The Disney/Star Wars Thing

Darth Goofy!?

Why not the slave girl outfit?

     A few months ago Disney announced they were purchasing Lucasfilm for 4 Billion dollars. A million fan-boys cried out in terror but I was not one of them. I have been a fan of both Star Wars and Disney since I was a child and still am one to this day. In fact Star Wars was the reason I got an annual pass to the Disney Parks three years ago.

     I have read that people think that Disney will ruin Star Wars but in the past few years Disney purchased both Marvel Comics and The Muppets and I have been pleased and surprised with their handling of both franchises. I am excited to see what J.J. Abrams does with the next film and what Dave Filoni does with the end of the animated series. It Sucks that the animated series is ending.

     Another reason for my excitement is that I have seen what Disney has already done with Star Wars and it is awesome.

Star Wars Weekends:

Jedi Mickey with Porkins - 2010

     One of the first complaints I heard was "Disney will have Mickey running around the park dressed like Luke Skywalker..."  Well, that has been happening for a few years now and it is really cool. Since 2008 I have attended Star Wars Weekends at Disney's Hollywood Studios, or as I still call it Disney's MGM Studios. It is an experience like no other and the reason I have been an annual pass holder for the last three years. 

Stormtrooper patrolling
the park entrance

Before you enter the park the awesome begins. Stormtroopers patrol the park entrance making sure guests enter in an orderly Imperial fashion. Once inside, the opening ceremonies are held in front of the (eyesore) Sorcerer's Hat that introduces the celebrity guests and events. Character meet and greets are spread throughout the park. Aside from the Jedi Mickey and other Disney characters dressed as Star Wars characters, guests can meet and take pictures with characters from the Six films as well as the Clone Wars animated series. The most impressive being a dancing C-3PO (see last video)

James Arnold Taylor 's
one man show:
Obi-Wan & Beyond

Chubby Trooper patrolling
the snack carts

It is a Star Wars convention inside of a theme park. Filled with exclusive merchandise, amazing artwork and live shows there is something for everyone. There is a parade that features Characters from the films and animated series. Disney even lets members of the 501st (Fat-O-first as I call them) march in the parade. In the past few years the highlight of the event has been James Arnold Taylor's one man (many voices) show Obi-Wan & Beyond. (link is to official video by James Arnold Taylor) They would not allow the show to be videotaped so I took a bunch of photos instead.(my favorite is on the left)




     Over the years I have had the pleasure of meeting some awesome Star Wars celebrities at the event like Ray Park (video below), Peter Mayhew and Jeremy Bulloch.

Peter Mayhew and the Wookiee Lumpy

This is why the Empire lost.

Now admit it, Mickey Jedi is not going to ruin Star Wars, Greedo shooting first already did that.

So here is this week's video: 

Filmed on 05-19-2012 with a Canon T2i running Magic Lantern. 

Edited with Adobe Premier CS6.

Bonus Video:

This is not my best work. I quickly put these together back before I could upload videos longer than 10 min. and only in 720p. Shot with my Canon T2i and edited on Sony Vegas. DSLRs are not the best cameras to shoot long shows without proper stabilization. If I record the show this year I will use my Canon VIXIA HF R200. 

My photos from the 2010 event: Star Wars Weekends 2010