Anecdotes
Ray Park - Darth Maul
Warwick Davis - Whicket
(On Sunday Obi-Wan Kenobi)
This is the single most amazing experience
I enjoyed during the weekend.
For a reinactment of the Episode I fight sequence there was a search for someone with a beard to play
Qui-Gon Jinn. My wife’s hand floated over my head in view of the searching Ray Park which drew his attention.
“You in the bandana.”. I was apparently the only one with a bandana.
I stood up an began to undress my abundance of superflous video and camera equipment. Master
of Ceremonies, Warwick Davis, remarked that we didn’t have all day. I rushed the stage, shook their hands
and presented myself to their mercy.
I am honoured to say that I was killed on stage by Ray Park as Darth Maul while in the role of Qui-Gon
with Warwick Davis in the lead as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The moment passed much too rapidly and unfortunately, it was after the event took place that I wished I said something to Ray Park like, “Your Shwartz is bigger than mine but, my midiclorians are more masculine.”
Fallowing the fight, there was a questions and Answers segment of the show where I publicly asked if I could have the Lightsabre I used on stage but, to no avail. I promised myself to not buy any new toys since I’m now trying to sell my collection - not add to it.
But, boy, I sure wish I had a light sabre. They are so cool!
That day I met other actors and made some great contacts and actually ran into Warwick later in the main hall. All in all, it was quite the day for me. It’s good to get out a bit!
There are several clips available on Youtube and links here provided by other fans who were present
during the show.
I am seeking out anyone with video footage of this fight sequence. If you have some, please contact us here.
I have written Warwick Davis and solicited the help of a friend of his to obtain an official copy recorded
by Lucasfilm at the event. Will keep you posted if I receive a copy.
Click on the links below or go to the Blog Page of this site...Ray Park kills Duane Kemp.
Kenny Baker
R2-D2
Sunday morning, I was happy to be of help to Kenny Baker and his lovely wife by courting them from their hotel to the autographing tables.... with the wheelchair, it was a bit of a push for his wife for sure. During the chat on the way to and through the Excel, we talked about their trip through the Rocky Mountains of the western United States (My old stomping grounds) and their lovely visit to Switzerland (My new stomping grounds).
I had the chance to compliment Kenny on his work in “Time Bandits” and I fell in love with his wife. She’s a wonderful and gracious lady. I found the couple to be extraordinarily aproachable and kind. It was my sincere pleasure to meet them both and to have been able to serve in the capacity I did.
They offered me a signed print in return of my services. I chose the print of R2-D2 in the desert trench in Tunisia for which I asked for it to be personalised. It started a great day.
Peter Mayhew
Chewbacca
At celebration Europe, Saturday evening at the terrace
BBQ, I was in fortunate timing to have aproached the table
of Peter Mayhew and his friends while they were pondering
another beverage order. It was my pleasure to take his
hand and express my thanks for what he’s done in the role
of Chewbacca for all the fans and especially myself.
Sitting at the table was Lawrence Noble, an artist who sculpted the bust of Grand Moff Tarkin during the weekend (read the Celebration Program for more details), and a nice couple worth meeting. In the moment of sending for the drinks, I offered the table a round of what-ever-they-were-havings.
My wife and I went to the bar with the lady in the picture who’s son lives in California and is also a big Star Wars fan. We chatted in the line to the counter, she explained that her family and Peter were long time good friends, placed the order, paid and helped carry the myriad of drinks back to their table.
We were invited to sit with them but, I declined the offer and explained that perhaps he’d appreciate a bit of intimacy with his friends. Peter seemed to appreciate this as he held up his newly gained beverage and saluted me with his thanks.
It’s not a glorious story but, it’s mine and shall remain as my one and only contact with a childhood hero of mine.
Of Run-intos and Rendez-vous: The whole story.
Daniel Logan
Young Boba Fett
This story is actually a bit embarrassing. This was my first Star Wars event and I was ignorant to the logistics of autographs, coupons and their prices. My wife Corinne kept our places in the line for autographs of David Prowse - Darth Vader and I went in search for another autograph.
I saw no one was waiting in front of Daniel so, I approached, complimented him on his work after his greeting of “Hey, Big Guy, How are you doin’?”
Mike Edmonds
Logray & Jabba Puppeteer
Despite the embarrassing situation with Daniel, I did profit from
the opportunity of the exit path leading out of the autograph area.
Passing by the guests I saw a little person I remembered from Time Bandits and the “Making of Return
of the Jedi. I just said a quick “Hello, I loved your work in Time Bandits.” where he gave a commemoritive, “Thank you”. End of story. ;o)
Paul Blake
Greedo
Just to the Left of Mike Edmonds was the actor who portraid one
of the most iconic and memorable characters in Star Wars for me.
Richard LeParmentier
Admiral Motti
Sunday was already a big day for both of us and more than
a bit exciting for myself. However, it didn’t end with the closing
of the festival.
Corinne and I went to our Hotel and dropped into the bar
to see other Star Wars fans celebrating.
I struck up a conversation with a fan from Germany
(Joe Flammensbeck) and in the midst of conversation, a familiar face asked if we’ve met before. This gentlemam specifically indicated that he thought he met my wife before.
I of course asked him for his autograph (I thought my Celebration Program would be sufficient) but said that his photos on the table in front of him would be better than my weekend booklet. I asked how it worked.
Next to Daniel was an officiel who began to explain the coupon thing and that I needed to purchase them to have a photo and an autograph. He quoted that daniel would cost about 20 pounds.
My wife and I had come in the day before from Switzerland, our home, and hadn’t yet had time to get pounds. Actually, our pockets were empty of any usable currency. I explained this and embarrassingly apologised.
I think that Daniel felt worse about the situation than I did because he gently agreed to sign my program anyway. I left him with my gratitude and appreciation for his grace. I joined my wife in the line for David Prowse and explained that we had to leave the line. These autographs cost money. Lots of money!
We then went to the counter to buy coupons and that’s when
we discovered exactly how much this adventure would cost.
And when I saw Mark Hamill’s price was 85 pounds, our childlike
journey to the past became a path to the dark side. We politely
explained that. “we would not need any coupons and thank you
very much for your time”.
I am no longer ignorant of the ways of the force!
I loved Star Wars so much that I spoke of Star Wars ALL THE TIME! Enough so, that my mother grounded
me from all things, objects or speach about Star Wars for an entire year. She took all of my toys, cards, posters, models and newspaper cutouts and hid them somewhere secret and forbade a single word from my mouth about this terrible obsession for literally a full year. Consequence? If I forgot my punishment and spoke about the film, the year of punishment would restart as of the date of the slip up.
A true rebellion against the evil empire of my household began when my closest friend and fellow 12 year old Jedi (Sean Mullenix), secreted to me bootlegged cassette recordings of the movie played at a Drive-In Theatre in Boise Idaho.
That saved me while the solitude of my convictions of Star Wars were persecuted in a prison of Silence.
These tapes made the images come alive in my mind. I witnessed the entire film over and over again accurately with my imagination. The film became vivid and even more grandiose (proof was when I saw
the film again four years after it’s original release and was shocked at how small it seemed at times)
However, to make a small story longer, I memorised the entire film. Music voices, sounds.. everything.
And the part I loved to play over and over until I had it perfect was the speach of Greedo.
“Oouh d’ha t’hue, Th’ohlo?”
“As a matter of fact Greedo, I was just gonna see your boss. Tell Jabba, I’ve got his money.”
“Sthoh, Beet’ah lay. Imah-nha trahk m’ha ga jeesah. Javvah vwah nee-chi coke, Vhi vish-Aye Nhi Khai-stahnni why-ah ouzka.”
I introduced myself to Paul and explained a paraphrased version of this epic and repeated the speach for him. He said that he’s had two or three people perform that but never heard it so well.
Considering that everything he did on set was in english, I’m sure he’s greatful to be back home and far,
far away ... from the likes of me. :o)
I personally think that he was being polite to a 40 year old kid that never grew up and probably thought
I should get a life!!! But, it was fun and the audience was a chance in a life time encounter .
This is when the identity of this gentleman was revealed.
I had seen him on stage with David Prowse
the day before and recognised that it was Motti himself!!!
This day just kept getting better and better.
It was revealed as well that his birthday was that day. I gathered the Star Wars fan club members throughout the bar and orchestrated an English Version of the Happy Birthday song
for Richard.
Our new found friend from Germany filmed it and will send
a copy soon and I hope to share that moment
with all of you when it’s online.
Richard gave me two of his business cards exposing a picture
of Motti of Star Wars in the Conference Room. He personalised and autograph on the back of one.
This finished a great and fortuitous day.
