Perhaps this topic is redundant; after all, my Facebook and twitter feed is full of friends who are already buzzing about Star Wars Celebration VI. For the few people who haven't committed yet, I want to remind you why now is a great time to plan your trip down to the best Star Wars party in the world!
Hotels from just $65 a night. Thanks to the negotiated rates for the convention, you can still get a hotel for just $65 a night. Thats about $17 a night if you split a room with friends. Remember, the convention and the surrounding events will keep you plenty busy - you just need a simple place to stay that is relatively close-by. I'd recommend getting a room now while there are still plenty to choose from.
You still have time to get a great deal on air fare. A handful of months in advance is often the best time to buy airfare. FareCompare offers valuable advice to scoring great prices on airfare, with specific advice for each major airline. With a little bit of planing, you can get down to Orlando for a great price; maybe even cheaper than driving to another convention.
Star Wars Celebration is August 23-26 in Orlando, Florida. Tickets are just $135 for a four day pass.
Do you have your own budget tips for getting to Celebration? Post a comment and let us know!
February 14, 2012
February 12, 2012
Navigating Your First Military Show
If you, like me, are a fan of Star Wars and History, you might be interested in the real life artifacts that were used in the 1970s and 80's to create the props and sets for Star Wars. It's fun to collect or simply gaze at the historic guns, militaria, and uniforms that inspired or became Star Wars props. Many museums have pieces here and there, but if you want to get close to the parts and especially if you are looking to buy, you have to visit a gun show or shoot. Being a sic-fi fan walking into your first gun show or machine gun shoot can be a bit intimidating if you haven't been before; here are some tips for your first show.
Cash is King. If you are looking to buy something at the show, or even just pay the entry fee, you're going to need cash. Most show organizers don't accept credit cards and many dealers will charge a 3% fee if they accept cards at all. There are usually ATMs at the convention centers or dropped by local businesses looking to make a quick buck on attendees who didn't bring enough cash. You will pay for this convenience with high fees.
Note that bartering is typical, especially towards the end of the show when dealers are trying to avoid packing and hauling everything back to their shop. Keep in mind that trying to barter for a super-rare piece might be met with a quick "no," but it never hurts to ask.
Ways to get their attention. If you are like me, you won't look like the average person in the market for a mortar grenade fin or a demilitarized Sterling SMG. Many dealers will pay you little attention - after all, you are one of thousands of people who will walk by that day. If I want them to give me the educated sales pitch, I pull out my secret weapon: 4Sevens Preon 2 Flashlight. If you pull out a light and carefully start looking for serial numbers and scratches, they will know you mean (or feign) business. Want to earn extra points? Ask to pick up or touch the item first; many dealers loathe grubby hands all over their wares but are thrilled if you ask first. 
Go educated, bring reference. I often go to a show not looking for anything in particular. When I'm on the hunt for a specific item, I always plan ahead by doing research and printing reference. When shopping for my latest rifle, I created a cheat sheet with serial number ranges and a list of parts that identified a pre-war and a post-war model. Cell phones don't always work, especially in the woods of Knob Creek, Kentucky or the steel-framed convention centers so don't count on having google at hand to look something up.
Bring a good bag. I never head to a Star Wars convention or show without a good bag. Same goes for the machine gun shoots or museum visits. If you buy something, you'll need somewhere to put it; you'll be lucky if the dealer has a spare grocery bag to stash your purchase. For controlling R2, carrying my laptop, or visiting the shows I often carry my black messenger bag. It's beautifully simplistic with one huge main compartment and four smaller pouches around the sides. There is a small zipper pouch on the inside for added security. Stick with black if you like simplicity or sew on some patches from the 501st & Rebel Legion for added Star Wars flare. Pro Tip: Pack the bag lighter than you think you need to. Carrying a bag around all day gets heavy. I always carry some hand sanitizer and a few sheets of toilet paper - just in case. 
Good shoes are going to matter. Just like a convention dealer hall, gun shows don't offer many chances to sit. Based on a tip from travel writer Rick Steves, I have recently switched to Ecco shoes for travel and conventions. They are built to be rugged, comfortable, and last. Just be sure to wear them around a while to break them in. I've done shows with poor shoes before; it's not the end of the world, but your back will thank you later.
Expect a (quite interesting) crowd. Gun shows and machine gun shoots are just like conventions: Saturday's are always busy. You will see and maybe even bump into lots of people; from all backgrounds, countries, creeds, and colors. As you might expect from a room full of people who's livelihoods depend on gun legislation, most dealers are of a particular political leaning. No mater where you stand on the political spectrum, consider it part of the experience.
Cash is King. If you are looking to buy something at the show, or even just pay the entry fee, you're going to need cash. Most show organizers don't accept credit cards and many dealers will charge a 3% fee if they accept cards at all. There are usually ATMs at the convention centers or dropped by local businesses looking to make a quick buck on attendees who didn't bring enough cash. You will pay for this convenience with high fees.
Note that bartering is typical, especially towards the end of the show when dealers are trying to avoid packing and hauling everything back to their shop. Keep in mind that trying to barter for a super-rare piece might be met with a quick "no," but it never hurts to ask.
Ways to get their attention. If you are like me, you won't look like the average person in the market for a mortar grenade fin or a demilitarized Sterling SMG. Many dealers will pay you little attention - after all, you are one of thousands of people who will walk by that day. If I want them to give me the educated sales pitch, I pull out my secret weapon: 4Sevens Preon 2 Flashlight. If you pull out a light and carefully start looking for serial numbers and scratches, they will know you mean (or feign) business. Want to earn extra points? Ask to pick up or touch the item first; many dealers loathe grubby hands all over their wares but are thrilled if you ask first. Go educated, bring reference. I often go to a show not looking for anything in particular. When I'm on the hunt for a specific item, I always plan ahead by doing research and printing reference. When shopping for my latest rifle, I created a cheat sheet with serial number ranges and a list of parts that identified a pre-war and a post-war model. Cell phones don't always work, especially in the woods of Knob Creek, Kentucky or the steel-framed convention centers so don't count on having google at hand to look something up.
Bring a good bag. I never head to a Star Wars convention or show without a good bag. Same goes for the machine gun shoots or museum visits. If you buy something, you'll need somewhere to put it; you'll be lucky if the dealer has a spare grocery bag to stash your purchase. For controlling R2, carrying my laptop, or visiting the shows I often carry my black messenger bag. It's beautifully simplistic with one huge main compartment and four smaller pouches around the sides. There is a small zipper pouch on the inside for added security. Stick with black if you like simplicity or sew on some patches from the 501st & Rebel Legion for added Star Wars flare. Pro Tip: Pack the bag lighter than you think you need to. Carrying a bag around all day gets heavy. I always carry some hand sanitizer and a few sheets of toilet paper - just in case. Good shoes are going to matter. Just like a convention dealer hall, gun shows don't offer many chances to sit. Based on a tip from travel writer Rick Steves, I have recently switched to Ecco shoes for travel and conventions. They are built to be rugged, comfortable, and last. Just be sure to wear them around a while to break them in. I've done shows with poor shoes before; it's not the end of the world, but your back will thank you later.
Expect a (quite interesting) crowd. Gun shows and machine gun shoots are just like conventions: Saturday's are always busy. You will see and maybe even bump into lots of people; from all backgrounds, countries, creeds, and colors. As you might expect from a room full of people who's livelihoods depend on gun legislation, most dealers are of a particular political leaning. No mater where you stand on the political spectrum, consider it part of the experience.
February 4, 2012
R2.0 Picture Update
The droid rebuild is coming along well. Here are some pictures of the progress from Daren, Chris and I.
January 21, 2012
History Repeats Itself: George Lucas' Retirement
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| When History is New News |
In a 2006 interview with TIME magazine's Richard Corliss, Lucas speaks very openly about his "retirement" and his desire to make movies that aren't blockbusters.
The area I'm interested in now is to go do some form-experimenting—to try and figure out different ways of telling movies. I grew up in the Godard, Fellini world and all that. To me that's where my heart is. But I realize that's not commercial. That's why I can say I managed to do something that everybody wants to do—all those guys wanted to do—which was to get a pile of money so I can sort of waste it, burn through it. It's like a government subsidy, which is what (the Europeans) were able to deal with. I have my own little government subsidy that I've built myself, and now I can go and do stupid things with it. I mean, I'm old enough and I'm kind of retired...In the end, I guess nothing's really changed. Lucas finally completed his 20+ year old project in Red Tails and can finally get back to that retirement he started in 2006.
R.C. What do you mean, you're kind of retired?
G.L. In that I don't have to do Star Wars anymore. I don't have to make money any more. I can just waste it. I call it hobby filmmaking, where you just get to do what you want to do, and you don't have to worry about what anyone thinks about it.
R.C. So you're finally going to make good on your promise to do your own little movies?
G.L. Yeah, after the TV series, I'm going to do my own little movies. The stuff I'm thinking about it has to do with pushing the vocabulary in the medium. Basically, you have to accept the fact that it's going to be the land of THX (the movie), and worse.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1173216,00.html#ixzz1k9Sa3R8q
Review of Red Tails
Last night was the nationwide release of George Lucas' World War II film about the Tuskegee Airmen; Red Tails. The story follows a small group of African American aviators as they battle both German fighters above the skies of Europe and racial injustices on the ground. I joined friends to brave an ice-storm here in the midwest to check out the film for ourselves.
Red tails is a largely feel-good action flick that isn't trying to shock. It certainly has its fair share of emotional moments, but Red Tails is not a gritty modern war film in the vein of Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers. The tone is, however, exactly how Lucas designed it. According to Lucas in a recent Daily Show interview:
The most impressive aspect of the film are the visual effects. I would argue that no air war film has ever looked this great. The waves of B-17 bombers are breathtaking. The fighters' movement is sweeping and exhilarating. The action is fast, but so well laid out that the audience never loses their bearings. Considering that much of the action takes place in the vast, cloud-filled sky - this context is quite impressive. For any war or aviation fan, the visuals alone make Red Tails a must-see.
Red Tails is also complete with some references to Star Wars. Fans of the saga will notice that the airmen's call signs are Red 1, Red 2 (and so on). As the pilots approach a target, they are even told to "Cut the chatter" in the same way that Red Leader instructs his group of X-Wing pilots.
Overall, I thought Red Tails more than lived up to expectations. As advertised, it is corny yet inspiring and the aerial combat is unparalleled. Even my wife enjoyed it (even going so far to say she enjoys this type of movie to Star Wars.) I recommend it to anyone; Star Wars fan, history buff, or just the casual movie-goer.
Red tails is a largely feel-good action flick that isn't trying to shock. It certainly has its fair share of emotional moments, but Red Tails is not a gritty modern war film in the vein of Saving Private Ryan or Band of Brothers. The tone is, however, exactly how Lucas designed it. According to Lucas in a recent Daily Show interview:
"It was designed to be a film during the war - its very patriotic, very jingoistic, very old fashioned, corny. Its just exactly like flying leathernecks only this one was held up from release in 1942 when it was shot and I’ve been trying to get it released ever since."This style is most obvious when the bomber pilots comment on the Tuskegee Airmen above the skies of Europe. The way they describe the action and their feelings about the airmen feel very propagandistic. Certainly the sentiments were true, but the delivery feels like something right out of a signal corps newsreel. Viewers who are willing to take this style for what it is will be fine; viewers expecting modern dialogue risk missing the mark.
The most impressive aspect of the film are the visual effects. I would argue that no air war film has ever looked this great. The waves of B-17 bombers are breathtaking. The fighters' movement is sweeping and exhilarating. The action is fast, but so well laid out that the audience never loses their bearings. Considering that much of the action takes place in the vast, cloud-filled sky - this context is quite impressive. For any war or aviation fan, the visuals alone make Red Tails a must-see.
Red Tails is also complete with some references to Star Wars. Fans of the saga will notice that the airmen's call signs are Red 1, Red 2 (and so on). As the pilots approach a target, they are even told to "Cut the chatter" in the same way that Red Leader instructs his group of X-Wing pilots.
Overall, I thought Red Tails more than lived up to expectations. As advertised, it is corny yet inspiring and the aerial combat is unparalleled. Even my wife enjoyed it (even going so far to say she enjoys this type of movie to Star Wars.) I recommend it to anyone; Star Wars fan, history buff, or just the casual movie-goer.
January 19, 2012
Research Tools
When doing ongoing research for a project, I love is to keep all of my research findings in one place where I can reference them on the go. Usually it's just thought-starters and ideas to further explorer short quotes. Later I'll type them up and organize the various images to support the text.
Here are my secret tools for successful research:
Moleskine Notebooks - Preferably the Star Wars Versions
. I have filled one of these already and am almost done with the second. The Star Wars versions are limited edition, so I picked up multiple for the future. I also keep a small one in my jacket pocket for ideas on the road (like when listening to an audio book in the car). The big ones can be found at retail for about $20 - and much less online.
Retro 51 Pens - I have two of these Retro 51 pens and absolutely love 'em. I have them in Red and Stainless. I keep a few Retro 51 refills on hand in both blue and black ink.
Messenger Bag - This simple black bag doubles as my transmitter bag for R2 events as well. Daren and I both have one to hide our controllers and tools in. It can hold my 15 inch computer and multiple notebooks. It has four side pockets and one internal zipping pocket. It's beauty is it's simplicity. You can also easily sew patches to it. BONUS FEATURE: This bag (in black) was used in the BSG spinoff Caprica!
Here are my secret tools for successful research:
Moleskine Notebooks - Preferably the Star Wars Versions
. I have filled one of these already and am almost done with the second. The Star Wars versions are limited edition, so I picked up multiple for the future. I also keep a small one in my jacket pocket for ideas on the road (like when listening to an audio book in the car). The big ones can be found at retail for about $20 - and much less online. Retro 51 Pens - I have two of these Retro 51 pens and absolutely love 'em. I have them in Red and Stainless. I keep a few Retro 51 refills on hand in both blue and black ink.
Messenger Bag - This simple black bag doubles as my transmitter bag for R2 events as well. Daren and I both have one to hide our controllers and tools in. It can hold my 15 inch computer and multiple notebooks. It has four side pockets and one internal zipping pocket. It's beauty is it's simplicity. You can also easily sew patches to it. BONUS FEATURE: This bag (in black) was used in the BSG spinoff Caprica!
January 17, 2012
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Season 5 Confirmed
The Facebook page of Star Wars: The Clone Wars director Dave Filoni reveals what many of us already knew: the animated show will be back for a fifth season. Expect to learn more in the next year, particularly big reveal events like San Diego ComicCon and Star Wars Celebration VI. In the mean time, we know the following:
MINOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LATEST CLONE WARS EPISODE: If you are a fan of droids, more Mandalorians could mean less droids. After all, last weeks episode showed that the Death Watch aren't fans of friends of our obtuse little friends.
Still, more episodes means more Star Wars; I'll take whatever I can get. More Lucas-style Mandos might also mean a few unhappy custom Mando fans... and that appeals to my Dark Side.
"I hope you all enjoy the episode tonight. I think the Death Watch has gotten significantly cooler, and we are going to build on that next season."Filoni shares a great sketch just to tease us about what the new Mandalorian character, voiced by Katee Sackhoff of Battlestar Galactica fame, might look like under that owl-inspired helmet. If you needed another reason to go to Star Wars Celebration VI, he also mentions that those of us in attendance "might get to see more Death Watch than ever before."
MINOR SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE LATEST CLONE WARS EPISODE: If you are a fan of droids, more Mandalorians could mean less droids. After all, last weeks episode showed that the Death Watch aren't fans of friends of our obtuse little friends.
Still, more episodes means more Star Wars; I'll take whatever I can get. More Lucas-style Mandos might also mean a few unhappy custom Mando fans... and that appeals to my Dark Side.
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