TMP Re-Edit & Restoration Project - Ideas, Feedback, Advise

Discussion in 'Star Trek Movies I-X' started by Synnöve, Feb 12, 2014.

  1. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    I find my self in a position with spare time, a powerful PC, visual & auditory monitoring equipment, appropriate software, and plenty of motivation to compile a new edition of one of my favorite Star Trek films: The Motion Picture.

    I saw this film when I was very young, and all I knew of Star Trek was some very faded memories of the beginning of Generations and TNG. I knew Trek was fun in space, but not much beyond. One season in my youth, my family spent some time at a bed and breakfast on the Pacific coast. This residence had a large CRT projector in its basement, and copies of all the Star Trek films. I started with the first film of course, and was completely mesmerized by the sights I saw, the places that film took me. It left a mark that's never lessened its impression.

    The flames of intrigue only grew when I heard about the director's edition. I recall watching it so many times so as to ruin the DVD. Watching it now, I find it very satisfying, yet lacking in some ways; many small oddities went unfixed or unfinished, some sections of the film remained way too bloated, characters lacking enough character while others had ridiculous elements.

    Basically here is what I wish to do for one of my favorite films:

    -Color Correction
    Lord knows the Blu-Ray needs this sorely given how over boosted in levels it is relative to the previous versions we've had available (The amount of detail clipped out in certain shots is amazing). It also has major problems in terms of frozen or missing grain fields (a result of too much grain removal processing) which suck out the detail in several scenes. To address this issues I'd like to use the DE DVD, set photos, and personal judgment to correct the color and add grain back in to the picture.

    -More Color Correction!
    Due to the nature of the effects work and schedules involved, many scenes featuring what is supposed to be the same elements in the same environments feature a lack of continuity in many regards; a good example of this is the Spock walk scene, which shows the inside of V'Ger as many shades of blue, with exterior shots that show with great detail the interior, and others that drown out all detail with nothing but blue! To help fix this scene, and others like it, I'll be color correcting the elements or simply (mostly in the case of back grounds) replacing them all together. I've already completed a large amount of work when it comes to the Spock walk scene, having rotoscoped Spock out of many completely washed out blue back grounds, and replacing them with a V'Ger interior I assembled from other scenes, and also correcting Kirk's color changing space suit.

    -Trimming the Fat
    The Cloud and V'Ger flyover sequences are some of my most favorite put to film simply due to the incredible effects work, the score, the fact that the tone is so different from the first part of the movie... but they do bog down the flow, in addition to many many other sequences. The Klingon battle, the spacedock, the wormhole, the V'ger scenes all posses a large amount of redundant scenes and filler that I've been trimming out. I have a rough draft of the film edited, with character building scenes from the SLV and DE reinserted.

    Also involved with trimming flat is reflowing what is there for maximum effectiveness: I'm working on reordering certain scenes so they are more efficient and impactful in their message (the Klingon Battle is an example of this).

    -Special Effects

    What was accomplished was stunning and amazing given the constraints involved. That doesn't change the fact there were many corners cut, from backgrounds not filled, blue screen bleeding, huge matte lines, etc. I'm not a fan of scrubbing every spot and flaw off the picture, as it adds character to be able to see the seems in a piece, reminds that it came from a physical process that took time and patience and skill. I would like to fix some of the easier things though by removing lingering dirt on the print in some shots, blue screen bleed, and several other surprises.

    I'm also considering adding to what is there in subtle yet affective ways; many shots of the E are beautifully lit against the back ground, some others it sticks like a sore thumb, some environmental lighting would help in this matter. In other ways, I'd like to add some overt aspects, from showing the final destruction of EP9, to adding Klingons to the Spock walk (the concept art boggles the imagination to what could be added to what's already there), to creating entirely new shots for situations where existing shots do not satisfy the demands of the scene or the effects work is too far beyond repair.

    -Sound Mix
    I have a very nice pair of headphones designed by a mastering engineer. While they shall help me greatly, I do not have a 5.1 monitoring setup, and I'm greatly considering constructing a stereo or three channel mix, as it'd be more in keeping with the tone of this film being from 79 (little in the way of surround sound).


    That should cover the main points. While I know there are those who find the theatrical cut on the blu-ray to be perfect for their needs, I also know there are those who feel there is more potential in this film. So, if any one has some feed back or interest in assisting with the project, feel free to discuss it here. I'll keep this thread updated as best I can, and post my video updates in the post below.
     
  2. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    This is my post where I'll put video updates, from effects work, to scene drafts, to color corrections. My first treat to share is a color correction of the Enterprise reveal. It's a shot in the Blu-Ray that looks absolutely horrendous given the way it looks like a cartoon.

    I've taken some time in my NLEs to bring in more in line with the DE, as well as the HDTV broadcasts (also added some film grain for good measure). Obviously I'm not entirely finished, but it's a good start. Be sure to watch in HD

    http://youtu.be/TjRe7fIBWh0

    For comparison shots, check here: http://www.avsforum.com/t/1146477/s...ion-picture-collection-comparison-pix-reviews
     
  3. Lord Garth FOI

    Lord Garth FOI Commander Red Shirt

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    This is gonna be awesome!!
    Wonder if Darendoc wants to lend a hand :)
    I saw a couple HD shots he did updating the Directors edition about a year ago
    One was the officers lounge scene which was beautiful (although he rendered the large officers lounge windows too small compared to the actors)
    I'm very excited about this
     
  4. Maurice

    Maurice Snagglepussed Admiral

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    It's not a "restoration" if you're making any cuts or additions. Restore means to put something back into its original state.
     
  5. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    The restore part of the thread title is an allusion to the color correction efforts; restoring the picture to its proper state as the Blu-Ray is quite awful in many areas.
     
  6. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    So! I've been cataloging the effects shots that I'm going to modify, and I'd like to restore this supposedly missing shot from the tram approach:

    [​IMG]

    This is the only frame I've seen of this supposed scene. I'm curious if anyone might have a higher resolution scan of the frame; I only need the back ground really, I can animate over it with trams and such.
     
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  7. Relayer1

    Relayer1 Admiral Admiral

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    I'm excited about this, but have you considered doing two versions ? It would be great to have a copy with ALL the scenes from the various cuts in as a sort of 'master's edit.
     
  8. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    Wouldn't that be the special longer version? Its a lot of work to restore the picture for every scene so the only cut I'll be making is my own (limited time and resources).
     
  9. HaventGotALife

    HaventGotALife Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

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    It doesn't have to be perfect. I'm glad you have the patience for it, but I am fine with my VHS copy of TMP. It has more scenes than it should, it let you use your imagination because the graphics don't live up to today's standards, but most of all, it's original. It's how it was seen in 1980 when it was released on Video. I'm fine with that. Have fun, but remember, you are doing this for yourself. No one else.
     
  10. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    My nature as a perfectionist demands that it be perfect ; D. And yes, in the end this project started because of my demand for it, but it'd make it more worthwhile if others found some worth in it as well.

    There seems to be a time limit on editing posts, so unfortunately I won't be able to catalog all my work updates in my second post. So here is where I'll post the first work concerning the Spock Walk sequence, with the original playing first and my version second. The original is so blue for some reason; none of the internal shots approach that level of blue. I tried to color correct it to match the previous shot of spock floating towards the E as well as add some blue cast on the Kirk and Spock models.

    In anycase, I think my shot might require some more blue haze, as the shot I sourced the background from didn't have as much as the other shots.

    http://youtu.be/JU0PcuGzFhM
     
  11. Lord Garth FOI

    Lord Garth FOI Commander Red Shirt

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    Amazing
    So very excited for each clip
    Please fix the rotoscope scene where the travel pod comes up over the saucer to reveal the bridge from behind Kirk and Scotty
    Only scene in that entire montage that bothered me
     
  12. CaptainBearclaw

    CaptainBearclaw Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

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    I am in complete support of this.
     
  13. trevanian

    trevanian Rear Admiral

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    There's footage of the SF shuttle from another angle in the original TMP promo film (MAURICE probably has a link to it, I only have the Super-8 version), a close shot of it flying looking up from underneath. It isn't altogether terrific looking (kinda reminds me of some bad shots in TFF), but you should probably dig it up just to consider how it might fit into your cut.

    I checked and it is at 1:50 into this video:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tjB0MfAxq0

    I'm always wary and usually SERIOUSLY unappreciative of these kinds of revisits, but the work you did on the E in dock shot is ... well, very interesting, to say the least. There's that digital video no blur aspect to the space office complex, which I find distracting, but the level of detail and rightness of the rest of it really impressed a great deal.
     
  14. Maurice

    Maurice Snagglepussed Admiral

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    Re the Kirk catching Spock thing. Is the sphincter important in this shot? You changed the framing to show it more.
     
  15. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    Trevanian: thank you for a link to that! Saw a few alt shots here and there.
    The office was in the original dock shot, so I'm curious of what you're referring to when you speak of the digital video effect.

    Maurice: the shot isn't final, but I experimented with moving them to the right as the angle Spock is floating shows an exit origin farther to the left; in the original shot the angle looks a bit off.


    So! I want to kill the transporter accident as it doesn't add a whole lot to the story, not to mention how it only increases the problem of lacking continuity with how the transporter is established to work in previous Trek.

    I want to keep the SF scene as it shows a good arrival for Kirk and adds variety to the films visuals. However, not only would it require a few more shots to be worth while (I.E. the director's cut), but also the dialog between kirk and generic Vulcan man would have to be altered.... Maybe about not being able to find a replacement for Spock? I'm not sure. Ideas?
     
  16. trevanian

    trevanian Rear Admiral

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    relative to the other elements in the shot, the office complex just has too much presence now in what I can only characterize as that video-ish HighFrameRate look. But as long as I am looking the E and the utility vehicles, I'm cool.
     
  17. Maurice

    Maurice Snagglepussed Admiral

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    Remove the transporter accident? So, now what, Sonak just doesn't show up? And Kirk tells Decker he's going to have to be science officer just cause?

    And screw continuity on something as minor as that.
     
  18. CorporalCaptain

    CorporalCaptain Fleet Admiral Admiral

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    Since you plan to do that, I'll be passing on your project. Thanks!
     
  19. Synnöve

    Synnöve Lieutenant Red Shirt

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    If I can make it possible, and keep the SF scene, then Sonak will show up just not as one who will be joining the E crew (this'd require redubbing of his part). Kirk doesn't have to mention much in the way of Decker being science officer; He is shown stationing the console before the wormhole sequence, and that is all (most of the science esque bits Spock has are during the V'Ger encounters).

    I'd really like to do with out the scene if possible for the following reasons:

    -The transporters not being functional (this is leaving aside the lack of need for a receiving pad when transporting) are established by the pod ride to the E from Scotty's dialog.

    -Showing a death of two people we do not know lacks much in the way of emotional impact.

    -The malfunction just the Enterprise crew as not really put together, considering that the final days of the refit the transporter should be ironed out enough preclude such an occurrence (the hundreds of folks on the E already probably didn't ALL get there via shuttle).

    -Has mostly bad line readings from the characters involved.
    -Puts more distance between the audience and the heart of the film; it takes over half the film for the audience to get to the V'Ger encounter, and even longer to get to the V'Ger mysteries. The scene doesn't have enough narrative impact to justify it's existence if it doesn't build towards the primary focus of the film. "Which led to this happening", not "and then this happened".

    -It doesn't play much role in the emotional arc of any of the characters aside from perturbing Kirk for a scene; the fact that I can cut it, and mentions of Sonak being a new science officer, with out affecting the themes, overall narrative consequences, character development, or atmosphere*, show just how little importance it has.

    I'm glad you disagree as promotes critical thought about choices and discussion, by the way!



    *It does make the atmosphere a bit more uncertain and sad for a moment, but it's completely disregarding by having no impact on the atmosphere that follows it: McCoy beams over without any worry, concern, or reference to what happened before.
     
  20. Maurice

    Maurice Snagglepussed Admiral

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    You're missing that these events play into basic dramatic structure.

    First, Kirk's picking Sonak and then his reaction to the accident ("I'd still like a Vulcan there if possible") makes it clear he wants Spock. That's telling the viewer about where his character is and what he needs. It's tied to the whole theme of the movie: of characters desperately searching for the thing(s) that will complete them.

    Second, the transporter malfunction serves to set up that there are potentially real and life-threatening consequences to rushing this ship out. We can be told this, but film is about "show, not tell." That we've seen one deadly malfunction already raises the stakes and the tension amongst the characters and creates additional anticipation when the warp drive is tried. In a film criticized for lacking in dramatic moments your decision to excise one is, frankly, baffling.

    Third. Continuity We've seen people beam from transporter to transporter before ("Tribbles") and since (ST3, ST6, etc., etc.), so it's not like it's out of left field.
     
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