thing in Ep 1 might not mean much...)

I actually don't like him all that much.....I think his showiness is a big part of whats wrong with the PT...only eclipsed by Grievous.

Yeah, that's actually kind of what I'm curious about.  People (generality - not anyone in particular) say they don't like the flipping and twirling lightsaber battles but then say how much they love Darth Maul.

To me, the coolest thing about him was the mystery they setup - but then that really didn't go anywhere - he was as much of a pawn as everyone else against the Republic and Jedi.  

To me it would have been better as a reoccurring enemy that has a backstory that becomes more developed throughout the first 2 episodes.  Perhaps Anakin sees the need to get more power quickly to defeat him, and turns to the dark side then?  Obi-wan is there in the fight to witness it?

Just curious - what do you guys like about Darth Maul?  I know a lot of people like him, and say he's the best thing in Ep 1, so I'm curious what it is about him that people like.

(and I know, being the best thing in Ep 1 might not mean much...)

What do you guys think about the Jedi's dressing like farmers from Tatooine in their prime years of diplomatic service to the Republic?

edit: or maybe the Lars family is simply pretending to be Jedi to keep from being ripped off by those sly Jawa's...

I'm not a fan of Palpatine being able to cloud all of the Jedi's vision completely like he does.  I'm ok with him masterminding the War to get him more power.  That's fine.  Even better if the Jedi sense it, and suspect the Chancellor.  Otherwise, what about Yoda telling Luke that the Dark side isn't stronger?  AND being emphatic about it?  If the Emperor is powerful enough to cloud all of the Jedi Council's vision... maybe the Dark side IS stronger...  Maybe Yoda was so emphatic because he's embarrassed that the Dark side is stronger and doesn't want to admit it...

Along that point, IF Yoda and Palpatine go head to head in a duel (which I'm honestly ok with), I don't think they should be even close to evenly matched.  I want Yoda to thrash the Emperor, but quit the fight because innocent lives are in danger or something like that.  Make it so that Yoda "fails" because he is protecting lives, not because he's weaker. 

I honestly don't remember what I thought about when Obi-wan said "the clone wars": but it definitely wasn't actual clones...

I'm actually a huge fan of Plinkett's suggestion about the clones and how the war should take a toll on Coruscant itself - there should be a draft for the Republic army (go on to be the storm troopers, no clones), war torn buildings, poverty, etc.  That would make the war feel that much more real.

One suggestion I have for AOTC, remove Zam completely and that assassination attempt.  It goes nowhere honestly.  You can have the kybar dart be a piece of shrapnel found on the landing platform from the introductory assassination attempt.  Obi-wan then gets it analyzed and the droids say it's from the Kamino system or whatever you want them to say.

So the first act of AOTC would be this basic flow:

-landing assassination attempt

-Padme addresses the Senate deleted scene (explains very clearly WHY she is targeted for assassination)

-Chancellor's quarters about Padme needing extra protection

-Jedi Council giving Obi and Anakin orders to investigate and protect Padme

-Obi investigates kybar dart deleted scene

-Padme and Anakin leave for Naboo

-*newly created scene* as Anakin and Padme fly off above Coruscant (he's piloting a small ship just for the 2 of them), Slave I surprises them and there's a bit of fancy manuevering for Anakin to show off his skills a bit, and Anakin and Padme blast into hyperspace just in time

I also like the idea of Anakin being just another Jedi in training.  No chosen one prophecy or anything.  Anakin and Padme know of each other simply because of Obi-wan and Padme being connected in the past - don't need anymore up front explanation other than that.  (edit dialogue around this - no surprise at how much Anakin has grown, he hasn't seen her in 10 years, etc)  Romance blossoms while he's protecting her.

Adywan - I don't post here often, but I wanted to say a very big thank you for all of your hard work and effort on these truly special editions!  (This also goes for ever single person who helped you along the way: thank you!)

When I watched ANH:R a few years back, it rekindled my love for Star Wars that had waned over the past decade!  (And also made me lament again at how good the prequels could have been...)

I've thought about trying my hand at fixing the prequels for a while now, but don't have the skill to do so.  (My idea was to make Ep 2 into an Ep 1, and then split Ep 3 into Eps 2 and 3)

While the existing prequel fanedits are very good - none have done the major overhaul that most, I assume, feel is needed.  I'm very much looking forward to ESB:R and then ROTJ:R and the prequels!

Thank you again!

I was just curious if anyone is working on screenplays or treatments for 7-9 to send off to Disney?  I would assume they already have something in the works but you never know.

Also, anyone working on some "Old Republic" type treatments?  It would be great to have some true fans write the stories for the inevitable movies that will be made...

Haha, I actually like that - if you can pull off a more gritty version throughout though.  I especially like that it was out of revenge that he did that...

I like it!

Maybe for the spare parts jettison shot, add laser fire and explosion sounds with some screen shake?  Also maybe add some light effects to the rear of the ship to sell it?  (don't actually need to show the laser fire is what I'm getting at if that would be too much work)

Any thoughts about bringing Jango's view of the explosion closer to his ship?

aalenfae said:

Wow! So much feedback that I don't even know what to do with it all! 

 

I'll address a few things, though.
I'm leaning towards KEEPING the seismic charges.

Corellian77:
Thanks for that idea! I'm glad somebody else thinks like that. I'm actually working on making the shockwave/explosion not blue, but removing the color so radically does make the effect look kind of... dirty. I'm still working on it, though. I might be able to work something up. I'll post my progress!

Another note about seismic charges: 

Regardless of how much people don't like the prequels and perhaps this scene in particular, that scene (or at least that part of the scene) has become something of a classic moment. It'd be like cutting out the Quad-Gun scene from ANH because it was unnecessary (which it really is). But no... it's a classic scene, and it belongs in the movie. The seismic charges are something unique and (regardless of how senseless they are plot-wise and weaponry-wise), pretty dang cool.

(But they're in Rogue Squadron 3, and they're pretty stinking dangerous - despite their 2D nature)

Now, on to the edit in general.
I appreciate all the feedback, but I'm going to say what I'm NOT looking for. And that's a complete re-structuring of the movie. 

I'm of the camp that the prequels really aren't THAT bad as they stand. I'm really just trying to make them marginally better at least. While some scenes will face some severe cuts, I'm really not looking to change the actual material all THAT much (beyond color correction and some bonus goodies like that). If that makes sense.

Personally, I would love to remake the prequels from scratch, as I think I have a better story in mind. BUT, such radical changes are simply not possible with the source material given to us, so... it will have to stay. I love the more radical ideas, so keep 'em coming! They give me great ideas to use, but just keep in mind that I'm really not looking for huge, massive changes. 

That being said, I have a very... interesting change I've made to a particular scene involving C-3P0, which I'll post in a few hours. I hope you guys like it! :)

Haha fair enough  :)  (I'm in the same boat of a complete remake - I would love to have some rich director/producer remake the prequels from scratch...  maybe someday...)

I'm also a fan of the seismic charges.  Love that sound!

Idea about Jango and the assassination plot:

Any reason Zam needs to stay in the movie at all?

What about cutting out the worm assassination attempt and ensuing chase out all altogether?

General order of events:

(Seciors has a great new intro idea for Ep 2 over at fanedit.org - have the movie start with Count Dooku and the Emperor)

• landing dock assassination attempt
• Padme deleted scene addressing the Senate
• Obi and Anakin scene in front of the Jedi Council being tasked to investigate the threat, and for Anakin to protect Padme
• Anakin and Padme packing scene (need re-introduction just before this scene?)
• Anakin and Padme departure scene - instead of registered transport, they board a different ship (idea to come below)
• As they are leaving, Jango shows up just outside the Coruscant atmosphere to shoot them down - Anakin shows off his flying skills and blasts into hyperspace just in time  - should be easy Aalenfae!  XD
• Obi deleted scene of analyzing the toxic dart - redubbed to say "unusual shrapnel found at the Senator's landing dock"

Continue from here...

These wouldn't be all the scenes, just a general flow.

Aalenfae, love the idea that you're working on more than just Ep 3!  Your work has all been great!  Thanks!

All of the updates since I've been here last are looking great!

Bar chase scene of Ep 2:

I personally like the music from the first version better.

Have you thought about cutting Anakin's "I am trying" after they enter the bar?  It could end on silence after Obi-Wan's line maybe?

I like the fact that we don't see Jango!  Great change!

That's because the writer of the love story was divorced and hadn't re-married...

It's like getting real estate advice from a homeless person.  ;)

It would be interesting if Lucas and his wife divorced because of an obsession with Star Wars itself - Anakin lost Padme because of an obsession...

That link isn't working for me and i don't see the new video on your video channel - was it removed?

Great work Aalenfae!  I too agree about the double "They're all over me" - other than that, fantastic work and I can't wait to see more/the finished product!

Keep it up!

I like it!  Some of the words were a bit hard to understand to me at first hearing - but maybe it's because I'm listening to it on small external laptop speakers  ;)

Not a huge fan of the cough or wheezing, but it's better than the original.

Thanks for the peeks!

Ahhhh....

Excellent work Aalenfae!

We got him R2...  haha 

Make that the alternate ending instead of the Mustafar battle...  ;P

aalenfae said:

The best option would be to entirely re-composite the shot with actual models, but that's far from feasible, haha.

 

Definitely agreed there!  ha  That's something I love about the Lord of the Rings trilogy was Jackson's extensive use of miniatures.

I wonder if roto'ing any of the A New Hope footage would be a good replacement for that shot?  Just an idea if you wanted to tackle the extra work for such a small payoff...  In my opinion, what you have already done is good enough for that small, not-super-important shot.  

It's easy to make suggestions when I'm not the one that is doing the work ;)

aalenfae said:

As far as the camera shake is concerned, the idea was to make the shot look like something that was actually filmed in real life - where the camera man would be hanging out of a helicopter. In the original, it's much too smooth to look like it's real. 

I've only removed camera shake from scenes where camera shake is inappropriate. Because in real life, the camera does indeed shake at times. Just not nearly as much as it does in RotS, where most of the camera shake is added digitally for "action" purposes, and not realism.

Makes sense, I didn't know you were going for that effect  :)

I was trying to imagine what that scene would have looked like in the OT and I pictured a smooth shot as the fly by occurs.  (Probably even showing the rear of the ship after it passes the camera - but that obviously isn't there in the original Ep 3 scene - I'm sure the OT guru's here can correct me if I'm wrong)

I wasn't a fan of the "modern" camera movements in the PT personally - like the sudden zooming in the action sequences.  I think those kind of shots can be great in certain movies, but didn't feel right in Star Wars.

Just wanted to give some constructive criticism if you're going for an OT feel; do what you think is best though!  It's shaping up to be great!

Ah, the OT music feels great in the Bail video! (though I agree with Bingowings about the cue for Bail's ship - What if you had the previous music fade out during take off, musical silence while Bail says his line about warning the Jedi about the trap, and then have the Imperial cue begin just before the wipe to the Clone Troopers on Utapau?)

Were you still planning on doing the Clone Trooper helmet replacement in the Obi-Wan scene?  (was that you or another editor looking to do that?)

On the newer takeoff comparison video, I personally would prefer the closer take - if there wasn't a "camera shake".  I understand it's because of the camera pan and zoom from the original shot so if it can't be smoother, my opinion would be to stick with the original.  You have an earlier video where you show you were taking some of the shake out (thank you!) so it would suck to have to put some in.

Great work!  So very much looking forward to this!  Thank you!

Looking good!  Thanks for the updates!