FF:NZ Lucasfilm invites Kiwi Troopers to March

a few months ago Lucasfilm Ltd. asked 501st members across the globe to send in short videos of their garrison/outpost marching in formation. They didnt say why, just that we'd be dissapointed if we didn't. so with our 'superb' marching ability we thought why not?

We fumbled through some manouvres, did some editing and flicked the disk away. We later found out that Lucasfilm planned to fly 200 troops from around the world to Pasadena, California for the 2007 New Years Parade of Roses.

we didnt hear anything back until this week. then simultaneously, four of us recieved an email notifying us that we were 'finalists' in the selection process and they would send us application information. needless to say, after a rollercoaster week (funeral on monday, fever since tuesday) I'm buzzing

 

that's great, hope you guys make it

 

Lucky buggers

 

GEEEEKS!

just kidding, that's crazy!

(also crazy I had a funeral on monday too )

 

so we got the call-up, 4 of us from NZ are going. fed-ex delivered our paperwork and flights have been arranged. still can't believe it's all happening - this is gonna be cool!!!

 

You lucky S.O.B!

 

I liiike. Niiice!


High 5.

 

[image=http://images.askmen.com/men/celeb_profiles_entertainment/pictures/kevin_federline/kevin_federline.jpg]



Hey, congratulations Centuri - what suit are you wearing?

 

I'm thinking Captain kirk

 

Weldone Garrison 42, it'd be nice to c some Kiwis doing something important.

 

cheers!

less than a week to go!

 

How did it go guys? any pics or video footage?

 

Don't think they're back yet. Chans was taking Ena and making a bit of a holiday of it I beleive

 

Yeah well considering the parade had only just started like 20 minutes before I made my post, I was pushing my luck a little bit

 

They've got some photos on starwars.com ... they should have ones of the actual parade up over the next few days.

 

Yup, Outpost 42 had four TKs in the parade - the usual suspects... Cen, Antony, G and myself.

Quick facts:

Including the starting and finishing areas, we marched 12 km in full armour.

There was 1.1 million people lining the streets - most of 'em Star Wars fans from the sounds of the cheers. A further 40 million tuned into the TV coverage.

Grambling is the best band in the world!

We met George Lucas twice.

NZ is still the greatest country in the world.

http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nzandalbinmo1.jpg

I can't get the pic to load in here... funny image tags. Oh well, copy and paste it.

From the left: Callum (me), Albin Johnson (the founder of the 501st Legion and a Trooper in every sense of the word), Graeme (known as G), Antony (like Cen he's a ChCh TK), and the guy on everyone's mind - Cen.

If we weren't already mates before this trip, we certainly are now!

And yes, Cen is still in LA with Wendz, due back Wednesday.

 

[image=http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/2928/nzandalbinmo1.jpg]

Nice - don't suppose you have any shots in your suits?

And 12km walk - crap! I hope no one fainted.

 

Yup... although they aren't all of us exactly - still trying to sort through the thousands out there!

This is us becoming part of Star Wars history! Cen was in the flag company, he made a scene to make sure he was holding the NZ flag (bless him) - you'll never find a more patriotic TK than Cen. While he smiles and holds the flag high, I rode it like a horse... and was caught by the LFL cameras! ha ha

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/4985/georgehistroopsto7.jpg

From the cover of the LA Times (doesn't really show the scope, though):

http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/6011/latimesalz1.jpg

Waiting to form up for pics with Uncle George.

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/3074/fallinmm6.jpg

Group shot with George (although we had smaller grouped pics with him):

http://starwars.com/community/news/family/img/20070104_501st_bg.jpg

Grambling State University Marching Band:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1025/latimesboi8.jpg

They are the coolest people I've ever met... and they made for the greatest show I've ever seen! They played the Star Wars theme, Imperial March, and the Throne Room theme (which brought a tear to Cen's eye) in the style only they can do. Think James Brown leading a marching band and you're getting close. They break out halfway through a theme and get down while humming. So awesome. Everyone ran to the field to see them practice. And they also had 10+ Twi-lek dancing gals which was cool, too.

A random shot from the parade (and yes, that's a guy with a jetpack!):

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1882/latimescxk8.jpg

This was one of the more quiet areas of the route, too.

I still have no idea how to post pics here - I can't even do emoticons! ***?! So if someone can repost 'em for me.

Chur fullas.

 

AWESOME!

 

[image=<ENTERURLHERE> <nospacehere>]

simple.

or just click "markup codes" up the top right and find out yourself about things like faces/emoticons

 

Great pics

 

I've posted some "reports" of our time trooping for George in this thread:

http://outpost42.dr-maul.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=589

Cen has jumped in a few times... funny stuff, too. Lotsa pics, too.

 

A bit late, but glad you guys could come over to our parts. I met one of you very briefly, but I can't remember for the life of me who. (If anyone remembers a blonde with an All Blacks bandana, that was me ) Hope you guyd had fun!!

 

Cen you devil, need to work on leaving impressions on people I've told ya mate, one minute wonder's are not always the best

 

Awesome...nice work!!!

The force is with yous!