Rebel Legion/ 501st Discussion

lol I didn't realize Carrie was so short. I definitely have the hair for Leia!

As for EU the way I understand it, is that characters like Mara Jade (which I am planning to do) are approved as informal, but only movie characters are 'Formal', but of course, I'm not a member, so I'm not sure...

Bouush is an interesting option. I will look into that. (I'm glad no one suggested Ewok, even though that's not 501st! )

Thanks!

 

Just as a small note, I think the whole "clean white TK-s and a Vader only" requirement for events is only because of the 30th Anniversary. Most of the more notable events had a specific theme or look that was wanted. That restriction was rare and not likely to last.

The officer is a good choice, it is far more canon than a lot of other choices, and you won't be as restricted by the height. Also you will be able to breathe and see much easier than having a bucket on your head. Its a great way to really enjoy your first few events.

 

I think you're right about the Formal vs. Non-Formal:

I personally never forsee myself escorting any official LFL folks around. There's several better folks for that in the local garrison. I'm not a member yet either, all of this I've posted is taken from the 501st website and the LMO & others more in the know would have to answer better. I guess it ultimately depends on what your personal goal is.

Can some of you folks that are part of the 501st or RL give us examples of what is considered formal vs. non-formal? That would be of great assistance.

 

I didn't read all 10 pages of this forum, naughty me, but does anyone ever mention the JEdi Assembly? They are a friendly group... http://www.thejediassembly.com/

 

Woofer thanks for the info, glad to see there are some options for the rest of the characters!

I'm not really sure exactly what I'll end up doing within the organization (assuming I even get that far) I just figured I'd like to have my options open.

Thanks for all the opinions everyone! Very helpful.

 

Ask and ye shall receive . As far as the Rebel Legion goes, EU is also considered Informal. The Rebel Legion definition of Formal = Costumes must be authentic Rebel, Republic, or hero character costumes derived from the films, the screenplays, the film novelizations, the radio dramas, or the comic book adaptations. Informal = Costumes may be based on characters and costumes from the Expanded Universe (books, comics, games, etc.) as well as un-used conceptual art for the films. Original and customized costumes are also welcome provided that their level of customization has some precedence in the films or Expanded Universe material.

It is important to note that the default standard for an event is Informal. So bassically, the event organizers have to specify that an event is formal and then, you usually have to submit pics of yourself, in costume, so you can be approved for the event. Events of this nature are LFL events, high profile parades or SW exhibit openings.

One example of a movie costume that would be considered informal is a Rebel Pilot without a helmet but all of our standards are listed in our forums for each costume. Each costume has a minimum and most have the formal requirement(meaning you have to add a few more things to make it formal).

I am not a 501st member so I don't know what their standards are but I am sure they are similiar but with more requirements for each costume. The RL is currently working on a new charter that will increase slightly the costuming standards.

 

Woofer is right. The likelihood of you ever being turned down for an event because of a costume you have is slim. When it comes to an event where it is catagorized as "canon" or "formal", basically that means ANY costume that was seen in the movies is considered canon. Well, let me reiterate that... any costume with the three points of reference. Doing a costume of a dezinen that you see for a brief second in the background of a cantina scene won't cut it. But any of the troopers, officer, or other military personnel are fair game.
And like Woofer said, the Vader's and TK's only is just for the 30th Anniversary events. But you saw this year the Pasadena Rose Parade. It was a canon event, and you saw that all those costumers were costumes straight out of the movies!
As far as choosing a costume to do for your local area, I wouldn't sweat it. If you want to do Mara Jade, go for it. There are the reference available and she is a canon character, albeit lower canon, but canon just the same.
Recently the 501st (within this last year or so) had updated their charter to include some of the EU into canon costumes, but sited that costumes based off of characters out of the movies were considered "high canon" or "formal". It used to be that all costumes out of the movies were "formal/canon" and everything else was "informal/non-canon". Now with detachments such as Flagship Eclipse, some of the more popular EU characters do get a "canon" rating due to some of the EU being incorporated into the canon hierarchy. Have I confused you yet?
The bottom line is that it all depends on what the event organizer wants to see. After all, they are the ones who decide if the event is a "formal/canon" event or not. I think that you will find that about 95% of your events aren't as formal as you might think. Most private gigs don't care. It seems that it is only the Lucas camp or other bigshots like that who are concerned with the level of canon-acceptible costumes.
Don't sweat the small stuff. Remember this is a hobby. We do this for fun. Your enthusiam for our craft is commendable. But don't let it get you worried or flustered. Pick whatever costume that you truly want to do, research the hell out of it and see it through to fruition. I guarantee you that you will be happy with all of your hard work. And you will be a source of envy to all of your friends. Good luck!

Bill Kohlleppel
TI-7279 Cloud City Garrison
Serving Oregon and SW Washington

 

yeah like myself, i done a vader from the starting of a rubies supreme, and heavily modded and swapped out parts. applied to the 501st, and i was surprised i was accepted. i mean, i thought the costume was lookin good at that point, but needed much more improvements, to now which i have done.

now, i feel like my costume IMO is 501st worthy.

ive been in there for awhile now. so dont be afraid to apply, all they will do if not accepted is point out the parts needed to be fixed up, so they will give you some direction in that regard.

i have yet to make a BIG 501st event, and only made ity to a coupel local cons so far. i would of loved to made it to C4. but couldnt.

so dont be discouraged from any costume you choose to do. do whatever you wish. and if it happens to be a costume 501st, or any of the others will accept, then your in good shape.

theres quite a few places i myself are involved in. 501st, 327th starcorps, thesithorder, the darkempire, TCSS brotherhood of the sith(im the founder). so go out get what ya want, and have fun with it.

 

Bill - great advise!

The approved EU costumes are (per the Flagship Eclipse page):
Asajj Ventress
Clone Emperor
Darth Nihilus
Darth Revan
Darth Traya
Mara Jade
Mara Jade: the Arica Costume
Night Sisters/Sith Witches (don't think just *any* of these are tho)
Visas Marr

There's three references for each one of these as far as I know.

 

Well, I do try to be helpful. That is the thing about Flagship that had me a little confused. Is it just for the EU Sith, or is it open to ALL EU characters that don't fall into one of the many other detachment catagories?

I only ask because what if you want to do a costume that is EU, but is neither Imperial, Rebel or Jedi? What if there is a costume that you would want to do that doesn't have a home.

I have a few examples:
Criminal organizations, like Black Sun. Although, I have seen Prince Xizor listed as a denizen of the Empire. But really, he served neither side. Not in an official capacity anyway. He tended play both sides against each other.
What about CorSec? This, I think, is a good example of that EU costume that doesn't really fit into either side. They weren't Imperial. And they weren't Rebel. Although one of them did leave to become a Rebel... and Jedi, but that is beside the point. They liased with the Empire, but they didn't serve them. CorSec was it's own internal security, much like the Bespin Guards. I don't think I have ever seen them placed (has anyone ever done a Bespin Guard costume???, be it Rebel or Imperial.

Correct me if I am wrong, but how they come to determine which side a costume belongs is based one how that character was reacting to the heroes of the films, right? Boba Fett is lumped into the 501st side because he was contracted out to capture the heroes, making them adversaries or enemies. The Sandpeople are considered a Denizen of the Empire because one of them beat the crap out of Luke Skywalker. So would that make the Bespin Guard a 501st because we see a couple of them pistol whip Han, or would they be Rebel Legion because they assisted in the escape of Leia and Chewie?

Don't mind the long narrative. This has been an excellent thread. Full of good stuff. I'd like to keep it on manual for awhile - err, keep up the good discussion!

- Bill

 

For the specifics, I'll have to defer to the LMO or one of the mods/experts from there. I know bassclarinets is on this forum...not sure of who else from the FE is on here. This is taken from the 501st costume reference library. Per all the ones with an asterisk (*), they are EU characters CURRENTLY accepted.

AR: ARC Trooper*
ARC Trooper*
ARC Commander*

BH: Bounty Hunter
Jango Fett (Open Seasons)*
Jodo Kast*
Jaster Mereel*
Durge*

Utapau Shadow Trooper*

DZ: Denizen of the Empire
Senator Viqi Shesh*
Arica (Mara Jade under cover)*
Prince Xizor*
Guri*

Grand Admiral Thrawn*
Admiral Daala*
Director of Intelligence Isard*
RC: Republic Commando*
Boss*
Fixer*
Sev*
Scorch*
The Clone Emperor*
Darth Revan*
Darth Nihilus*
Mara Jade*
Asajj Ventress*
Night Sisters*
Heavy Weapons Trooper* (clean)
Baron Fel*
Trooper Officer*
Kir Kanos*
Carnor Jax*
TX: Special Operations*
Black Hole's Troopers*
Lumiya's Troopers*
Storm Commandos*
Seatroopers*

I'll see if i can get one of the folks that know what they're talkin' bout on here.

 

Yeah, these are all costumes that are clearly defined. In other words, you KNOW whose side they are on. I was curious about those who are a bit more ambiguous.... but good stuff.

- Bill

 

the FE (flagship eclipse) as a detachment of the 501st legion, we cater to costumes which would be 501st acceptable -

to be a 501st costume - the costume needs to be an established bad-guy
from the establishment of being a bad-guy (girl), then we go to the references - the character needs to be "established" in some way in the Star Wars universe -we then go to visual references (enough to fully and accurately portray the character so one can make a costume so it looks like the character just stepped out of the comic, etc..-

I hope this is somewhat helpful - if you have more questions, feel free to PM me and i can try to get more information for you.

Jen
XO - Flagship Eclipse

 

Much appreciated!

 

Here's a question for the rebel legion folk- My friend and I want to enter as Jedi, and we've got costumes that I've made. Mine is complete, aside from perhaps making some different tabards that can be swapped around for variety. My friend's still has some things she needs to add to it.
Here's one picture of the two of us:
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/433/img0558hi5.jpg
The one in the green tunic is my friend, the one in the long brown tunic and beige tabards is me.

Here's one of just my friend.
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1222/img0640xc4.jpg

Do you rebel legion members think we can get in with these costumes?
My outfit is complete- boots are mostly hidden under the robe, but they're there. I also own a long black outer cloak, I'm just not wearing it in the picture (freaking hot that day)

Edit- here's a picture showing my cloak, albeit with a slightly different outfit.
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/9946/dscf06679lq.jpg

Known issues with my friend's kit- She needs a top that won't be as visible under the tunics, and a pair of boots higher than her ankles. We're looking for both of these ATM.
As with me, she owns a long brown outer cloak, she just doesn't wear it often.

Any other things you can see that need fixing before we submit our applications?
I'm guessing with the black belt, boots, and cloak, I would be classed as New Republic Jedi, and my friend's use of green might land her in the new republic camp as well.

 

Thanks Jen for the clarification on the FE.


Amanita: I am not RL, but I am 501st. And I have spent a great deal of time studying up on the costuming specs of many a different costume. And I am a membership officer for another costuming group that I belong to.
As far as I can see, the only thing missing on your friend is what you have acknowledged already. She needs some descent boots. Other than that, I can't see why she couldn't join the RL. New Republic Jedi, Old Republic Jedi... there isn't a great bit of emphasis on them in the RL (RL members, correct me if I am wrong here). The only group that is peticular about which era Jedi you costume as is the Jedi Assembly. They accept Old Republic Jedi only. Whereas the RL will take any era Jedi.

- Bill

 

I am correcting you because the standards are distinctly different but no one is emphasized over another Amanita's costume without the robe is Old Republic and would be considered formal as long as you check the standards here: http://www.rebellegion.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8882 With the black robe though, you instantly become New Republic. Her friend's costume would not be considered Old Republic because of the colors but it could be considered New Republic and then be formal, depending on whether the standards are met: http://www.rebellegion.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8883

It is important to rememeber when applying you must submit a good QUALITY photo, no cell phone cameras, PLEASE . In addition, Jedi must have at least 2 pics, one with the robe on and one with the robe off. It is also helpful to have one posing with a lightsaber, too.

Hope that clarifies.

 

Awesome, thanks very much I'm working on a brown cloak too, so I could swing either way- new or old republic. I've got all the required items for an old republic kit, and almost all of the optional ones.

 

Another comment on photos for RL membership: no action poses. Make it a very plain, record shot of your costume. Hands at sides, etc. Save the action pose for the photo that goes on the member page.

 

This is good to know. A friend of mine has a Jedi costume, but as I can now see, it isn't 100% complete, yet. He does need a good cloak and some other stuff and I think he will be set for his pics. Although, we were going to be doing an overhaul on his tabbards and obi. I think they can be done way better. Here is a pic of him.

http://s70.photobucket.com/albums/i103/tavrikgannon/?action=view&current=Tim1.jpg

As you can see, it does need more work. He was happy with my efforts, but I think I can do better.

- Bill

 

The photos you submit in your application ARE used for the member page. The Legion Costume Judges photoshop them(and in the case of the Jedi, rotoscope in the lightsabers), put in a background and post them on the member page so an action pose is essential. The first 2 with robe on and off can be just standing there but you should have a pic, posing with a lightsaber.

Looks good but the tabbards could be wider and the obi could be more narrow. And it would flatter his figure a little better but overall, a solid costume.

 

Agreed. I'm of the belief that this can be better. I think the color should be darker. And I got the same feedback from my friends, as well. So, this just gives me an excuse to make the modifications for the better.

- Bill

 

Amanita; I think the only problem you might run into is the belt. It's a little too dark in the first photo to see it properly. Your friends belt in the 2nd picture is perfect, though. She just needs boots.

Also, for Rebel Legion: Good reference page for standards

Besides, all you need to do is have one formal costume, then you can add as many informal ones as you'd like.


Also, make sure to include a photo with cloak on and cloak off. Mostly cloak off when you do the front/side/back shots, so they can see mostly the belt, pouches, and boots.

 

I can easily get some more pics of myself in the costume with better lighting. Heck, I can put the outfit on and get some pics taken inside where I've got a bit more control over lighting.

Thanks for the tips, I'm hoping to get my submission entered soon.

 

Awesome. Which base are you going to fall under?