If I was “Forced” to watch only one series set in the Star Wars universe, it’s no doubt going to be Obi-Wan Kenobi. There’s plenty of past and present products to put on an infinite loop with the PVR, and it’s rare to find a work that successfully bridges the gap between various narratives and returns to the familiar. That is, the tales from this franchise follows a checklist of tropes to appease fans.
One of them means seeing this Jedi weld a lightsaber. But instead, this miniseries doesn’t make use of this weapon right away. It’s more like a classic Cowboys and Indians challenge for the first three episodes, at least. But when we’re dealing with a Jedi Master, he’ll be swinging that lightsaber in no time!
Available to watch on Apple’s YouTube channel is Behind the Mac: Skywalker Sound. This mini-documentary released today in honour of Star Wars Day goes behind the scenes in what goes on in at this studio. We see more than how some of those magical sounds are made. We get insights into an aspect of the movie-making process that makes the filimed footage come alive.
Additionally, we see the technology used to fine tune the raw vibrations to what audiences hear in that film! Some of it may seem surprisingly low tech, but for the high, it’s no surprise Apples are used. Logic Pro is the software of choice at this studio. And from what I can notice, the servers look like they’re Apple G5s!
This video is a terrific watch to see how sound and image all gets put together. It may even perhaps inspire those who want to work in the movie-making industry to take up a position as a foley artist. Although some may argue Skywalker Sound desire to be fully digital will kill this position (please read my review of Actors of Sound here), I think this profession will be always be around in one form or another. Behind the Mac: Skywalker Sound nicely tells us why we need people who take ‘psycho acoustics’ seriously. They are the folks who’ll be out there in the natural and synthetic environment to record the next big thing. Who knows, maybe that sonic boom will be put in the next movie we’re about to see on the big screen.
The Bad Batch finished its first season run, and I’m still wondering when and if Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus will meet. Technically, part of the runaway Jedi’s journey was covered in the comic book series published by Marvel Comics and written by Greg Weisman. I doubt the two-parter with Hera can be left just like that, with her and us knowing she’ll become a resistance fighter. As for getting cameos from past fond favourites, like Ashoka, I feel that’s not the direction Dave Filoni is aiming for.
What this season represents is in how various civilizations are not pleased at the fact The Republic has fallen and the Empire is taking over. Democracy has fallen.
The next Star Wars project, Visions, is getting a sneak preview at Anime Expo Lite, and it’s bound to be a crazy reimagining of those adventures we all love in that galaxy far, far away. Host and pop culture maven Chastity Vicencio and Lucasfilm’s Jacqui Lopez (Executive Producer), James Waugh (Executive Producer), Josh Rimes (Executive Producer), and Qubic Pictures’ Justin Leach (Co-Executive Producer) and Kanako Shirasaki (Producer) will talk about the process in putting together this anthology series before it debuts on Disney+ later this year.
What can we expect? This event requires a small $5 (USD) donation to access not only this presentation but also many more exciting news during the weekend. All proceeds supports commUNITY Action Fund by Hate is a Virus.
Dave Filoni’s love for Star Wars makes this latest instalment, The Bad Batch, a must watch. One reason is simply because it’s a continuation of the ongoing narrative which started in the animated Clone Wars series, and another is how the psychological action-adventure drama sees the loss of freedom (and will of an individual) a permanent theme. It’s safe to say knowing the movies, Episodes 2 “Attack of the Clones” and 3 “Revenge of the Sith” will do more to establish the backdrop for anyone needing a refresher.
The first ten minutes of the pilot reveal when this tale takes place in that timeframe. One detail to take note on is that Caleb Dume, a.k.a. Kanan Jarrus of Star Wars Rebels is a Jedi in training who’s escaped death.
A hundred eighty rotations later, the team of Hunter, Tech, Wrecker, Crosshair finished their mission and are headed home to Kamino. They are still wondering what Order 66 is supposed to be about and whether that kid died “a long time ago.” When they land, the newly minted Empire is setting up shop. The passage of time is perplexing because, according to most resource guides, a cycle is often in reference to a day instead of an hour. Unless we’re dealing with a theory that there’s 42 hours in a cosmic day (aka rotation), not much time has really passed.
The team soon has Grand Moff Tarkin wanting to see how well they function. Their way of independent thinking is a result of their faulty programming. They are one of the first batches of clones created for the Republic’s War against a Phantom Menace, and since their introduction in The Clone Wars Season Seven, I’m enjoying this look at the war from a conscript’s perspective (even though they’ll eventually turn into mercenaries).
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Star Wars: The Bad Batch in Review & Commentary
15 Aug(The Vintage Tempest)
The Bad Batch finished its first season run, and I’m still wondering when and if Hera Syndulla and Kanan Jarrus will meet. Technically, part of the runaway Jedi’s journey was covered in the comic book series published by Marvel Comics and written by Greg Weisman. I doubt the two-parter with Hera can be left just like that, with her and us knowing she’ll become a resistance fighter. As for getting cameos from past fond favourites, like Ashoka, I feel that’s not the direction Dave Filoni is aiming for.
What this season represents is in how various civilizations are not pleased at the fact The Republic has fallen and the Empire is taking over. Democracy has fallen.
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Tags: Bad Batch, Commentary, Dave Filoni, Disney, Editorial, LucasFilm, Space Opera, Star Wars