team_negative1

FekLeyrTarg said:

Very nice. :)

I'e got a question: Have you also considered tracking down, scanning and restoring Star Wars reels in other languages, like German?

 It would be nice, but we actually have too much data right now. With several prints on our hands. The LPP print is spanish, so it will have a spanish soundtrack when we are done.

If you know of any other language prints, contact us via pm.

Team Negative1

Thanks for the comments. Here is the 2nd part of the comparison with the Bluray. Disregard any blank frames on the top, as it was incomplete in parts from our source:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k1lO1C5pnlEF5R4ZbHv

Team Negative1

Here are 720p HD screenshots from our preview, for those that still are wondering if they came from our sources, or are upscaled or not. These are from the previously posted video.

You can see damage and clipping that is unique to our first Kodak source:

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NOTE : Broken thumbnails still work.

Team Negative1

Here are some of the single frames, that show the clean up done on the original (Top), and the result (Bottom) from the previous video comparison.

Most of the damage is on every single scene change frame, before and after. These are usually glue frames:

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Team Negative1

Here is the 2nd part of our Holiday in house preview. Again, don't be too concerned about the color variations, or crushed, blown out parts. That's just the camera filming it:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k6v1m7N0IXw0LX4YH6R

Note, there is quite a bit of damage on the right hand of the frame throughout the entire reel.

Team Negative1

Here is a previously posted video, for those that haven't seen it. Showing the original LPP transfer on the top, and the cleaned, and stabilized footage on the bottom:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k6WFmpJSkk4S404YG0h

Team Negative1

Thanks for pointing it out guys. Looks like there was an issue in our copy that we were comparing against.

That's not to say there might not be any missing frames. But not in that section.

We don't want to unfairly portray the Bluray for that, it has other issues though.

Team Negative1

Ok, as a special holiday treat, here is sneak preview of one our viewings for The Empire Strikes Back.

Sorry for the slightly crooked angle, we'll fix that in the upcoming clips:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k2Hx6Cu1Pg7Ssp4YkYR

Note, that the colors look off in the intro, ALTA, and crawl. However, afterwards the colors settle down. Also, they look overly brightened due to the capture off camera, the onscreen video has actual blacks, and correct contrast.

The original clip is one of the early 720p HD preview versions.

This is identical to the clips posted previously, and also the source of the screenshots from earlier.

We have improved our capture techniques as mentioned in the 35mm Star Wars thread, with new cameras, and capture equipment.

Team Negative1

Here is a previously posted partial comparison, between the Bluray (Top), and our cleaned and stabilized version on the Bottom:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k6pZLtY4DKauXf4Ykxi

Note the many missing frames from the Bluray, and the overly bright color correction.

While there is more detail there, this does not seem to match up with what would have been projected in theaters.

Team Negative1

We have checked many scenes against the blurays, and will post some comparisons. We have found that besides the color issues, there are missing frames also. Not acceptable at all.

The guide for our colors will not change much. This is a preservation of the LPP color which is as true as we are going to get. Beyond that, we are not trying to look the IB Tech / Harmy's version or any other ones out there.

If you feel like a color change would be more suitable for your preferences, that is left to you. We are checking against color calibrated monitors, and will be using professional tools and equipment for that.

Team Negative1

Another 720p HD clip showing the warping and damage in a section with Darth Vader:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k1ygMJSrclHbG74Y2hM

Mirror:

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http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-KQJ7k/i-g4VpWqG

Note, that is not a stabilization issue. You need to dewarp the image.

Also, for those that think it is watchable, refer to the previous video. Download or capture that, and do your own cleanup, and stabilization pass, and see how much better it looks then.

We continue to wonder why you would lower your quality standards for the video, when you are so critical of the still images and color? This seems like a double standard. You should be consistent in the quality levels.

We have yet to see cleanup on this scale in any major project, 8mm, 16mm, or elsewhere, which is why we are doing it.

Currently, there is no point in sharing captures or raw data, regardless of how compact it will be, because no one has any initiative to work with the material or tests out there.

Team Negative1

lurker77 said:

team_negative1 said:

Basically it's a color correction test, that is all.

For just a test, it's pretty darn good.

Yeah, there's dirt, damage, and instability, but it doesn't seem THAT bad. Compare what you have to "grindhouse" prints, or severe vinegar syndrome.

It doesn't have to look immaculate. Probably no screening outside the first week of release was. Just get it "close enough", and we'll be happy, won't we?

Other people can take it the extra mile later on if they want.

Based on the philosophy of the team members, and their inclinations. A lot more care and effort will be put into cleaning and restoring this film. Unless we get access to an unfaded print, this is as good as we can do for our estimates.

It will not look immaculate, but it will live up to our standards. There is a rumor of an Italian LPP print out there, but no known confirmation about where it is, or if it existed, or if anyone would have access to it.

We are the people going the extra mile. Why would anyone want a rough cut of a movie of this magnitude? Especially since it's been mistreated after the Laserdisc versions have been released.

Who else is qualified to do this work? Mike Verta has no interest in this project, or The Empire Strikes Back. We're already collaborating with Harmy. Adywan has his take on it. So we ask again, who would have resources or the data to do this.

You might be happy with a version like this. I can gaurentee that the vast majority of people on OT will complain, and nitpick the issues that we've pointed out, and highlighted in these clips. 

Team Negative1

frank678 said:

i think that's the best ive ever seen that scene look. its worth all the clean up when the end result looks as clean as this 

Thanks. Every reel is broken down into shots, and each one is being cleaned separately.

Team Negative1

lurker77 said:

team_negative1 said:

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-KQJ7k/i-HkF2LHN

 

You will see that this matches the previously posted screenshots.

That's more like it. The remaining dirt and shakiness does distract a bit, but you can still tell that the colours are great. Seems to me compression IS a factor in comparing stills & video.

 

Less green, a bit brighter, cleanup/stabilize, and ship it! :)

This is not a very good sample. There is a lot of warping, and errors throughout the entire clip. Did you miss all the dirt and scratches (in green) on the right hand side. This is not stabilized either. This is not even at a beta stage for viewing. Basically it's a color correction test, that is all.

The distraction is quite a lot to us, which is why we wouldn't use this footage, and a lot more that is similar to this. It just doesn't meet our standards.

As you pointed out all of these things, it's not worth the effort to do that for this clip and footage like it. That would be even more time consuming.

All this footage (unless there is no damage on the frame), will be replaced with better frames from the superior prints.

Team Negative1

AntcuFaalb said:

Thanks for setting-the-record-straight, Team-1. For the record: I never thought this was a hoax or anything of the sort. Keep up the good work!

team_negative1 said:

And, for the 8mm one, you have to go to AMPS to see what is holding up the progress on that, where there are people that would prefer that to the 35mm one.

The Super8 project (as well as others) is on AMPS because we want to release hyperlinks to downloads and such without putting OT.com at risk. AMPS is more of an unofficial-sister-forum than competition.

The #1 thing holding-up the Super8 project right now is that its members are geographically-distant. It's difficult (and sometimes expensive) to ship things overseas.

That's good to know too. We have a similar situation.

The comment was not a critique. It was just to point out that there are many issues in project management, that are not clear to the public. These details should not be of concern anyways.

Only the final product. Regardless of whom is working on what.

Good luck with your project. Hopefully, people are not constantly asking you when it will be done either.

Team Negative1

Here is a full 1080p HD clip showing a section that we previously had an issue with. There was a large brown mark that would enter on the right hand side, and the disappear. This is the fixed version (without audio):

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k4p0YLbtqwzdSB4XMR7

Mirror:

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http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-KQJ7k/i-5k5pMPf

Team Negative1

Another HD 720p videoclip of the Medical Bay Scene, again this is from the poor quality pink faded Kodak 1 print.

Note all the warping and the weave in this. While the colors are fine, the image is not stable:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k3R4bcTxTs7j024XML5

Mirror:

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http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-KQJ7k/i-HkF2LHN

You will see that this matches the previously posted screenshots.

Team Negative1

We don't want to dwell to much on the past, or other Off Topic subjects that are not related to this project. However, we just want to clarify a few things. There are new team members, they don't worry about who was in the group or not, they have their own tasks to worry about. Not all the team members know each other, or are in contact with each other. This is for security reasons.

The prints were sold, and some of the new members do own them for the rescans. 

We're not worried about who believes what, or if this a hoax or not. The many pictures and videos speak for themselves. Much like the moon landing, no amount of proof, will convince people that it is real. And those people will not be interested in this project, and will not see the final results regardless.

The new owner of the first Empire print has these:

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Here is the container, and a few reels of The Empire Strikes Back. Reel 3 is a Fujicolor Replacement. Reel 6 is the regular pink faded Kodak 1 print.

Please excuse the blurry shots, as these were taken quickly.

The new replacement Reel 3 is also a Fujicolor Print:

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We also realize there are other fake and hoax projects out there (3d). And, for the 8mm one, you have to go to AMPS to see what is holding up the progress on that, where there are people that would prefer that to the 35mm one. So it takes all types, and a certain amount of skepticism is healthy.

Regardless, we have more than enough data, and as mentioned the only way to progress in this is at a slow and careful pace. Which we will address at some point in time after Star Wars is completed.

Team Negative1

For anyone looking for video clips with the colors posted in still frames, refer to this link, as posted on page 3 of this thread.

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http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-The-Empire-Strikes-Back-1980-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/post/672362/#TopicPost672362

If you're looking for more HD clips, most of them are posted in 720p for you to view. None of them match any known release that has ever been posted publicly.

The only way to see them, is to go through the thread, and view the links. We have posted many samples from the first print. The newer prints are a big improvement in color, and have different amounts of damage on them, as you can see in the 3x, and 4x comparisons.

It will be awhile, before we return to working on this movie, because of all the planning, and decisions that need to be made for integrating them as we have said several times. We are just documenting the work done, and for the general interest in this film.

Team Negative1

For those seeking more information about this project.

Please re-read the 1st and 5th post of this thread, and follow each link for verification.

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1st : http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-The-Empire-Strikes-Back-1980-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/post/670905/#TopicPost670905

5th: http://originaltrilogy.com/forum/topic.cfm/Team-Negative1-The-Empire-Strikes-Back-1980-35mm-Theatrical-Version-Release-Details-and-Updates/post/670915/#TopicPost670915

Also note subsequents posts with frames, and video links.

All frames and videos, unless noted in a comparison clip like the Fuji, and Kodak 2, are from the original worst pink faded print we have, the Kodak 1.

Team Negative1

Ok, now that you've taken a look at. What is the suggested course of integrating the sources. You need to take into account that each scan is at least 2k in size. You will need to evaluate each frame of each print. Then you will need to decide what frame should be inserted and the relative amount of damage on each frame.

Once you do that, you need to be aware of cropping, and distortion issues. As there may be some warping on the frame. You will need to compensate for those, and finally apply color correction to it.

There, you just finished 1 frame of the restoration, not including the audio.

Repeat approximately 170,000 more times, and there you go, the completed restoration of ESB, not including the downsampling, conversion, and synchronizing of it.

Team Negative1

Issues with frames missing from 4x:

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http://www.dailymotion.com/video/k3XLDrjENbwgKf4WBJW

Another mirror here:

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http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-KQJ7k/i-B3cfzWZ

By the way, the cleanup of the Head of reel 4, took several weeks, so this kind of cleanup will also take a much longer time.

Team Negative1

That's a good assessment. But we will be using mostly the one in the lower left corner. There will be a blend of all the sources as different frames  have different amounts of damage.

We will be posting a scene of Luke and Yoda in the hut, which highlights the difficulty of integrating multiple sources for one scene.

We would like everyone to look closely at it, once posted.

Team Negative1

We find it interesting, because the deleted scenes from the BD were in much better condition. Why would they have those in better preserved condition and not these deleted scenes?

Team Negative1

Anyone notice the similarities in the quality of the color correction and the recent Rinzler Ebook footage from the deleted scenes?

They look similar to us.

Team Negative1