August 2014 Newsletter

[Kessel Run[TK]]

XOXO from the XO
Around the Detachment
Pam Rose Interview
Trooper of the Month
Troop of the Month

Tip of the Month





XOXO from the XO

 

It has been too long since I have used this space to blather on about how great out little corner of the Legion interwebs is. Darth Life has had me by the short hairs for the first half of 2014 and the main reason I did not run for DL for a second term. There was a moment when I tried to step down at XO but Mathias shrugged me off in his usual Swedish way. I am now back to hitting reload on the new posts page obsessively and I like what I am seeing of late. 

 

 

I cannot prove it with any web metric like the number of forum posts, number of website hits, or the amount of bandwidth used but FISD seems a bit more alive than it has been in a while. What can I attribute this to? Since the last Celebration and the Star Warriors documentary on the bluray we have seen in an increased interest in the Legion. Maybe it is the ever increasing popularity of the franchise in conjunction with general cosplay fever. Whatever it is, welcome new troopers to the largest and most active detachment forum in the 501st Legion. We welcome you with open arms and advice laced with only the passion and minutiae we can provide.

 

Speaking of the details.... if you've ever spent any time on the Sith Lord Detachment forum you may read the acronym "OVD" or "obsessive Vader disorder." More than making light of a serious affliction it really captures what I love about our hobby. You find the forum, you start reading, you get hooked, you buy armor, you start building, you get approved, and you keep on improving your armor. The next thing you know you are a few years in and arguing over the exact type of underwear they wore on set in 1976. Outside of the camaraderie on FISD, it is the devilish details that keep me reading build thread after build thread. 

 

One of the bigger happenings this month is the reintroduction of the AM armor line. Build threads for AM are popping up on our forums like gophers on a golf course. AM is armor is built for the wider and somewhat taller trooper. It is a fan sculpt, not as accurate and with no lineage to anything screen used. AM is acceptable for Expert Infantry, but not Centurion. With readily available kits being purchased at a rapid rate I would like to remind everyone that if you want to go Centurion you will need to purchase a new chest and back plate and use the butt join method of construction. The AM shins have been a source of confusion for years. Please read this HOWTO tutorial if you are one of the many recent purchasers of an AM kit. 

 

I used this space during my year as DL to highlight things that made me say "Wow! Take a look at this!" to the theoretical person looking over my shoulder. Rather than jam up the "Around the Detachment" section of this newsletter please allow me to share some badassery. 

 

Jes Gistang Comes to Life

 

You are living in a dark FISD cave if you are not aware that Kevin Weir has single handled brought another costume to life and possibly to the Legion. This character makes a brief appearance in a little known Star Wars comic book. She was made more notable by her Gentle Giant statue. In short order KW sculpted and is now selling kits for a canon female stormtrooper. The armor debuted strikingly at San Diego Comicon. 

 

 

 

 

Jes Related Links:

• Jes Gistang Research Thread (check later posts for more photos)
• KW's Fem Trooper For Sale Thread
• Build Threads
  • jnnfr72
  • Arnie_DK
  • neoakaj

With Unquestioned Loyalty and Aloha....
Eric Brager
TK-9674 "Darth Aloha"
Executive Officer

 

 

Expert Infantry 400!

 

Alexandra Baszak (TK-29119) is our 400th Expert Infantry for her TM ESB TK. It is big achievement in itself and marks a landmark figure for our detachment. Please join us in wishing her a big congratulations in her EIB thread. 

 

 

CRL Change Announcement

 

A small change has been made to most of the Expert Infantry sections of our Costume Reference Library. For the kidney plate the following wording has been added: 

• Squared cut-out sections at the lower left and right corners of the Kidney Armor.
  • The cut out is roughly 15 mm tall from the bottom and 10 mm in from the side.

The notch can be seen here on this screen used suit in the Lucasfilm archives:

 

 

 

Pam Rose Interview

 

 

Our very own evan_loh scored an interview with Pam Rose this month. Pam was a Mos Eisley cantina patron, acted in small roles across many other films, and she is working with the Elstree 1976 documentary folks. She is still active signing autographs with other cast members from Star Wars.

 

1. How did you get the role as Leesub Sirln?

A: I was sent to Elstree studios by my agent and not sure why I got the job; maybe legs and eyes??

 

2. Was your character’s name originally called Leesub on set? If not what did they refer to you as?

A: My original name was Weird Girl. It was later changed to Leesub Sirin but I don't know when. Then when my action figure was released in Nov 2009 it was Leesub Sirln. I should think it was a spelling error when manufactured.

 

3. The Cantina scene was a first of its kind displaying a myriad of never-seen-before creatures (along with some familiar ones). What was it like in the Cantina set, and have you been on a set like that before?

A: The creatures in the Cantina were very different, but I had been dong film work since 1968 so nothing really surprised me. The Freeborn family who did my head cast and make up were brilliant and sadly missed.

 

4. How long did it take for the makeup team to set you up?

A: My make up took 2 hours to apply and 1 hour to remove, first in the studio and last to leave so missed seeing most people as they are normally look. The head was used daily for 5 days with new skin applied every day.

 

5. Did you then have to shoot the whole scene in one day dressed up or were there iterations of putting on the makeup and cleaning up?

A: As I said I did 5 days shooting and got 2 days overtime for the make up so I was very happy. I must admit my neck and face were getting a bit sensitive with being glued to keep the pink skin in place.

 

6. What were your instructions on set?

A: Instructions?? Nothing that's sticks in my mind I just did as I was told and spent the breaks knitting.

 

7. Having a role in a movie as big as Star Wars is very much coveted especially these days with new Star Wars movies coming up. How much of an impact did Star Wars have on your life?

A: Star Wars didn't have much impact on me until I retired in 2005. I had been running a Casino in London for over 20 years. I took redundancy, joined my old agent and she started receiving fan mail for me.So that was the start of me doing conventions and signings. I love meeting the fans and people I worked with; it was 38 years ago so its quite unbelievable. Thank you Star Wars.

 

8. You are also involved in an upcoming documentary called Elstree 1976. As we are anticipating this upcoming documentary what can you tell us about it and what do you feel about this project?

A: Elstree 1976 has been fun to do and going back to the studios recently brought back many memories. I have worked there lots of times over the years.

 

9. What other characters have you played outside Star Wars?

A: I have been in Space 1999, Batman with Micheal Keaton, Superman 1,2 and 4, Who Framed Roger Rabbit (I stood in for Jessica), Minder, Inspector Morse, Agatha (with Dustin Hoffman), Nasty Habits (with Glenda Jackson), Hamlet (with Mel Gibson) to name a few.

 

10. We’ve seen you in a few conventions. How and when did you start going as a guest to these conventions?

A: I've been doing conventions for a few years and each year I have been getting more: Canada, South of France, Denmark, Germany and loads in the UK.

 

11. How often do you attend them and do you travel with others involved in Star Wars as well?

A: I travel with other signers or on my own (I don't mind). I'm always made welcome where ever I go.
I now do Space 1999 events (my 3rd coming up) and I have a Batcon later this year. 24 for this year so far and 2 in the pipeline plus bookings for 2015 already. 

 

Pam's website: www.pamroseleesubsirlin.com

 

 

 

Evan Loh
TK-24127 "evan_loh"

 

 

 

Storming Australia - Scott's Epic Journey Continues

 

 

Scott has been walking around Australia raising funds for Monash Children's Hospital, but unfortunately had to fly home a few months ago as his partner was ill. With Sal on the mend Scott is flying back to our end of Australia on the 24th of July and will be setting off back on his epic walk in Geraldton on Monday 28th July. He will heading north and because he is behind schedule this will see him crossing the top of Australia at the hottest time of the year. This is the most remote part of Australia so Scott will have to load up his trolley, the added weight and heat will definitely test his endurance.

 

 

I know Scott is a Sandtrooper but still one of our brothers and I know many in the FISD as well as members throughout the 501st legion are watching his epic journey

 

On Scott's break he had to do a little bit of work on his armor, the walk across the great divide of Australia was not kind to his armor, some TAG members helped Scott by donating pieces of armor.

 

Scott is attempting this epic walk to raise funds for Monash Children's Hospital, he has so far raised $8,850 and hoping to raise $100,000.

 

To support Scott donations can be made at Everday Hero

 

Follow Scott's journey of on his Storming Australia Facebook page

 

Glen Rhodes
TK-85421 "gmrhodes13"
Assistant Public Relations Officer

 

 

 

It has been a while since we selected a Trooper of the Month. In the past the question has come up about how we the staff choose a FISD member for this honor. There is no simple answer but it was clear this trooper deserved the kudos. This month's awardee is Dark CMF (TK-51878). Tim's build thread is popular with an impressive 19 followers, 231 replies and 2,783 views as of the writing of the newsletter. Why is that? There are certainly enough people posting their progress with as much detail. Right now there are also build threads being updated with more accurate TK armor. It comes down to attitude. There is a certain FISD quality that is a mix of humor, self deprecation, willingness to admit you're wrong, and a basic need to help others that somehow ends up typifying "Troopers Helping Troopers." Cheer Tim on as he applies for EIB and beyond. It may be possible that he becomes the first RT-MOD Hero EIB. Congratulations trooper and thank you for everything you do for the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment.

 

 

You know what I like to see? I like to see a metric butt-ton of shiny whites in one place. If they happen to be the group of TKs that make me laugh more than any other, all the better. The Southern California Garrison, home of the the Endor Party Crashers (EP!C) FISD fire team, took to the streets of La Verne California in force. Who knows what or where La Verne is, but I wish I could have been there to see them coming down the street looking sharp. Congratulations for having one of the most impressive collection of US TKs in one place, and looking good while doing it. (Except for Leeper, who is off my list for not wearing his shiny white tupperware)

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Unquestioned Loyalty and Aloha....
Eric Brager
TK-9674 "Darth Aloha"
Executive Officer

 

 

 

This top of the month comes from bpoodoo for a simple way to get exact and accurate cut lines for your pesky TK ears. In boatbuilding the process is called spiling, but in this application we will just call it clever. Please read the whole thread if you have some ears that need to be trimmed. 

 

 

 

Don't Forget We're on Facebook and Twitter!

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If you're on FB, stop by and say hi, ask questions, and share stories!

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Instagram: www.instagram.com/501stfisd

With Unquestioned Loyalty,
Sam Kisselburg
TK-85254 "Kessel Run"
Public Relations Officer

On behalf of the 1st Imperial Stormtrooper Detachment Command Staff.

End Transmission.

[JLight[TK]]

Good stuff! Thanks everyone!

[Snaps[TK]]

Another great newsletter...Congrats Tim on being Trooper of the Month and bucket off to the Southern California Garrison for Troop of the Month!

[captsafe66[Admin]]

Thanks for another great edition!

[gmrhodes13[Staff]]

Nice work team, well done

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

Typically, I look forward to reading the newsletter with much excitement each month. I can't wait to see what new info or tips come along, and which Troopers and events are highlighted.

 

Today, while scrolling I chuckled a bit at the sight of one of my TK homemaker/apron pictures being included, and it was as I was chuckling that I realized where and why it was included. At that point in time, my mood shifted from mild amusement to bewildered astonishment. Thank you, for the honor of being named FISD Trooper of the Month!

 

Aside from that making me love this issue even more, I still feel the need to thank the staff for a job well done on this one. Great interview by Evan, nice score buddy! Also, even though he's a dirty little boy, Scott is definitely worthy of recognition for his endeavors which I follow via Facebook daily. Great issue, greatly honored to be a part of it, and just for the fun of it; you should all strive to look as good in an apron and armor as both Eric and I do.

[SCTrooper[TK]]

Congrats Tim!

[Tolo[TK]]

Congrats Tim. Bucket off too you trooper

[Vader Rocks]

Great read as always, good work everyone.

 

Congrats Tim

[PGHtoolman]

Nice job, even for an Army Dog, Tim!!!

 

I kid, I kid.  You are the type of person that makes me want to do better every day.  

 

WELL DONE!!!

[Holnave (evan_loh)[TK]]

Typically, I look forward to reading the newsletter with much excitement each month. I can't wait to see what new info or tips come along, and which Troopers and events are highlighted.

 

Today, while scrolling I chuckled a bit at the sight of one of my TK homemaker/apron pictures being included, and it was as I was chuckling that I realized where and why it was included. At that point in time, my mood shifted from mild amusement to bewildered astonishment. Thank you, for the honor of being named FISD Trooper of the Month!

 

Aside from that making me love this issue even more, I still feel the need to thank the staff for a job well done on this one. Great interview by Evan, nice score buddy! Also, even though he's a dirty little boy, Scott is definitely worthy of recognition for his endeavors which I follow via Facebook daily. Great issue, greatly honored to be a part of it, and just for the fun of it; you should all strive to look as good in an apron and armor as both Eric and I do.

Speaking of aprons and kitchens, my mate who's a sandy used his pauldron as a bib while frying his meals!

 

Congratulations on bring trooper of the month. It was well deserved

[Izzy]

Awesome monthly newsletter as always!! I look forward to the informative articles and interviews with behind the scenes original trilogy info.

 

Hats off to Tim! Hard work and dedication paid off my friend.

 

Bravo Zulu sir!

 

And a big Bravo Zulu to the staff for a great website! Thank you for your hard work!!

Edited August 14, 2014 by Izzy

[Dougal[501st]]

Congrats Tim!

[fuumantroop[TK]]

Congrats Tim! You DEFINITELY deserve it!! Should definitely have that picture posted on some trading cards!

[AsBlondeAsLuke[TK]]

Tim, you were such a steadfast supporter over the past year even while patiently waiting for your own armor to arrive. And, then, you delighted, informed, educated and amused us with your build thread. I continue to learn something everytime I read it. Congratulations. Very well deserved.

[Dark PWF[Staff]]

 

Thanks, everyone.

 

[Redforce[TK]]

I just got a chance to check out the newsletter. Awesome as always! Congrats to you Tim for making     of the month!