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Star Wars Episode III: Behind the Scenes Webcam

securitas writes "Soon Star Wars behind-the-scenes webcam goes live when shooting for Episode III begins in Australia. 'The webcam will be moved every day, shooting live for 12 hours and then replaying in a loop while the cast is sleeping.' Of course it's only free until next week when you will have to join StarWars.com's newly relaunched site to view the cam as part of a package of services that includes online chats, outtakes and deleted scenes." I'm not sure if it's worth $20, but it's worth something....

84 of 319 comments (clear)

  1. but they're wild!!!! by sweeney37 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You thought all of your favorite Star Wars characters were wild before, but now they're even wilder!! Presenting Star Wars Gone Wild!!!

    See what happens when the cameras shut off, but the webcam stays on!! Exposed!! Uncensored!!!

    Natalie Portman, Jar Jar Binks, and George Lucas, like you've never seen them before!!

    All this for $19.95, and if you order now you'll also get Lord of the Rings: Doggy Style!! See what happens when we sent Snoop Dogg out with the Hobbits, it's steamy!!!

    Call NOW!!!

    Mike

    1. Re:but they're wild!!!! by laughing_badger · · Score: 5, Funny
      See what happens when the cameras shut off, but the webcam stays on!

      FINALLY, the answer to who shoots first!

      --
      Help children born unable to swallow - www.tofs.org.uk
    2. Re:but they're wild!!!! by Pirogoeth · · Score: 2, Funny

      I hear that those jawas are the worst...

      --
      Happiness is like peeing yourself. Everybody can see it but only you can feel its warmth.
    3. Re:but they're wild!!!! by e2d2 · · Score: 5, Funny

      You laugh but I saw Star Wars: Episode II at an IMAX theatre. I got three words for you - twenty foot nipples.

    4. Re:but they're wild!!!! by artemis67 · · Score: 2, Funny

      You laugh but I saw Star Wars: Episode II at an IMAX theatre. I got three words for you - twenty foot nipples.

      Gah! Who wants to see Jar Jar's 20 foot nipples?

  2. Who is planning on paying for this? by alen · · Score: 4, Funny

    Only George Lucas would even think of making fans pay for advertising.

    1. Re:Who is planning on paying for this? by s20451 · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Only fanboys would actualy pay for it, but there seems to be no shortage of those. Good business case.

      --
      Toronto-area transit rider? Rate your ride.
  3. What it's worth... by EpsCylonB · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm not sure if it's worth $20, but it's worth something....

    Ignoring ?

    1. Re:What it's worth... by curtisk · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Ignoring ?

      Perfect response!

      Lucas , you have to give him credit for more -or-less starting(or refining) the whole mass-merchandising thing, but its so spun out of control and just tired

      This scam may have nothing to do with him, but its unlikely. How many more "new editions" of Episode 1-5 releases are we gonna see after 6 comes out on DVD....with new,new,new deleted never before seen footage or something.

      But, if you're willing to pay, thats your loss... besides, Star Wars was cool when I was a kid, yeah the effects are slick, but the movies themselves are truly pretty weak, even the old ones, but again I was a KID then.

      --

      Sehr geehrter Toilettenbenutzer!

  4. Could you figure out the plot? by 192939495969798999 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    It could be worth a lot for the webcam if some really dedicated viewer is able to piece together the plot, or other spoiling elements. Although you could just wait for the DVD, which will probably have all the thousands of hours of webcam footage included.

    --
    stuff |
    1. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by Eric+Ass+Raymond · · Score: 5, Interesting

      That's unlikely since even the actors had hard time understanding the plot in Eps. I and II. Why? Because of the excessive use of blue/green/whatever screens during filming.

    2. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by gosand · · Score: 4, Funny
      It could be worth a lot for the webcam if some really dedicated viewer is able to piece together the plot, or other spoiling elements. Although you could just wait for the DVD, which will probably have all the thousands of hours of webcam footage included.

      I am still trying to piece together the plot from that highly complex, mind-bending story called Attack of the Clones.

      --

      My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.

    3. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by Captain+Rotundo · · Score: 4, Funny

      I think most every one had trouble understanding the plot of Attack of The Clones, for no reason other than its mind numbing stupidity.

    4. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by I+am+Jack's+username · · Score: 4, Informative
      Nope, from TFA:
      behind-the-scenes footage [...] no audio [...] "Star Wars" buffs won't be treated to actual scenes being shot, but they probably will watch Darth Vader eating in the cafeteria, space-station sets getting hammered into place and makeup artists touching up the face of Obi-Wan Kenobi. [...] There are a lot of things we can do with that webcam and not spoil the excitement of the film for fans
    5. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by giminy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Plot. Hm. Let me take a guess. *Spoiler warning*.

      Anakin has two kids with Amadala. She think he's repulsive in his mechanical suit though, and runs away. Anakin is heartbroken and becomes Vader. He and palpatine take over the empire. The rebellion forms. It gets mostly crushed somehow, before it even gets off the ground. Darkness ensues. Cue the lights and closing credits.

      I haven't watched the last two though, so I could be wrong.

      --
      The Right Reverend K. Reid Wightman,
    6. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by Mr.+Neutron · · Score: 3, Funny
      I think TPM should be renamed Star Wars: Reggie White (for the extensive and impressive use of knee-jerk racial stereotypes). Meanwhile, AOTC should be renamed Star Wars: Dawson's Creek (no explanation needed). What is there to understand about the plot of either of those?

      If I have extrapolated correctly, the third movie should involve football AND corny teen romance, in space. I'm thinking something along the line of Star Wars: Varsity Blues.

      HEY! Does this mean we get to see Natalie Portman wearing a whipped cream bikini???? If so, it will make the whole, otherwise painful experience worthwhile.

      --
      dinner: it's what's for beer
    7. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by orcus · · Score: 3, Funny

      Nah,

      Next movie we get to see Anakin voted off Jedi Island...

      --
      First they burn books, then they burn people.
    8. Re:Could you figure out the plot? by mykepredko · · Score: 2, Insightful

      This is why when people complain about the plots of the prequels, I take them with a grain of salt. We know what's going to happen - I doubt that there are going to be any great surprises.

      It's Saturday afternoon kids' fare - so don't worry about the story, just sit back and be amazed by the effects.

      myke

  5. Just $20? by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 5, Funny

    News just in George Lucas has plans to introduce a special edition webcam for only 10 bucks more.

    --
    Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
    1. Re:Just $20? by Surak · · Score: 2, Funny

      THX-certified, of course.

    2. Re:Just $20? by sharkey · · Score: 4, Funny
      THX-certified, of course.

      No, the THX-certified Edition of the webcam is the next iteration AFTER the Special Edition, and BEFORE the Collectors Edition with the Silver frame around the cam window.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  6. Big Brother... by inf0rmer · · Score: 2, Funny

    If it's like the reality TV show Big Brother count me out!

  7. Will there be... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


    Will there be an action figure for the guy who moves the webcam?

    --
    Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    1. Re:Will there be... by Hogwash+McFly · · Score: 2, Funny

      In stores now!

      Not a guy but a girl would you believe?

      --
      Mother, do you think they'll like this sig?
  8. Hmmmm... by Vengeance · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Pay to watch them shooting a movie I probably won't bother bringing myself to pay to see?

    Not bloody likely.

    Star Wars was hot in the '70s, cool in the '80s, retro in the '90s, and turned into a joke by the Phantom Menace. When I first saw that they were setting up a webcam, I thought it was mildly interesting. The pay thing is the final proof I needed though, that the SW franchise has had enough of my attention.

    --
    It was a joke! When you give me that look it was a joke.
    1. Re: Hmmmm... by Black+Parrot · · Score: 2, Interesting


      > Pay to watch them shooting a movie I probably won't bother bringing myself to pay to see? Not bloody likely.

      It would be nice to have a poll to find out how many /.ers actually skipped AotC.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    2. Re:Hmmmm... by Timesprout · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think this is a very very clever way of generating even more revenue from a movie, not to mention getting the cash up front to offset production costs.

      I would imagine we can expect to see a lot more of this shortly on different movie sets. The sad fact is that a lot of people are prepared to pay for it to get a look at their 'heroes' and what happens on the set.

      It will ony be a question of time before the 'acting' extends to the web cam and we can have staged scenes to generate interest in the movie so that the actual production becomes a soap opera in itself.

      --
      Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
      What truth?
      There is no dupe
  9. Live Webcam? by LordYUK · · Score: 3, Funny

    Whats the point of watching a programmer digitally animate characters for 12 hours a day exactly?

    Or is this for the 12 minutes of actual real live people footage we get.

    Ep 3 will suck just like Ep 1 and 2. My only hope is that Jar Jar remains a senator until Ep 4...

    "But what of the Imperial Senate?"
    "The Emperor has dissolved it permanently"

    --
    This is my sig. Its pathetic.
  10. Hmmm.. by Verteiron · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You know, after viewing both The Phantom Plot and Attack of the Special Effects, I haven't the faintest desire to spend a dime on anything involved with Star Wars anymore? Lucas has killed it... it's gone.

    I seriously doubt I'll be seeing episode 3, much less spending time/money watching a "behind the scenes" webcam that you know is going to be scripted and rigged just like all "Behind the Scenes" specials are.

    --
    End of lesson. You may press the button.
    1. Re:Hmmm.. by the+gnat · · Score: 3, Funny

      I haven't the faintest desire to spend a dime on anything involved with Star Wars anymore

      I'll go for the groovy special effects, and nothing else. I thought Attack of the Clones was really cool when I saw it in theaters three times, cool enough to buy on DVD. Oops. I don't go to the movies drunk any more.

    2. Re:Hmmm.. by Pxtl · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm sorry the Mario^H^H^H^H^H Foundry scene was just the most childish insult to the audience I'd ever seen. I was half expecting to see Anikin start jumping on Goombas.

    3. Re:Hmmm.. by the+gnat · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I'm sorry the Mario^H^H^H^H^H Foundry scene was just the most childish insult to the audience I'd ever seen.

      One reviewer compared it (unfavorably) to the pie-machine scene in Chicken Run. A good example of how effects can't make up for plot - Aardman does more with clay than ILM can with thousands of computers.

    4. Re:Hmmm.. by Angry+Toad · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Too right. It's all about the story. Wish I had some mod points left, I'd give them to you.

  11. Re:Price? by Timesprout · · Score: 5, Funny

    Where do we subscribe to see you do this ?

    --
    Do not try to read the dupe, thats impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth
    What truth?
    There is no dupe
  12. Let me guess.... by stephenry · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let me guess, next year they'll be releasing a digitally enhanced DVD of the webcam recording.

    Steve

    1. Re:Let me guess.... by Jugalator · · Score: 2, Funny

      And of course a subscription on a webcam recording showing the production of the digitally enhanced DVD that contains the original web cam recording of the movie.

      --
      Beware: In C++, your friends can see your privates!
  13. Meta-movies by grouchyDude · · Score: 2, Funny
    OK, so now we can pay more than the price of the movie to watch the movie being made, without the benefit of all that editing and such that makes the movie so "good" (hypothetically). This is just nuts!


    We can take this one more step meta and pay $40 to watch the guys installing the web cam. Maybe $80 to watch the guys filming the guys who are installing the webcam?


    Eventually, we'll be paying oodles to watch ourselves watching.

  14. 12 hours? by hackwrench · · Score: 5, Funny

    They sleep for 12 hours? Wow!

  15. Spend Your Money You Will, Yes. by AnswerIs42 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Greed is the path to the dark side.

    1. Re:Spend Your Money You Will, Yes. by benwb · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Shouldn't that be "Path to the dark side, greed is"

    2. Re:Spend Your Money You Will, Yes. by greenhide · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Shouldn't that be "Path to the dark side, greed is"

      No.

      Yoda didn't invert *all* of his sentences, which is something the script writers in I and II should have noticed. The lines in those episodes sound as if someone wrote a bunch of bland sentences and inverted them. His lines in Empire and Return of the Jedi, OTOH, reflected genuinely the concept of a character who is approaching English (or whatever their "common tongue" really is -- linguistics is rarely addressed in the Star Wars saga) as a second language.

      This is pretty much the only Yoda quote in the movies that sounds authentic, probably because it was not artificial constructed:

      "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to blah blah blah [Yeah, I could look up the exact quote, but bored am I]"

      So the original quote is correct. Compare it to this monster (in Episode II):
      "Threatened the very Republic is, if involved the Sith are."

      No no no no no no no! Horrible, horrible! If I were Lucas at this point, this is what would have happened:

      Screenwriter: Ah! My Lord Lucas! I have written the Yoda dialogue and I feel that -- gurk gurk gurk --

      Lucas: You have failed me for the last time.

      And then...

      Lucas: Ah! My dear Star Wars fan! I am near complete in issuing the original episode on DVD, special edition of course, and very soon -- ack ack ack

      Fan: You have failed us for the last time, Lucas. Director Smith!

      Kevin: Yes my lord.

      Fan: Make ready to release all three initial episodes on DVD. In their original format. Greedo must not shoot first.

      Kevin: Thank you, Star Wars fan.

      --
      Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
    3. Re:Spend Your Money You Will, Yes. by greenhide · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I'm guessing he didn't start speaking "English" until he was in his early hundreds. If you don't learn a language early on, even if you're smart your brain doesn't process it in the same way you would if you were born into the language. At his advanced age, it wouldn't be surprising that he never picked up the language. Besides, I think it's supposed to reflect the way he thinks -- look at Karate Kid for a similar form of speaking from Mr. Miyagi.

      --
      Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
  16. I'm waiting for... by Alpha_Nerd · · Score: 4, Funny

    the Natalie Portman shower cam :D

    Or maybe a beowulf cluster of them??

    1. Re:I'm waiting for... by sharkey · · Score: 4, Funny
      Natalie Portman shower cam

      Never happen. Putting a camera in her shower would probably petrify her.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  17. Good Riddance by AttillaTheNun · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As a fan since I saw A New Hope at the drive-in as a 6yr old, I have to say I'm disappointed at how George finds new lows in which to sink. Instead of embracing his incredibly huge and devoted fanbase, he has decided to milk it for all he can (once again). The Wachowski Bros. and Peter Jackson have left this sorry franchise in the dust anyhow (I haven't gone back to the special features disc from AOTC since I watched the 4-disc LOTR set and witnessed a cast and crew that was incredibly devoted to telling a compelling story first and using all the effects at their disposal to bring it to life). AOTC was a lame, convoluted story with wooden acting and nothing but effects that will simply not last the test of time. The original trilogy, even with it's relativley immature effects and puppets still outlasts the prequels, which will be mostly forgotten except for the most desparate fans (who will likely be paying for this site for years to come in hopes of yet another useless tidbit on how 99.9999% of the movie was digital.

  18. I wonder if by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    It will suck more than Matrix:Reloaded or not.

  19. /. pool? by grub · · Score: 3, Funny

    We should get a /. pool going:
    "What is Lucas Eating Now?"
    Everyone throws in a buck. Winner takes the pot. Updates every 15 minutes or more often as George gets another plate of food.
    --
    Trolling is a art,
  20. I know, I know by Monkeylaser · · Score: 5, Insightful
    It's somewhat flameish to just decry this as another whore for money from Lucas, but it seems that the star wars license has gone from something nearly sacred to the developement of geeks to just another schlocky blockbuster, only with more questionably wooden acting than most, and a more disturbingly loyal fanbase.

    But paying for a webcam, and deleted scenes? C'mon now guys. When you've merchandised everything else in the movies already, watching the blue screen work that presumably these actors are going to be doing really doesn't sound like much fun to me.

    A question posed to the other slashdot readers here. How many folks are just a little bit more disillusioned with one of our childhood geek heroes (Lucas) every time we see a news post about the prequel trilogy?

    It's become something of a car-crash phenomenon for me. I just can't look away. But I will balk at paying 20 bucks. It leads one to wonder if this is a result of the nature of Hollywood, for creating larger, more expensive, less true to the original concept material, or if it's the nature of man as the director, when they start believing their own hype.

  21. The Matrix, our new Sci-Fi trilogy? by Mish · · Score: 5, Insightful
    It only fully hit home when discussing "The Matrix Reloaded" with a few friends a few weeks back, but "The Matrix" has a good chance at being "The New Star Wars".

    If the Wachowski Brothers can pull off 'something special(TM)' with the third Matrix movie then it'll live on for quite a long time as a classic cult sci-fi/fantasy trilogy, something the latest set of Star Wars films show no sign of doing.

    I (as did most of us) loved the original Star Wars films; I still watch them from time to time. I've watched the first Star Wars film (TPM) about three times and may never watch it again, it lacks something... the same unfortunately goes for the second, which has left me with no desire to be there on opening night for the third Star Wars film.

    Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that this will happen, maybe the third Matrix movie will fall flat on its face and fail to deliver, but its set up for a way better chance than what looks to amount to another shallow CG laden Star Wars movie, hell rewatching the older Star Wars movies recently I was surprised by how good the old spaceship models look when compared to the new CG versions.

    I think the best quote I've ever seen about the whole "Star Wars vs. Matrix" situation was by a Matrix crew member who summed it up perfectly with:

    On a basic level, though, "The Matrix" was simply good storytelling. "I've heard the 'Star Wars' people boast about shooting frames that are 97 percent digital, and lo and behold, the movies are soulless," says John Gaeta, visual-effects supervisor for all three "Matrix" movies. "They traded the whole idea of depth in filmmaking for this supertechnological hype. It helped us focus our own philosophy: the story drives everything."

    I agree wholeheartedly.
    1. Re:The Matrix, our new Sci-Fi trilogy? by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I (as did most of us) loved the original Star Wars films; I still watch them from time to time. I've watched the first Star Wars film (TPM) about three times and may never watch it again, it lacks something... the same unfortunately goes for the second, which has left me with no desire to be there on opening night for the third Star Wars film.

      I'll let you in on a secret.... Star Wars was the FIRST movie to do a Space based SCI-FI with lots of semi believeable special effects. The sci-fi movies before it sucked because the effects were lame.. and felt like a kid playing with the super-8 in the back yard with holloween costumes and fireworks.

      Star wars was a hit because nobody ever saw anything like it before.. it was the first, fresh, and brought them in because of that.

      Matrix... DITTO! the same thing. people are getting tired of the same crap over and over and over and over.. now comes the Matrix.. it's "fresh" and has a plot that is innovative.

      in 20 years when they make 3 prequels to the matrix you will feel as poorly about it as you do about starwars now.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    2. Re:The Matrix, our new Sci-Fi trilogy? by Obiwan+Kenobi · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, I'll bite. You're argument has so many holes you might as well have titled it "Swiss Cheese".

      Star wars was a hit because nobody ever saw anything like it before.. it was the first, fresh, and brought them in because of that.

      Matrix... DITTO! the same thing. people are getting tired of the same crap over and over and over and over.. now comes the Matrix.. it's "fresh" and has a plot that is innovative.


      Yes, but while Star Wars had a Space Opera effect going on (and those 1970's effects were unbelievably innovative, I'll certainly grant you), the prequels tried to go rewrite its own history to make itself seem more cohesive than it was. Midoclorians(sp?) anyone?

      I think that George had the grand idea of nine movies but didn't have the actual plot/details of all nine in his head. And while he was busy working out a new story for these prequels he realized that he couldn't do it without some old characters coming back in strange ways (Anakin built C3PO? WTF?) just to tie it together.

      Watch Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress." It's the EXACT SAME STORY as Star Wars, only in feudal Japan. Lucas has admitted as such (though the reference escapes me).

      The Matrix, on the other hand, is built upon many different philosophies. The main one, of course, if the Living Inside A Machine philosphy, which has been around ever since man created machines. Back in the 15 and 1600's, men deduced that we might be living inside a Clock, or a clock-like machine. Nowadays technology has advanced to the point where we think we live in a computer. It's the same concept, and it's just as intriguing.

      They worked in a romance angle just as Star Wars did. Of course, Star Wars didn't have the high-mindedness that The Matrix accomplishes, and the Uber Sweet Effects, but both turn their emotional screws when necessary in order to get their point across.

      Note I'm talking about the original SW trilogy, not the bastardized prequels.

      in 20 years when they make 3 prequels to the matrix you will feel as poorly about it as you do about starwars now.

      Except The Matrix didn't begin with "Episode IV: The Matrix"

    3. Re:The Matrix, our new Sci-Fi trilogy? by dswensen · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think you're right about The Matrix being the new Star Wars. After all, when the Slashdot story reviewing the sequel was posted, people came out in droves to say how much it sucked and wasn't worth their time, and how it was a brainless, empty exercise in excessive (and let's not forget crappy) digital effects. The original Matrix, on the other hand, retroactively became a revolutionary epic which produced an effect that could never be repeated by any further expansion of the story.

      Yup, sounds like the heir to Star Wars if ever I saw one.

    4. Re:The Matrix, our new Sci-Fi trilogy? by Phil+Wilkins · · Score: 2, Informative

      Watch Kurosawa's "The Hidden Fortress." It's the EXACT SAME STORY as Star Wars, only in feudal Japan.

      I suggest you do, as it's not. While the characters of Obi-Wan, Leia, and the droids have obvious parallels in 'The Hidden Fortress', the structure and plot are completely different. However, ever since Lucas admitted to being partially inspired by it, legions of fanboys have been running with the rumour that it's a direct copy. Completely ignoring the minor problem that Leia spends half of Star Wars in a cell, completely seperated from the other characters, whereas her equivalent in The Hidden Fortess, is in the thick of the action for almost the whole movie.

  22. Jar Jar Cam by dfn5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Me'sa horny.

    --
    -- Thou hast strayed far from the path of the Avatar.
    1. Re:Jar Jar Cam by chia_monkey · · Score: 2, Funny

      I guess that would be the only reason to pay $20. I want to see the cast and crew take that long tongue and tie it to doorknobs, maybe tie him up with it. I guess tossing it in a blender would be pretty cool too.

      Or better yet, get that gecko glue and stick the tongue onto a moving prop...

      --

      "He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts...for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang
  23. Sin(g)s of the time ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Is Lucas a representative of the times we live in ?
    Well, the Star Wars trilogie - toghether with "The Godfather" - was one of the masterieces of the 20th century. Like Romeo & Juliet or Beethoven's ninth symphony in centuries before.

    Now, starting with phantom menace, all we get is teletubbies on special effects.

    So I wonder, wether he is just a mirror of the society we live in that has no style or any sense for subtleness anymore.
    He killed his own legend for a few dollars more(tm). Isn't that our ideal, too, make money for any price ?

    1. Re:Sin(g)s of the time ? by Blondie-Wan · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think it's certainly true the majority of hardcore Star Wars fans today were kids when the original(s) came out, but it certainly wasn't just kids who embraced them back then. Go back and look at reviews for them in their original releases, particularly the original - remember, this was the movie Time called the "best movie of the year" before the year was even half over, a movie that won or was nominated for eleven Oscars including Best Picture, and a movie that was seen multiple times even by plenty of adults. Clearly the appeal of the originals isn't limited to either kids or people who were kids when they first saw them. The prequels may be a different case, though...

  24. will there by teemu.s · · Score: 5, Funny

    .. be any special edition of all the webcam material on dvds?

  25. I think it's worth the money by buckhead_buddy · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm not sure if it's worth $20, but it's worth something....

    $20 would help pay my monthly internet access charges. So if I only have to watch for an hour each month, I'll take the money. Of course their checks need to come regularly and on-time.

  26. Are We Idiots? by WC+as+Kato · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...said Jim Ward, head of Lucas Online and vice president of Lucasfilm Ltd. "To our fans nothing is mundane; every morsel is savored and analyzed."

    Raise your hand if you feel like you've just been called an idiot.

    --
    --- I'm Green Hornet's sidekick not Inspector Clouseau's!
  27. I Love The Haters by blinder · · Score: 5, Interesting

    First off, anyone who pays attention (and I do NOT expect that here on /.) knows that I am NOT a "fanboy" as I was around when EP IV was released (the first time).

    But I must say, whenever there is a story on /. about SW, all of the George Lucas haters just crawl out of the woodwork to expose the depths of their naked jelousy and dreadful envy in the most disgusting and pathetic manner: by hauling personal attacks on George Lucas.

    Its truly pathetic. You are truly pathetic. George Lucas, in my estimation, is a genious. He has managed to pull bits and pieces of mythology and form it into a cohesive and compelling universe that has enchanted millions for nearly 30 years! Lets see any of you do that, you little twerps.

    I loved EP I, can't get enough of EP II (I probably watch the DVD once or twice a month, including the bonus footage, I can't get enough of Ben Burt's documentary) and I am eagerly waiting for EP III, and I will, with a big huge smile on my face, happily pay for the new SW site. Why many of you cry? Because there is real value for me, because I can see the joy, creativity and genious behind this franchise, instead of just being consumed by jelousy and envy.

    If you *hate* George Lucas so much, why do you spend so much time expressing that hatred? I was tempted to just let this topic go, follow my own advice and ignore the comments in this topic, but when I see some people calling GL names and conducting personal attacks... it sickened me. You people make me sick.

    I understand *legitimate* criticism of work, especially in creative works, and I have some of my own regarding Star Wars, but what I have been reading here reads more like hate and not thoughtful criticism.

    1. Re:I Love The Haters by Mike+Mentalist · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Its truly pathetic. You are truly pathetic. George Lucas, in my estimation, is a genious. He has managed to pull bits and pieces of mythology and form it into a cohesive and compelling universe that has enchanted millions for nearly 30 years! Lets see any of you do that, you little twerps.

      How on EARTH is he a genius?
      He only made the very first Star Wars film, and the latest ones are just selling on the back of the Star Wars name.
      Whilst the originals had some good characters (Harrison Ford is a great actor, and 'makes' many films what they are), the new ones are just dreadful. The acting for the most part is appalling and if it didnt have the Star Wars name behind it, it wouldnt be anywhere near as succesful.

      I loved EP I, can't get enough of EP II (I probably watch the DVD once or twice a month, including the bonus footage, I can't get enough of Ben Burt's documentary) and I am eagerly waiting for EP III, and I will, with a big huge smile on my face, happily pay for the new SW site.

      Right. You claim that you arent a fanboy, yet you say all that.
      What, exactly, consitutes a fanboy then...?

      If you *hate* George Lucas so much, why do you spend so much time expressing that hatred?

      We dont so much hate him, more the fact that most Star Wars fans are blind to the faults in the new SW films.
      I worked with some SW nuts, and they just wouldnt accept that the new films have been bad. Their only reply is "but its Star Wars" to all criticism. If it wasnt Star Wars, they wouldnt look twice at it.

      --
      I put my books on Amazon, Smashwords, Demonoid, ISOHunt and Pirate Bay. Search for 'Michael Cargill'
    2. Re:I Love The Haters by greenhide · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I'd also point out that true fans were hugely mistreated when the "Special Edition" versions of the original episodes came out.

      They kept on saying, "You've seen these movies on a dinky TV for years! Now you get to see it full screen, as it was intended!"

      And yeah, most of each movie were great. But then Lucas had to stick his big greasy fingers into our childhood memories. Most of these movies we knew by heart. And although the special editions weren't profoundly different, they *were* different in many ways. It might be as simple as removing the cute scene on Dagobah where R2 barfs out a slew of water and fish, or as extreme as turning the Xarlac into something out of Little Shop of Horrors. And yeah, some people complain about Greedo shooting first, but come on! That didn't really have any effect on the overall movie, oh -- except for the fact that now Han loses his whole outlaw persona.

      The point is, it's clear that the one thing that saved Star Wars (and yes, it was Star Wars when it started out, not New Hope) was the simplicity and limitations on Lucas' special effects. Sometimes a tight budget makes a movie better -- just look at the Godfather, which barely was made, and where Coppola nearly was fired.

      --
      Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
    3. Re:I Love The Haters by Mwongozi · · Score: 2, Insightful
      > I am NOT a "fanboy"
      ...
      > I probably watch the DVD once or twice a month, including the bonus footage

      Right...

    4. Re:I Love The Haters by TrekkieGod · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Here's how their collective childhood was "raped" pal (I'd include myself in the list, but I wasn't around for ANH--although I also feel the pain):
      1. Star Wars is a part of their childhood memories...it was a phenomenon, and they were a part of it when it happened
      2. When Star Wars gets re-released, and they try to recapture what they felt when they first watched it, they find out it has been changed. Now, enhanced special effects can be good in the minds of some, but almost everyone will agree that Han Solo's very character was changed with the Greedo event. From a smart outlaw, to a brave, foolish man (notice how fake the whole scene looks...with Han not even ducking as Greedo fires the shot--what the heck is up with Greedo's aim anyway? He's not a stormtrooper.)
      3. When the movies are available for purchase once again, lo and behold...the original ones aren't. So those of us who were not happy with the special edition, couldn't get the old stuff. That may make you happy, because you like the new stuff...but it doesn't make everyone happy.
      4. Lucas creates prequels, gets every Star Wars fan hyped up. Somehow, however, he changes the demographics that he's aiming at. He starts aiming at children for the movies. Now, even if you were to argue that the original trilogy was also aimed at kids (and the only possible argument you could have is ewoks, while everything else points elsewhere), he still changed the audience...because the mainstream star wars fans, those who were kids when the first trilogy came out, grew up by now...these are the people he needs to cater for.
      5. Lucas creates the previously unknown "boring action scene" by making the pod race so long that I'll bet many people thought the sound of the pod engines were different when they got the dvd--because they thought the collective sound of half the theater snoring was engine sound, when they saw it in the big screen. Reason:
        1. Make previously unknown "boring fight scene"
        2. Use the Star Wars hype to convince people it's not actually bad
        3. Sell video games and action figures based on the previous step
        4. ???
        5. Profit!
      6. Lucas, the technological "all digital man", decides to release TPM in VHS only, initially stating the DVD will only be out after all three prequels are released, together with the original trilogy. Then, when everyone buys the VHS, he "succumbs to pressure" and releases the DVD, causing a lot of the people to buy the movie twice. The force may not be with Lucas, but Greed certainly is.
      7. From current rumors, it appears that he intends to change the original trilogy once again (Natalie Portman seems to have filmed some scenes, there's some speculation as to it being a flashback scene of some sort). And from the same rumors, he intends to release only the "extra special edition" or whatever on dvd. A format that would EASILY allow for releasing all different versions of the film in the same disk, T2 Ultimate Edition-like. Now, this is just a rumor as far as I know, so I won't blame this on Lucas...yet.
      8. In order to convince people who did not yet see Lucas as a greedy man who would ruin everybody's childhood memories to make a buck, he decides to charge for things that would ordinarily be called promotional material--things given for free to attract attention to the real product. He fails in this step...you still call him a genius.

      Now...the above statements are FACT. He's not just changing the stuff, he's refusing to give us the original trilogy back as well. Oh, I know...he'll probably "succumb to pressure" again...after he convinces people he's not going to release the original, and forces everyone to buy the "extra special edition" first.

      --

      Warning: Opinions known to be heavily biased.

  28. money doesn't stink by dorfsmay · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Holywood is a business. The primary goal of business is to make money, not to entertain.

    I am not sure why the guy should be criticized for being old. Everybody grows old, some better than others. I hope you loose your anger as you grow older... Yes, sorry to break the news to you, the "olds" is not a group of other foreign people, you too will grow old.

    I have to admit that being fat is a health risk, but that is his problem that has no consequence on what he does (producing movies), and apparently he has the money to deal with the consequences of his life style choices.

    I am not sure why slashdoters tend to be very quick to criticize the successfull rich people out there... jealousy ?? Now if you are truly interrested in entertainment and talent, forget about big holywood production, start looking at what's produced locally in your area. Everywhere I've been, you can easily find incredibly talented musicians, singers, actors, etc... They typically are not rich, and paying to see them at your local theatre will make a big difference to them.

    Enjoy your day.

    1. Re:money doesn't stink by maxpublic · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I hope you loose your anger as you grow older

      My anger is directed at the folks who can't spell "lose" properly. It's "lose" as in "you lose, dude", and "loose" as in "he's loose, so make him wear a condom".

      Max

      --
      My god carries a hammer. Your god died nailed to a tree. Any questions?
    2. Re:money doesn't stink by RatBastard · · Score: 2, Insightful

      No, money doiesn't. But George does. The people here aren't jealous of his money. Those of us who hate him and his insatiable greed don't hate him for the money he's gotten. We hate him for how he got it. We hate him for re-releasing the original trilogy ofer and over in ever so slightly different guises (but never on DVD). We hate him for selling out to TV and making that dreadful "Star Wars Holiday Special". We hate him for selling out his creative integrety (sp?, who cares?) and perverting Endor from a planet of wookies into a planet of Christmas plush dolls. We hate him for making a list of tens of thousands of Jar-Jar Binks licensing ideas rather than try and make Episode One a good movie.

      In short, we hate him fior every time he decided to milk us out of yet another dime, again and again with the restraint of the Maquis de Sade at a girl's bording school.

      Some of us are tired of being his moneybags and his bitch.

      --
      Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
    3. Re:money doesn't stink by mrleemrlee · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Give me a break.

      How exactly was replacing big, hairy creatures with small, hairy creatures a surrender of artistic integrity? Get a grip, man! The fact is that Episode IV was a fairly well-made movie that was revolutionary in form, Episode V was a masterpiece (and directed by someone who actually knew how to direct)and the rest of the films have been gilding (or sullying) the lily.

      You are taking some pretty good space opera and conflating it into an excuse to be angry at the whole world. I am a huge "Star Wars" fan, but even I can see that even among sci-fi/comicdom, there are dozens of worlds both richer and more interesting than Lucas' creation. The sum total of it is one good movie, one great movie, one mediocre movie and two unholy messes. No offense, but it can't possibly come as news that this is pretty small potatoes as far as cultural legacies go.

      And after 26 years of being his "bitch," I imagine you are tired of it. But you kept coming back for more ...

  29. Real world vs. Lucas world by Sabu+mark · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Real world: Behind-the-scenes shorts are a form of preview, designed to whet the audience's appetite.
    Lucas world: Behind-the-scenes shorts are a saleable product, offered at twice the price of the actual movie being made.

    Real world: Buying the VHS or DVD is like owning the actual print of the film, in a cheaper format.
    Lucas world: There is no such thing as the print of the film. Films are like operating systems; a new version is released avery year or so, and the customer base must pay to replace their DVDs with the latest version.

    Real world: The special effects exist to serve the story.
    Lucas world: The special effects exist to improve sales of the upcoming Xbox title.

    Real world: A franchise goes downhill when the original creators are replaced.
    Lucas world: The franchise went downhill when the original creator came back.

    --

    What Would Jesus Do
    (for a Klondike bar)?
  30. Re:Its worth by tmark · · Score: 4, Informative

    WTF are you talking about ? Just because some guy offers some service which people CAN CHOOSE to subscribe to, you say he's ripping people off ? How do you know it's a ripoff ? How can you say it's a ripoff when at this very site people are posting links about the latest LOTR trailer, or information about the creation of the Matrix, or trading every last bit of anime trivia and treating these events like some major important news ? Against this backdrop, and the reality that there are people out there willing to pay for 24-h cartoon channels and anime channels and fishing channels, who's NOT to say that there aren't some serious Star Wars fans (I'm not one of them) who'd be more than happy to pay the 20 bucks ? If they want to pay it, who is anyone else to say they're being ripped off ?

  31. Re:I'm Boycott the next Star Wars by lyonsden · · Score: 5, Funny

    "or sold his sole"

    Selling the bottom of his shoes? I know some fans worship the ground he walks on, but this is just ridiculous.

  32. Green screen by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Since 99% of the new Star Wars movies are digital animation anyway, won't the cam just show you a few actors in costumes standing in front of a green screen? Seems kinda pointless...

    --
    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  33. Re:Price? by JPelorat · · Score: 3, Funny

    Sort of like a Jedi Jackass clip.

    --
    Hokey statistics and ancient misconceptions are no match for a good thought in your head, kid!
  34. Can we... by 5strangers · · Score: 5, Funny

    call in and vote off the characters we don't like?

  35. Re:Lucus gets points by greenhide · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Do I plan to see Episode III... yea, but not at prime time rates, or perhaps on bittorrent. I enjoyed a new hope, empire strikes back, and return of the jedi. I don't plan to be first in line, I don't plan to trade a laptop for tickets as seen with episode 1. I won't drive up to canada to see it first.

    Actually, I plan to go to the midnight showing. Way I figure it, I probably will go to see it while it's in the theaters, and if I do I may as well see it when it's fresh and new and see it surrounded by the most hardcore geeks possible, who will laugh at all the inside stuff, if there is any, and who will cheer really loudly at the end, so I can at least fool myself into believing that I enjoyed the film.

    My profound hope? It's unlikely, but maybe Lucas will think, "Hey, this is the *last one* I can do! I'd better marshall any talent that I, the actors, my dialogue writers, and my special effects crew have to make this the best one ever! All of my fan base really have bitched about episodes 1 and 2. Maybe I should take a look at Empire and see just what it was that made it so successful (Answer: tight editing, interesting philosophies, exciting interstellar chase scenes, genuine humor -- "It's not my fault" still the greatest line of all time, and realistic emotional connections between the characters)"

    But not very likely, really.

    If only there was someone to put Harrison Ford back into the movie. Man, he was the glue that held it all together.

    --
    Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
  36. Sleeping by greenhide · · Score: 2, Funny

    while the cast is sleeping

    Does Lucas realize how much money he could charge if there were webcams of that?

    --
    Karma: Chevy Kavalierma.
  37. Natalie Portman... by illumina+us · · Score: 2, Funny

    If there is a webcam in Natalie Portman's dressing room. I'll pay for that :D

    --
    -illumina+us "I put on my robe and wizard hat..."
  38. Re:Matrix needs a backstory sequence by iainl · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you want to know the backstory, its available either online or on DVD (released today, coincidentally enough) - a series of cartoons called "The Animatrix" (see what they did there? ;))

    Personally, I don't think we need to re-tread The Terminator and explain that its all the fault of those nasty evil scientists again (remember folks, if its Natural, it must be good for you. Even potassium cyanide). One of the things I really liked about both The Matrix and the original Star Wars is the sense that there is a whole world, with ecosystems, history etc. out there, without a stack of flashbacks and prequels to lead us by the hand and show us every last corner.

    As for your last paragraph, I don't know how much I should say in case I spoil it for those who haven't seen it, but if you didn't understand what was going on in that scene, its of little wonder that you felt the philosophical part of the film to be a problem. Basically, the guy is explaining that, as the Merovingian warned him, his free will and escaping from the Matrix was to some extent illusory - we like to think we are making our own choices, but all too often those in power have manipulated the situation so that our actions are predictable. The TV screens were either showing the actions of the previous "one"s when faced with the dilemma at hand, or at least The Matrix's simulations of what he is expected to do (its not especially relevant which, since another part of the plot is that he is expected to act just as his predecessors did). There is a hint that even Neo's decision to rebel, to risk everyone's lives in order to save Trinity, may be part of the Architect's plan, or even part of a plan by the Oracle (who laid some important Cupid groundwork in the first film to encourage him to love Trinity in particular) to make things happen differently this time, and that is why she is now on the run from the agents, despite being the Matrix's "Mother".

    "You hear that, Mr. Anderson? That is the sound of ineviatability". The groundwork laid in the original is pretty impressive once you go digging.

    --
    "I Know You Are But What Am I?"
  39. Episode III - YAWN by jhylkema · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Okay, so Queen Amidala bangs Anakin and has twins. Anakin goes to the dark side and Princess Leia goes into hiding. BFD. Riight. I'm going to pay $8 for this.

    Now, if I get to see Natalie Portman naked . . .

  40. Re:Revised Plot : by mockchoi · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dude, don't quit your day job

  41. Don't forget about the volcano! by RatBastard · · Score: 4, Funny

    Don't forget the part where Anakin and Obi Wan have a huge fight (probably at what a bad kisser Anakin has become lately) on the edge of a giant volcano in which Anakin gets tossed in like some crappy old ring and struggles out all burned and battered and is turned into a cyborg (who travels back in time to kill Sarah Conner, but I digress).

    --
    Boobies never hurt anyone. - Sherry Glaser.
  42. Interdependence of Man and Machine by Phoenix666 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I got another angle from Reloaded that I haven't seen discussed here yet: the interdependence of man and machine and Neo & Smith as mirrors of each other. You have the scene with the Council member in the engineering level in Zion where he muses about who's really in control, man or machine? You have the Oracle and the Architect talking about how they and other special programs are there to keep the Matrix running by keeping human minds in line and accepting of the Matrix.

    Then there's Neo who's seeking liberation by entering the realm of the machine in the Matrix, and Smith who's seeking liberation by entering the realm of Man in Zion. Smith is the anti-Neo. They both want the same thing, but from the other side. Maybe the combination of their efforts will break the myth of inevitability?

    Neo's love for Trinity being the key to breaking inevitability is a little too cliched for it to be the only message. And the repetition of Neo and the Matrices with his evolving responses points to a refinement of what liberation really is. Given that the Wachowski brothers were heavily influenced by EST ideas (EST being a quasi-Scientology cult), that's the direction I'd say they're headed in.

    --
    Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
  43. Skywalker Ranch Webcam by Angry+Black+Man · · Score: 2, Funny

    8AM George Lucas is in bed.
    10AM Still in bed.
    12PM Still in bed.
    12:30PM Gets up, eats breakfast.
    12:45PM Shower.
    1:00PM Sits down to write Episode III script.
    1:30PM Finishes script.
    1:30-8:00PM Creates wacky alien creatures.
    8:00-9:00PM C-3PO / R2-D2 humor relief puns to use during heated battle scene.
    9:00-10:00PM Skewing Yoda's grammar so every line can rival the infamy of "Around the survivors, a perimeter create!"
    10:00PM Bed time!

    --
    the byproduct of years of oppression by the white man