Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Jul 31, 2005 15:07:06 GMT -5
Dragging in my soapbox.... Note that the following are my thoughts...my thoughts alone..... We at TJA get a lot of requests for costumes in black, lightsabers in red, Darth this, and all forms of "out of the box" costumes..... There are gripes and complaints about our costuming standards....and I have climbed onto my soapbox to give you a few reasons why...... Let me begin by saying that I have costumed A LOT! Is this meant to impress you.....NO....but it is meant to let you know that I speak with a vast amount of experiece and experiences. I have seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly....and I am here to tell you....when it comes to Jedi costumes...it does indeed get down right ugly! Why do we try to be so strict about our Jedi costume standards here? Because we have to! Did you know that Jedi costumers were not welcome to volunteer at CII? (A few of our members did "break through") Did you know that there are still costume opportunities that come up and the policy is NO JEDI! Did you know that a 501st member posted recently that he could not wait till ROTS so he could go up to everyone in a Jedi costume and tell them "you know you all die in this movie". When Qui-Gon Jinn proclaimed that a Jedi's life was a hard life....he could also have been talking about a Jedi costumers life is a hard life. In many circles, we are simply not wanted. And why? Because the notion is out there that Jedi costumes are cheap and easy. And I have to admit that there are a lot of Jedi costumes out there that make that assumption plausible. There are many out there that feel you can go into the bathroom, get the old bathrobe out...dangle a Hasbro lightsaber on a JC Penney belt and you got Jedi. We here at TJA have worked VERY hard for years to dispell that notion....and we are not going to let sub-standard costumes set us back to where we started. Jedi costumes are brown....let me repeat that....Jedi costumes are brown.... Yes...there are some variations....like Barriss, Luminara, and Aayla...and a few others. But let me tell you this.....most people...even ones that claim they are huge Star Wars fans don't even know these characters. For the ROTS Premier, I had on Barris' face diamonds and was intereviewed by a reporter for a magazine...he asked me the significance of the diamonds....I told him they were the same as Barriss has...he said Barriss who? So I asked him if he was a Star Wars fan...he said he was a big Star Wars Fan...my response...if you are such a big fan then why don't you know who Barriss Offee is? A lot of these Jedi characters that we cherish and know like the back of our hand simply are NOT known by the general "fan". These characters are not named and are in the background for a few brief seconds. My point? IF they don't know Barriss or Luminara and some of the more "famous" Jedi, what make anyone think that even more remote Jedi will get recognized? Don't get me wrong....I think having a unique Jedi character is awesome...and I highly recommend it...but as a second costume (expensive pieces like boots, belts, and robe can be interchangeable)....have a more recognizeable Jedi costume for your outings into the general public. We WANT you to go out and have a great experiece. I recently told a basic sewing class at my house to check into the costume standards of any group that they thought they would like to join.....then told them to make their costume according to the standards of said group....not make their costume the way they like it...then try to bend the rules of said group so their unique vision will be accepted. And brown, dull and boring? Sorry....but I don't see that when I look at the group photo of TJA members from CIII.....the browns, tans, creams, beiges, and all shades in between make us look like a cohesive unit yet they are all certainly unique. As noted.....TJA members have worked INCREDIBLY hard on trying to erase the general prejudice against Jedi Costumes.....and we have been certainly aided by Mary Franklinn herself. I feel that she has always had a soft spot in her heart for us....and has made sure that we were included at CIII. To all of the members-Council and non-Council - that put so much work into CIII....worked so hard to get a scrap of respect from the other costuming groups....I salute us! To those who volunteered at CIII in the name of TJA, worked on and at the TJA fan Table, the brochures, the tutorials, the Charity Jedi costume, the banner, and everything else.... To our awesome members who came in their lovely brown costumes.....I hope your head was held high.... Now....any questions? Climbs down off soap-box....grabs yellow rain coat to make sure that rotton tomatoes that are tossed at her do not stain brown tunic...
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Post by Ani-Chay Pinn on Jul 31, 2005 19:47:45 GMT -5
I just have to toss in a few words about costuming in general...
TJA standards do NOT stop you from making your own, individual Jedi costume, EU, pre-Republic or whatever. I have black boots and a belt that I've worn with Jedi costumes. There was a guy at CIII who had a very nice Jedi costume entirely in black and white in reverse colors. I saw pictures of "Barbie Jedi" from a DragonCon.
HOWEVER, for TJA costumes, the standards apply and I'm wearing my "all-beige-and-browns" for my TJA Jedi. For a picture on TJA web page or for anyone representing the group, especially at Star Wars specific events or purposes, the standards apply.
The standards only apply to where you are and who you say you're with. I could make a purple-green-blue Jedi costume and wear it at a hall or masquerade costume as a science fiction convention (my usual venue for costuming) or Halloween or for somebody's fan film and no one would think much about it, but hopefully I would get compliments on my wonderful outfit. ;D But I wouldn't expect anyone to think of it as anything other than EU at most and I wouldn't be surprised if people didn't recognize it as Jedi at all. If I wore it to the release of the Ep III DVD, other TJA members, Rebel Legion or 501st would rightfully cringe and disclaim any knowledge of me. I'd just be a member of the public in my own outfit.
There is a whole WORLD of costuming out there from historical to ballroom to SF/fantasy, etc. Right now anime is very, very big. And because of the Star Wars manga, Jedi actually fit that category. <heh><heh> Sneaky, aren't we.? So, go, out into the world and sew. Sew many costumes, sew little time.
But TJA does have a specific purpose of fostering movie-accurate costumes. It's not a limitation; it's a challenge.
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Post by Valis Korriban on Aug 1, 2005 17:33:30 GMT -5
I guess the bottom line is, if you want to be an individual and have a personal Jedi outfit that doesn't conform gon on and make it, but you won't be considered cannon. Ridiculous....but....I can see where TJA has a point in this. Hell, I am a memeber of TJA and have two costumes that are considered..."Cannon".... Evenyone who decides to make a jedi outfit for this group should abide by the standards of the council....but that doesn't stop me from gritting my teeth and sometimes as Qui-gon said..."doing what I must...". And...I don't wear my costume to get "Recognized, I do it to have fun and contribute to whatever function I am attending. If people ask what I am, I tell them. Chances are, if you've got a lightsaber, people are gonna know. If they don't, that's their ignorance which they can remedy by just simply, asking. Council members have spoken and decided that Brown and Beige is our uniform....but that doesn't mean that I can't wear whatever colors when not at a TJA funciton. And you don't have to represent TJA at every function you attend. As for 501st members and being "Elite"......lol....not gonna come up with a retort for that one...all I can say is..."what do you get when you make a copy of a copy of a copy...?"
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Post by Jedimom/Cor-Al Gelkar on Aug 1, 2005 18:48:38 GMT -5
A lot of it is not just Council opinion, but that of Lucasfilms if we want to be able to volunteer at functions. Attending in a non-standard Jedi is one thing, but they will not let you volunteer if you have one. Movie canon means browns .. you must be recongnozable by the general public not just the SW fanatics -- and there are a lot of those who would not recognize a NJO Jedi simply because they do not like the NJO (or tje video games or the comic books, etc.)
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Mon-Jas Charan
Message Board Member
"Poena Vigoratus. Pullus cavo vix. Palma , est eternus"
Posts: 2,630
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Post by Mon-Jas Charan on Aug 1, 2005 22:35:09 GMT -5
The Jedi are a Monastic order, earth tones show the humbleness and servitude of the pledge that was taken to be admitted to the order. We here at The Jedi Assembly, celebrate this, and espouse to this end. The council has carefully gone about creating a code that LFL will accept so that we are able to participate in sanctioned events.
I do like that I can go to a Ren Fest and be addressed as "Master Jedi"
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Schph Gochi
Message Board Member
"traveling through hyperspace ain't like dustin' crops boy"
Posts: 9,278
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Post by Schph Gochi on Aug 2, 2005 3:59:09 GMT -5
Excellent point, Mon Jas! And, for the record...my small rant here is not intended to bash any person or other group.....that would be VERY un-Jedi! Goodness knows, I am a member of the 501st as well and, as with any group, they have a small number of "troublemakers". Most of the 501st members that I have gone out and costumed with are wonderful people and extraordinary costumers.....and a credit to our hobby. As far as being an "individual"...I also know about this. I went to the trouble of making a very individual smuggler costume using pieces of canon Han. The problem...have never been able to wear it because I realized that no one would know who I was.
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Post by Jan-Qui Coran on Aug 2, 2005 22:39:01 GMT -5
I'm so glad all of you made this all very clear. I know personally before my Jedi costume was made I made sure I read the rules of both The Jedi Assembly & The Rebel Legion 1st before I went off on a tangent & created something. I know what it is to have a very cheap & tacky costume, which I won't even wear. I also know now what it's like to be dressed as close to a movie Jedi as I can be for now. I still don't feel it's perfect, but time will improve my skills & I deeply appreciate all those who can sew who can make such wonderful Jedi costumes. I know that when I dress as a Jedi I feel like a Jedi & I am proud of it. Even my family & friends who have seen pix of me in costume have thought it was wonderful. I made a point that I wanted a canon costume. I also know to make a canon Jedi takes time, though there are inexpensive good materials for people who can sew to make them look expensive. A member has to be willing to put the time & effort into their costume to look Jedi & to be Jedi especially when you are out with people. That's why we are The Jedi Assembly to be proud that we are Jedi because it's fun to be in a good Jedi costume & that we can make others happy to see us. When they see us & think that we came right out of the Star Wars movie. It gives them a thrill to think the Jedi are standing near them & a child can actually talk to a Jedi. It also gave me a thrill when I did an event the 1st time to have children look at us with wonderment in their eyes. It makes costuming all the more wonderful to do. I also noticed the surprise of some people at an event who are amazed at what it takes for a Jedi Assembly member to do to make our Jedi costumes look as good as we can.
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Post by Nova Darklighter on Aug 2, 2005 23:42:49 GMT -5
For me, from the 1st time I saw ANH in a theatre on is 1st showing in NYC from the moment that Ben made his appearance that film for me was all about the Jedi! I'd have made the costume then, but thought, well it's guys, so I didn't, when Ep I was coming out, and there were WOMEN Jedi, well, for the opening I had my costume, it was pretty good, but the accessories weren't quite right then, later I had a belt made, now I have boots that I'm pleased with. At the Opening of Ep III I was interviewed and photographed and mobbed by kids all day long, I'm not totally sure why, there were certainly other costumers there, of all types, from all the films, but they consistently seemed to find me, another Jedi I made and another Jedi with a very good costume and paid a great deal of attention to us. I will say, that yes, I heard "you're all going to die" alot that day, mostly in a friendly bit of joke & tease way, to which I always replied "Yes, and you'll all be killed by Teddy Bears, or blown to cosmic dust" which they took in good part. I've always gone to events as a Jedi, have never been made to feel unwelcome, most of the city things are all 3 groups together and we mostly get along. If Best Buy didn't want Jedi at the DVD release last year, Virgin & TRU certainly did! Midnite Toy Madness, not a problem. Sometimes I just put it on and wear it to work at the costume shop, the reaction is astounding, and it puts me on my better behavior, I have to live up to the costume and what a Jedi is. I want a picture of the tunic i made for EpIII Opening, so, since I shall be wearing it to 1 Man Star wars Trilogy later this week, I shall wear it to work and get the boss to take 1, and maybe get him to do 1 in the window as well. Yes, I do plan to make a Jedi that is different, a healer in browns and blues, but that is for me, for cons, but not for Canon events. From time to time, i think back to my 1st attempt at a Jedi, sort of EpI Obi Wan, tried it on and never left the house in it, then I made a longer tunic, more like Old ben's, much better, still 1 of my 2 favourites, my newest one is the other, it is Nova Darklighter's, but totally recognisable as a Jedi! Or at least no one has asked me if I was anything else, even wearing it to an from events, I'll hear people as I walk by, "Jedi!" and that just Makes My Day!
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Post by Cara Drume on Aug 3, 2005 1:03:21 GMT -5
Read it and weep? *reads* WAAAAH! Just kidding, guys! Okay. Point taken. Non-Canon costumes (to specifications) okay for 'little' things and TJA membership; not okay for 'big' things. Right....? I'm counted out of both, for the time being. I don't even know how to use a sewing machine! Up to this point, I've sewn my costume ENTIRELY by hand. Can't even tell once it's right-side-out, but now you know. Oh, woe is me *sarcasticly* I was just looking for some friends. LOCAL friends that I could hang out with and that won't look goofy at me when I talk about Luminara Unduli or Kit Fisto. I don't have to be a TJA member. I'm just a lonesome Jedi! Who is, at this point, without a 'uniform'. Sheesh! It's 1:53 by Eastern time (?) and eleven by Pacific time! I need to go meditate (sleep). So, goodnight! Undercover Jedi, signing off.
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JediKai
Message Board Member
TJA Savior
Posts: 5,560
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Post by JediKai on Aug 3, 2005 1:26:15 GMT -5
My experience is similar to Nova's. When I first saw Ep IV, I was most interested in the Jedi. I wasn't into costuming then and, of course, there was no public internet.
But when EP I was released, I so identified with the Jedi that I had to make the costume. I figured all out before I found any groups.
In the past 5 years here in Seattle, I've never been made to feel less a fan or costumer because I do Jedi. Our local group has some fantastic costumers and every one who has a Jedi costume has a very well done one. No bathrobe Jedi here! So we seem to have the respect of the 501st group.
We just marched, with the 501st garrison, in the biggest Seattle parade of the year. We were the Grand Marshal unit! It was fantastic to be cheered by throngs of people the entire 2.5 miles of the route. Lots of people had lightsabers. One group of adults yelled out something I didn't catch but was sort of like "YAY JEDI!" The crowd was absolutely nuts for our 2 guys who are Obi-Wan and Anakin look-a-likes. People were running out to pose for photos with all of us, including the Jedi.
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Post by Jan-Qui Coran on Aug 8, 2005 19:08:33 GMT -5
When I noticed someplace on the web there was actually a club that was dedicated to Jedi only I was on cloud 9. So when I went to C3--my very 1st convention--& I met & saw the wonderful costumes there & met the wonderful people in the Jedi Assembly(I went out of my way to locate & talk to them) & I also met Rebel Legion members--I made up my mind when I got home that I wanted to be full Jedi then & there. I know I've done (because there is no try only do) my best to follow the rules in both the Assembly & the Legion to make my costume the best it could be for the fun of it. I'm discovering I like good well made costumes & we of Jedi Assembly have some of the best to be seen anywhere. May I congratulate the TJA for having high costuming standards it's worth it when you see the bright, happy & excited looks that are on childrens & other peoples faces. I saw those faces at Wizard World when I was walking around & people asked to take pix of me. I really enjoyed myself to. I got tired but at the end of the day I almost didn't want to change my costume because I felt so comfortable in it. Thanks TJA.
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Post by Starkindler (The Naked Jedi) on Aug 8, 2005 22:03:25 GMT -5
costuming standards for membership are the perrogative of the Council and I support them. I will endeavor to meet them since I too want as authentic a look as possible (if I'm gonna do it I might as well get it right) It will cost me a bit and take awhile since I can't sew (unless I can convince an aquaintance of mine to do it for a pittance) but it'll be worth it. My list: Saber(s) (DONE) Belt and pouches (DONE) tunic and boots cape or robe join "officially" food capsules (DONE) Holo projector and Comlink (IN PROCESS) Attend first function timeline: who knows? $$ is short so it may take awhile, but be worth it.
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Post by lazlototh on Aug 8, 2005 22:18:25 GMT -5
I am glad to see the standards since it motivates me to improve my costume... I hope I have been doing okay in that regard - I've been making little improvements as I can afford them. I still have blue tabards and for events that don't require canon costumes I may keep them - I plan on getting some more fabric to match my outer tunic to make more canon tabards for canon events. My problem is boots. I love the boots I have but they don't look quite right - I use them for Renn Faire too and they are so comfortable - I don't like hard heels and these have basically no heel. Well you can look at my pic and get a good view of them I think. Anyway, I don't want to let down TJA so I will continue to try getting better stuff as I can.. This is the coolest site...
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JediKai
Message Board Member
TJA Savior
Posts: 5,560
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Post by JediKai on Aug 8, 2005 23:49:29 GMT -5
Oh, Lazlo, you have another new member pic! With a nice blue car.
I think your boots are fine. They're brown, which is nice. The Visual Dictionaries show us that Jedi wear all sorts of boots.
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Post by Starkindler (The Naked Jedi) on Aug 9, 2005 0:58:01 GMT -5
Just a thought... What would "Formal" jedi garb look like? we see ther everyday stuff in all the movies....but?
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