As printed in the Weekend Edition of the Fairmont Sentinel, Saturday, May 14th.
Fantasy
takes form at Star Wars convention.
Local library director enjoys trip into world beyond ours.
By Dave Smith
Sentinel Staff Writer
Not so long ago, in a city not too far away, fans from around the world joined forces for a four-day celebration of all things Star Wars. Among the apparently intergalactic mass of life forms was Martin County Library Director Bryan J. McCormick
Star Wars Celebration III took place April 21-24 in Indianapolis. McCormick, a self-described Star Wars ‘nut,’ attended the convention with a friend from New Jersey.
“As a 7-year-old child when the first Star Wars movie came out, I have grown up with Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and R2-D2, and have read almost every book relating to the Star Wars universe. A true fan of George Lucas’ vision, I found myself once again attending the convention,” McCormick said.
“This is my second (convention). I went to the one three years ago,” he explained. “It’s cool being around other people who are really into it. About 30,000 people a day went through.”
Many of the attendees were dressed as characters from the Star Wars universe, including Han Solo and the scantily clad Princess Leia from “Return of the Jedi.” Security was actually provided by the 501st Legion costume group whose members dress as Imperial Storm Troopers.
“Some fans spent over two years stitching and sewing their unbelievably authentic costumes, including items from Padme’s royal wardrobe, young children dressed as rebel pilots, and a full-size Tauntaun,” he said.
One of the major highlights of the convention, according to McCormick, was meeting Rick McCallum, director of the latest Star Wars release, “Revenge of the Sith,” the final episode in the six-picture saga.
“We got to meet McCallum and he talked about working with George Lucas,” McCormick said. “He showed us footage that hasn’t been released yet. The computer animation was amazing: it looked real. He told us that this movie was the best of the six and they held nothing back in production. He mentioned that the last hour of the film will ‘move you like no other film.’
McCormick said McCallum told conventioneers that George Lucas wants to re-release the original Star Wars trilogy in a 3D format that does not require the special glasses to view it.
“That’s down the road though. It’s something they’re working on,” he said.
The other main highlight for McCormick was meeting Matt Stover, author of the latest Star Wars book.
“I had him sign my book, and he told me “Libraries saved his life as a child. I’d do anything for the libraries,” McCormick said.
McCormick chronicled his adventure on videotape, then transferred it to DVD. He recounted the more memorable points of the convention and rated them on a scale of midi-chlorians, the tiny microscopic organisms that live in the bloodstream and allow Jedi’s to be sensitive to the Force:
·
Went to the autograph hall and met many of the actors
and actresses from all 6 Star Wars films.
+1000 midi-chlorian points (midi-chlorians are tiny microscopic organisms that
live in our blood and allow a Jedi to be sensitive to the Force)
·
Met many costumed fans of the movies, including Han
Solo and a scantily dressed Princess Leia from ‘Return of the Jedi’.
+1000 midi-chlorian points
·
Had picture taken with the scantily dressed Princess
Leia.
+5000 midi-chlorian points.
·
Met Matthew Stover, the author of the latest Star Wars
book “Revenge of the Sith.” Had him sign my book, and he told me “libraries
saved his life as a child. He’d do anything for the libraries.”
+10,000 midi-chlorian points.
·
Director/Producer Rick McCallum was there, and he told
us that this movie was the best of the six, and they held nothing back in
production. He mentioned that the last hour of the film will “move you like no
other film,” and then showed us never-before seen footage from the film, which
was truly Spectacular!
+5000 midi-chlorian points.
·
Heard some of John Williams music for this film. He
once again has done a tremendous job with the musical score.
+1000 midi-chlorian points.
·
The lines to get limited-edition Celebration III action
figures were so long that they had to close the store.
-2000 midi-chlorian points.
·
Watched the Costume Pageant of characters from all six
films. Some fans spent over two years stitching and sewing their unbelievably
authentic costumes, including items from Padme’s Royal wardrobe, young children
dressed as Rebel Pilots, and a full-size Tauntaun.
+1000 midi-chlorian points.
·
Attended a demonstration on ‘Building Stormtrooper
Armor’ by the 501st Legion (one of the premier fan clubs for Star
Wars costumers).
+1000 midi-chlorian points.
·
One of my favorite parts of the convention was watching
the young children, especially those in costume who would act out scenes from
the movie, including a ‘light-saber’ duel between Darth Vader and Luke
Skywalker. Took lots of video-footage from the convention and made a DVD.
+2000 midi-chlorian points.
“With a final tally of 25,000, ‘even Master Yoda doesn’t have a midi-chlorian count this high,’” McCormick exclaimed, quoting from Star Wars Episode I: “Phantom Menace.”
“One of my favorite parts of the convention was watching the young children, especially those in costume who would act out scenes from the move, including a light-saber duel between Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker,” he added.