salon.com/ent/movies/feature/2001/11/05/phantom_edit/index.html -> dir.salon.com/ent/movies/feature/2001/11/05/phantom_edit/index.html
By Daniel Kraus - - - - - - - - - - November 05, 2001 | Earlier this year, rumors of a new, supposedly better version of 44 "Star Wars: Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace" began surfacing on the Internet. The rumor-mongers were not talking about the video version, which had already been released. Nor were they chattering about the then-unreleased DVD -- just out, with extended scenes and George Lucas commentary -- but actually a shorter version that was traversing the bootleg circuit. This version had been reedited by a fan who disliked the film, but who saw a lot of promise in the footage. But through the infamous underground network of "Star Wars" fanatics, copies of the new version began popping up all over the place. Fans would watch it in a friend's living room or at a party, dub off a copy for themselves, download it onto their Web site and send it to other rabid fans. But this added to the mystique and appeal, for materialized from out of nowhere was a good film that had been hidden inside the disappointing original one -- perhaps the film that every adult "Star Wars" fan had been hoping "Episode 1" would be. Bootleg tapes were being sold on the street and at comic book conventions. A group calling itself "The Phantom Edit Fan Network" began organizing mass distribution of the tapes, handing them out in front of theaters and sending them to people in as many different states and countries as they could. Reputable news sources like the Chicago Tribune began running reviews of these revisions. Meanwhile, the responses from Lucasfilm spokespeople began turning from amiable to intimidating. It read in part: "This project began as a personal endeavor when I watched 'The Phantom Menace' as an audience, analyzed it with the care and attention of a Lucas team member, and carefully re-edited it, concentrating on creating the storytelling style that Lucas originally made famous. Although I definitely appreciate all the unexpected attention and support, I also respect and understand the discontentment of Lucasfilm Ltd. I do not want my name associated with these kinds of activities. No one wants to get in trouble with the Lucasfilm behemoth. At the same time, none of the editors seem to want credit for their work, either. These faceless "fan-toms" simply want to get their beloved Phantom Edits seen. For years, Lucas has been touting the approach of a new age of filmmaking, a revolution of sorts brought on by advancements in digital technology. In 1997, he rereleased his original "Star Wars" trilogy as Special Editions. Each film was digitally remastered for optimal sound and picture quality and also included new scenes, shots and creatures of entirely digital origin. Audaciously, Lucas decided to shoot next year's "Episode 2" on a 24-frame digital video camera rather than the standard 35mm film. The entire movie industry is well aware that a success could change the face of Hollywood forever. However, it seems that the very technology that Lucas embraces has turned against him. Whereas digital technology equals "boundless imagination" for Lucas, it equals "cheap accessibility" for everyone else. These days, for a couple thousand dollars, you can own your own digital video camera and editing system, from which you can burn your movie directly to a DVD or download it onto your personal Web site. High-quality moviemaking no longer takes a crew of hundreds. And this is how "The Phantom Edit" was most likely created.
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