Anyone got handler stories?

[tkcat]

I am really excited about my first event and while I have heard the term "handler" in the forums (and also from Albin at CV, 501st intro panel) I don't know what to expect. Any stories, tips, etc?

[zsavk[TK]]

Are you going to be trooping as a handler Catherine? First of all if so let me thank you in advance. Without handlers, TKs are pretty much blind and deaf and end up bumping around into each other and losing pieces of armor.

[bluehickey]

We call them Spotters in our garrison. The roles differ depending on the event, but you can be expected to help assist troopers getting their armor on and off (limited mobility of the costumes means that they can be difficult to put on unassisted).

 

If it's a meet and greet where the characters are walking around then you'll want to stay with them and help point out to them when they need to walk up and down curbs, or point out electrical cords on the ground so that they don't trip. Sometimes little kids will be trying to talk to a trooper and the trooper is unaware because the kid is standing right in front of them where their helmet blocks their view, plus they may not be able to hear the kid. The handler can get the attention of the trooper and point down and tell them that someone is trying to talk to them.

 

At hot events, you'll need to regularly ask each trooper how they are doing and if they need any water or need to be escorted back to a changing area to take a break.

 

Sometimes large groups of people will gather and want to take their photo with the troopers. A handler keeps an eye on who has been waiting and tries to direct traffic and make sure their isn't chaos but some order to make sure everyone gets a turn.

 

If their are kids who are pestering and/or poking the troopers you can shoo them away or ask them to stop, give them the evil eye etc.

 

Sometimes the public will have questions about the garrison/legion/troopers and the handlers can answer these questions as it is much easier for them to carry on a conversation since they aren't wearing a helmet and can make eye contact and can hear clearly.

 

You can also bring your camera and take candid shots of the event to document it, and then share the pics with the garrison.

[gh05ty]

Trooper wrangler... ive tried to walk around without one and yes i bumped into things/people so they are a must have for any TK .... good to have a camera too as has allready been said, after all you are where all the action is

[TK bondservnt[501st]]

::I can't see,I can't fight...

with the blast shield down, how am I

 

supposed to shoot those little rebel robot thingys.::

 

handlers can be a blessing or a curse... I was expecting to hear horror stories in this thread about handlers who caused a fumble?

 

ya know? like ...

 

"the guy knocked me down on the pavement, and then grabbed my chestplate to pick me up...

and then the elastic started getting wider, and wider..."

 

I have had a few funny stories I could tell about my wife, or my drummer friend tryin to be 'hanlers...

[Daetrin[Admin]]

It certainly varies from garrison to garrison too. When my garrison was small we'd be lucky to have a handler, and they mostly ensured people didn't mess with your armor. I got spoiled when I went to Hawai'i. There were so many spotters and they really looked after the troop. Was hard coming back home.

[tkcat]

Haha. I did not realize how dangerous trooping can be. I'll try to provide good guidance. I am not a professional photographer but I can definitely take my share of photos.

[pandatrooper[TK]]

I've been "slashed" a few times by kids with lightsabers. I actually don't care about scuffs on the armor, but kids need to understand that we are volunteers and it's very disrespectful to "bash away" at bad guy Stormtroopers!

 

Handlers will give them warnings if they're too aggressive, and explain that it's dangerous - and communicate back to the kids parents that it's not a good thing to do.

 

Our handlers and spotters also do a great job of helping to hand out PR flyers, because doing it with gloves on while holding blasters is sometimes difficult.

[TK-6162[501st]]

So far in my limited trooping experience our handlers have been absolutely incredible. I can't even imagine what could of happened if they weren't available at a couple of events

[Torisempai]

yeah i would just say very big helpers lol in a suit and my small stature...i cant see whats below me...cant sit...or pick up things...so my friends usually do that for me...i just stand there and look good for the kiddies which like stated above beware of light saber wielding kids

[Laspector[TK]]

Yeah little kids with lightsabers can really be a pain. Pretty much every one will want to start whacking away at a trooper. The worst part is that most parents just think it is funny, and some will even encourage it. It can be a sticky situation.

[Shooter]

Yep, it's also a good idea to look out for groups of teenages (stupid kids and their music They should be easy to spot tho, because they'll be in a group trying to get up the courage to do something stupid. We've had a few times where they try to grab thermal detonators. You may also want to wear a 501st shirt so you're easily identifiable. Saying that, 9 times out of 10 everything goes great, so have fun and enjoy watching the looks of excitement on kids and parents faces alike

[mattastic13]

The UKG has got a terrific set of spotters/handlers....I was very impressed!

[Murray1134[501st]]

Whether you call them Handlers, squires, wranglers, costume support, whatever, they are absolutely invaluable to a troop going off well. Even something as simple as a photographer to capture those great moments is helpful. We usually have a good team of handlers with us at troops. My wife, who is Rebel Legion, only likes to dress up occasionally so she is usually a handler for us.

 

Events with little kids it's especially helpful to have someone there with you, because once the kids get close you can't see them! I've smacked kids in the head by accident (lightly) and nearly tripped over a kid because I couldn't see them. So, that extra set of eyes is extremely helpful.

[tigger68[501st]]

Catherine, I have been a "handler", "wrangler", "photographer" etc. at almost every troop I've done. It has only been the last couple of troops where I have done it wearing a uniform. In our garrison, most officers end up doing handler duty and you can really give a great glare wearing an Imperial Uniform.

 

That said, our last troop we would have been literally up the creek without a paddle if we hadn't had one of the best handlers I've ever seen, and he is also a TK. With approximately 4,000-5,000 people at the event, if he hadn't directed traffic, and helped keep kids away from our "green room" door, we would have been in deep trouble.

 

If you can't get a 501st shirt, at least try and wear something Star Wars. That way you can be more readily associated with the group. Also be prepared to take many many pictures. The more pictures the better. You may not know which ones turn out at the time. Candids are sometimes better than the posed pictures.

 

And yes, asking to make sure if the TKs or other armored characters are hot, feeling dizzy, or need water is a good thing. Be prepared to direct traffic, help them up and down curbs, stairs, etc. Remember they can't see a thing in that helmet, and there were never truer words spoken on celluloid. Lenses fog up, and at our last troop our Vader couldn't see anything but a blur, so the contrast between my cream tunic and black gloves was what he was using as a visual guide for where to walk.

 

As a handler you can make yourself invaluable to your garrison, and incredibly welcome at all trooping events.