Is Darth Vader's saber blade painted (ANH) & blade flexing.

[Mara Jade's Father]

See my full screen grabs - Alec G has his hand fully over the 'weather vane', marks are on the emitter face.

I see it as he has his hands around the vane section but not covering the top of the vane section

 

[Mouse Vader]

Using a picture of the Luke Return of the Jedi V2, I am illustrating where I think you see the white spot. It believe it is on one of the two sections I've marked. I believe that the angle you are viewing from your screen shots is in such a way that the angle plus low lighting makes it look very close to the emitter from that perspective.

Interesting view as given how Alec G usually holds the V2 the large dent on the emitter would be roughly in the right place for dot in question. Also look at the blade holder 'nipple' a thin black line running right around it, so separate from the emitter itself? & my note about where he's holding it in the video.

 

[Mouse Vader]

My V2 at the same angle - direct comparison to screen grab.

I know in the Hamil video the owner seems to rotate the whole emitter when he's discussing it (but don't actually see it move , only his hand). I'm saying it doesn't move or is loose now but is fixed for ANH. It didn't have the gaffa tape round it in the film & we don't know what is going on under it now.

 

[kpax]

thanks for the info all ! ; )

I'll have to study up.

BTW... anyone ever notice that Luke (Hamill), a right hander... often held the lightsaber lefty? He would still swing it righty but the reverse grip often looked wonky... I wonder why he changed his grip from use to use...

 

[Mouse Vader]

Obi-Wan's blade is definitely spinning, which is why there are wires running up Alec Guinness' sleeve and the blade flickers

Completely missed the white wire going up his sleeve . Too busy looking at spot.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I see what you're talking about from some of the other angles.

 

[JunkSabers1138]

Here's another possibility, could the emitter be spinning at such a rate that the mark ends up in more or less the same position whenever the next frame of film captures it and thus it merely appears as if it isn't rotating similarly to how a helicoper's rotors appear to be still to the naked eye despite rotating at high RPM?

 

[Mouse Vader]

Kurtyboy's got this stuff at much better resolution & if he's saying he's seeing the same thing then surely it's there.

Anyone got any footage actually showing the emitter definitely rotating?

 

[JunkSabers1138]

Nahh... on second thought, that's a stupid idea, because we wouldn't see the black line on the blade ever because it would always be in the same spot too.

Do we have a definitive source of information as to the inner workings of the original prop's construction in that part of its anatomy?

 

[Mouse Vader]

Here's another possibility, could the emitter be spinning at such a rate that the mark ends up in more or less the same position whenever the next frame of film captures it and thus it merely appears as if it isn't rotating similarly to how a helicoper's rotors appear to be still to the naked eye despite rotating at high RPM?

You mean strobing. Problem with that as an explanation is the blade would rotate at the same speed & also appear stationary & it's not doing that.
(& you'd not get the desired flickering blade effect). From other footage blade turns about one turn per 4 frames or 360 RPM (this can vary but that's the most common).

you beat me too it.

 

[Mouse Vader]

Do we have a definitive source of information as to the inner workings of the original prop's construction in that part of its anatomy?

Not to my knowledge but I've not been on RPM long. I'm a pesky newbie, not towing the line.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I swear I heard this on a documentary or interview about filming the scene but I cannot find any info on it.

I remember a story about filming the scene and that one day they came in and the blades were missing so they just faked it.

Anyone heard that before?

Which brings me to another question. Since stories I have heard that the decided to abandon the in camera effect for rotoscoping during filming (if true) would it be possible that during close up shots and/or dialog shots, that they do not spin the blades. Is there any raw footage to support or debunk this thought?

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

My V2 at the same angle - direct comparison to screen grab.
View attachment 999211

To me, the angle for that particular screen grab is closer to this...

 

[Mouse Vader]

Sorry to hijack your pic but this black line is really interesting.

Is there any raw footage to support or debunk this thought?

I've seen some in a take of the hanger duel, OB1's facing DV, it's not dialog or close up but they're not actually clashing blades, the black stripe is visible along the top of OB1's blade & doesn't move. Something similar with the tavern scene. It's late here so I'll try & sort out it out tomorrow.

To me, the angle for that particular screen grab is closer to this...

Look at Alec G's two handed grip & how much of the hilt you can see...

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Look at Alec G's two handed grip & how much of the hilt you can see...

Well in that screen gray I am referencing, his finger looks to the side of the vane section, not covering it.

When I go to your series of images, it looks as if the top row, his finger is to the side of the vane. In your next row, it then appears the finger moves closer to the emitter and then covers the the top edge of the vane.

 

[Mouse Vader]

Your hilt axis would give shown blade angle which doesn't match grab pic.

I've dotted round the emitter face disc here.

 

[thd9791]

Wow, I've missed a lot

Never knew there were scenes where Obi's was still too. Neat!

We are absolutely sure of the V2's construction from the outside, and from a basic standpoint inside. This is from those videos of it once Brandon got ahold of it, and from Brandon himself. The whole emitter is separate, with set screws underneath the emitter lip, in the nipple and they are affixed to the steel rod running down the neck, that has something attached to it to keep the emitter on inside the upper grip.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

Your hilt axis would give shown blade angle which doesn't match grab pic.

Like I said "closer to this". I am not stating it is exact match but I can tell you as the guy holding the hilt and know where the emitter was pointing, Your projected path is way off.

 

[Mouse Vader]

I also said there is more than one mark. This (marked) 11 o'clock dot is where on the hilt ? & the one at app 9 o'clock (I've not marked it) They all track the same. View the video frame by frame as I did.

 

[Mara Jade's Father]

I also said there is more than one mark. This (marked) 11 o'clock dot is where on the hilt ? & the one at app 9 o'clock (I've not marked it) They all track the same. View the video frame by frame as I did.

View attachment 999284

I know. I was just trying to explain why I initially thought what I did.