What I Intend to Do about Getting the Original Versions of the OT on DVD

2nd Quest mentioned something interesting above about the DVD format being great to tell the process of filmmaking, etc.

The thing that gets me about this news is Lucas is a co-founding member of the Film Foundation which preserves and then releases classic films.

For him not to include the original cut as, just that, the original cut, is a HUGE oversight.

Not only that, but he always has supported preservation as saving history.

Lucas is clearly becoming highly-authoritarian when it become to his own works.

Sad really. And hypocritical as well.

 

What George Lucas needs to realise is that many of the the fans who want the original versions on DVD are the same fans that have poured a small furtune into his bank account, the same fans that turned Star Wars into the phenomenon, the same fans that made the special editions and prequals possible. We ask for little in return, Star Wars has been reward enough, all that we ask is that George allows us to enjoy the movies that we love for as long as we wish. Is this too much to ask.

 

Has anyone thought of this? Copyright exchange...

Now labeled the Special Edition, "points" that would have been directed to the likes of the Producers, Actors (so on and so forth)... no longer become relevent. I hear Lucas saying that these "SE films are what should've been" but I'm not so certain that it is the only reason behind this defintive statement. As with most decisions, whether for good or ill, money can be found as one of the pillars of said decisions. Could it be that Lucas will stand to gain far more in revenue if the only editions available are the ones where he reaps the most reward? If he makes the theatrical OT available on DVD he would have to acknowledge the points given out during that course of time, thus rendering his current status as sole beneficiary of the property moot. Could this also be the reason why we haven't seen any more official VHS releases of said theatrical cuts after the '97 release of the SE? - even though industry numbers show that the theatrical OT VHS sales were on par with the SE VHS sales.

Just throwing out a theory folks. No malice intended.

 

And a very interesting one. Do you have any particular sources on this? I find this quite intetresting.

Tayschrenn

 

This is a well known practice in the industry. Unless completely qualified and stated to the nth degree, points become nulified on further "reshaped" projects. Why do you think we see so many things like "Director's Cut", "Special Edition", "Definitive Edition". Of course, lawyers and agents are much smarter in an industry that is moving much faster than say 25-30 years ago (they evolve just as we do ). Most of these "copyright" miscues are not even something that would've been explored concerning older material until recently. SW is a perfect example though of how such things can and most likely do take place. This is George's baby, no doubt, but he gave away so much of that property to 20th Century, to the lenders, direct and indirect participants... throughout the OT that he really had very little financial control of the estate. Fo course, the OT made him wealthy, got his feet wet, but his real wealth was found in ILM. As one of the only FX companies in the world for 15 years that specifically catered to the higher priced clientel that Hollywood offered/offers, ILM basically owned the "playground". With companies like Digital Domain (James Cameron) and Rhythm and Hues (to name a few) the competition became stronger, more fragmented... ILM's market share dropped dramatically once CGI hit the market. Lucas, being a very smart business man, would've had to have seen the opportunity that SE would've presented to him. Of course I want the theatrical OT on DVD, but I can totally see why he wouldn't want them to ever see the light of day... it makes no financial sense. Remember, this is a man who has seen both ends of the financial spectrum and vowed never to let himself be on the wrong end again (ANH).

There are of course all the peripherals too (toys, games...) but that's something completely different in the entertainment-law world.

 

Let me try to understand what you're saying. Are you saying that because his copyright control over the originals is so sparce and weak that even if they were to make bajillions of dollars, most of that money would be dispersed to people other than LFL?

 

No...

What I'm saying is that there are countless other films that have seen "Special Edition" status and their structure leaves "participants" in the dust. I'm not assuming that Lucas is only releasing the SE simply on a base financial decision, but like everything in life there are far more layers than are admited to, and based upon industry practice and Lucas' ability to not only define industry practice but also to embrace it at certain times, it would not surprise me to learn that Lucas' motivation behind the "only the SE will be released on DVD" is so much more than simple "these are how I've envisioned the films all along".

Maybe it is just as simple as that, I really have no idea how the SE "points" contracts have been drawn up (if there even are such beasts)... I really don't know. But it is a disinct possibility.

 

Opps. Disregard this post

 

Why? cause in 20 years, people will watch all 6, in order, having never seen any before. And it would really suck if they didnt fit together as one story, not one story where suddenly it looks bad half the time after the middle.

As I said in another thread, this will not make any different. Look at the SE, most of the effects are still 1977 effects. This will be the same way with the Final Editions. In order for it to be otherwise, a near re-shoot will be necessary. No matter how much touching up GL does, the OT will never look like it was filmed in the 2000s.

 

Oh, I know they'll never be up to 2000s standards (look at luke's hair ;-) ), but should they not be as close as possible?

 

They could have been made to look as close as possible - the PT could have been made to look like the OT.

 

Why, so they can all look excessively outdated once again in 20-30 years as fashion and style continue to leap forward? The 70's hairstyle is "of an era" and gives the film that much more charm because of it IMO. Who knows... with bellbottoms back in a big way 70's hair may be next making the PT films look outdated a lot quicker than the OT

 

I'll repost this here:

As for boycotting etc, that's all very noble and what not, but I doubt it will solve anything.
Most everybody who wants SW on DVD won't give a hoot which version it is anyway because most of them probably won't be die hard fans.
If you guys are really dead serious about this, it's going to actually take work.
Also, don't play the motion as though you're the one holding the cards. Lucasfilm is the one in control here. Not fanboys, so don't start making obsurd threats and ultimatums. LFL will laugh them away.
No, you have to supply proof of why such an addition would be benefitial to the company. If they don't see a reason (and so far Lucas doesn't), they're not going to do it.
If you really think they're greedy and heartless, tug at the heartstrings of their pocketbooks.
In other words, you're going to need more than just: 'But I like that version better! Waaahhh! Travesty!' to which they'll reply 'Yeah whatever. Here's your fre copy, now go cry me a river.'
You need to fully bring forth the logic side of the argument. The pathos side isn't going to get you anywhere.
Remember, this is a huge multi million dollar company. Not random fanboy 24601 on a mesage board who you're trying to convince is wrong for liking the SEs.
You'll need to put forth these arguments in an organized and polit manner.
No condescending and calling Lucas a pinhead.
These arguments and reasons should proceed the petition.
As for the actual petition:
I suggest once you have the introduction and argumentive essay/report done, you put it in a format for people to print up and sign.
Once the fan has done this, they can mail it to you.
Once you have a sufficient number (I'm talking a big number, not just 200 or so), the petition leader then mails them to Lucasfilm.
Don't try to forge signatures.
Go about this completely honestly.
If one person forges one signature, it could destroy all for which you have fought and suffered
The goal I would seriously go for is to have the original versions as an extra ala ET. both sides win that way.
Well. What do you think?

 

That_Wascally_Droid has an excellent point. If anything is going to persuade Lucasfilm on this , it's going to have to be a unified front, not some lone gunman ranting mailed to Lucas. (unless of course, the mail floods the Ranch so much he can't walk. ) A informative essay/petition is really the way to go.

Remember, as much as this is for the diehard fans here, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of film and DVD fans who will feel robbed if the originals do not make it to DVD. If we really want to make it effective, we should try to get some support from online DVD sites, film sites, etc. No offense to anyone here, because I dress up, too, but a couple thousand guys who dress up like Jedi and stormtroopers aren't going to really make that much of a dent.

 

disregard

 

Here would be a great place to start.
Starting listing valid reasons for Lucasfilm to add in the O-OT.
And if you say something like 'thousand of fans would want it!!!!11!!!1!11' you're going to have to supple proof.

 

Lucas is not mentally sound! He must not be allowed to maintain control of the Star Wars movies any longer! We should ostracize him! It'll be all shakespearean; we'll all stab him, he'll say "And you too, QuiGonJinn?" then I'll say "It's not that I don't love you, it's that I love Star Wars more."

Seriously, I'm furious about his decision. The SE's suck ass!

 

OK, those last two posts are what Im' talking about.
Those are going to get a laugh and a toss.

1. Lucas owes nobody nothing. He already gave you the originals and your toys and more movies and more years out of his life than he ever had to. He owes you squat.

2. Openly questioning Lucas' mental state is also not going to get you anywhere.

You know. Judging from most of your guys' posts I thought that you guy's cared about this. Guess I was wrong. Enjoy your SE DVDs...

Now come on people!
You do nothing but rant and rave about the SEs and now that you can actually do something about it you're going to toss it away by childish acts?
C'mon! You're better than this.
Now let's get some real arguments here!

 

Hmmm that one might work.
It stands as a very good ethos argument.

What we're going to need is an argument that will appeal to LFL's pocketbook.
And saying that some people won't buy it won't work. It simply wouldn't create enough of a dent. Besides, I'm certain Lucas has already considered this and filed it under 'calculated losses'.
The angle we need to approach is to show how LFL will gain money, not lose it.

 

This battle isn't over Mr. Lucas. We'll have a petition 10 miles long waiting for you. Mr. Lucas will not ignore an executive order.

 

Mr. Lucas will not ignore an executive order.

You mean George W. Bush is calling for the original editions now???