Hey Guys,GetzJedi wrote: On Jan. 1, nearly 1 million people along Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, Calif., and an additional 30 million people watching at home will see one of the most spectacular Star Wars events ever – and Singapore residents Aw Tong Wee & Shawn Kelvin Chak will be among them.
It’s the “Star Wars Spectacular� in the 118th Tournament of Roses Parade, which also features Star Wars creator George Lucas as Grand Marshal. Produced by Lucasfilm Ltd., the Star Wars Spectacular will welcome the World-Famed Grambling State University Marching Tigers band and feature two remarkable floats representing planets seen in the Star Wars saga. Most importantly, it will showcase 200 members of the 501st Legion, a one-of-a-kind, global organization composed of Star Wars fans that includes Singapore’s representatives.
“The members of the 501st are some of the most amazing Star Wars fans in the world,� said Tom Warner, senior director of marketing at San Francisco-based Lucasfilm Ltd. “They show their dedication by making their own replica costumes, and when George Lucas saw them first-hand around the world during the international premieres of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, he wanted to do something special to honor the extraordinary work they do for charities and their communities.�
Early in 2006, Lucasfilm proposed the idea of the Star Wars Spectacular – a celebration filled with floats, costumed characters, Star Wars music and marching stormtroopers from 22 countries and 36 U.S. states – to the Tournament of Roses Parade committee, which responded enthusiastically.
“At that point, we knew we had a formidable task to identify 200 members of the 501st who could do the grueling work of marching five and a half miles in full stormtrooper armor without a break,� Warner said.
Lucasfilm’s Fan Relations department, headed by Steve Sansweet, put out a request for audition tapes from members who wanted to be considered. In all, more than 700 of the 3,300 members around the world submitted videos.
After carefully reviewing each entry, the 200 finalists were selected, including Aw & Chak of Singapore.
“It was no easy feat to be chosen,� Sansweet said. “We had very high standards for the costumes, the physical fitness of the members and the dedication that would be involved – each member will arrive in Southern California five days before the parade for a full series of rehearsals with the band and a drill master who is a Colonel in the U.S. Army Infantry Reserves. We want to create an experience that neither viewers nor the 501st members will ever forget.�
The 118th Tournament of Roses Parade will be broadcast live beginning at 8 a.m. Pacific time Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, on ABC, NBC, HGTV and on participating local channels (check your local listings). - LFL
Aw and I are at my place now just about to leave for the airport.
We're answering the summons of the Empire to Pasadena. Representing!!!
Onward to the Rose Parade!
Catch us on cable! we'll be the 2 short guys...Just look for the dip in the rank and file.