(FLOSI'S Cantina) "Where everybody knows your name..."

[Mad Old Lu]

That is really amazing, especially the fact that they’re fine with not getting any money, just the privilege of getting to work on it. I hope they get compensated regardless, because that release will surely make millions. So why line the fat cats’ pockets with even more money for something they didn’t lift a finger for.

 

[Khev]

IrishJedi were the restorations done by

Spoiler

Robert Harris?

I know he was very public about an open offer to George Lucas to restore the theatrical OT for free about 8 years ago. If he went ahead and did it without George's consent then I imagine those versions will indeed be the best we've seen yet.

 

[IrishJedi]

That is really amazing, especially the fact that they’re fine with not getting any money, just the privilege of getting to work on it. I hope they get compensated regardless, because that release will surely make millions. So why line the fat cats’ pockets with even more money for something they didn’t lift a finger for.

If there ever was a true example of a "labor of love", it would be this.

 

[IrishJedi]

IrishJedi were the restorations done by

Spoiler

Robert Harris?

I know he was very public about an open offer to George Lucas to restore the theatrical OT for free. If he went ahead and did it without George's consent then I imagine those versions will indeed be the best we've seen yet.

Nope. It's actually just a fan with lots of talent and lots of industry connections.

I seriously doubt even Robert Harris would pay as much attention to detail as this guy did, even when it comes to color-correction and color-timing. And instead of running the whole film through one restoration process and then going back and tweaking he literally worked on it one shot at a time.

 

[jimjimmyjones85]

He's actually been done since September (after 3+ years of painstaking work). He was going to just release it free on the internet ala Team Negative. However, some of the people who consulted on his project (including Harrison Ellenshaw, Lorne Peterson and others who actually worked on the film) suggested he first see if Disney/LFL/Fox might be interested in using his version for an official release. So that meeting & official presentation is actually happening sometime this year. Not sure when, though. But trust me it will be worth the wait. It's immaculate from first frame to the last. And it's in full 4K.

Fingers crossed the Disney/LFL/Fox agree to use his and release it officially to the world at some point. He's not even asking for any $, only that they let him and his consultants oversee the mastering of any official release.

Harmy and Team Negative will do in the meantime, though.

Good news. We will need to see where it takes us.

However, please don't be fooled into believing anything will be in this gorgeous 4K image that is being touted by the electronics industry.

It was not filmed in 4K and therefore cannot be displayed in true 4K. It may be scanned in at 4K but that is it.

There are very few films that will be true 4K and TBH Star Wars is not one that will TRULY benefit from the higher res given the source material.

 

[jimjimmyjones85]

Nope. It's actually just a fan with lots of talent and lots of industry connections.

I seriously doubt even Robert Harris would pay as much attention to detail as this guy did, even when it comes to color-correction and color-timing. And instead of running the whole film through one restoration process and then going back and tweaking he literally worked on it one shot at a time.

DO you think that that is not what someone like Harmy did ?

 

[IrishJedi]

Well, it's not exactly the best kept secret anymore, so... his name is Mike Verta. He's one of the original members of the R2 Builders Club and a working composer and FX artist. (He was also once married to and has a son with actress Danica McKellar, as TheMike immediately recognized ) But mainly he's just a huge, original Star Wars fan.

He has some examples of his restoration work on his Vimeo. I'll point out that they look even better than this now:

https://vimeo.com/123475322

 

[IrishJedi]

DO you think that that is not what someone like Harmy did ?

Quite possibly, but I'm pretty sure Verta was blessed with better tools, more source materials, more experience, and consultation from people who actually worked on the film, including the matte artist.

That said, I would never dismiss Harmy's efforts at all, and what he has done for this film and its fans. He

 

[jimjimmyjones85]

Quite possibly, but I'm pretty sure Verta was blessed with better tools, more source materials, more experience, and consultation from people who actually worked on the film, including the matte artist.

That said, I would never dismiss Harmy's efforts at all, and what he has done for this film and its fans.

No doubt those things come into play, but I don't think it's fair to say Verta's is a "labor of love" and the ones that are out now are not.

It's almost like a slap in the face to those that worked on it. Just saying.

 

[IrishJedi]

No doubt those things come into play, but I don't think it's fair to say Verta's is a "labor of love" and the ones that are out now are not.

It's almost like a slap in the face to those that worked on it. Just saying.

That wasn't my intention. I didn't say the others weren't. It was asked why he would just give it to LFL/Disney/Fox for free (since he's presenting it to them in hopes that they will release it officially) and that's the answer. Of course the others were labors or love as well.

 

[Khev]

I would absolutely love it if Disney took the bait and took restorations of Harmy quality or greater and made them official releases. The smaller, more intimate victory of the Rebels against the Empire at the end of the ORIGINAL Jedi actually flows better into the events of The Force Awakens anyway.

 

[IrishJedi]

I would absolutely love it if Disney took the bait and took restorations of Harmy quality or greater and made them official releases. The smaller, more intimate victory of the Rebels against the Empire at the end of the ORIGINAL Jedi actually flows better into the events of The Force Awakens anyway.

 

[Darth Waller]

He's actually been done since September (after 3+ years of painstaking work). He was going to just release it free on the internet ala Team Negative. However, some of the people who consulted on his project (including Harrison Ellenshaw, Lorne Peterson and others who actually worked on the film) suggested he first see if Disney/LFL/Fox might be interested in using his version for an official release. So that meeting & official presentation is actually happening sometime this year. Not sure when, though. But trust me it will be worth the wait. It's immaculate from first frame to the last. And it's in full 4K.

Fingers crossed the Disney/LFL/Fox agree to use his and release it officially to the world at some point. He's not even asking for any $, only that they let him and his consultants oversee the mastering of any official release.

Wow! Now that's cool!

 

[user 1190]

Well, it's not exactly the best kept secret anymore, so... his name is Mike Verta. He's one of the original members of the R2 Builders Club and a working composer and FX artist. (He was also once married to and has a son with actress Danica McKellar, as TheMike immediately recognized ) But mainly he's just a huge, original Star Wars fan.

He has some examples of his restoration work on his Vimeo. I'll point out that they look even better than this now:

https://vimeo.com/123475322

Man he is dumb

 

[Khev]

Will Verta be including "Episode IV: A New Hope?" At this point I'd prefer that there be no further implications that there are supposed to be episodes before "Star Wars." Just Star Wars, then we never see Episodes 2-4, and then Empire, Jedi, TFA, and so on.

On a side note I almost can't stand how much I want HT figures of TFA Han, Leia, and Luke. Not that it's guaranteed that we'll see all three (especially Leia) but man, fingers crossed. Come on Howard Chan don't let me down.

 

[jimjimmyjones85]

We have to see Han and Luke.

 

[IrishJedi]

Will Verta be including "Episode IV: A New Hope?" At this point I'd prefer that there be no further implications that there are supposed to be episodes before "Star Wars." Just Star Wars, then we never see Episodes 2-4, and then Empire, Jedi, TFA, and so on.

Nope. Just "STAR WARS" and then the crawl. This really will be the original 1977 version.

On a side note I almost can't stand how much I want HT figures of TFA Han, Leia, and Luke. Not that it's guaranteed that we'll see all three (especially Leia) but man, fingers crossed. Come on Howard Chan don't let me down.

Agreed!

 

[Khev]

Nope. Just "STAR WARS" and then the crawl. This really will be the original 1977 version.

Excellent. Though I must admit that I truly am content at this point with Team Negative and Harmy's efforts. Getting the original versions of the films in HD absolutely was the one massive hurdle that seemingly never was going to be overcome. I'll always be happy with the versions that are out now. That being said if Verta, Disney or anyone else releases transfers that are even better then that will just be gravy.

 

[The Mike]

Did you get a Droid Factory?

No just a bunch of beater droids, I repainted them and printed out sticker replacements, just for fun. I actually really love them and they are on my nightstand instead of with my collection. I've kind of started collecting Vintage R2s I went from 1 to 8 not counting the beaters and now I'm up to 14 with my customs.

I would. If she would let me I would. Very few things are sexier than a goofy beautiful woman who has a pinch of sass.

(He was also once married to and has a son with actress Danica McKellar, as TheMike immediately recognized ) But mainly he's just a huge, original Star Wars fan.

It's funny what sticks, I read the name and that's the first thing. I remember seeing posts of his on The RPF and even seeing a few things that mentioned him but that's the first thing that always comes to mind. Hey respect on that front for him.

Nope. Just "STAR WARS" and then the crawl. This really will be the original 1977 version.

That's awesome. I hope that even if it doesn't officially released it finds it's way out. I want the Harmy, Team Negative and this Veritas version. Can never have enough Star Wars.

 

[FLOSI]

How sad.... Second page for the Cantina.