A few years ago some friends and I had fun with a video camera by trying to making a few Star Wars fan-flics. We did not get too far as it turned out to be more work than it was worth; but we did manage to produce a few test videos and (half-written) scripts. I think our main purpose was to swing around a lightsabre; at least on camera.

Test #1

Our first test was to verify that we could actually edit the movie and add the glowing lightsabre effect correctly. So, my friend and his brother waved some broom handles around and (with the help of a decorative blanket ...[cough cough]... costume) we produced our first lightsabre fight. We did not add sound and was quite thankful it's only a few seconds long. But it did prove that we could do it.

Test #2

Our second test was very similar to our first test; however, we wanted to create a longer fight scene with significant sword swings, bright flashes when the swords met, and fx-sound and music. We choreographed the fight in under two minutes and quickly raced the footage to the computer for editing. We were shocked at how easy (but time consuming) it was to edit the lightsabres, flashes, and sound. The only contention arose over the choice of music; some felt that it was too "epic" for the fight scene.

With the possibility proven that we could create a short video, we started plotting and planning a script. We scouted out a few locations where we wanted to film this project and sketched out some dialogue and plot. It was hard to reign in our creativity to a very limited budget and ability, but it was fun to dream.

Balance Script

Test #3

Our third test was to try our hand at camera angles in a longer fight sequence. The choreographed fight was more spontaneous than it should have been but resulted in our best fight scene yet. Unfortunately, due to some computer issues, the scene was never cut down to a film-strip to be edited with the glowing swords. One day I hope I can figure out the software and finish the fight.

Test #4

The fourth test did not result in any real action but was an attempt to add true 3D-fx. We initially produced a short scene with only one person fighting an imaginary opponent; the goal was to add a 3D character to match sword swings with. But to integrate the 3D character fully with the movie turned out to be more work than it was worth for the simple test. So the end result was set on a still picture. I have to admit, the alien was pretty cool!