The Pinoy 501st in Local Media - Asia marks 30 years of ‘Star Wars’

Asia marks 30 years of ‘Star Wars’
By Regina Layug
PRO - Philippine Outpost of the 501st Legion

Originally published here:
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/you/vidvibe/view/20080815-154902/Asi...

MANILA, Philippines—This year marks the 30th anniversary of “Star Wars” in Asia. While Philippine cinemas released Star Wars in June 1977, the rest of Asia had to wait until 1978. And in the 30 years that have followed, no other country has been more “Star Wars”-crazy than the Japanese.

Outside of the US, Japan probably produces the biggest volume and variety of officially licensed “Star Wars” merchandise, from toys and high-end collectible statues by Kotobukiya and Kubrick, to artwork and books. Many “Star Wars” artists who design covers for the novels and the comic books are from Japan as well; you probably have Tsuneo Sanda artwork somewhere in your collection.

And of course, who can forget all the Japanese influences in the “Star Wars” universe? George Lucas has said repeatedly that one of his favorite directors is Akira Kurosawa. Elements of Darth Vader’s costume resemble that of a samurai. And R2-D2 and C3PO are reminiscent of the two peasants in “The Hidden Fortress.”

So it makes perfect sense that the first big “Star Wars” convention in Asia was held in Japan. Celebration Japan was held in Makuhari-Messe Convention Center, Chiba City, July 19 to 21, and “Star Wars” fans from all over the world made their presence felt. Fans arrived from all over the US, Australia, the Philippines, Singapore, Belgium and Hong Kong!

In costume

Everyone was in costume: stormtroopers, clone troopers, Darth Vader, Jedi, Amidala, biker scouts, Sith, sandtroopers, Imperial officers. Even little children enthusiastically wore costumes, and stayed in character! One little boy wore a pretty good Darth Vader costume, and he cheerfully consented every time his mother asked him to pose. Several times he posed for photos beside the Darth Vader from the 501st, and it was just hilarious to see a life-size and a kiddie version of the dark lord of the Sith.

Indeed, fans played a big part in convention activities. The Belgian Garrison of the 501st and the Crescent Moon Alliance brought their life-size props for display, all of which they built themselves: a snow speeder, a speeder bike, the Millennium Falcon Hallway, and Jabba the Hutt on his throne, complete with Salacious Crumb!

Not to be outdone, the Japanese Garrison had their own impressive display: a full-scale dewback, which you could sit on for photos! Convention attendees lined up at each display to take pictures, and occasionally costumed characters would appear to pose with the props.

Fan organizations set up booths and conducted fun activities for the whole family. At the Fan and Collectors’ Stage, the 501st Legion gave lectures on costuming for Darth Vader, Jango Fett, Boba Fett and the stormtroopers.

The Philippine Outpost’s own CO, Manny Mendoza, and XO, Oneal Rosero, took part in the panel, explaining how they built and assembled their clone trooper costumes.

The Japanese Rebel Legion held a Queens costuming panel, and their Amidala costumes did look almost as good as the costumes used for the movies!

Helmets

Adding to the impressive fan displays was the Vader Project, a collection of Master Replicas Darth Vader helmets customized by artists from all over the world.

First displayed at Celebration IV in Los Angeles in May 2007, the collection grew from 60 helmets to its current count of 95.

Helmets were added to the collection from Celebration Europe, the 2007 San Diego Comic-Con, and at Celebration Japan.

Collecting experts such as Gus Lopez and Duncan Jenkins talked alongside Japanese collectors like Yu Katagiri and Tomihiko Amanuma about all sorts of “Star Wars” collectibles, from humorous “Star Wars” items to unproduced “Star Wars” toys, from rare and unusual Japanese collectibles to Japanese Coca-Cola collectibles!

Celebrities

All the while, celebrities would be roaming the halls, giving talks, signing autographs, and even playing with the toys and props on display.

Tim Rose, who played Admiral Ackbar in “Return of the Jedi,” spent some time beside Jabba’s throne, holding a Salacious Crumb puppet. He also did puppet work on Salacious Crumb on the set of “Return.”

Before the convention opened, Anthony Daniels was seen walking among the lines of people, looking around, talking to fans.

The actors, directors and crew who were present gave convention attendees a glimpse into the past and the future of “Star Wars.”

Actors like David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) talked on the Main Stage about their experience shooting the Original Trilogy, while Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) talked about being in all six movies of the “Star Wars” saga.

Mark Hamill, who played Original Trilogy hero Luke Skywalker, made a rare appearance at a fan convention, and talked about “Star Wars” and his other ongoing projects.

Merchandise

Of course, no “Star Wars” convention would be complete without merchandise.

Exhibitors displayed officially licensed merchandise: from Kotobukiya’s amazing statues to the Hasbro 3.75” action figures, from Mighty Muggs to Wacky Wobblers, from Lego to Fine Molds, from Hot Toys to Mimoco.

Rare and vintage toys sold side by side with newer toy lines, and here’s the best part: on the last day of the convention, everything went on sale! Action figures originally priced from Y400 to Y800 were selling for Y100 to Y300!

With celebrities, life-size props and replicas, and Star Wars toys on sale, Celebration Japan was definitely a weekend no “Star Wars” fan should have missed.