Editing DH into One Film

Lord_Darkeyes · July 2012

I was thinking today that I havent seen anyone do this, and make it look like one film. Right now I'm waiting while my copy of DH2 gets done, but it'll be done when I wake up. I've already cut DH1 and I've trying to see if I can get Voldemort's spell transition immediately to the demementors, and cut out all the dh2 logos. The film's in 1080p and I'll try to upload to mediafire tomorrow.

TubbyToast · July 2012

I've been wanting to do this myself, but I guess I'm too lazy so yay for you!

Isaiah · July 2012

I tried it one time

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Try it again, then.

Lord Stafford.

Braveheart · July 2012

If you were editing it into one film and trying to make it feel like one, then you'd probably be better rearranging some of the scenes. For example, I think it would be more seamless to go from the burying Dobby scenes at the end of Part 1 straight into the scene in front of his grave from Part 2. That would mean putting Voldemort getting the Elder wand and Snape at Hogwarts somewhere else. :-?

Bane · July 2012

I'll tell you the only way to do this:

cut from Voldemort obtaining the EW to Harry at Dobby's grave. I'm dead serious. Remove all the establishing Hogwarts and Snape shots. Then, musically, remove the track Desplat wrote for the Godric's Hollow graveyard scene -- as beautiful as it is -- and use Lily's theme from Part 2 to establish that theme.

Bane · July 2012

A better idea would be to use the part of the Resurrection Stone track that was cut out in the movie version, the part where the theme plays the strongest but Mark Day is an asshole and use it for the GH grave scene. Just that one bit maybe where the theme is strongest, starting about 2:54 into the track.

Doing these things would blend the two films together almost perfectly.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

No.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

Super elaborate response! Please do explain why my method wouldn't work.

Bane · July 2012

It would be much better than trying to make the establishing shots of Hogwarts and Snape work. They would feel out of place in a singular edit simply because they're establishing shots.

Bane · July 2012

The steps I would take:

1. remove music during Dumbledore tomb crashing scene, maybe add something more low-key and not as "end of movie"
2. remove establishing shots of Hogwarts and Snape overlooking the students
3. remove music from graveyard scene in Part 1, replace with a variation of Lily's Theme to establish that theme earlier on
4. debatable, but perhaps place the Hogwarts and Snape shots at the end of the montage of the Ministry and Hogwarts Express being taken over, would be a possibly decent place to drop those shots but I have no idea considering that I haven't seen it, but it's food for thought

Lord Stafford · July 2012

As good as Lily's theme is, it wouldn't work for the graveyard scene, particularly if you were to use it again for the Part 2 opening. The establishing shots of Hogwarts are there for that very reason; to establish where they are. Unless you have a clear shot of Hogwarts as the trio arrive, no one will care to think about where they are. Suddenly, they're in Hogwarts, they'll say. I wouldn't have minded the cutting of establishing shots, if, and only if the flashback was shown.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

As good as Lily's theme is, it wouldn't work for the graveyard scene, particularly if you were to use it again for the Part 2 opening. The establishing shots of Hogwarts are there for that very reason; to establish where they are. Unless you have a clear shot of Hogwarts as the trio arrive, no one will care to think about where they are. Suddenly, they're in Hogwarts, they'll say. I wouldn't have minded the cutting of establishing shots, if, and only if the flashback was shown.

But if you're editing it into one piece there's no reason to establish Hogwarts or Snape there, and those are the shots, plus the title card shot, where Lily's theme plays and into the Dobby's grave scene. I would completely remove all of that, including the music. Just cut from Voldemort with the wand back to Harry at Dobby's grave. Different music, or no music, as it would just be a continuation and not something new.

And then to establish Lily's theme, include it at Godric's Hollow, because the theme that Desplat wrote there for Part 1 doesn't factor in anywhere else, it's beautiful but throwaway.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

The Hogwarts Express scene should never have even existed. As it's pointless, the symbolic opening of Part 2 wouldn't have fit in with such a pointless moment. It would have seemed desperate.

"Oi, losers... he isn't here"

Cut to a beautiful shot of Hogwarts, and a symbolic shot of Snape.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

The Hogwarts Express scene should never have even existed. As it's pointless, the symbolic opening of Part 2 wouldn't have fit in with such a pointless moment. It would have seemed desperate.

Right, it's the opening of Part 2. What we're talking about here is that it's not Part 2, but the same thing as Part 1. No parts, just one movie. So when you consider that this is about melding them together and jettisoning the idea of Part 2 and how it opens out the window since there is no Part 2 to open at all.

Bane · July 2012

Damn it, I really want this cut now. It wouldn't be terribly difficult to do, and having it in 1080p it would be easy enough to burn it onto a Blu-ray disc, get a naked Blu-ray case, print custom cover art, and you would have Deathly Hallows in all its wonderfully lustful superiority with slightly better continuity and no two-part nonsense.

Bane · July 2012

HNNNNGGGGG

Lord Stafford · July 2012

As good as Lily's theme is, it wouldn't work for the graveyard scene, particularly if you were to use it again for the Part 2 opening. The establishing shots of Hogwarts are there for that very reason; to establish where they are. Unless you have a clear shot of Hogwarts as the trio arrive, no one will care to think about where they are. Suddenly, they're in Hogwarts, they'll say. I wouldn't have minded the cutting of establishing shots, if, and only if the flashback was shown.
But if you're editing it into one piece there's no reason to establish Hogwarts or Snape there, and those are the shots, plus the title card shot, where Lily's theme plays and into the Dobby's grave scene. I would completely remove all of that, including the music. Just cut from Voldemort with the wand back to Harry at Dobby's grave. Different music, or no music, as it would just be a continuation and not something new.

And then to establish Lily's theme, include it at Godric's Hollow, because the theme that Desplat wrote there for Part 1 doesn't factor in anywhere else, it's beautiful but throwaway.

I see what you mean, but to have something as one piece completely devoid of any Hogwarts shots, to show how it now is with Snape in charge... well, it isn't right. The establishing shots would work perfectly if we had Snape staring out towards the lake, seeing a bolt of lightning rising from an island. He's knows what has happened, and he knows what he's in for. By the look on his face, you can tell that he knows Harry will return, and for the reason that Voldemort now has the Elder Wand. A battle is coming.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

But we knew Snape was in charge. The only reason those shots exist is to set up Part 2. They're establishing shots. You wouldn't need them at all in one singular cut of both films. They do nothing but show Hogwarts and Snape. We know what the castle looks like, we know what Snape looks like, we know he's in charge-- in one edit of the film they would be unnecessary.

I love the shots too, but for the sake of editing the two movies together, it would be fine to throw them out.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

The Hogwarts Express scene should never have even existed. As it's pointless, the symbolic opening of Part 2 wouldn't have fit in with such a pointless moment. It would have seemed desperate.
Right, it's the opening of Part 2. What we're talking about here is that it's not Part 2, but the same thing as Part 1. No parts, just one movie. So when you consider that this is about melding them together and jettisoning the idea of Part 2 and how it opens out the window since there is no Part 2 to open at all.

Like I said; it would have seemed desperate, placing a big moment immediately after a piece of amateur standard work. I think, somewhere, there is a shot of Snape looking out towards that island. We'll never see it if it does it exist, but I'm pretty sure there is something, either on the cutting room floor, or in the pages of Kloves script.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

They work for the opening of Part 2 because it implies that there's something up with Snape, however in the book we don't know about Snape until he dies/memory sequence anyway.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Damn it, I really want this cut now. It wouldn't be terribly difficult to do, and having it in 1080p it would be easy enough to burn it onto a Blu-ray disc, get a naked Blu-ray case, print custom cover art, and you would have Deathly Hallows in all its wonderfully lustful superiority with slightly better continuity and no two-part nonsense.

I just want the remakes, since all I'm hearing at the moment out of the film industry, is "reboots, two parts to everything, and even more reboots."

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

Like I said; it would have seemed desperate, placing a big moment immediately after a piece of amateur standard work. I think, somewhere, there is a shot of Snape looking out towards that island. We'll never see it if it does it exist, but I'm pretty sure there is something, either on the cutting room floor, or in the pages of Kloves script.

The part you're referring to is just part of my idea that I said was debatable, so obviously it's debatable. I don't even really care for adding those shots in anywhere, in one edit of the movie I'd be fine without them.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

But we knew Snape was in charge. The only reason those shots exist is to set up Part 2. They're establishing shots. You wouldn't need them at all in one singular cut of both films. They do nothing but show Hogwarts and Snape. We know what the castle looks like, we know what Snape looks like, we know he's in charge-- in one edit of the film they would be unnecessary.

I love the shots too, but for the sake of editing the two movies together, it would be fine to throw them out.

I can now agree with you. The only thing I will repeat, though, is that I feel the shots should have only ever existed if we were to see something in the distance of Voldemort's gaining of the Elder Wand.

Lord Stafford.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

They work for the opening of Part 2 because it implies that there's something up with Snape, however in the book we don't know about Snape until he dies/memory sequence anyway.

Exactly. That's why it's there, to show what's about to happen. We all know, but the general audience probably don't, until we have a moment with Snape, who's showing conflict in his mind and in his eyes.

Lord Stafford.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Like I said; it would have seemed desperate, placing a big moment immediately after a piece of amateur standard work. I think, somewhere, there is a shot of Snape looking out towards that island. We'll never see it if it does it exist, but I'm pretty sure there is something, either on the cutting room floor, or in the pages of Kloves script.
The part you're referring to is just part of my idea that I said was debatable, so obviously it's debatable. I don't even really care for adding those shots in anywhere, in one edit of the movie I'd be fine without them.

I guess I just hate it when a scene from the book is cut down to the bare minimum.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

I can now agree with you. The only thing I will repeat, though, is that I feel the shots should have only ever existed if we were to see something in the distance of Voldemort's gaining of the Elder Wand.

Yeah the Part 2 opening shots don't really work as they open Part 2, so if there is no Part 2 to open, there's no need for those shots at all. I really feel like it could work with proper cutting and musical timing.

But having Lily's theme at the graveyard in Godric's Hollow would be crucial as you'd have to remove Lily's theme from where Part 2 would have started, so that theme would need to be established somewhere else-- and where else more proper than the graveyard scene, which as it currently is, has a pretty but throwaway theme that doesn't connect to the Potters? Would work perfectly and we'd have that the superior theme already established.

Bane · July 2012

This edit is now like, my dream film. I would pay copious amounts of cash for it. I would also donate blowjobs to homeless people with STD's.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Sure. In any case, the flashback should have appeared somewhere. Where do you feel it would have worked best?

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

What flashback themes, you mean the P2 establishing shots?

Lord Stafford · July 2012

The Potter's death. Everyone I know, and everyone I don't, absolutely despises the fact that the flashback never gets a proper retelling.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

Oh well uhm that's an entirely different debate right there. It's partially during Snape's memory anyway.

However, on that debate, I would say that the entire film could have opened with that just to remind everyone what happened before in the first place to start the entire story, as well as what's at stake-- but again I'm just talking about how to edit the two movies together.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Yes, and I'm just saying that it could have worked in the middle, if it were one film. That solves the whole "how could we edit this into one film?" debate.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

Yeah, I think... it would have definitely needed to open the movie if it were to be included anywhere.

Bane · July 2012

Yes, and I'm just saying that it could have worked in the middle, if it were one film. That solves the whole "how could we edit this into one film?" debate.

That would work too, maybe go from Voldemort getting the wand to the flashback. It would work but it would need good transitions leading into and out of it.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Like you said; you would have liked it if after Voldemort gained the Elder Wand, the entire scene transitioned into the one with Dobby's grave. As the light from Voldemort's bolt fades out, as it already does, the screen could go dark, meaning the flashback it about to show. It would worked perfectly and seamlessly. The flashback could then transition into the beach scene, with the grave being shown first.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

I agree, it'd work I think, but I would be more than satisfied just to get a singular edit with my requests. It won't happen though. Maybe one day when I have proper equipment and know-how to do it myself.

Cutting the footage together would be simple as hell but I would be concerned about sound.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Hire a sound engineer, once you have the resources at your disposal.

Lord Stafford.

Richard · July 2012

All you need is different music and delete the WB and DH2 logos.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

You need alot more than that. It's not as simple as CLICK! and you're done.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

Yep. You would need the raw footage of the graveyard scene without the music track. You would need dialogue and sound effects but without the actual music track.

It's a lot more complicated than people think.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Exactly.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

And for the Voldemort scene you would need different music entirely without the crescendo that builds into the credits.

Bane · July 2012

Nah I think he's a fine editor, to even be able to do what he did makes him a professional. He's not a GREAT editor, but it's also not entirely his fault as editors are guided by the director.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

And that's why I'm surprised Day didn't just give up, and tell everyone that quality filmmaking is too hard for him to edit, being such a mediocre (at best) editor.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

And sometimes editors have to find ways to compensate for footage that they may not have. Frankly it's difficult to criticize editing without being there and knowing what was going on.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

Nah I think he's a fine editor, to even be able to do what he did makes him a professional. He's not a GREAT editor, but it's also not entirely his fault as editors are guided by the director.

Well, then, is that what makes him so bad? Sorry, I mean average. I'd never hear the end of it, if I were to say "Yates and his guidance made Day so poor at what he does."

Lord Stafford.

Isaiah · July 2012

And plus its hard for Day to follow Kloves vision and plus the pressure from WB because they cant be satisfied.

Lord Stafford · July 2012

And sometimes editors have to find ways to compensate for footage that they may not have. Frankly it's difficult to criticize editing without being there and knowing what was going on.

I go on what I know. I know that he's easily the worst out of all the 'Potter' editors.

Lord Stafford.

Bane · July 2012

Well, then, is that what makes him so bad? Sorry, I mean average. I'd never hear the end of it, if I were to say "Yates and his guidance made Day so poor at what he does."

It would be your opinion. I'm just saying it's not a simple matter of him being a bad or good editor. Editing is hard and takes a lot of knowledge and skill and mastery of the equipment to even be able to put a film together, so in that regard he's a pretty good editor, but scenes can be generally criticized when it comes to pacing and how they're put together. In that respect, it could have been Day or it could have been something Yates requested or it could have been both.

Bane · July 2012

I'm just saying-- we don't know. We weren't there, we don't know what footage they had to work with, etc. I felt Half Blood Prince was largely edited very well and most of DH was too with a few exceptions. But for me a couple of iffy moments doesn't kill the whole shebang or make him an awful editor.

Editing DH into One Film

Comments