More Lucas v Ainsworth

Here's the Reuters article from July 27, 2011, that gives us an update on the lawsuit between Lucasfilm and Andrew Ainsworth's Shepperton Design Studios surrounding the rights to replicate Stormtrooper armor and helmets. Lucasfilm won in California courts, but was recently ruled against in the UK. This essentially means that SDS can't ship to the States, but will continue producing armor.

The thing that bothers me the most is the fact that the High Court doesn't consider movie props and costumes to be works of art. That's just a slap in the face to everyone in the film industry including Andrew Ainsworth.

It also bothers me (to a lesser degree) that the media likes to use stock images/video of the 501st Legion to illustrate these articles, although SDS armor makes up a very small percentage of the suits worn by Legion members, mainly due to the price point of SDS's unlicensed product.

Uptown Charlotte "Flash Mob"

Okay, so the term "flash mob" is a bit of an exaggeration. This early-morning 501st event in uptown Charlotte, NC, was a planned promotion for Star Wars Celebration V on behalf of Lucasfilm and Reed Expositions (the folks running the big summer 2010 Star Wars fan gathering). We were asked to help drum up some media coverage in regions outside of the Florida market to ensure that fans in the Southeast USA were aware of the August event. I created some picket signs with relevant phrases like "TO ORLANDO...HAVE BLASTER WILL TRAVEL," "THIS IS THE VACATION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR" and "STAR WARS CELEBRATION OR BUST!" David, TI-1626, even went shirtless as a vacationing TIE Pilot complete with swim shorts.



Jon Wilson of the local FOX Charlotte television early morning show, who has helped the 501st promote various events over the years, met us in front of the Omni Hotel at 6 in the morning with his faithful cameraman and we amused and confused passers-by and commuters on their way to work. The end result was about 10-15 minutes of teasers promoting Celebration V and the 501st Legion. Lucasfilm was pleased and I squeezed in another event for 2010. Not a bad result for a last-minute Friday morning troop. Thanks to David, Andy, Cher, Hope, Ken and Ryan for showing up!

Click here for video (not sure how long they keep the link active).

Museum Replicas Stormtrooper Prototype Revealed

It's been a few years since Museum Replicas acquired the license to produce Star Wars costume replicas, but we finally got a gander at the new original trilogy Stormtrooper armor this past week at San Diego Comic-Con 2010.



Bearing in mind that some costumers are very particular about the accuracy of their reproductions---sometimes down to the inclusion of what are clearly shortcomings/errors---this armor is the best licensed offering of white armor we've seen thus far (one could argue that the Shepperton suits are more accurate, but he's not officially licensed by Lucasfilm to sell anything). Sticklers will immediately call foul on parts like the one-piece molded right knee "ammo belt" or the grommets in the webbing belt or even the lack of a separating strip down the backs of the calf armor...or the funky abdomen buttons...or the lack of sharpness on certain parts...you get the idea.



Still, the armor isn't set for release until 2011 and there will likely be changes and improvements between now and the time these hit the market. Maybe fans can offer up some suggestions that might result in a better end-product. No word on price-point or accessories (like the blaster or the special storage crate) at this time.

Click here to see the full-size detailed photos of the prototype. Photos courtesy of the very generous Lesley Farquhar.

eFX Releases PCR Helmet

The company known as eFX Collectibles acquired the license to produce certain items that were being made by the now-defunct Master Replicas. While the Master Replicas Collectors Edition (MRCE) Stormtrooper helmet is still available though a number of online retailers, eFX is now releasing an Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back version that appears to be made from the same molds as the MRCE. The paint scheme is a bit different---most notably the black vs. gray frown---and the manufacturer is now calling this a Precision Cast Replica (PCR) made from injection-molded ABS (same as the MRCE).

Click here to pre-order from elitecollectiblesinc.com or here redfordfilms.com for $159.99 US. Both sites offer free shipping. They claim these will be a limited edition (as were the plentiful MRCEs) shipping in early July 2010.

Essentially what we're seeing is a $40 jump in price for the same helmet which still requires modifications to meet 501st standards, but at least this style of fairly-accurate TK helmet won't be in short supply.

Star Wars: In Concert Promo

Rain or shine, the trooping must go on. Trooped in armor for the first time in more than a year and was glad that that suit still fits, albeit repairs are in order. The Carolina Garrison was helping to promote the Star Wars: In Concert tour which will be at the Bi-Lo Center in Greenville, SC, on Thursday, November 5th. Ticket sales are suffering from some high priced seats and a weeknight event (not geared towards school kids), so the 501st was out at the Greenville Saturday Market to help get the word out. On a side note, I am an advocate of the local food movement in general...I even sell fresh eggs at our own farmer's market. Despite a constant but light rain, attendance wasn't too bad and we handed out flyers offering a $10 discount on tickets and interacted with the public. Being Halloween, a lot of kids came in costume and it's nice to see that Star Wars is still popular. The event hosts (Bi-Lo Center's marketing team) were kind enough to provide complimentary admission for all of the attending 501st plus up to 5 guests---a wonderful gesture that was much appreciated by the Empire. Due to my work schedule, I won't be at the November 5th concert, but the rest of the family will enjoy a night of live music from that galaxy far, far away. I did get to see the show in Los Angeles, though, and I have to say it's very cool to see and hear the music you've grown up with performed live in front of you. Be sure to catch the show if you can...no telling when you'll have another chance like this!

CowTrooper Victorious!

Amazing! Sensing the huge amount of support for the top two entries in the Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day contest, the food chain decided to award TWO grand prizes. Both the Jobe Family of Boone, NC, and Noel (TK-8541) Green will receive a year's worth of meals. Noel, of course, has pledged to donate his winnings to his local New Mexico food bank to assist those less fortunate. As an added bonus, Noel reports that his local Chick-fil-A restaurant will be hosting a special day where a percentage of their sales will go to the same food bank charity! Thank you to all of you who supported this fun and worthy cause---it's astounding that people can make a difference like this when they combine their efforts. Here's the winning announcement from Chick-fil-A's official facebook page: http://bit.ly/s9txN

Vote for TK-COW...and Do It Now!

The competition is pulling out all the stops in the Chick-fil-A Cow Appreciation Day competition and the 501st Legion's very own Noel Green (TK-8541) needs your daily vote from now through Monday, August 31st! Although fans were able to push Noel into the No.1 spot late last week with a surge of votes, the outcome is now uncertain. The CowTrooper respectfully requests that you do your part for the Empire (and remember that Noel has pledged his grand prize of a year's worth of food to feed those in danger of starvation through his local food bank charity)! Click here then click 'vote' and 'highest rated.' This is our most desperate hour...vote daily and spread the word!

Kilometers 4 Katie

Just donated to a great (and fun) cause. On November 22nd, 501st member Joe Schonberger (TK-3699) will run the Philadelphia Marathon in Stormtrooper armor to help raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in memory of the late Katie Johnson (daughter of 501st Founder Albin Johnson). Yes, it's crazy. Yes, it's even crazier because he'll be wearing a kilt (Joe is also a member of the Kilted Trooper Brigade). And, yes, we think Katie would have loved the silliness of it all. Please visit km4kt.com for more details.

To Theaters, It Will Come

Card Number 5

I just received a great note from a fellow trooper...

I was going through some old boxes yesterday and I found my son's first wallet which he lost about a year or so ago. It's a vinyl Darth Vader wallet I got for him at CIV. Inside was a single dollar bill and a single 501st trading card with a trooper holding a paper ewok target. :wink:
Happy New Year
-Brack

The trading card referenced is my own 501st rookie card. My armor and blaster have changed and I'm not producing the Ewok shooting targets anymore, but I've still got plenty of cards available for free...there were 2,500 of them produced, so just e-mail me. Just don't put them on e-bay; they're meant to put smiles on faces, not profit in pockets.