For this segment of the project, I created eight videos that highlighted the emotional struggles characters dealt with throughout the series. The videos were created using Adobe Premiere Pro. This project allowed me to learn the basics of video editing as well as how to use keyframes. I edited content on my iPad and on my desktop computer, which I will note in the summaries of the videos below. I also dabbled in sound editing, which is something I’ve never done before. I changed the pitch in songs, added deeper base, and even used voice-overs and keyframes to separate audio.
Stories
Kylo Ren & Leia
After Ben Solo turned to the dark side, his mother Leia never gave up hope that he could be redeemed. This story is told with the song "Mama" by My Chemical Romance. Kylo Ren didn't believe he was redeemable until after Leia used the last of her strength to reach him.
This video was created using Adobe Premiere Pro on my iPad. The process is slightly different from the desktop version, but still worth having on the go. I was inspired to use a rock song because of Star Wars’ Spotify playlists they created for each character (in partnership with Spotify). Kylo Ren’s is filled with angsty rock music and this song fits.
‘Star Wars’ in Love
Throughout Episode I-IX, there were three main love stories: Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader) and Padme Amidala, Leia Organa and Han Solo, and Ben Solo and Rey Skywalker (formerly Palpatine). Each of their love stories turned into tragedies. Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side, and Padme died due to Emperor Palpatine draining her life force into the mutilated Skywalker. Leia Organa and Han Solo divorced due to their constant bickering and their son falling to the dark side. Ben Solo and Rey Skywalker were destined to be together due to their dyad, but Ben Solo was too far on the dark side and the two never got a genuine chance to be together because of the war.
I created this video using Adobe Premiere Pro on Desktop. The quote is from Practical Magic, which combines outside literature/movies into film. The original quote has a lot of sound interference so I learned how to isolate the key sound and how to keyframe the original audio to fit with the intended scenes. I used videos from all of the movies to showcase the romance within the movies and how they all ended poorly.
The Life of Han Solo
Han Solo is one of the most famous 'Star Wars' characters due to his charm, wit, and overall scoungel-esque demeanor. Han married Princess Leia Organa in the time after the original trilogy ended. His son, Ben Solo, fell to the dark side after Luke Skywalker tried to kill him in his sleep. Han Solo was later murdered by Ben (known as Kylo Ren at the time) to fulfill his dark side legacy. Ultimately Ben's efforts failed as he was later redeemed.
I mentioned this video when referencing the virtual museum. Han Solo’s character is highly regarded and a pop culture icon. He’s the face of the museum because his story is so emotional. I elaborate in a blog post on the Virtual Reality Shipyard page.
Generational Tragedies
"Generational Tragedies" highlights the parallels between Anakin Skywalker/Padme Amidala's love story and Ben Solo's (Anakin's grandson) similar tragedy. Both Anakin (Darth Vader) and Ben (Kylo Ren) fell to the Dark Side and it cost them dearly. Anakin lost Padme, who he had loved since he was nine years old. Ben Solo alienated his soulmate (dyad) until it was too late for them to have any time together. Ben Solo dies after saving Rey’s life in the final episode.
I experimented with audio in this video using Adobe’s Premiere Pro on Desktop. I really wanted to time out the scenes of the video to the important parts of the audio. It shifts on a queue. The story is told with a classic romantic ballad that’s tinged with sadness because their stories don’t end well.
Kylo Ren’s Redemption
After Kylo Ren kills his father, Han Solo, to realize his destiny as Darth Vader's grandson, he starts a slow cycle towards redemption that ultimately leads to love with heroine Rey Skywalker. Rey dies fighting Palpatine and Ben is left devastated after squandering their dyad (soulbond) for power. In the end, he sacrifices himself so Rey can live.
I edited this video in Adobe Premiere Pro. The sound was the most interesting part of this video because I used a lot of echoes to add an eerie feel to it. Kylo Ren was a darksider. His story is littered with pain. He did the unthinkable by killing Han Solo, but somehow he found his way back to the light. I wanted to showcase those emotions with a darker, melancholic song that continuously says “but you’re not what you thought you were” to show his change of heart.
Padme Amidala Death
The death of Padme Amidala led to the creation of Darth Vader and a generation-long war between the Empire and the Rebels. Padme's death is voice-overed by Anakin's first words to her.
I created this video in Adobe Premiere Pro. I had to isolate this audio and time the scenes out to show Anakin’s innocence when he first met Padme through audio, and how deeply corrupted it was as it soon led to her death. The quote is “Are you an angel? I've heard the deep space pilots talk about them. They live on the moons of Iego, I think. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe.”
Darth Vader Creation
The most compelling part of Darth Vader's origin story is his secret marriage to the impressive Senator Padme Amidala. He went against his Jedi training to be with her and in the end, it led to his fall.
I created this video in Adobe Premiere Pro. In Revenge of the Sith, Padme Amidala begs Anakin to return to Naboo with her so they can find peace but he declines in pursuit of finding a way for his visions of her death to stop. He ends up fighting with his Master, Obi-Wan Kenobi and almost burns to death. I layered this video with scenes from Padme and Anakin’s happiest moments together and her saying: “Hold me, like you did by the lake on Naboo. So long ago when there was nothing but our love. No politics, no plotting, no war.”
Anakin & Ahsoka
Ahsoka Tano was the padawan of Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader). This video tells the story of their first meeting all the way until their last. The video is soundtracked by a song that represents their relationship as Ahsoka never stopped thinking about Anakin and all of his teachings.
I used content from The Clone Wars and Rebels, which are animated series that serve as prequels to the original trilogy. I was always intrigued by Anakin and Ahsoka’s relationship, especially since she survived Order 66 and faced off with Darth Vader in Rebels. The audio used is meant to show the sadness that transpired. The scenes are from Ahsoka and Anakin’s first meeting (Clone Wars) to their final one in Rebels when Ahsoka is no longer a Jedi and an adult.
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