The ability to recreate an entire movie is insignificant next to the potential of the Force.
January 20, 2012 2:08 PM Subscribe
Back in 09', Star Wars Uncut (previously) asked people to recreate 15 second chunks of Star Wars: A New Hope however they wanted, using live action, animation, text adventure screens, SCUMM interfaces, costumed pets, and more. Now they've been edited together to recreate the entire movie as a homemade, constantly shifting media experiment. (Vimeo link)
My god I love this. ALSO: Something something SOPA/PIPA.
posted by shakespeherian at 2:21 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by shakespeherian at 2:21 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
Five minutes in and I can only hope that generations from now (far, far away) this is the STAR WARS that has stood the test of time.
posted by philip-random at 2:21 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 2:21 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
[hops excitedly around with hands clenched at sides]
oooooooooh!
posted by CynicalKnight at 2:23 PM on January 20, 2012
oooooooooh!
posted by CynicalKnight at 2:23 PM on January 20, 2012
I now know exactly what I'm doing on the bus ride home.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:23 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:23 PM on January 20, 2012
Yeah, I've only gotten five minutes in too, but already this is the best thing ever.
posted by Curious Artificer at 2:23 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Curious Artificer at 2:23 PM on January 20, 2012
holy shit this is amazing
posted by neuromodulator at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by neuromodulator at 2:26 PM on January 20, 2012
Just announced to the kids at work that stuff like this makes me love living in the future. They had no idea what I was talking about I think, but it's still true.
posted by freebird at 2:27 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by freebird at 2:27 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
If Ed Wood had created Star Wars ... I think I prefer that universe.
posted by philip-random at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by philip-random at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2012
The Cantina Scene is excellent, if anyone feels like skipping forward.
posted by Curious Artificer at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by Curious Artificer at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
holy shit this is amazing
You heard it here first: sales of psilocybin mushrooms will triple in the next four weeks.
posted by CynicalKnight at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
You heard it here first: sales of psilocybin mushrooms will triple in the next four weeks.
posted by CynicalKnight at 2:29 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I might let my kids see this and not tell them it isn't the original (they have not seen the original yet)...
posted by From Bklyn at 2:30 PM on January 20, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by From Bklyn at 2:30 PM on January 20, 2012 [8 favorites]
I just got to the entrance of Darth Vader. I think we have a new contender for #1 in this previous FPP.
posted by Kabanos at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by Kabanos at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [4 favorites]
Flagged as fantastic.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Better than the original!
posted by fuq at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by fuq at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
My god I love this. ALSO: Something something SOPA/PIPA.
I copy, Gold Leader.
posted by Kabanos at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I copy, Gold Leader.
posted by Kabanos at 2:31 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Oh wow. This is blowing my jaded little mind.
posted by stinkycheese at 2:32 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by stinkycheese at 2:32 PM on January 20, 2012
This is great... thanks for posting. My kid will love this... he's always amazed what people can come up with using homebrew editing and imagination.
posted by crapmatic at 2:33 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by crapmatic at 2:33 PM on January 20, 2012
Can someone please download this in cases it disappears from existence before I get home?
posted by neuromodulator at 2:33 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by neuromodulator at 2:33 PM on January 20, 2012
(and damn, where do we find more stuff like this? About 90% of the "top" of YouTube's most viewed is fluff... I have no idea where to find the cream of the crop)
Neuro: I'm downloading a copy... but if it's on Vimeo too that probably cuts some of the risk.
posted by crapmatic at 2:35 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Neuro: I'm downloading a copy... but if it's on Vimeo too that probably cuts some of the risk.
posted by crapmatic at 2:35 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
can we do this with Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan? that would be even awesomer.
posted by TMezz at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by TMezz at 2:36 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
Can one d/l from Vimeo? I'm grabbing it from Youtube (434 MB) but I'd love it in better quality, if possible. No doubt this will reward repeat viewings.
posted by stinkycheese at 2:38 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by stinkycheese at 2:38 PM on January 20, 2012
I declare this the King of the Swedes. The Death Star battle itself is unhinged, glorious anarchy. The entire thing is almost too good to be real.
posted by phong3d at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by phong3d at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
Holy shit this is fantastic. Reminds me how I've always wanted to see that cut of Raiders that those kids did.
Yes indeed something something PIPA/SOPA.
This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that will get shut down by the parent companies, and yet it's wonderful AND does nothing but good for their brand.
posted by asavage at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Yes indeed something something PIPA/SOPA.
This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that will get shut down by the parent companies, and yet it's wonderful AND does nothing but good for their brand.
posted by asavage at 2:43 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I didn't expect to laugh at the opening credits. This is some amazing shit.
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:46 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by bonobothegreat at 2:46 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Repeatedly pressing the Favorite button does not add enough favoriting favorites!
posted by steef at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by steef at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is a straight up copyright infringement even without PIPA/SOPA but is just the kind of thing that would probably happen more often if we had realistic (IE: something closer to the original 28 year) copy right terms instead of the rediculous five consecutive generations like we have now.
posted by Mitheral at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Mitheral at 2:48 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is amazing. I can't decide which I like better, the amazing hand-made animations or the bits where it's just a couple of nerds and some bad wigs. I hope it lasts longer than I think it will.
posted by fight or flight at 2:53 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by fight or flight at 2:53 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
The irony is, as everyone knows that, copyright infringement or not, these sorts of fan or crowd-sourced "remixings" are excellent ways to market your product for free.
posted by KokuRyu at 2:54 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by KokuRyu at 2:54 PM on January 20, 2012
Oh god the bit where it segues into The Big Lebowski.
posted by fight or flight at 2:56 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by fight or flight at 2:56 PM on January 20, 2012
The irony is, as everyone knows that, copyright infringement or not, these sorts of fan or crowd-sourced "remixings" are excellent ways to market your product for free.
The issue seems to be CONTROL. They (the copyright holders) can see the value in having passionate fans work for free to spread the word -- they just want to control the word. Which quickly and effectively sucks the passion out of the project and either kills it or sends it underground.
And so on.
posted by philip-random at 3:02 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
The issue seems to be CONTROL. They (the copyright holders) can see the value in having passionate fans work for free to spread the word -- they just want to control the word. Which quickly and effectively sucks the passion out of the project and either kills it or sends it underground.
And so on.
posted by philip-random at 3:02 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Well, it should be obvious that if I can watch this for free on YouTube, I would never buy a Blu-Ray of the original.
Of course, the fact that I paid admission at the box office something life sixty times in 1977, a half-dozen or so times since then and have owned Star Wars (not Episode IV, dammit) on Beta, VHS and DVD at different times means I have little need for the Blu-Ray as well. But this will totally cut into 20th-Century Fox's profits, y'know.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:06 PM on January 20, 2012
Of course, the fact that I paid admission at the box office something life sixty times in 1977, a half-dozen or so times since then and have owned Star Wars (not Episode IV, dammit) on Beta, VHS and DVD at different times means I have little need for the Blu-Ray as well. But this will totally cut into 20th-Century Fox's profits, y'know.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 3:06 PM on January 20, 2012
38 minute point -- where'd they find a Newt Gingrich Lego?
posted by philip-random at 3:07 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by philip-random at 3:07 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
This is all kinds of amazing.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:07 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by eyeballkid at 3:07 PM on January 20, 2012
Never in my life have I been more disappointed to not have any convenient marijuana.
posted by benito.strauss at 3:10 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
posted by benito.strauss at 3:10 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
Seriously.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:12 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by robocop is bleeding at 3:12 PM on January 20, 2012
Best episode EVER! WHEEEE!
posted by Ron Thanagar at 3:16 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Ron Thanagar at 3:16 PM on January 20, 2012
This vacillates so quickly between amazing, embarrassing, endearing, awkward, hilarious, interesting, genius, confusing, gorgeous, fantastic, and meh that my brain feels like it's going to explode. I think I love it.
posted by zylocomotion at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by zylocomotion at 3:23 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Now this is a George Lucas I can get behind!
Wait, what?
posted by mazola at 3:24 PM on January 20, 2012
Wait, what?
posted by mazola at 3:24 PM on January 20, 2012
I laughed out loud at work when Leia inserted the chip into Artoo and it made the windows hardware-insertion *bah-bing!" noise.
posted by xbonesgt at 3:25 PM on January 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by xbonesgt at 3:25 PM on January 20, 2012 [3 favorites]
This is a straight up copyright infringement even without PIPA/SOPA.
What do you mean? I recently bought a copy of Star Wars, and I clearly remember it's a movie where Greedo shoots first. This isn't anything like that.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 3:26 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
What do you mean? I recently bought a copy of Star Wars, and I clearly remember it's a movie where Greedo shoots first. This isn't anything like that.
posted by Homeboy Trouble at 3:26 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Can one d/l from Vimeo?
Yes, but it's 2.16 GB. Don't know what the quality is like yet. I'm expecting "uneven".
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:43 PM on January 20, 2012
Yes, but it's 2.16 GB. Don't know what the quality is like yet. I'm expecting "uneven".
posted by bonobothegreat at 3:43 PM on January 20, 2012
I laughed out loud at work when Leia inserted the chip into Artoo and it made the windows hardware-insertion *bah-bing!" noise.
I swear that as soon as I read this sentence I heard the "bah-bing!" noise coming from another cube. No shit.
I BELIEVE IN THE FORCE.
posted by m@f at 3:49 PM on January 20, 2012
I swear that as soon as I read this sentence I heard the "bah-bing!" noise coming from another cube. No shit.
I BELIEVE IN THE FORCE.
posted by m@f at 3:49 PM on January 20, 2012
How ironic that this finally comes out this week, with all the talk of SOPA/PIPA and IP rights.
On the one hand, this movie uses images and sounds that are taken right from the original movie. It's not Fair Use -- it's a direct copy of the entire work. The creators of this work have no legal right to do what they've done. It's existence and distribution almost certainly violates Copyright law.
On the other hand, there is no way that the piece harms Lucasarts in any way. Truly, it costs them nothing: no one is going to watch as a substitution of the original. In fact, if you don't know the original work, this thing is kinda of a mess, and hard to follow. Further, It's not derogatory or insulting to the original work in any way -- it's an act of pure love, and it's easy to see that 10 seconds into the film.
And this work is only possible thanks to the Internet, along the ability for the masses to cheaply and easily create digital film and sound.
If you want an example to show just how complicated Intellectual Property Rights have become in the digital age, this is it in a nutshell.
posted by Frayed Knot at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
On the one hand, this movie uses images and sounds that are taken right from the original movie. It's not Fair Use -- it's a direct copy of the entire work. The creators of this work have no legal right to do what they've done. It's existence and distribution almost certainly violates Copyright law.
On the other hand, there is no way that the piece harms Lucasarts in any way. Truly, it costs them nothing: no one is going to watch as a substitution of the original. In fact, if you don't know the original work, this thing is kinda of a mess, and hard to follow. Further, It's not derogatory or insulting to the original work in any way -- it's an act of pure love, and it's easy to see that 10 seconds into the film.
And this work is only possible thanks to the Internet, along the ability for the masses to cheaply and easily create digital film and sound.
If you want an example to show just how complicated Intellectual Property Rights have become in the digital age, this is it in a nutshell.
posted by Frayed Knot at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2012 [7 favorites]
This is beyond amazing. I haven't seen the original movie since 1977 and this lives up to it in every way.
posted by maxwelton at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by maxwelton at 3:54 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is brilliant.
posted by Slithy_Tove at 4:00 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Slithy_Tove at 4:00 PM on January 20, 2012
I love the hand-drawn ones. I wonder if there are enough of them to edit together an entire film?
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 4:17 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 4:17 PM on January 20, 2012
I'm downloading it from Vimeo (something something SOPA PIPA) and hoping I made it in as Artoo Detoo. We had a lot of fun making our tiny little scene and yeah, it was a labor of love. But love doesn't matter to the copyright police because you can't change it for cold, hard, cash.
posted by immlass at 4:18 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by immlass at 4:18 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Wonderful, isn't it? I just posted this elsewhere as well.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 4:19 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 4:19 PM on January 20, 2012
I wonder what it says about me that my favorite parts so far are the all-cat cast, 4-year-old Darth Vader, the guys in underwear and tube socks, and busty C3PO in bright yellow shorts.
posted by daisystomper at 4:21 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by daisystomper at 4:21 PM on January 20, 2012
Some moments are perfect. Jian Sword Dancing perfect.
The vimeo download looks great.
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:24 PM on January 20, 2012
The vimeo download looks great.
posted by bonobothegreat at 4:24 PM on January 20, 2012
This is deliciously goofy.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:28 PM on January 20, 2012
You know, every time those opening chords play and those words scroll across the screen, I am transported back in time to when I was 7, sitting in the theatre, eating a little debbie snack cake and drinking a root beer I shared with my dad; absolutely transfixed.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 4:33 PM on January 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
Good heavens, this is fantastic! I'm watching through it right now. I had to pause to laugh a bit after this scene.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 4:34 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 4:34 PM on January 20, 2012
I've never really liked Star Wars all that much - I mean, it's OK and all, and I certainly don't dislike it, but I've just never got what all the fuss is about, really. This, however, is fantastic.
posted by Flunkie at 4:35 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Flunkie at 4:35 PM on January 20, 2012
omg. i NEED more jawa cats in my life.
posted by fuzzypantalones at 4:35 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by fuzzypantalones at 4:35 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
1:03:00 for the ultimate win.
posted by Hogshead at 4:41 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Hogshead at 4:41 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I loved the toast.
posted by crush-onastick at 4:42 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by crush-onastick at 4:42 PM on January 20, 2012
What's the deal with nearly all the chunks being made by adults and not kids? Did every grownup in Portland decide to contribute something just after the annual hide and seek championships?
posted by quadog at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by quadog at 4:44 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Surprisingly great! Be sure to upload this to Megaupload so we all have a place to get it after the inevitable takedown from joyless intellectual property lawyers.
posted by Nelson at 4:53 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Nelson at 4:53 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
You know what their next project needs to be? That's right! The Star Wars Christmas Episode Uncut.
posted by drewbage1847 at 4:55 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by drewbage1847 at 4:55 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
What's with the 4:3 presentation? I can't watch this shit like that.
posted by wierdo at 4:59 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by wierdo at 4:59 PM on January 20, 2012
The use (sometimes) of original sound and music keeps tricking me into thinking it's about to kick into the REAL version, which it never does, just another strange diversion down another strange path, which leaves me with a cumulative sense that, without trying, this weird thing has somehow captured an entire culture (ours) in all its deranged detail and beautiful absurdity. Lots of love.
posted by philip-random at 5:16 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by philip-random at 5:16 PM on January 20, 2012
How ironic that this finally comes out this week, with all the talk of SOPA/PIPA and IP rights.
Yep. Remix Culture and Read Only Culture are directly at odds with each other.
posted by Mad_Carew at 5:27 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
Yep. Remix Culture and Read Only Culture are directly at odds with each other.
posted by Mad_Carew at 5:27 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I couldn't make it past the USB sounds in the Leia and Artoo scene... I peed my pants I was laughing so hard.
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:35 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:35 PM on January 20, 2012
oh internet, how i love you.
posted by Glibpaxman at 5:37 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by Glibpaxman at 5:37 PM on January 20, 2012
On the other hand, there is no way that the piece harms Lucasarts in any way. Truly, it costs them nothing:
I've been constantly happy how ... well, how gentle and tolerant I Lucas seems to be toward these things. It could be otherwise. For all the bad stuff I have to say about Lucas (and there is a ton) I do feel like he understands that this is love and not money.
posted by anastasiav at 5:42 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
I've been constantly happy how ... well, how gentle and tolerant I Lucas seems to be toward these things. It could be otherwise. For all the bad stuff I have to say about Lucas (and there is a ton) I do feel like he understands that this is love and not money.
posted by anastasiav at 5:42 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
What's the deal with nearly all the chunks being made by adults and not kids? Did every grownup in Portland decide to contribute something just after the annual hide and seek championships?
The adults you see were kids when they first saw it. The kids you see probably think Star Wars is okay, but not Toy Story-great or anything.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:10 PM on January 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
The adults you see were kids when they first saw it. The kids you see probably think Star Wars is okay, but not Toy Story-great or anything.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 6:10 PM on January 20, 2012 [6 favorites]
1. Ok, so who feels like linking them all together?
posted by scrutiny at 13:44 on July 29, 2009 [+] [!]
Hee.
2. The scene where C3PO gets an oil bath and Luke whines about being left behind (19:05) - hilariously risque (maybe NSFW?)
3. Is the audio on Vimeo borked for anyone else? It starts silent then catches up a minute or two in for me. On the other hand, there is a Vimeo channel for Roku boxes.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:22 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by scrutiny at 13:44 on July 29, 2009 [+] [!]
Hee.
2. The scene where C3PO gets an oil bath and Luke whines about being left behind (19:05) - hilariously risque (maybe NSFW?)
3. Is the audio on Vimeo borked for anyone else? It starts silent then catches up a minute or two in for me. On the other hand, there is a Vimeo channel for Roku boxes.
posted by ZeusHumms at 6:22 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
How ironic that this finally comes out this week, with all the talk of SOPA/PIPA and IP rights.
Especially given the opening 20th Century Fox logo...
posted by running order squabble fest at 6:34 PM on January 20, 2012
Especially given the opening 20th Century Fox logo...
posted by running order squabble fest at 6:34 PM on January 20, 2012
> no one is going to watch as a substitution of the original.
Speak for yourself, yo.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:37 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
Speak for yourself, yo.
posted by The Card Cheat at 6:37 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is pure wonderment. And a lot of times, it was a smaller scene or moment here and there that made us laugh the hardest, not a joke tied into any of the pivotal scenes.
posted by PussKillian at 7:05 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by PussKillian at 7:05 PM on January 20, 2012
stinkycheese:: Oh wow. This is blowing my jaded little mind.
I read that as sounding like "Jedi-ed" little mind."
I like it.
(Also, flagged as fantastic.)
posted by tzikeh at 7:11 PM on January 20, 2012
I read that as sounding like "Jedi-ed" little mind."
I like it.
(Also, flagged as fantastic.)
posted by tzikeh at 7:11 PM on January 20, 2012
At 47:51 you get the most adorable Chewbacca. You also get the most adorable Han Solo. That's not even fair!
posted by mcmile at 7:39 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by mcmile at 7:39 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
About 3 hours ago...
Me: We are watching a version of Star Wars cut together from hundreds of fan made scenes of the movie.
15 year old daughter: Meh.
Me: Wil Wheaton said it was awesome.
Daughter: I'm in.
Wil was right. It was awesome.
posted by COD at 7:59 PM on January 20, 2012
Me: We are watching a version of Star Wars cut together from hundreds of fan made scenes of the movie.
15 year old daughter: Meh.
Me: Wil Wheaton said it was awesome.
Daughter: I'm in.
Wil was right. It was awesome.
posted by COD at 7:59 PM on January 20, 2012
I just about fell over when I saw Bea Arthur in the cantina scene.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 8:07 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 8:07 PM on January 20, 2012 [2 favorites]
OMFG. Luke and Obi Wan and 3PO in the hot tub? With the lightsaber fizzling out as he sits down? I'm dying here.
Is is so glorious. If Lucas gets this shut down I will seek him out and punch him in the wattle.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:12 PM on January 20, 2012
Is is so glorious. If Lucas gets this shut down I will seek him out and punch him in the wattle.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:12 PM on January 20, 2012
What really hits home is just how much the audio design and soundtrack contributed to what I 'saw' in Star Wars.
posted by mazola at 8:50 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mazola at 8:50 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
I also enjoyed the Rodian subtitles for Greedo.
posted by mazola at 8:55 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by mazola at 8:55 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]
One thing that's proven by this magnificent endeavor: dogs will endure pretty much anything.
posted by tzikeh at 9:38 PM on January 20, 2012
posted by tzikeh at 9:38 PM on January 20, 2012
okay, finally got through the whole thing. It's been that kind of day.
Needless to say, I share in the gushing that's going on in this thread. And I'm NOT a Star Wars fan at all. I don't hate the first two movies, but I've always found them profoundly over-rated, yadda-yadda-yadda. Nothing I haven't said before on MeFi.
But watching all this, I'm enthused to the point of inspiration. It's beautiful. And nowhere more so than the last few minutes, from about 1:56:30 onward. The Death Star is destroyed and then the way the denouement plays out is so wonderfully respectfully, disrespectfully, absurdly hilarious that I'm almost in tears -- particularly the guy driving into his carport in his SUV, getting hugs and cheers from his wife and little girl.
Finally, an improved version of Star Wars - A New Hope.
posted by philip-random at 11:27 PM on January 20, 2012
Needless to say, I share in the gushing that's going on in this thread. And I'm NOT a Star Wars fan at all. I don't hate the first two movies, but I've always found them profoundly over-rated, yadda-yadda-yadda. Nothing I haven't said before on MeFi.
But watching all this, I'm enthused to the point of inspiration. It's beautiful. And nowhere more so than the last few minutes, from about 1:56:30 onward. The Death Star is destroyed and then the way the denouement plays out is so wonderfully respectfully, disrespectfully, absurdly hilarious that I'm almost in tears -- particularly the guy driving into his carport in his SUV, getting hugs and cheers from his wife and little girl.
Finally, an improved version of Star Wars - A New Hope.
posted by philip-random at 11:27 PM on January 20, 2012
Hey, there's a theme song.
Also, it won an Emmy in 2010 outstanding creative achievement in interactive media for the website itself.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:44 PM on January 20, 2012
Also, it won an Emmy in 2010 outstanding creative achievement in interactive media for the website itself.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:44 PM on January 20, 2012
This is EXACTLY the kind of thing that will get shut down by the parent companies, and yet it's wonderful AND does nothing but good for their brand.
George Lucas is actually super friendly to Star Wars fan filmmakers.
posted by Sauce Trough at 1:08 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
George Lucas is actually super friendly to Star Wars fan filmmakers.
posted by Sauce Trough at 1:08 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Chiming in a bit late (early?)
I had long assumed that this was nothing new. The "recreate Star Wars" video project had, afterall, been in place for some time. All of the winning clips were freely viewable (in sequence) on Vimeo. Done deal, right?
I guess I never really realized that they had yet to be cut into a coherent piece. Kinda amazed it took this long, but no hard feelings, I assure you.
One complaint: not enough of the "Bergman-esque" scene between Luke and Uncle Owen. (the black and white one, with the Amish costumes)
Shout out: that's my buddy Jack Conway as the Martini-swilling Han Solo at 1:10:55
posted by ShutterBun at 1:21 AM on January 21, 2012
I had long assumed that this was nothing new. The "recreate Star Wars" video project had, afterall, been in place for some time. All of the winning clips were freely viewable (in sequence) on Vimeo. Done deal, right?
I guess I never really realized that they had yet to be cut into a coherent piece. Kinda amazed it took this long, but no hard feelings, I assure you.
One complaint: not enough of the "Bergman-esque" scene between Luke and Uncle Owen. (the black and white one, with the Amish costumes)
Shout out: that's my buddy Jack Conway as the Martini-swilling Han Solo at 1:10:55
posted by ShutterBun at 1:21 AM on January 21, 2012
Ben Burtt is one of my heroes. His philosophy of sound design really shaped the Star Wars universe into something much more real-seeming than most scifi films up until that point. He's easily as important to those films as ILM, and is often not even recognized for his brilliance.
No argument there.
What's really sad is, I didn't even know his name until the Star Wars radio adaptations were created. His name was prominent in the weekly credits, and that's when I noted his name for belonging to a genius.
Ben Burtt was credited as "Sound design for Lucasfilm" in the Star Wars radio dramas, but let's not forget he also won a specia achievementl Academy Award for Star Wars, and his work was heavily featured in SF/X: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back.
Aside from the guy who invented the Nagra, I'd say Burtt's probably got more fans, admirers and protege's by now than anyone else in the cinematic audio business (and if he doesn't, it's a crime).
(full disclosure: I recently tried to recreate one of Burtt's most "secret" sound effects after a recent thread here on the Blue. Results can be viewed here.
posted by ShutterBun at 1:59 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
No argument there.
What's really sad is, I didn't even know his name until the Star Wars radio adaptations were created. His name was prominent in the weekly credits, and that's when I noted his name for belonging to a genius.
Ben Burtt was credited as "Sound design for Lucasfilm" in the Star Wars radio dramas, but let's not forget he also won a specia achievementl Academy Award for Star Wars, and his work was heavily featured in SF/X: The Making of The Empire Strikes Back.
Aside from the guy who invented the Nagra, I'd say Burtt's probably got more fans, admirers and protege's by now than anyone else in the cinematic audio business (and if he doesn't, it's a crime).
(full disclosure: I recently tried to recreate one of Burtt's most "secret" sound effects after a recent thread here on the Blue. Results can be viewed here.
posted by ShutterBun at 1:59 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Finally, an improved version of Star Wars - A New Hope.
Imagine Salvadore Dali without a Mona Lisa to hang a moustache on...
Say what you want about the original, but just think about how many even greater statements relied on it. (eeegad, is that a slippery slope I've just jumped on)
posted by ShutterBun at 2:04 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Imagine Salvadore Dali without a Mona Lisa to hang a moustache on...
Say what you want about the original, but just think about how many even greater statements relied on it. (eeegad, is that a slippery slope I've just jumped on)
posted by ShutterBun at 2:04 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
(dear me...it seems that a couple of my last few comments have been conflated...is't possible to correct them for future generations)
posted by ShutterBun at 2:09 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by ShutterBun at 2:09 AM on January 21, 2012
This is so wonderful. We actually filmed some scenes for this, but I was too embarrassed to submit them and now I'm kicking myself! So in love with this!
posted by ukdanae at 5:10 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by ukdanae at 5:10 AM on January 21, 2012
Oh god, the Death Star trench made of books. And the Cat Y-Wing pilot.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 5:37 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by EndsOfInvention at 5:37 AM on January 21, 2012
Spoiler alert: they've done the Special Edition version, as far as I can tell.
posted by ShutterBun at 5:52 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by ShutterBun at 5:52 AM on January 21, 2012
I made a Death Star trench run type video when I was cleaning out the eaves on the house a couple of years ago. I regret not submitting.
posted by mazola at 7:37 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by mazola at 7:37 AM on January 21, 2012
Aside from the guy who invented the Nagra, I'd say Burtt's probably got more fans, admirers and protege's by now than anyone else in the cinematic audio business (and if he doesn't, it's a crime).
It's a different role, but Walter Murch is a contender there for sure.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:42 AM on January 21, 2012
It's a different role, but Walter Murch is a contender there for sure.
posted by shakespeherian at 8:42 AM on January 21, 2012
After the sword training bit with the apples, I'd actually really like to see the whole movie re-adapted as a U.S. Civil War piece. That part was one of the better done segments.
posted by LionIndex at 9:55 AM on January 21, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by LionIndex at 9:55 AM on January 21, 2012 [5 favorites]
I really appreciate the resourcefulness on display in this movie, particularly in the live-action scenes. Y-wing and X-wing engines made out of flattened paper lanterns, special effects recreated in Lego, paper rebel helmets, Death Star trench constructed from books. It's fascinating to watch how different groups of people attempt to recreate these scenes with the materials they have available.
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 10:09 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by The Great Big Mulp at 10:09 AM on January 21, 2012
I was kinda sorry the femme Lord Vader only got 15 seconds
posted by criticalbill at 10:51 AM on January 21, 2012
posted by criticalbill at 10:51 AM on January 21, 2012
Y-wing and X-wing engines made out of flattened paper lanterns, special effects recreated in Lego, paper rebel helmets, Death Star trench constructed from books.
I found the Obi-Wan facial hair endlessly inventive.
posted by philip-random at 10:53 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
I found the Obi-Wan facial hair endlessly inventive.
posted by philip-random at 10:53 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
I was kinda sorry the femme Lord Vader only got 15 seconds
The one at 4:30? They all ruled.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:58 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
The one at 4:30? They all ruled.
posted by ZeusHumms at 11:58 AM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
The scene out of the Seventh Seal was great, too.
posted by maxwelton at 12:15 PM on January 21, 2012
posted by maxwelton at 12:15 PM on January 21, 2012
I can't believe this is even better than I could have imagined it would be. Even though there's (if my estimation is right) nearly 500 individual segments, this still manages to be better than the sum of its parts. It's just magic.
And though I would love to see it for other movies -- I'm not sure that it could be done for any other movie.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:20 PM on January 21, 2012
And though I would love to see it for other movies -- I'm not sure that it could be done for any other movie.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:20 PM on January 21, 2012
I think to be successful you'd have to (and this is obvious)
a) have a huge and diverse fan base willing
b) to invest the time for the love and fun of it and
c) the movie would have to be so well known that even when the clips are terrible or even not at all like the original you still know what they refer to.
Raiders of the Lost Ark? Back to the Future?
posted by maxwelton at 4:10 PM on January 21, 2012
a) have a huge and diverse fan base willing
b) to invest the time for the love and fun of it and
c) the movie would have to be so well known that even when the clips are terrible or even not at all like the original you still know what they refer to.
Raiders of the Lost Ark? Back to the Future?
posted by maxwelton at 4:10 PM on January 21, 2012
I don't see raiders working but Back To The Future is a dead win.
posted by The Whelk at 4:38 PM on January 21, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 4:38 PM on January 21, 2012
Watching this I finally forgave the Internet for everything. When Han blasted Vader out of the sky I cried. And I laughed my ass off most of the way through. This is...pure joy and love. Wonderful.
posted by waxbanks at 4:39 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by waxbanks at 4:39 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Further, It's not derogatory or insulting to the original work in any way -- it's an act of pure love, and it's easy to see that 10 seconds into the film.
Lucasfilm likely won't have a problem with it, but they even have this strange embrace of the ubiquitous Family Guy parodies.
And though I would love to see it for other movies -- I'm not sure that it could be done for any other movie.
That's a good point. I don't know what other single film would come close in terms of familiarity and fondness. Some skew older (Godfather) and others are too polarizing, not that Star Wars isn't. There could be other media though, like TV specials (Charlie Brown Christmas?) or maybe even albums, somehow (Thriller?).
I love how this project is a result of pure, genuine, and (mostly) innocent adoration and affinity for the movie. I hate how almost anything Star Wars-related these days inevitably devolves into Lucas- or prequel-bashing. And while I'd rather have had the prequels than not, I do miss the old days when a mention of "Star Wars" didn't result in instant snark.
I would've liked to see the infamous Greedo scene have something like Han and Greedo getting into a Calvin and Hobbes-esque squabble saying "I shot first" "No I shot first" "You missed!" "I did not!" ...Watterson probably wouldn't be thrilled, though.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 4:49 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Lucasfilm likely won't have a problem with it, but they even have this strange embrace of the ubiquitous Family Guy parodies.
And though I would love to see it for other movies -- I'm not sure that it could be done for any other movie.
That's a good point. I don't know what other single film would come close in terms of familiarity and fondness. Some skew older (Godfather) and others are too polarizing, not that Star Wars isn't. There could be other media though, like TV specials (Charlie Brown Christmas?) or maybe even albums, somehow (Thriller?).
I love how this project is a result of pure, genuine, and (mostly) innocent adoration and affinity for the movie. I hate how almost anything Star Wars-related these days inevitably devolves into Lucas- or prequel-bashing. And while I'd rather have had the prequels than not, I do miss the old days when a mention of "Star Wars" didn't result in instant snark.
I would've liked to see the infamous Greedo scene have something like Han and Greedo getting into a Calvin and Hobbes-esque squabble saying "I shot first" "No I shot first" "You missed!" "I did not!" ...Watterson probably wouldn't be thrilled, though.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 4:49 PM on January 21, 2012 [1 favorite]
Charlie's Angels Vader is awesome.
posted by running order squabble fest at 5:09 PM on January 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by running order squabble fest at 5:09 PM on January 21, 2012 [3 favorites]
Forgot how long Star Wars takes to get going. Fifty minutes in and we're still on Tatoone. The clips are great though, lots of love went into these.
posted by octothorpe at 1:12 PM on January 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by octothorpe at 1:12 PM on January 22, 2012 [1 favorite]
Lucasfilm likely won't have a problem with it, but they even have this strange embrace of the ubiquitous Family Guy parodies.
I believe they were aware of it pretty early into the initial project in 2009. They have rules on fan films, but they're pretty clear and workable from what I understand.
And though I would love to see it for other movies -- I'm not sure that it could be done for any other movie.
It would have to be a movie iconic to a generation, one that thoroughly dominated their imagination. Harry Potter, for example.
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:58 PM on January 22, 2012
I believe they were aware of it pretty early into the initial project in 2009. They have rules on fan films, but they're pretty clear and workable from what I understand.
And though I would love to see it for other movies -- I'm not sure that it could be done for any other movie.
It would have to be a movie iconic to a generation, one that thoroughly dominated their imagination. Harry Potter, for example.
posted by ZeusHumms at 9:58 PM on January 22, 2012
But Potter fandom seems more like the general theme and setting, not exactly specific lines and scenes, I mean, the hilarious and filthy Potter Musicial didn't really recreate any set scenes, more the overall playing-with-the-characters thing.
posted by The Whelk at 10:10 PM on January 22, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 10:10 PM on January 22, 2012
I recognized every scene, and I'm not even a particularly big Star Wars fan; I've maybe seen the film 3-4 times, mostly because it's a good-enough choice if it comes on cable when I feel like watching TV. But nearly every scene in the movie is recognizable, even to casual viewers; it's all been wholly absorbed and referenced and parodied throughout popular culture, and the movie itself is fairly economical in its structure; it proceeds at a pretty quick clip.
There aren't a lot of such movies. The Empire Strikes Back definitely qualifies. Maybe Richard Donner's Superman. The Godfather probably has enough cultural ubiquity, though it's more leisurely-paced and it might be hard to draw a critical mass of fans/filmmakers (maybe if the assigned clips were 30 sec.-1 min.) A bit left-field, but I think The Lion King would be perfect. I could picture Jurassic Park, as well. The Matrix.
posted by kagredon at 12:03 AM on January 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
There aren't a lot of such movies. The Empire Strikes Back definitely qualifies. Maybe Richard Donner's Superman. The Godfather probably has enough cultural ubiquity, though it's more leisurely-paced and it might be hard to draw a critical mass of fans/filmmakers (maybe if the assigned clips were 30 sec.-1 min.) A bit left-field, but I think The Lion King would be perfect. I could picture Jurassic Park, as well. The Matrix.
posted by kagredon at 12:03 AM on January 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I think the secret of this was the short but not too short clips. You get more participation and if they drag you know it's going to be over soon. It also I think invites some fairly art-intensive pieces which would not happen if required to last a minute.
The Whelk, how do we organize this for Back to the Future? Would be a ton of fun. Or would the magic be lost--is this a one-time artifact?
posted by maxwelton at 2:27 AM on January 23, 2012
The Whelk, how do we organize this for Back to the Future? Would be a ton of fun. Or would the magic be lost--is this a one-time artifact?
posted by maxwelton at 2:27 AM on January 23, 2012
I think you'd have to do something other than a movie, or maybe just a sequence, otherwise it feels like biting.
posted by The Whelk at 7:38 AM on January 23, 2012
posted by The Whelk at 7:38 AM on January 23, 2012
I got the biggest kick out of the way people improvised the costumes, so I don't anything like Superman or BTTF would hold the same appeal.
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:09 AM on January 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by bonobothegreat at 8:09 AM on January 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
I watched their Emmy reel from 2 years ago (effectively for best website), and they did mention starting to collect contributions for The Empire Strikes Back. Again, that was 2 years ago.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:12 AM on January 23, 2012
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:12 AM on January 23, 2012
I got the biggest kick out of the way people improvised the costumes, so I don't anything like Superman or BTTF would hold the same appeal.
Yeah, it needs to be heavy with FX and costumes and locations, as that was a good part of the appeal. For that reason I think Raiders is actually the best bet. Maybe Alien and or Aliens?
posted by Rock Steady at 8:16 AM on January 23, 2012
Yeah, it needs to be heavy with FX and costumes and locations, as that was a good part of the appeal. For that reason I think Raiders is actually the best bet. Maybe Alien and or Aliens?
posted by Rock Steady at 8:16 AM on January 23, 2012
BTTF has awesome costuming (two different periods plus Marty's interpretation of the 50s period) and it would be awesome to see how people handled all the screen time featuring the Delorean and 50s/80s automobiles. The hard part would be all the crowd scenes; though because several of them happen at schools fairly representive crowds might be easily sourced.
Alien would be a natural.
And surely Firefly has a rabid enough fan base to pull off a fan tribute Serenity or any one of the episodes.
And while I'd love to film segment or two for a Matrix fan movie all that leather would be challenging.
posted by Mitheral at 9:48 AM on January 23, 2012
Alien would be a natural.
And surely Firefly has a rabid enough fan base to pull off a fan tribute Serenity or any one of the episodes.
And while I'd love to film segment or two for a Matrix fan movie all that leather would be challenging.
posted by Mitheral at 9:48 AM on January 23, 2012
The Matrix!?!! I would PAY GOOD MONEY to see a fan sourced version of that.
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:33 AM on January 23, 2012
posted by bonobothegreat at 10:33 AM on January 23, 2012
I believe they were aware of it pretty early into the initial project in 2009. They have rules on fan films, but they're pretty clear and workable from what I understand.
I don't think it has an impact on the actual legalities, but according to the big NYT article on REd Tails, Lucas hates fan recuts, because it feels to him like the instructions he got from above - from producers, basically - telling him what to put in or take out of the film. This is presumably back when anyone gave him those instructions.
This, though isn't a recut, as such - in fact, it's the special edition, complete with the Jabba scene. So, that's probably OK.
posted by running order squabble fest at 12:34 PM on January 23, 2012
I don't think it has an impact on the actual legalities, but according to the big NYT article on REd Tails, Lucas hates fan recuts, because it feels to him like the instructions he got from above - from producers, basically - telling him what to put in or take out of the film. This is presumably back when anyone gave him those instructions.
This, though isn't a recut, as such - in fact, it's the special edition, complete with the Jabba scene. So, that's probably OK.
posted by running order squabble fest at 12:34 PM on January 23, 2012
How Return of the Jedi Should Have Ended reminds us that Anakin is still a piece of crap
posted by homunculus at 7:05 PM on January 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by homunculus at 7:05 PM on January 23, 2012 [1 favorite]
I believe they were aware of it pretty early into the initial project in 2009. They have rules on fan films, but they're pretty clear and workable from what I understand.
I later came across this 2010 New York Times article which has a lot more background info on the project. Despite all the "Lucasfilm is a bunch of jerks they're gonna take this down" comments on Youtube, it turns out they were actually quite supportive.
I agree that using the same concept for other movies (other than Empire and Raiders) would feel too much like "biting," but I'm thinking the most natural choice might actually be the Wizard of Oz, but it's just not as... cool. But for a "Raiders Uncut," I'd most look forward to the scene where Indy is dragged behind the truck.
Since there were multiple submissions for each segment, I wonder how many more versions could be made before there's an appreciable decline in quality. And I can't find anything on whether there's any progress on an upcoming Empire project, but they better. I'm peeved that I missed out on this.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 8:21 PM on January 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
I later came across this 2010 New York Times article which has a lot more background info on the project. Despite all the "Lucasfilm is a bunch of jerks they're gonna take this down" comments on Youtube, it turns out they were actually quite supportive.
I agree that using the same concept for other movies (other than Empire and Raiders) would feel too much like "biting," but I'm thinking the most natural choice might actually be the Wizard of Oz, but it's just not as... cool. But for a "Raiders Uncut," I'd most look forward to the scene where Indy is dragged behind the truck.
Since there were multiple submissions for each segment, I wonder how many more versions could be made before there's an appreciable decline in quality. And I can't find anything on whether there's any progress on an upcoming Empire project, but they better. I'm peeved that I missed out on this.
posted by TheSecretDecoderRing at 8:21 PM on January 23, 2012 [2 favorites]
Actually the best movie to follow this up with, hitting the right age bracket, nostalgia, SFX load, and Lucas tie in would be ....Labyrinth.
Making the songs not jarring and not stepping on copyright toes would be a problem however.
posted by The Whelk at 10:07 AM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]
Making the songs not jarring and not stepping on copyright toes would be a problem however.
posted by The Whelk at 10:07 AM on January 24, 2012 [1 favorite]
Guys, remember the neighbor I've got who claims he traveled back in time from the future? He says that in the time he's from, this is the only version of Star Wars to survive. Star Wars itself is some kind of lost work, only known through secondary sources.
posted by JHarris at 1:34 PM on February 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by JHarris at 1:34 PM on February 2, 2012 [1 favorite]
« Older The sound of the ages | "Let's open up this pit!" Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by KokuRyu at 2:20 PM on January 20, 2012 [1 favorite]