Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within DVD Release - Features Q & A Session
by the Badger

“Open your mind. Unlock the secret. Experience the fantasy.”

When Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within hit theatres on July 11, 2001, fans of the Final Fantasy series, fans of sci-fi, and fans of cinema everywhere bore witness to history in the making. For Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was not just another movie based on a game series, nor just another special effect dabbling space opera – it was the first of it’s kind: A photorealistic, CGI masterpiece which cast original characters in a post-apocalyptic world while bringing to viewers a message altogether universal. I was amongst the eager audience which crammed the theatres on opening night, not knowing what to expect. I was also amongst the many who found themselves walking away with not only the feeling that the movie reached infinite heights in the technical aspects, but also backed up such amazing achievements with an incredibly intimate and inspirational message for us all.

Now, with the DVD/VHS release only a short distance away, we have so much more to look forward to in the form of the DVD Special Edition release of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Slated for release on October 23, 2001, the DVD Special Edition release fulfills once more the original theatrical tagline mentioned above. Not only will the home release allow you to “experience the fantasy” in the comfort of your own home, but it is packed with extra features and special additions that will “open your mind” to the whole scope of movie’s achievements, and “unlock the secrets” of the talented people behind the groundbreaking film.

I had the opportunity to speak with Javier Soto about some of these extra features that are planned for this exciting release. Give it a look, I think you’ll agree that the DVD release will bring even more of the fantasy (if that’s even possible) to life!

1. So much to choose from, so much to discover. What helped you determine which features would be included in the DVD release of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within?
Our goal always is to compliment the feature with the added value content.  To look at the process and determine what makes the most sense.  With Final Fantasy it was showcasing the incredible talents of the artists at Square Pictures and chronicling the 4 years it took to create the film.  Once the content was gathered we chose features which pushed the DVD format to its next level.  For example the Interactive Making-Of allows one to dig deeper and go beyond what is being presented in the main documentary.  We also look to include something fun for the fans of the film.  On this disc there are 5 easter eggs and an all CGI rendition of Thriller.

2. About how many minutes of  documentaries and extras will be included on the DVD release?
There is a half hour documentary with an additional 25 minutes of link out segments.

3. Can you tell us a little more about the "shuffler feature" which allows fans to edit and replay scenes from the movie?
Shuffler presents the conference room sequence broken out into 12 segments which can be re-edited to change the context of the scene or heighten the tension between characters.

4. We've noticed in addition to all the great interactive features that are available for your DVD player alone, there are a number of great features for DVD-ROM. Can you tell us a little more about these features?
There are 3 strong ROM components which are included on disc 2.  The interactive film exploration presents the rough version of the film with the option to run the screenplay as a subtitle stream.  The ROM tour of Square Pictures provides an overview of the departments at the studio. It also includes archives of artwork and storyboards. An Aki screensaver is also available.

5. The Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within promises to feature a great deal of content and sequences not featured in the film, such as an alternate opening sequence and a "Thriller" music video. Would you say that with this DVD release you've had more of an opportunity to explore and feature the more creative outlets and experimentations of film-making?
Actually with an all CGI film it is more difficult to obtain "additional" footage.  Where a live action film has tons of outtakes and bloopers, a film like Final Fantasy has limited takes which are fully rendered.  All the extra footage, aside from the alternate opening sequence, was created by the animators in their spare time.  Thriller began as a very rough animation, but when we saw it we asked animator Kelly Goldstein to complete as an exclusive for the DVD.   

6. Will the DVD feature "cutting room floor" type pieces that were excluded from the theatrical release?
No.  Only the alternate opening.

7. One of the features to be included is described as screen selections with motion images, can you tell us a little more about what that will entail?
This a DVD first.  Each motion thumbnail has a unique transition which builds a holographic frame around the image.  It then re-conforms and drops the consumer at the exact point in the film.  The end result is very much in line with the holographic technology in the film. 

8. Were the CGI introductions for the interactive menus created exclusively for the DVD release by Square studios?
Yes.  Square created two very unique animation exclusively for the DVD. The animation on disc one features Aki in a montage of images from her dreams.  Disc two's intro brings her out of the world of the film and into our world.  It combines live action and CGI animation a'la Roger Rabbit.

9. Are there any other features you are really excited about that you'd like our readers to know about as they anxiously await 10/23?
Boards/Blasts showcases the evolution of the story from story-board to rough animation to final picture.  It runs the length of the film and has informative "pop-up" factoids and a production commentary. The interactive documentary and link-outs provide a glimpse of where DVD is going.  More interactivity, more choices in presentation.  All 3 commentaries are very informative allow a behind the scenes look at two cultures (Japanese and American) coming together to create a film that neither could do alone.

**************

On behalf of GameZone Online The Badger  would like to thank Mr. Soto for taking the time out to answer out questions about this highly anticipated release.