Dragon*Con 2008

There will be a few Dragon*Con posts forthcoming... here's the first:

Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA was my first opportunity to "troop" with a good majority of 501st members from all over and to march in the parade. So I brought my gear to downtown Atlanta on Saturday morning, August 30, suited up and joined the Parade.


We gathered at Woodruff Park at around 9 am, mingled and met with local Garrison mates and with folks from all over. The weather was real nice and clear. There were 12 Biker Scouts marching and we all kinda hung out together. 10 am rolled around and the parade started. We were lined up behind the TK's and in front of the Snowy's. The 501st always goes last so we finally rolled out close 10:30. And I couldn't believe the crowds and the cheers! It was amazing! We marched 2 by 2 down Peachtree Street waving and posing for photos.

It was nice because we were in shade between the high rise buildings for most of the route. But somewhere around the midde we were marching in the direct sun for a good 10 minutes. And I started to feel a little light-headed. Oh crap! I was going to be that guy! That guy on the news who passes out in the parade. Damn.... I don't want to be that guy. Well, all ended up being OK. We got back to the shade and we stayed in the shade for the rest of the march. Phew! I made it to the end, we all got free bottles of water, and we were a success!


Attending:

Steve - TB 2719
The rest would be too numerous to list, plus I have no idea!

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Imperial Scooters

Here's something fun that happened on Saturday at the Borders event. Imperial Scooters!

A fellow riding a green scooter spotted us out in front of the store, stopped and grabbed some photos of us. He left and we thought nothing more of it. About 10 minutes later here he comes back riding another scooter, this time an Imperial white and black model! He parks it up on the sidewalk and invites us to use it for some photo ops! Well, Craig from atlscooters.com sent me the photos and here they are!

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So why 2719?

As a new recruit, I just recently had to choose my 501st TK ID number.

There's a lot of numbers already taken, but I still wanted to choose a number that was special to me in some way. The number I wanted was 2719. This was actually my first and only choice and the others I came up with were just back-ups if I couldn't get it.

I work as an Animator and animation history is important to me. Walt Disney and the great Disney animators like Ward Kimball, Freddie Moore, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston are heroes of mine. But Walt himself was a true visionary and it was his drive and determination that virtually created animation as a popular art form. I feel that I have the career that I have because of him. I doubt I will ever work for the Disney Studios, but Cartoon Network ain't half bad!

Anyway, 2719 Hyperion was the address for the original Disney Brothers Studios in Los Angeles, CA, the animation studio Walt and his brother Roy started fresh off the train from Kansas City, before Mickey Mouse was created. 2719 honors Walt at the start, before the fame and the popularity. It signifies the hard work and hard times building an industry and art form that I love.

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August 23, 2008 - Del Rey "Force Unleashed" Book Release

Del Rey Books requested the 501st to appear at bookstores around the country to celebrate the release of the "Force Unleashed" books based on the new video game. Our appearance was at a Borders Bookstore in downtown Atlanta.


This was another event where many could not attend. In fact it was looking like Charles this time would be there by himself. Well, after having the Calvary come to my rescue recently, I could not refuse.

So it was Charles and me, along with Liz to take pictures. It's always a lot of fun at meet and greet type events with lots of kids. We posed for pictures and Del Rey was kind enough to provide us with patches to give out to the kids.

It was a fun time, the weather was nice and cool, and we were a hit!

Attending:

Charles - TK 887
Steve - TB 2719

Liz - Costume Support/Photographer

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August 17th, 2008 - Mall of Georgia TRU Grand Opening

Wow, what a busy time to be a member of the 501st! New movie, new books, new toys, and a new Toys R Us location grand opening!

TRU had originally requested us all weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I think that would have killed us! Hehe! So, we settled on Sunday. Good thing they also had Geoffrey and Strawberry Shortcake to take up the slack.

As I've discovered is typical with the Garrison, real life gets in the way and everyone cannot be expected to attend every event. This event was looking to be that way with folks that had signed up to appear suddenly having to change their plans. It was starting to look like I was going to be there by myself!

Kris was on the fence about coming, but ultimately was able to clear his schedule. And I put in a call to Madog and pretty much begged him to come on out with Scorch again. He had a few wardrobe malfunctions that he needed to fix, but ultimately agreed. Phew!

And a surprise for me was another TK showing up unexpected. Thanks, Danny! It was a good "troop", lots of excited, and sometimes astonished kids!

Attending:

Kris - RC/TK 6247
Steve - TB 2719
Darrell - RC Scorch
Danny - TK

Liz, Josh - Costume Support/Photographers
Julian - Costume Support

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August 15, 2008 - Clone Wars Midnight Movie Premiere

Who'd have thought that there would be a new Star Wars movie in theaters ever again? But I'm glad there was because I got to "troop" one!

We settled on the Regal at Town Center Mall in Kennesaw, GA for the midnight opening. We assumed there would be a big crowd. This was a Star Wars movie afterall! Well, it didn't quite turn out that way. It was a fairly low-key event. The theater is actually quite secluded, away from the main drag and the movie failed to bring out the crowds. The critics certainly didn't help, either which is a shame because in my opinion the movie was really fun, and I hope more will give it a chance. Kids definitely loved it!




This event was the debut for Madog in his "Scorch" Republic Commando costume. He's been working day and night for months determined to get it finshed by the premiere, and boy did he ever. He looked great! He's got lights and sounds and all kinds of cool working on that thing. Great job, buddy! Next stop - 501st approval and membership!
It was a long evening as we all arrived at around 9pm. We didn't stay for the movie, but the Regal was kind enough to give all of us free passes to see the movie some other time, and free psses to see anything else.

Attending:

Kris - RC/TK 6247
Steve - TB 2719
Darrell - RC Scorch

Liz, Gina, Detag - Photographers/Costume Support
Mario, Joy - Moral Support

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August 8, 2008 - Clone Wars Movie Advance Screening

Two months in the Legion and I get to participate in an event officially requested by Lucasfilm! Plus we got to see the new "Clone Wars" movie a week early. Don't get much more awesome than that!


We were there for a meet and greet with all of the attendees, including lots of kids with their parents. Warner Brothers and Comcast provided tote bags, posters and activity books for all of the kids in attendance (and for us, of course.... 501st membership equals cool swag!)

Brandi was an AWESOME Assaj Ventress, with her costume based on the the first "Clone Wars" Micro-series appearance on Cartoon Network. I was most impressed with the fabrics used. They were very flat and vibrant and she really looked like the 2D drawing coming to life.

And I got to sign my first autograph! (TB-2719 Biker Scout) Hehe!

After a quick stop at the snack bar, it was off to see the movie (which was great, BTW!) It was funny because of the security checkpoint at the theater entrance, while we were in costume we were not checked at all and could go right in. But back in our street clothes, we were wanded and all had our cel phones confiscated!

Attending:

Hal - TK 9609
Steve - TB 2719
Kris - RC/TK 6247
Brandi - SL 1121
Anita - TB 9608

Jimmy Burns - GA 501st CO Wrangler/Photographer
Madog - Costume Support/Photographer

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July 31, 2008 - Author Karen Traviss Book Signing

The Wordsmith's Bookstore in Decatur, GA hosted a booksigning event with Star Wars Author Karen Traviss. Karen is best known for her "Republic Commando" series of novels based on the popular video game. She was there promoting and signing her new book, the novelization of the "Clone Wars" 3D animated movie.

There were about 50 folks in attendance and lots of kids in costume. Karen gave a nice talk, took questions from the audience, and then slid behind a table to start signing books. By 9:30pm, most everyone had left but us. We got to speak to Karen one-on-one and she's quite pleasant and personable. She is really a big fan of the 501st and is herself an honorary member.

Our two "Republic Commando" costumers were of course in attendance. Kris as "Boss" and Madog showing off his newly completed "Scorch" backpack, which Karen signed.

Attending:

Alex - TK 332
Hal - TK 9609
Charles - TK 887
Steve - TB 2719
Kris - RC/TK 6247
Demon - SL/TR 9713
Beau - DZ 1673

Jimmy Burns - GA 501st CO Wrangler/Photographer
Madog - Costume Support/Photographer

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July 19, 2008 - Ronald McDonald House

My first official "Troop" as a member of the 501st.

We were asked to appear at a Star Wars Meet and Greet at the new Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta, GA at Emory. Ronald McDonald House creates a home-away-from-home and supportive community for families of children with life-threatening illnesses receiving specialized treatment at local hospitals. There were only a few kids there since the event was on a Saturday, and most families use the weekend as an opportunity to enjoy some days away from the facility. But hopefully those few that were there enjoyed seeing and taking photos with us. My Wife even joined in with us donning a generic Jedi costume.

Attending:

Charles - TK 887
Jesse - TR/TK 5090
Steve - TB 2719
Liz - Jedi/Sith

Madog - Costume Support/Photographer
Gina - Costume Support/Photographer

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A Record of my Official Event Appearances with the GA Garrision of the 501st

Hello! This is TB-2719 of the 501st Georgia Garrison and the Pathfinders Detachment. TB is the 501st designation for the Biker Scout costume, which has always been my favorite Star Wars character, and the only costume I will ever need from Star Wars. I joined the 501st back in early June of 2008 and this blog will serve as a record of my official appearances on behalf of the 501st Star Wars Imperial Costuming Club. Thanks for stopping by!

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