Comments on: Lights and Sounds https://fort90.com/lights-and-sounds/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lights-and-sounds The homebase of Matthew Hawkins Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Matt https://fort90.com/lights-and-sounds/#comment-43 Matt Fri, 17 Sep 2004 20:15:42 +0000 http://www.fort90.com/journal/?p=102#comment-43 When you make a film (which I know we both have some experience in), not only are you capturing a moment in time for the purpose of the film?s narrative, you?re also capturing a very real moment in time? one which not only records, but defines, you? not just as a director (or writer, or actor, or set designer, or whatever) but as a person. Whenever I watch a movie I made, not only do I see the film by itself, but who I was at that time. And when I see a mistake (and I know better than anybody, there are plenty of them everywhere) I recall the circumstances surrounding it, as well as what measures I took (or couldn?t take) to address it. So to go back and attempt to change it, and effectively ?change history?, is simply ridiculous. I know Lucas hated the films as they were. Well they got him to where he is right now, so they should be respected as such. No matter how he feels about the original product, they still managed to fascinate the world and change everything. So if that was good enough for the world (for back then, and even today I would hope) then it should be good enough for him. Hence why Lucas should be proud of what he managed to accomplish, rough edges and all, instead of going after the pointless endeavor for perfection. I should know, because as you might recall, at one point, I tried going back and fixing the mistakes in my own movies. And it was ultimately totally pointless, and my motivation was purely driven by ego, boredom, and some other indefinable forces. So maybe I?m just jealous that George was able to do what I couldn?t pull off? which happens to be due to a very hefty bank account. But anyway? Another main reason why I?m so annoyed by these so called ?improvements? is that this is his second attempt. No matter how ?perfect? or ?100%? he may say these new editions are, they really aren?t. After all, didn?t he say after the first Special Editions that they were what he finally wanted? And then he changed it again. What?s to say he won?t go for a third time? Even I know that?s a pretty ridiculous assumption, but the bottom line is, no film is ever ?perfect", and every filmmaker, every artist knows this. One of the key traits of being any kind of artist is to know when to stop. As many have already said, this wouldn?t be such a debate if he had simply released the originals untouched and the new versions side by side. But he even says the originals ?no longer exist?. By doing what he has done, it?s not so much that he?s not just disrespecting the films and its fans, but himself. And it?s because I am a fan of Star Wars proper (which only till instances such as this am I reminded how strongly I can be one at times), I don?t even acknowledge the prequels are even connected. When you make a film (which I know we both have some experience in), not only are you capturing a moment in time for the purpose of the film?s narrative, you?re also capturing a very real moment in time? one which not only records, but defines, you? not just as a director (or writer, or actor, or set designer, or whatever) but as a person.

Whenever I watch a movie I made, not only do I see the film by itself, but who I was at that time. And when I see a mistake (and I know better than anybody, there are plenty of them everywhere) I recall the circumstances surrounding it, as well as what measures I took (or couldn?t take) to address it. So to go back and attempt to change it, and effectively ?change history?, is simply ridiculous.

I know Lucas hated the films as they were. Well they got him to where he is right now, so they should be respected as such. No matter how he feels about the original product, they still managed to fascinate the world and change everything. So if that was good enough for the world (for back then, and even today I would hope) then it should be good enough for him. Hence why Lucas should be proud of what he managed to accomplish, rough edges and all, instead of going after the pointless endeavor for perfection.

I should know, because as you might recall, at one point, I tried going back and fixing the mistakes in my own movies. And it was ultimately totally pointless, and my motivation was purely driven by ego, boredom, and some other indefinable forces.

So maybe I?m just jealous that George was able to do what I couldn?t pull off? which happens to be due to a very hefty bank account. But anyway?

Another main reason why I?m so annoyed by these so called ?improvements? is that this is his second attempt. No matter how ?perfect? or ?100%? he may say these new editions are, they really aren?t. After all, didn?t he say after the first Special Editions that they were what he finally wanted? And then he changed it again. What?s to say he won?t go for a third time? Even I know that?s a pretty ridiculous assumption, but the bottom line is, no film is ever ?perfect”, and every filmmaker, every artist knows this. One of the key traits of being any kind of artist is to know when to stop.

As many have already said, this wouldn?t be such a debate if he had simply released the originals untouched and the new versions side by side. But he even says the originals ?no longer exist?. By doing what he has done, it?s not so much that he?s not just disrespecting the films and its fans, but himself.

And it?s because I am a fan of Star Wars proper (which only till instances such as this am I reminded how strongly I can be one at times), I don?t even acknowledge the prequels are even connected.

]]> By: Jason https://fort90.com/lights-and-sounds/#comment-42 Jason Tue, 14 Sep 2004 22:27:03 +0000 http://www.fort90.com/journal/?p=102#comment-42 I will purchase and enjoy the DVD boxed set of SW and not worry a bit about what has been done to the films becasue it doesn't matter. I can't believe anyone's childhood is going to be tarnished as a result of his tweaking, after all, George isn't lobotomizing you! You gray matter will forever house the feelings and emotions you were lashed with when you first saw the movies, played with the action figures, etc. And to do nothing but lament on how it "once was" reeks of a "when-I-was-younger-things-were-better" mantra, which is itself dissillusionment. I feel sorry for those who'll do nothing but buy and watch the restored DVDs and boo-hiss at the "offending" scenes. If you really intend to be a fan of the SW series, you'd understand George's position. And since when did movie-making become a cooperative affair between the creator and the fan, that is, beyond what the creator is willing to listen to? The same goes for episodes I-III. I will purchase and enjoy the DVD boxed set of SW and not worry a bit about what has been done to the films becasue it doesn’t matter. I can’t believe anyone’s childhood is going to be tarnished as a result of his tweaking, after all, George isn’t lobotomizing you! You gray matter will forever house the feelings and emotions you were lashed with when you first saw the movies, played with the action figures, etc. And to do nothing but lament on how it “once was” reeks of a “when-I-was-younger-things-were-better” mantra, which is itself dissillusionment. I feel sorry for those who’ll do nothing but buy and watch the restored DVDs and boo-hiss at the “offending” scenes. If you really intend to be a fan of the SW series, you’d understand George’s position. And since when did movie-making become a cooperative affair between the creator and the fan, that is, beyond what the creator is willing to listen to? The same goes for episodes I-III.

]]>