Jo
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( 2.9 / 169 )Hey!
I'm still here! Sorry for not posting anything recently, what with Celebration Europe and other events I haven't had 5 minutes. There will be several reports to post up over the next couple of weeks so keep checking. A few Star Wars ones, a bit of filming and an appearance! So even though the sites been quiet, I haven't!
I promise I will post up some reports at the start of the week. I hope alls well with you and you haven't been effected by the terrible floods we have been having here in the UK.
Catch up with you after the weekend
Later
Jo
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Well what can be said about the scale of this event except,wow! 3 days of wall to wall Star Wars with a star signing list as long as your arm, headed by Luke Skywalker himself Mark Hammill. Other headliners were Anthony Daniels (C3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando), Ray Parks (Darth Maul), Dave Prowse (Darth Vader), Peter Mayhew (Chewie) to name but a few.
Alongside the stars were some amazing full scale sets mainly built by some of the European garrisons and shipped over. These included a full size X-Wing, Snowspeeder, Speeder Bike, a set of Degobah, Millenium Falcon corridor, life size Jabba the Hut and band, not to scale but a huge AT AT and the brilliant Tantive IV corridor. As you can imagine there were merchandise stalls, interactive stands such as the Lucas Arts stand, Star Wars Lego, and exhibition of pimped out Vader helmets, the Army had a huge inflatable assault course which seemed very popular with the kids. The Royal Navy also had a great interactive stand too and there was also the fan stage where there were all sorts of talks and demo's through the day. One great attraction was the Tantive IV set where members of the public could dress up as Rebel Fleet troopers and get attacked by the Stormtroopers re-enacting one of the most famous entrances of a villan in movie history! All this was filmed and played back to the public much to the delight of all concerned. It was also the scene of a photo opportunity for members of the public to have their picture taken with the Stormtroopers.
This event also saw the biggest gathering of the European Garrisons and ones from further afield, working together to produce a top class event. The crowds were just overwhelming with all advanced tickets (70,000) being sold! And also tickets available on the day I would estimate at least 100,000 must have passed through the event over the 3 days. The costumed participants from the Garrisons were just swamped as they tried to move around the venue. After the initial parade in the morning of all costumed characters, everyone was split into squads and were assigned to different areas. The response from the public was just amazing, the schedules kind of went to pot when squads were meant to go out for an hour shift, but managed to crawl back in an hour late. This was due to the volume of photos that were taken of everyone and not being given a chance to move because of being in such demand for photo opportunities! At one point the squad I was in was so spread out we had to form a cirle back to back so we could cope! Then a couple of freelance photographers working for the big national and tabloid papers asked myself and another trooper to head down to the Excel train station for some photo's. We headed down and got on a train for some photos, and disembarked at the next stop to return. Whilst we were waiting on the platform having some more photo's taken a voice came over the PA system. Oh I think we're in trouble was my initial thought, but the voice asked if we would like a special message beamed across the sign above us! As soon as we said yes "May the Force Be With You" flashed across the sign, brilliant!
One of the photo's of us on the train ended up in The Sun newspaper.
I have to say if I had a pound for every photo I had taken over the 3 days, I'm not exaggerating when I say I probably would have made over £1500! It was crazy. Special mention has to go to Monkey and Vince who had been working really hard on the Anakin and Obi Wan fight scene from Episode 3, they pulled off a great performance and did a sterling job, well done guys.
There were so many great experiences and the socials were so much fun too, it was a great experience which I'm glad to say I was a part of. I would quite happily do it all again if they hold another of these events even though my feet, back and head scream,"no way".
Special thanks goes to Mr Harris all who made this happen from all Garrisons who had a hand in organising. The UK Garrison members who built the amazing 501st stand and all who made it possible for us all to have fun, public and Garrison members alike. Top job everyone.
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( 3 / 179 )Hey, just a quick reminder about events coming up for this weekend and next. Film and TV Memoribilia fair at the NEC, Birmingham. I will be there on the Sunday with the UK Garrison. And of course the Celebration Europe rolls into town (London) the following weekend with an array of stars in attendance. This is going to be really great, check out the website and see whats going on and maybe see you there! Celebration Europe
Later
Jo
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( 3 / 164 )A 2 day event in my home town! which I could only make the Sunday of due to work. From all reports the weather for Saturday was terrible with heavy rain for most of it. Shame as it really effected the attendance of the public and even some stall holders who were unable to even get on the carnival field due to the waterlogged ground. Even so it didn't dampen the spirits of the those who did turn up or the brave Garrison members. A small area was roped off for the Garrison so people could come up for photos in return for a small donation for charity.
On the Sunday thankfully the weather was much better with quite a bit of sunshine inbetween the odd shower. Crowds were braving the weather and the Garrison are got quite busy with talking to the crowds and having lots of photos taken. There was a group of cheeky little kids but all was in good humour! At the ed of the day we raised over £60 from the photos which was brilliant! A great little relaxed troop with great company, thankfully good weather for the Sunday and happy carnival orgainsers too. I'm guessing we may get asked back next year!
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