Next Gen FM-ABR Episode Breakdown: Episode 1

Introduction

• First of a video series offering a behind-the-scenes look into episode production.
• Core ingredients: Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 and Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
• Project hinges on the way these series split the manga.
• Seven story fragments not adapted sufficiently are to be revived.

Adaptation Challenges

• 2003 Deviations:
  • Introduced new, darker themes (e.g., bird chimera, homunculi from human transmutation).
  • Rearranged plot (e.g., reordering backstory, train battle).
  • Added lore (e.g., Lior as a desert).
• FM-ABR Goal: Closer to manga than official cuts, but includes beneficial elements from 2003.

Technical Aspects

• Aspect Ratios:
  • 2003: 4x3 full screen standard.
  • Brotherhood: 16x9 widescreen standard.
  • Options to resolve discrepancy: Pillarboxing, letterboxing, cropping, and retrofitting.

Audio and Video Composition

• Audio Tracks:
  • 2003 series English and Japanese audio, mixed to align with Brotherhood.
  • Post-production audio adjustments for language differences.
• Video Tracks:
  • Hard-coded subtitles for reference, 4x3 and 16x9 footage.
  • Modification tracks for reframing and lipflap edits.

Episode Breakdown: Lior

• Deviates from Brotherhood by beginning with Ed and Al's human transmutation.
• 2003 vs. Manga Introduction:
  • 2003 provides more detailed setting visuals.
  • Key deviation: Removal of original narration in favor of later series dialogue.

Scene Decisions

• Kept Lior as a desert, using 2003's setup.
• 2003 Scenes Kept:
  • Red wine fountain, religious broadcasts, Cray's attack.
  • Rose's confrontation with truth enhanced by additional sources (FMA Mobile, FMA2, Kakao FMA).
• FMABR Edits:
  • Reframed shots, lip flap edits to match audio and visual consistency.
  • Manga panels used for missing animations.

Conclusion

• Episode 1 is a complex undertaking involving multiple sources to faithfully adapt the manga.
• Successful integration of 2003 and Brotherhood materials enhances the narrative.
• Next episodes: Mining Town and Battle on the Train.