Star Wars: The Complete Saga (1977-2005)

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

"All we are is dust in the wind, dude"

Or, "All we are is sand in the wind." ;-D

[bobbyh64]

Originally Posted by PrestonXI

The bonus DVD.

I make a point of telling the students that it is a rare opportunity for them to see the original theatrical cut.

Last semester 3/4 students in the class had never seen Star Wars.

This semester I am teaching World War I in my World History class and I tried to compare the concept of imperialism to the Empire in Star Wars and half of the class had no idea what I was talking about

Did any of your students say they thought it was worse than the special edition?

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

What do you mean? By the time they made Willow, it didn't matter to the DGA how the credits appeared. What PeterTHX is saying is that Lucas just couldn't hire someone from the DGA, which is simply not true.

No I didn't. I said it's not easy finding someone willing to work outside the union.

Yeah, what cheapens them the most is the use of CGI and digital video.

So most movies these days?

My conclusion is that Lucas is a hack, plain and simple.

And that is simply not true.

[Arch Stanton]

Originally Posted by ambient_indie

Well he did drop out of the director's guild after the whole Empire Strikes Back credits fiasco and I'm sure that was still very fresh with the DGA in 99.

He did ask Ron Howard at one point. And he was like naww man. Willow was fun but Star Wars is you.

He wanted Spike Jonze too.

[Ernest Rister]

Folks, if you're part of a guild and want to work on a non-guild shoot, you have to get the producers to sign a Guild Waiver guaranteeing certain protections and work conditions. It's not that big of a deal...annoying for everyone involved, certainly frowned upon and a little time consuming, but ultimately not that big of a deal. Lucas hates the studio system, and like a ton of young directors, realized the Guilds aren't there to protect you, they exist to keep young talent out of the game, and can be obstinate, demanding, and unyielding. They fined him for something very stupid (his name didn't appear in the opening credits - the horror), Lucas said screw you and went independent. That's all there is to it. I've run into this myth before, that certain talents couldn't work on the prequels because of the various guild rules. If you believe that, ask yourself this...If DGA directors and WGA writers couldn't work on the Star Wars prequels, why was Lucas asking them in the first place? You think he didn't know how the guilds worked by 1997?

Derp.

[svenge]

Originally Posted by Bobbyjoe766

I think Lucas had left the STAR WARS universe too long. Perhaps if the prequels were filmed in the late 80's/early 90's instead - with the same behind-the-scenes talent involved, they may have been more successful?

Lucas was already on a downward trajectory with ROTJ and his purge of independent voices at LucasFilm was already ongoing, so probably not. The only real change with a ca. 1990 PT would be that Jar-Jar would be a rubber suit instead of CG.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Well, I, as a director, simply can't fathom how you can ask somebody else to direct for you. My conclusion is that Lucas is a hack, plain and simple.

You can't fathom Walt Disney, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick?

[Ben Reilly]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Well, I, as a director, simply can't fathom how you can ask somebody else to direct for you. My conclusion is that Lucas is a hack, plain and simple.

You outed youself and are calling Lucas a hack.
Now you need to tell us something that you directed.
I bet your work is nothing compared to Lucas'.

[Rodney-2187]

What does everyone think about May 4th and May 25th? Should we expect any announcements or was Star Wars Celebration their entire acknowledgement of the 40th anniversary? Or might they make some other announcements?

[badfingerboogie]

Originally Posted by rodneyfaile

What does everyone think about May 4th and May 25th? Should we expect any announcements or was Star Wars Celebration their entire acknowledgement of the 40th anniversary? Or might they make some other announcements?

Announcements are possible I suppose, but I wouldn't get your hopes up - Celebration also saw the announcements of Battlefront II and Forces of Destiny, so I'm thinking that was kinda the main destination for any reveals for now.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Well, I, as a director, simply can't fathom how you can ask somebody else to direct for you.

That must make for awkward job interviews.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by octagon

That must make for awkward job interviews.

"I can't fathom having other people direct for me."

"Huh, well, who are you looking at employing for your second unit?"

"What's a second unit?"

[Ernest Rister]

"Okay, you want to shoot the live-action plates yourself without a second or third unit. Who are you looking at for directing the f/x unit and miniature unit?"

"What's that?"

[Rodney-2187]

I wonder how many directors worked on Lord of the Rings. They had so much going at once.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by rodneyfaile

I wonder how many directors worked on Lord of the Rings. They had so much going at once.

I think they coined the term 'splinter unit' on LOTR, could be wrong on the etymology but the point is that it was such a sprawling shoot that PJ roped in just about whoever he could to grab shots that he needed.

[Alan_Grant]

Originally Posted by Nicolawicz

Well, I, as a director, simply can't fathom how you can ask somebody else to direct for you. My conclusion is that Lucas is a hack, plain and simple.

May I please see some of your - what is assuredly - masterful work?

[Cedric T Sealion]

Originally Posted by rodneyfaile

What does everyone think about May 4th and May 25th? Should we expect any announcements or was Star Wars Celebration their entire acknowledgement of the 40th anniversary? Or might they make some other announcements?

I have given up all hope now. But those are the final opportunities for an announcement this year.

[Stanis]

I honestly just want to own 2 of the special features discs, but those are only available with the Complete Saga correct? Grumble...

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by Stanis

I honestly just want to own 2 of the special features discs, but those are only available with the Complete Saga correct? Grumble...

That's correct.

[Mefan101]

I gotta be honest, though...

As much as I like some of the Special Edition changes, it doesn't mean I prefer the SEs over the UOT.

I have the 9 Blu Ray collection, which is a nice set. The whole Saga!

I also have the Despecialized Editions. I have the best of both worlds. I have Star Wars as it was, with the original effects/content, and I have the Special Editions with the enhancements and new material. I love both Yub Nub and Victory Celebration.

I can watch either release of the OT, and that's awesome. For example, if I wanted to watch the OT only (or just one film in the OT, say...ROTJ), then I would watch the UOT. If I were to watch all the movies in a marathon, I would watch the Special Editions. Or I can mix it up, if I wanted to. You get what I'm saying?