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I attended the '05 SFX Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada this past weekend - Here's the latest bitz from Matt Wood, who attended as well as Kenny Baker

- He was asked about whether Solo or Greedo shot first (It will not die) In his opinion he thinks Solo shot first, he remembers being at the ranch with ILM on tele-conferences, they wre doing all sorts of timing procedures to try and get it right but most people at the Ranch were hoping that Solo ended up shooting first


- Matt told of the eerie experience while re-mastering tracks for the OT DVD. Because he (and Ben Burtt) had to literally re-build the entire soundtrack for 'ANH' (because of it's deteriorated bad shape)

He was presented with the original session-takes & looping tapes. Although There were some new sessions done with JEJ for Empire, He stated that it was very strange (and at the same time amazing) listening to GL give Sir Alec his thoughts/motivations Etc. on 'Force Philosophy' Etc. and speaking with the other actors inbetween takes that were either the ones used in the film with the nuances that we are all so use to or hearing takes recorded with differing dialogue that for one reason or another couid have been used but in the end were not.

- News in relation to a future Box Set Q ('07?) Matt confirmed that there have been calls to the Archive Dept. at the Ranch to start preparing stuff for new future supplemental materials that will be on the Ep.3 DVD and the Box set when finished, Expect it soon - But there, as far as he knows is without a time-table right now (can't wait!)

"Supplemental materials"

Would that be stuff put into the film, or stuff in a seperate disc?

It's very hard to tell, the Lord only knows in the land O' the Flannelled one
It'd be a guess trying to figure out who even decides what to put (as extras) on any of these future Discs - GL or his staff

There are cut scenes Etc. that could be used as extras from 'ANH' still to see the light of day - Nothin' maybe that would rock any Oscar boats but for the people that have stayed with this saga since '77 would love to see Biggs/Luke at Toschi station, the stuff from the CD-ROM 'Behind the Magic', Even little bit's n' pieces of quality-fluff that he inserted into the Holiday special

- From there go on to numerous things in 'TESB', 'ROTJ' and I'm sure there's is stuff from the prequels also for the box set

- Nick Gillard at C3 went on about extra sabre-stuff between Hayden/Christopher Lee that was some of his killer-favorite, it was cut

It's either he's not visually-happy with it and how it ties to his cinematic vision (It's an extra, deleted, cut sequence GL - It doesnt have to be WOW!!) or he's holding on to this stuff so that he can milk every release dry with the added bits he gives up (he knows the demographic (and how many) that's hooked) he's a smart man and he's got a team of marketing geniuses

The Archives at Skywalker Ranch for physical sets, artwork & props

I mentioned in the post above about Matt talking of the Remastering sessions and having to listen to the orig. sessions of audio conversations Etc with the actors (Work that stuff in somehow)

How many times have we heard one thing, seen one thing and then it changes (Jabba at Docking Bay 94), Boba Fett's voice-change - somebody should be drawn & quartered for that

There are still Inconsistencies, Errors, Gaffs Etc. in the OT, will they be fixed for the Box set?

And now there's a better 3D technology, HI-DEF/Blu-Ray Discs comin' (I've read (and seen for myself) that with the improved quality that evolved-tech has delivered that it should be apparent that some of these obvious changes should occur (It's just a matter of can the fans trust that whomever does whatever - Will it be done tastefully enough to keep the integrity of the original work solid and yet tweak it so it's fresh?)

GL is an artist - He has the right to do anything he wants every time these films are released (He has an awesome base of work to go from) but for the most IMO I think people are pretty much sick of buying the films over and over again

The 6 films are alledgedly the way he wants them to be (Emotional timing and flow-wise) so I really doubt any more will be added, it's just the lil' tingz

He has plenty O' gems locked up (Enough to fill a new disc or 2)

There is hope!

Anymore news Sith Park? any comirmation on the dvds? Changes etc?

Being of 'Original' OT Ilk ('77, '80, '83 era) I have been commenting on various forums Etc. about the fact that this Dec. release of the OT is of the '04 Sp. Ed.'s which changed from the '97 Sp. Ed. versions (some sequences of which I recognize as what I'll include in my 'SW' and others I'd rather just forget - Nuff' said!)

There have simply been so many releases (as Lucas tightens, tweaks, adjusts) of this story that each differing release has fans that may have seen one (or two) of them but not others so it's like everyone is coming from different fields of view

Matt did not comment at all about this Dec. release but hey it's not his call, he is just an employee of LucasFilm working in the Sound Dept. right

He (as stated in 1st post) talked of a '07 Box set, Later in his program adding that there is no time-frame really. I assume (when and if) this is finally released it will be a set including all 6 films together - We will probably see Bitz N' Pieces of new supplemental materials on every release so that LucasFilm can market that particular package so - There is still stuff locked up at the at the Ranch - The Deleted scenes/Extra stuff from the OT is what the Older Hardcore fans want and GWL knows it - that's his security - Look at how this whole thing began in '72-73 .... you can say whatever you want about the 'SW' saga but GWL is a very smart marketing man

Ultimately whether there are changes Etc., new materials added (The Lord only knows - I would imagine Lucas is probably hiding stuff from him/her too! (Tee-Hee!)

As far as new newz for the Dec. release I guess we can consider the THX enhanced English Dolby Digital 5.1 EX track being new (Can we not?)

As I remember there were some audio issues/differences with that of the '04 set that fans had noticed. (I believe ILM/LucasFilm had issued a statement about these concerns)

Along with the audio commentaries for each film, and easterggs (I assume these are the same as the '04 set)

Now that ROTS has been out for ages and all six films are out there, I still don't believe we're finished with them and that one day, a giant, six-film set with extra trimmings will be released. But this is old news. What I've been wondering (for almost six or seven years, actually), is what this additional stuff would be?

Now, with the first DVD-set we got some prequel-connections: Naboo, Basic letters (though this alphabet was first developed in EU sources), Temura Morrison's voice (it wasn't good, but I won't loose any sleep over it, Boba Fett ain't known for his talking), Hayden Christensen (I rather liked his more sinister appearance. As much as Sebastian Shaw's performance was good, I don't think you turn into a happy-go-lucky ghost just 'cus you did ONE good thing for the past 23 years!), Ian McDiarmid in ESB and some familiar locales on Coruscant.

What I would like for any additional updates to the OT and what I think is pretty reasonable to guess at:
A Kashyyyk-liberation in ROTJ (if they put Naboo in there because it's "Padme's planet" they might as well show Chewie some respect by having his people bash Stormtroopers for a few seconds) and some CG droids/aliens in appropriate backgrounds (goodness knows they have enough templates to work from!)

Now, in addition to that, I've heard of Temura Morrison doing some (not ALL, mind) of the Stormtrooper voices. (I think this was officially confirmed somewhere. Source?) And I personally corresponded with someone connected to Lucas Publishing about an extention to the Battle of Hoth (more vehicles and possibly Imperial dropships), which was a big possibility for the 2004 set, but which fell through (either due to not meeting deadlines or being too busy with ROTS effects).

Whether or not this extended battle will be a reality, I don't know, but it seems more likely than other wishful requests (Palpatine in the Senate/Bail on Alderaan in ANH, anyone? :P)

Here are the changes i owuld like to see happen: I would like to see the special effects done properly: Lightsbares, the boxes around the tie fighters, audo etc. As mant deleted scenes as possible either incorporated on the bonus discs especially the OT ones.

TPM
A DIGITAL YODA

ANH
A scene with Bail
Palpatine desolving the senate
Vader should visit Palpatine at the end on coruscant
Shmis gravestone at the Lars house
In the JAbba scene Chewbacca is in two places at the same time, id change that
Add Vaders and Anakins music to the film

TESB
A DIGITAL YODA (only because i want a scene with him contacting Qui-Gon and you wouldnt be able to do it without)

ROTJ
A DIGITAL YODA (only becuase of TESB)
KAshyyk ended at the end

I'll let you know more when it comes to me

I don't mind the Digital Yoda for 'TPM' but there is nothing wrong at all with Frank Oz's puppetry in 'TESB' and 'ROTJ'

I've seen this brought up elsewhere before and it's just not necessary at all

IMO it would be the worst thing ILM could do

Lucas isn't going to do it because if you notice in every interview about the production of Empire and namely Yoda, he expresses how if the puppet hadn't have worked, the film would have been a disaster. It's not going anywhere.

As much as I love CG additions, I have to agree, the puppet Yoda in ESB/ROTJ is good and still holds up. It would not make any sense to change it.

Now, I did hear about the Mon Cal mask used in ROTS being considered for replacing Admiral Akbar in ROTJ. Hopefully this will never come to pass, since I love the original mask and the actor's performance. The ROTS mask did nothing for me, personally, and I would hate to see it pop up elsewhere.

Cool. I've read another interview a while back in which he mentioned the extended Anakin/Dooku duel too. It does seem he was quite enamored with it and wished it had stayed in. I would have to agree with him. Those jumps cuts Lucas used during the AOTC duel don't work, imo.

SO, What is the newest original trilogy blitz then? anything?

This news from Bill Hunt of thedigitalbits.com - 10.07.05

We've got a surprise treat for you Star Wars fans today to close out the week. Sarah and I made the quick plane hop up to San Francisco yesterday, to attend the Episode III DVD press event at the Skywalker Ranch. As today marks my 38th year on this planet, it was quite the nice way to spend an afternoon. I'll tell you more about it all (and post some pictures Sarah took) on Monday.

One interesting note from the event: Producer Rick McCallum and ILM animation director Rob Coleman confirmed that Lucas has continued to digitally massage the other Star Wars films. Specifically, Coleman indicated that the puppet Yoda from Episode I has been replaced with a digital Yoda that matches the character as seen in Episodes II and III. The CG performance was specifically tailored to match to Frank Oz's puppet performance. You'll be pleased to know that Coleman also told me, in no uncertain terms, that Oz's puppet work in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi will NEVER be replaced with CG. So you fans can rest easy. You'll get to see the new changes on a future, as-yet-unscheduled box set release of the entire Star Wars saga on DVD and/or HD.

One other interesting item to report from the event: McCallum expects there to be 22 Young Indiana Jones Chronicles DVDs in all, 3 of which have been completed. The discs will include some 66 historical featurettes, now in production. Work has been ongoing for about 18 months on the Young Indy DVDs, with about another 18 months worth of work yet to be done. If all goes well, the plan is to tie the DVD release to the theatrical debut of Indy IV (the script for which Lucas is expected to finish this Sunday).

Anyway, as you're probably hoping, I've just posted my in-depth review of the 2-disc Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith DVD, which streets on 11/1. If you thought the video and audio quality on the previous Star Wars DVDs was impressive, just wait until you get your hands on this

Like ive said on the previous thread Sith PArk, whenevr you gat any win on these changes tell me. anything at all. Ta!