Living History in the Star Wars Galaxy
applying the methods of progressive historic reenacting to the Galaxy Far, Far Away
In the course of a recent apartment move, I realized that I had a large project kicking around that I never got around to sharing when I finished it (probably because it’s not technically finished! 😉
Continue reading “Project: ‘Strength and Obedience’ Imperial propaganda”
Yet again, keeping up a flow of regular postings becomes difficult due to various project delays and bottlenecks, but rest assured, I have not been idle in the hiatus! I have two 3D printed commissions on their way, picked up a new skill that I can use to create ‘primitive’ cultural artifacts, and I spent a large chunk of my Spring Break hard at work on a new vest for my archeologist impression, and I am very pleased with the results.
Continue reading “NRAC: Building the Outer Persona – Tracker Vest”
“In the Outer Rim, what an individual wears is as much a calling card as a blaster pistol or an Imperial insignia. The clothes on a being’s back tell a tale as eloquent as any holonet drama. They speak of his priorities, how and where he works, his state and status in life, and the ways in which he wishes to present himself to the galaxy at large. -Armored plates sewn into clothing, gun belts loaded with firepower, and bandoliers slung across torsos are the hallmarks of bounty hunters and other guns for hire. Tool belts, bulging carryall bags, and coveralls smudged with machine fluids are the mark of a technician, and a flight suit sets a pilot apart in any crowd. Those who spend their time and make their living exploring and exploiting the vast empty places in the Rim are just as easily spotted. Well-worn clothes, battered packs, and goggles scratched by the dust of a thousand worlds tell of the many countless kilometers these hardy souls have traveled.” Fantasy Flight Games: Edge of the Empire – Enter the Unknown: page 44.
Last week I laid out my research into space-archeologist gear/clothing and utilitarian clothing in the 20ABY period; this week I am showing my current ideas for the items of kit which will be assembled to depict such an impression.
Continue reading “NRAC: synthesis of kit design”
Creation of a functional New Republic Archeological Corps impression will be an exercise in extrapolation, as I have a limited amount of data to draw from. In this post I’ll lay out and unpack the sources I uncovered, and next week I’ll reveal a ‘character design’ I have synthesized from these sources, and my explanation for these choices.
As the main body of Star Wars material for popular consumption generally (and stubbornly) revolves around a cast of high-level generals, politicians, pilots, soldiers, and warrior-monks, ‘occupational’ characters like archeologists are not to be easily found. As I have frequently found in my efforts documented here, when ‘common’ background details are scarce, one can usually turn to role-playing game materials to flesh things out, and this case is no exception.
Continue reading “NRAC: research and insights”
Last week, images were released which revealed the costumes to be worn by ‘cast members’ at the forthcoming ‘Star Wars land’ attractions at Disney parks. I don’t actively follow post-Disney developments, but what I’ve gathered via geek-internet-osmosis is that these cast members will essentially be playing the role of NPCs (non-player characters) who visitors can interact with and who will provide in-universe ‘atmosphere’ for the public, plus manning restaurants (food+beverage) and vending?
While I’m not concerned with ‘NewCanon’, I have spent the last three+ years breaking down the conventions of Galaxy Far Far Away fashion and subtly integrating them into my civilian wardrobe…so when I heard that these Disney park costumes would be ‘everyday’ clothing, I had to see how they lined up with my observations.
Continue reading “Thoughts on Disney Galaxy’s Edge Cast Costumes”
As satisfying as it can be to gear up and authentically get out in one’s kit, I have to admit that the brainstorm/planning and obligatory research phases might be my favorite parts of the reenacting hobby. Taking the kernel of an idea, following rabbitholes, and seeing what can evolve out of it can really get my creative juices flowing…especially if it’s working towards a kit that’s not something we’ve seen a thousand times before! It’s one thing to say, ‘I want to put together a Rebel Fleet Trooper kit’ and then buy/sew the requisite black vest, blue shirt, gray pants, and boots, and buy/craft the swoop helmet and blaster pistol. It’s another thing altogether to ask, ‘I wonder how the average Corellian dressed?’ and then research, make a plan, and make it come alive! Continue reading “the New Republic Archaeological Corps: groundwork for a new persona”
It’s that time of year again, when events start popping up that are in serious need of a Rebel presence. And so we return again to another season of Event Debriefs!
This was actually my second such event in the last week, but the first one (of 26 January) was much less about the Star Wars side of things and more about the activism-propaganda distribution/social disruption side, and so was far less productive/successful.
Continue reading “Event Debrief: 2 Feb 2019”
With the holidays behind us, I have recognized a pattern in my kit’s evolution over the last few years. Although I always have several projects in the Work-In-Progress phase, it seems I like to set aside a bit of time around the New Year to create something special:
(image originally published in WotC’s Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds (2004), artwork by Langdon Foss.)
This image is a great ‘slice of life’ for children on an agricultural backwater—sort of a Star Wars Norman Rockwell scene: who hasn’t been a youngling ‘flying’ toy spaceships around while making PEW-PEW sounds? But what’s more important is how especially valuable this image is for the rare look it gives us at GFFA commoners’ fashion. Here are a few pertinent tidbits I’ve teased out:
Continue reading “Image Analysis: Garqi Agricultural Academy”
(Part 1 of the Wookiee shield project here)
With wroshyr trees a little hard to come by in this galaxy (likewise quality hardwood lumber in the 10”x4”x8’ range), I’m keeping the woodworking on hold until I can acquire an ideal piece of wood (paying in terms of time by choosing ‘I want it Good’ and ‘I want it cheap’ from the Designer’s Paradox). However, the Wookiee battle shield also includes some metal (‘bronzium’) elements which I thought I could try my hand at fabricating in the meantime. This gave me another reason to play around with sculpting wax, and I continue to enjoy working with this material. When I take my time to get a piece sculpted and cleaned up, I am extremely pleased with the feeling of having made a real prototype.
Living History in the Star Wars Galaxy 
