Star Wars discussion from The Bits... - Page 6

Re: Star Wars discussion from The Bits...

To Mr. Pennington el al...

I'm accutely aware of the work done c. 1994 toward the SE. We were working on another project at the same time at Pacific Title, where some of the work was performed.

While the American Cinematographer article speaks of recombining the various layers of opticals to re-create effects to replace faded CRI material, that might not be necessary today, as we have alternate technology.

Comments regarding the necessity of a reconstruction and / or restoration are based solely upon other comments which have come from LucasFilm, which purport to tell us that no elements survive, albeit specifically in the Lucas archive.

I can, in a like manner, state that no elements for Star Wars survive in The Film Preserve archive, short of a few faded frames of 70mm given to me decades ago from a damaged print.

No one has spoken of what might survive elsewhere, and there are many "elsewheres."

I've said in the past that it would be archival folly to perform a wholesale junking of all original elements a la the Universal purge of their silent iibrary in 1948 or of pre-production elements in the Hitchcock library in the 60s, to save on storage costs.

These things have occurred in the past, and they were based upon less than fully researched decision making.

Precisely how much of the verbiage coming from the Lucas organization is corporate, marketing speak, we cannot know at this moment.

All that we do know is that neither Mr. Lucas nor his people are stupid, which means that none of what we have been told makes much sense.

As the original negative of Star Wars, like any number of other effects-intensive films, as well as certain 65mm productions, and all properly cut 16mm productions, was cut A / B roll checkerboard, it means that each and every shot could be easily disconnected from those on either side and replaced -- or removed and used elsewhere, as in the SE, without damage or loss of frames.

They could also be scanned, modified digitally, and recorded back out to film, as something entirely new, without ever endangering or damaging the original.

Although in its printing history, the original A / B rolls of Star Wars should show wear due to the production of a large number of blow-up prints to 70mm, and constant wet-gate printing, it also means that no laboratory or studio post-production entity in their right mind would sacrifice this valuable footage to such intensive printing without the creation of multiple layers of backup elements -- interpositive to be used in the creating of printing dupes, as well as black & white separation masters.

If we are to take the verbiage being given to the public about nothing better than the laserdisc transfers existing on the original film at full meaning and at face value, then there would be a horrific potential problem, which is still not unsurmountable.

Do I personally believe that this is true? I find it quite doubtful.

As I've noted earlier, this entire situation leaves one feeling as though they are walking hip deep in a swamp.

RAH

Re: Star Wars discussion from The Bits...

As an additional aside, something else continues to add to confusion in this discussion -- the term "pink."

Eastman Color prints will fade to "pink," or down to their magenta layer.

Negatives fade to blue facial highlights, as the yellow layer goes.

Any time someone mentions something fading to pink, it is meaningless, as prints are disposable.

RAH

Re: Star Wars discussion from The Bits...

Each and every time I attempt to re-read statements from LF, I come away understanding nothing, as none of the statements are in any way rooted in fact. Every statement can go off in several different directions, can have several different meanings...

It really is rather humorous, in a Rashomonish way, as are all of the discussions based upon these marketing statements.

There really isn't anything more to be said.

Either the transfers will be those of 1993-4 or LF will take a different route, change their corporate mind, etc.

If however, this specific release is meant in some odd way to be a true "measure of interest" of those who continue to request the original films, and if the films are released as discussed, then LF will most likely have the proverbial "self-fulfilling prophecy" on their hands, as numbers will be lower based upon lack of quality and compromised appeal due to the older transfers.

On the other hand, if this is the case, then purchasing millions of copies of the new DVDs based upon archaic transfers would indeed be the signal that the films should then be restored and re-issued on standard DVD, probably followed by BD in their original versions.

Which means that if one wishes to have quality (state of the art) versions of the original films, then one must prove their worth by purchasing mediorcre (non state of the art) versions, in advance of receiving the eventual big pay-off.

When one examines the statements, discussions and various threads on websites, the one point that rings very, very clear is that no matter which position LF takes, the entire situation appears to be beautifully orchestrated, and marketed for maximum discussion, whether positive or negative, and maximum visibility.

It may be time to call in Dr. Phil.

RAH

Re: Star Wars discussion from The Bits...

To be absolutely correct...

Lowry had nothing to do with final color on these films. Their job was to raise the overall quality of what was delivered to them.

If those who quoted my earlier post would kindly correct the spelling of prophecy from profesy. It pains me to see an error in my typing.

RAH