DarthAngelus

No stream tonight. We're having a really "fun" heatwave here in the UK and even at my usual streaming time it's just going to be too hot to sit at the computer.

Hopefully we'll have some more sensible temperatures next week.

3 days ago | [YT] | 101

DarthAngelus

As I write this on May the Fourth morning, I am totally blown away by how many of you have watched the new Star Wars: Heir to the Empire movie that was released just a few days ago. It currently stands at just over 177,000 views!

So I wanted to thank everyone for watching it, for sharing it and all the comments that I am working my way through responding (but there are a lot so it might take awhile!).

And I'd also like to welcome everyone to the channel who has only just arrived here because of that movie. It's great to see you!

It's May the Fourth and I wanted to share a little bit about what's next, Dark Force Rising!

While I don't have enough footage to make even a teaser trailer, I thought I could give you all a sneaky early look at what I've been working on. Two stills from the opening shots of the Chimaera returning to Myrkr. I've got a new Star Destroyer model which looks stunning!

And speaking of new models, take a look at the new screen accurate uniforms for Thrawn and Pellaeon. So much better than the previous ones I made for them. Pretty much every character is getting a visual overhaul for Dark Force Rising but I thought you all might like to see these two.

Keep on watching and sharing Heir to the Empire and May the Thrawn be with you on this May the Fourth!

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3 weeks ago | [YT] | 1,162

DarthAngelus

No stream tonight, extremely tired and don't think I'd be very entertaining.

However, I am very much looking forward to the Friday premiere of Heir to the Empire and look forward to seeing you all then!

1 month ago | [YT] | 147

DarthAngelus

Today marks the final chapter of Heir to the Empire Special Edition. Hard to believe it's over already!

But fear not, work on Dark Force Rising is underway and the full movie edit of Heir to the Empire is coming on 1st May to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the book.

But I do have a question for you, the community. Last Christmas, I posted a movie edit, Part One that combined the Special Edition Chapters 1-16 into a nearly two hour movie, as I had done with the original several years ago.

Shall I post the Part Two Special Edition next week or just save it for the full movie?

The choice is yours and it will have no impact on Dark Force Rising or the full movie.

1 month ago | [YT] | 246

DarthAngelus

As we close in on the end of Heir to the Empire Special Edition (Chapter 30 dropped last night, two more to go!), it's time to start looking at the future.

Dark Force Rising has been in the works for a little while so today I wanted to share a sneak peak at the upcoming series.

1 month ago | [YT] | 406

DarthAngelus

Sadly no stream tonight, I have to get up pretty early for a hospital appointment so I should be well rested. Aren't ongoing health problems fun?

I'll be there for tomorrow's premiere of Chapter 27 though!

2 months ago | [YT] | 103

DarthAngelus

I'm afraid there will be no stream tonight, it's been a long and exhausing day (not bad) and I don't think I've got the energy to be entertaining this evening. But I look forward to seeing everyone at the Chapter 25 premiere tomorrow!

2 months ago | [YT] | 78

DarthAngelus

It is done!

All chapters of the Special Edition are fully rendered and edited! Not only that, but the full movie edit is also complete!

The movie has a run time of 3 hours and 30 minutes. I'd previously thought it would be around 3 hours and 50 minutes but apparently I can't do maths (and I was forgetting that the movie wouldn't have 32 end scene cards to link to the next video, subscribe buttons and such), so it's a little shorter than expected but still an epic thing to watch in one sitting.

So what happens next? I'll be continuing to release the individual chapters weekly until those are all done (today sees the 24 going out) and then the movie will be released after and I have a very specific date in mind for it. Nope, not May the Fourth, although I did consider that.

Instead, the movie will be released on 1st May! It's very appropriate because that day will also be the 35th anniversary of Heir to the Empire being published!

A quick FAQ as I know some things will get asked a few times.

---

Q: Will there be an opening crawl on the movie?
A: As with the existing version of the project, the crawl is a seperate video. If the copyright bots object to the Star Wars main theme and take it down, we only lose the crawl and not the entire movie.

The same thing will apply to the end credits as well.

Q: What's different about the later chapters?
A: Every single chapter got improvements of some kind. Even if it was just a higher resolution render. There are a couple of practical model effects shots in Chapter 31 that had to be reshot because the original footage wasn't high enough quality to work with the new rendered scenes.


Q: Will there be a Special Special Edition?
A: No, I think Heir to the Empire is complete at this point. I wanted it to be visually consistant all the way through. The original version of Chapter 1 is hard to watch compared to Chapter 31 or 32. But now that's done I think it's time to move on to Dark Force Rising.

Q: Why didn't you go right into Dark Force Rising?
A: The Special Edition was something I had been planning for awhile before finishing the original series run. Originally I planned to have more of DFR underway by this point but last year saw me facing some serious health problems and major surgery which mean I'm only now able to start doing new motion capture and stuff.

Healing is slow. But I'm looking forward to finally putting the new mocap suit to good use that you all helped crowdfund last year.

Q: Why don't you use AI to-?
A: No.

Generative AI will not be used to produce any footage, voices, music or other content for this project.

Q: How can I support Dark Force Rising?
A: Right now, there are two ways.

The first, you can support my work through Kofi: ko-fi.com/darthangelus

The other, continue to watch and share Heir to the Empire. The more people watching, the more it helps with the algothm so even more people can find it. Help spread the word.

---


I think that about covers it. Now to get to work properly on Dark Force Rising!

2 months ago | [YT] | 243

DarthAngelus

At last! My first con appearance! I'll be at this event in Bath next Saturday selling Star Wars themed Christmas cards and promoting Heir to the Empire!

It's a tiny event, so don't start booking those international flights but if you're in the area come and say hello!

5 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 70

DarthAngelus

As we close in on December and the end of the year, I thought it was time to give an update on how the Heir to the Empire Special Edition is doing.

First, I've only got two chapters left to render! (25 and 31 for those who are curious), it's exciting to be so close to having it finished.

The next thing is the release schedule. Chapter 16 will drop appropriately on 16th December and I've been giving some thought about what to do the following Tuesday. Whilst there is nothing wrong with Chapter 17, it's not the most exciting installment to release for the holidays.

So I have decided to push 17 back a week and put together a Part One Special Edition movie, which as before combines Chapter 1-16. That way everyone can enjoy the first half of the book over the festive season in one sitting.

This isn't going to affect my plans for releasing the four hour movie once the whole lot has been released, since I have a very specific date in mind for that. I just want to do something special for this community who have been following the series for so long.

In addition to that, if you're looking for some Star Wars themed Holiday Cards, I've put some up on Red Bubble (yes there are two Thrawn ones). Be sure to take a look:

www.redbubble.com/people/darth-angelus/shop

6 months ago | [YT] | 157