Macross Plus fan edit/super cut

[Justiciar]

Apologies if wrong forum. Please move as required. 

Macross Plus is maybe my favorite series. There are aspects of both the Movie and the OVA that I like. I'd like to do a fan edit/super cut combining the best parts into a single version. Would anyone here be interested in working on this? 

I'm not sure the best way to address this aspect, so maybe by way of analogy. Years ago here (maybe a decade?) there was a fan edit for proper subtitles for DYRL. The understanding is that you're supposed to have the actual disc first, and you're not supposed to be re-selling it. I think that's reasonable? I have zero interest in selling copies of this. 

I'm open to suggestions 

[valk1j]

Interesting I was thinking the same thing. Off the top of my head - Add below into film

1. Add in OVA VF-11 fight

2. I like the testing montage from OVA better than movie including music. 

3. I like the YF-19 coming up on lift and Isamu touching it before taking off.

4. The battroid battle up until Guld shoots the gun.

Because of the extra movie scenes - like Isamu and Lucy getting together...I think it needs to be in Japanese. I was going to start compiling a list when I get time to actually make an edit.

This should be in the fan works forum.

@azrael

Edited May 4, 2021 by valk1j
Wrong forum

[Justiciar]

Good start? Might be worth doing a basic in-order scene by scene list of each version. 

I don't have a "must" as to which is the "base" version, though I lean towards movie. 

I do like the English dub, but I'm not opposed to Japanese audio and English subs (some of the subs are better... Like Millard threatening to revoke Isamu's flight clearance, rather than pilot's license in the dub). 

In addition to what you noted... 

Isamu and Lucy second date (this is a story thing, not a fan-service thing). 

The meeting about the Ghost, which let's the audience know there's more at stake, and overall makes a stronger story, rather than just dumping it on characters and audience out of the blue that they're canceled. 

Pretty much the entire end scene of the movie. That's Guld cutting his limiter with the Ghost, the whole Ghost fight including Guld's death, Sharon doing her siren's song on Isamu, him bashing his head... Everything up to but *not* including Isamu and Myun together. Leave it ambiguous with him just flying off. 

The order of the various Isamu/Guld test flight scenes may need to be jiggered. It makes sense for Isamu to start in the Sim. It also makes sense for him to be flying the VF-11 chase plane for Guld after the YF-19 is wrecked. The montage where it shows their head-to-head scores/progress should maybe be right before the fight where Guld puts Isamu into the dirt. Maybe not the entire montage, but that specific part. 

(peripherally related... My fan fic is ~25 years later, with Lucy's daughter as the hotshot pilot, and Lucy says things like, "You are *so* like your father!" and she says things like "Luck wasn't the only skill I inherited from him.")

I need to watch both versions again lol. 

[valk1j]

I started a rough cut of this. Subtitles are going to be a little hard but not impossible. Hopefully I can render overnight. I probably will have video and audio done...than a cut again and add in subtitles.

[Justiciar]

That's pretty cool. Do you want to do this as a quick and dirty? Or more extensive? 

There's scenes between the two that are mutually exclusive... Unless edited. I'm going off memory, so bear with me. Isamu and Guld first meeting in a staff meeting is a good meeting (Movie). Isamu mocking Jang and making Lucy laugh helps set up him asking her out. But Guld walking up to Isamu immediately post-flight is also a great scene (OVA)... And you can use both... As long you cut the last 10 seconds where Yang is explaining who Guld is. 

I'd have to check... But I think it's still OK for Guld to witness the sky pterosaur from the ground. The context changes subtly from his realizing that it's Isamu, to him realizing it's Isamu showing off again. And that sets up that tarmac meeting above... Guld is trying to get under Isamu's skin every chance he gets. You help set up that not only is there bad blood, but that it's going to escalate. 

You also end up with Isamu asking out twice IIRC... but that's OK. Shouldn't really have to explain why. 

Skipping way ahead... Keep the movie version where Kate asks Isamu to come and see Myung and Isamu flat out tells her no.

This is going to be a point of contention... Macross Plus is not a love triangle. It's never even established that Isamu and Myung were an item. In the big reveal flashback, Guld walks in on them hugging. Not kissing, not further. Thematically that's a pretty big difference. And it looks more like he's consoling her than putting the movies on her. Not that Guld can tell... Because he's messed up in the head and always has been (which is part of why they both forgive him so readily. You don't hold grudges against the mentally ill.) 

And this gels with Isamu telling Kate no to coming to visit, especially when he knows Guld is there, with him chasing after Lucy, with him sleeping with her even after he knows Myung is in town, with him never perusing Myung romantically in the entire movie (or OVA). They were referred to as friends, not lovers. Myung clearly had feelings (hence Sharon), but it's not necessarily reciprocated. Regardless, Isamu moved on. Clearly. Guld is stuck in the past, picking a fight where there isn't one. 

Back towards the beginning again... Have to keep the movie version of Mege Gueldoa chastising Myung to be careful what she says and to who about Sharon's programming/emotions. (You have to show the audience that there's a mystery brewing, you can't just spring it on them). And IIRC the movie version of messing with dopamine receptors during Sharon's performance is better. 

Last thing for now... Isamu dancing in the Thunderbolt during his arrival at New Edwards and right after getting buzzed by the YF-21 probably needs to be cut. That's not his time to show off, especially since we just saw him in that epic opening dogfight. Get him on the ground, and have him do the hand flying through the air routine. His hand looks like the YF-19. It's foreshadowing, and it sets up the routine that in his mind he's always in the air (reinforced during 2nd date with Lucy and he does the same thing, and why she even comments that in his mind, he's already up there). Maybe there's room for the Thunderbolt dance later on? Maybe while he's doing chase plane duty and Guld goes out of control? He's showing off while Guld is about to wreck and it's part of why Millard is so pissed at him and has to threaten him? 

TTFN

[valk1j]

Had some issues with some scenes. The worst problems are Mac+ has an annoying habit of starting the music and sometimes sound effects while many frames of the previous animation are still on screen. Jumping from no music to partial spund effects and music is tough. The vf-11 battle was easy but it gets difficult later on.  Having a small audio issue right now...hoping i can fix it...but not ready yet. I cut the opening boardroom scene...Guld berating Isamu would never fly in military setting and Millard wouldnt allow it. Bringing childhood stuff into a boardroom to say a fighter would be wasted on him. The VF11 stunt flying wont work there as Isamu has the booster on until right before he transforms and startles Guld.

Edited May 8, 2021 by valk1j

[Justiciar]

Lol you'd be surprised... I can remember plenty of times of general unprofessionalism, as well as open in subordination lol. 

If Isamu's former CO called Millard and told him there was a trouble-maker on the way, albeit a talented one... It's not a scene that bothers me. Having been active duty, I don't generally comment on the laughable treatment it gets in TV/movies. 

What software are using? To strip out audio, strip out subs (that's already a separate file, right?), and dice scenes. 

Edited May 9, 2021 by Justiciar
Just more comments

[Convectuoso]

Great project!

Can I suggest Japanese audio with external subs? That way we can then translate the subs to other languages

[Justiciar]

Works for me. I don't generally listen to Japanese audio with English subs... But I certainly have nothing against it. In one particular place I can see it used well. When Sharon is seducing Isamu and he says it's not your singing I want to hear. 

It's not your singing I want to hear vs

It's not *your* singing I want to hear

What do you think snaps Myung out of her pity-party? 

And Alpha One, not Eagle One. 

As for other languages... You're on your own amigo, lol! 

[valk1j]

Blender for audio and video. Subs not sure yet but that can be any number of software as it is not hard. Not worried about subs yet. 2 seconds of audio and video got rendered that shouldn't have. Screwed the sound up in the fighter testing I took from the OVA, as I hate the music they use in the movie. The rest looked pretty good..tiny 2 frames got left in one scene...ugh...almost not noticeable.

[valk1j]

Fixed a couple minor issues but not really happy with the outcome...decided on a different approach and keeping rhe English soundtrack from the OVA.  My favorite 2 scenes from the movie actually have very little speaking parts. Audio isn't my best but I may try a remix when I teach myself some new software. It will eventually be good for another project. 

[snacks]

Where did you all land on this? I made a version over Easter weekend that I think came out pretty well. Putting the final touches on it. I opted to keep the OVA and move new/altered movie sequences into the OVA structure. I'd be happy to share it if anyone is interested.

And I used this thread to help catalog what I wanted to bring over, so thank you all for doing that legwork.

Edited April 15, 2023 by snacks
typos