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May 31, 2007 |
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A LOOK BACK AT
CELEBRATION IV I remember sitting down in the command center of GenCon in the convention center on Wednesday, overlooking the area that was to be the new Celebration store of C4 and in the background hearing Darth Wormie sipping on his Mocha Frappachino (with whip cream) and munching down on a piece of marble cake. I was thinking, so this is it. I am finally here. The next five days are going to be a ride that I will never forget, and that it was. In regards to the celebration itself, there were many shows, Q&A panels and family fun areas to keep everyone entertained. I tried to see as many unique shows as possible during my visit. The only disappointing part of the convention to me was the Archives Exhibit. With Lucasfilms headquarters so close to the area, you would think they would have many displays, but that was not the case. They were very limited to what they brought, 7 costumes, and some Vader helmets and a few other odd items. From my understanding, C3 had much more to offer in this area. Now on to the fun stuff that I was able to enjoy. The fan made films made a big splash and ran constantly every day. I liked 2 in particular during the few opportunities that I had to watch. The were the latest installment from Pink 5 and another one in which I missed the title, but it was a skit about why C-3PO thought he should have received a medal at the end of A New Hope, and the actors were our basic action figures. These two flicks were fun and well made. Some of the more entertaining live shows going on and my favorites of the show were: 1 Man Star Wars Trilogy starring Charlie Ross and also the Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes show. All of the individuals associated with both of these shows are truly talented and amusing in their own ways. If you ever get the opportunity to catch these shows, do not pass them up. They are well worth the wait in line to see them. I sat in many different collectors panels and Q&A forums and these covered a broad range of topics, to include anything from: vintage figures, prototypes, unproduced figures, bootlegs, women as collectors, the road show and other oddities in the Star Wars collecting world. If you were lucky enough to catch the right show, you were given a unique Star Wars collectors coin. I was able to secure only one of the 12 coins handed out during the week. Once again, the 501st showed up in style with many great costumes and armored troopers. The Jedi’s and Rebels were well represented also. The droid hunt program was a big success with many great prizes going out to the fans. The Trooper Olympics was also very entertaining, from a certain point of view, and the crowd was really involved. The R2 builders group was in the house also, showing off their amazing and talented work on their own unique R2 units. Later during the con, they even had droid races, which pleased the padawans in attendance. The Exhibitor Hall was full of stores and booths of different sizes, all with many wares to sell. The exclusives from the big companies (Gentle Giant, Kotobukiya, StarWarsShop, etc) were hard to come by, and they usually sold out the days limit within minutes of the shows opening. Pre-order for pick-up is the best thing any retailer can do to make things easier for all attending. Sideshow had many great items on display, including a new Biker Scout on a speeder and they gave away FREE gift cards just for visiting. Gentle Giant had a life size Jabba display that made great photo ops for all attending. The artist’s area of the show was huge and full of many talented people. There was something available for any fans taste in art. Many took the time to personalize the prints you purchased and some would commission out to do specific drawings for you. Grant Gould drew me my very own Sandtrooper art and Wormie got him a farmboy Luke. Sandtroopers friend Dave Dorman sold out of his print in the first two days I believe and he was the only artist to do so, from what I saw. Another great print was done by Kilian Plunkett and it starred a Sandtrooper on a dewback taking down the Jawa Sandcrawler, simply poetic. The autograph area included over 30 actors/actresses signing just about anything you put in front of them. Last but certainly not least, the Troopers that attended the show was a great group to hang out with. It was my pleasure to meet each and every one of you (even Spice) and spend time together at the con or on the town, sandtroopers style. From dinner at City Walk (brewery, thanks Fence) to the greasy Pantry Café on Figueroa for breakfast (someone send Spice some lifejackets for his French toast, he poured half a bottle of syrup and drowned the poor bread), you troopers are the best. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the Silva’s, Adam, Tammy, AJ & Bree, for their personal touch, hospitality and open arms and taking time out of their busy schedules to take myself and many other troopers around the City of Angels and showing us a great time. You will never find a family that gives so much and expects nothing in return. They truly are a class act and will be friends of mine for life. And finally, thanks to Mike, aka Darth Wormie, for providing me the opportunity to make this trip possible and being one heck of a roommate (go back to Boston and enjoy those Lukes). Starfox signing off. PHOTO GALLERY
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