f43046 *** STAGE 3 ***
f43562 Segment 0: 516
f44237 Segment 1: 675
f44966 Segment 2: 729
f45071 Segment 3: 105
f45132 Segment 4: 61
f45267 Segment 5: 135
f45600 Segment 6: 333
f46602 Segment 7:1002
f46723 Segment 8: 121
f46845 Segment 9: 122
f47079 Segment10: 234
f48755 Segment11:1676
=== END OF STAGE 3 (Frames: 5709) ===
Saved a dialog 8-frame rule. In turn, I removed the intentional 24 frames inserted between stages, as now we're lined up on the item drop 32-frame cycle. Nifty how planning things out based on a frame rule can let me work on a later stage and get things to sync with zero trouble, so the overall movie file is 32 frames shorter. Well, 33, since I dropped a lag frame.
Saved a frame on miniboss entry, thanks to a suggested pixel. The transition to the down segment afterward was not playing nice, and after many trials, I finally found a result I like. Item drops approved of this, and I got through with minimal pain, other than a single lag frame (down from two). Stage 3 is now nice and smooth.
I suppose I'll take on Stage 2 next. Not a lot of choices left.