Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
Yeah. There's a difference. I don't think Star Wars fans necessarily mind a bit of light-hearted fun; just look at the success of the Family Guy and Robot Chicken SW specials.
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Star Wars Weekends 2014
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
I think the 501st would be self-policing, given the amount of charity work they do, specifically visiting sick children in the hospital, at least as much as other groups that do similar activities, perhaps more so, as they wouldn't want to get on the bad side of Lucasfilm's (and now Disney's) lawyers.
ratherbeinwdw
Well-Known Member
Yes. But, there have been many complaints about the way they treat the quests along the route. There used to be a video showing a Darth Vader in the parade shove a young boy about 8 because he ran up to him. There was a big stink, but Disney said that they were not Disney employees. The boy had no business running up to the guy, but his shove was not appropriate. You really have to watch the video and make your own decision. I wouldn't argue either way. I'm sure it's probably still up somewhere.
A storm trooper was extremely aggressive to me. That's why I looked up videos back then. I was very upset at first until my daughter explained that he was just staying in character. I was walking up the ramp coming up toward the hat when several of the storm troopers who had just finished on the stage came around the corner. I stopped to get out of the way. Then, I decided to take a picture. I moved against the rail and waited for the next ones to pass. I got ready to take the picture and one of the troopers actually put his arm up at me like he was going to hit me. He actually had to step toward me to do so as I was in the very corner of the rail at the top of the ramp out of the way. Scared me at first, then made me angry. I was totally out of their way and only had a tiny camera with me. The others just walked down the ramp and the few people who were there were taking their pictures with no problem.
So, either this guy was being a jerk or staying in character.
Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
Or, he took the "in character" thing too far, which happens to both amateurs and professionals. Daniel Day-Lewis, for example. Marvelous actor, but people hate working with him.
The first instance you mentioned was Darth Maul, not Vader and he was a Disney Cast Member, not a member of the 501st, who lost his job due to the interaction.
I can't speak to the second, but it is my understanding that the 501st members have no guest interaction. They march in the parade (which is a mix of 501st and CMs) and that is it. As I understand it, the only way you will run into a 501st member as one of the wandering characters is if they apply for the role like everyone else and are hired by Disney to do so. This would put them through the same vetting process and background checks as every other CM doing that job.
Hyperspace Hoopla
Well-Known Member
My six year old asked to have his picture taken with a pretty girl in a slave Leia costume last year. I'm pretty sure Disney didn't fingerprint her upon entering the park that day.
asianway
Well-Known Member
And did she oblige?
ratherbeinwdw
Well-Known Member
I meant Darth Maul. That was a slip. These guys were the ones doing the stage show so they must have been Disney. They were headed for the building that was Narnia at one time, but it was closed at that point. It was nighttime.
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Maerj
Well-Known Member
I just watched that video and it was a bit much. The kid shouldn't have been out there by himself in the parade route but that push was overdoing it for sure.
Now, if you have a child who is autistic and has Cerebral palsy, you should maybe stay with your child rather than stand a few feet away video taping him. It sounds like they may have been even laughing about it at the time, not sure but it was whoever the camera person was talking to. I admit that the person playing Darth Maul was a bit rough but if you watch that video to the end the parents claim that the child has stomach ulcers, nightmares and is on more medication, etc. Everything turns into a money grab.
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Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
Heck, some kids would be BRAGGING about that kind of treatment.
"Dude, Darth Maul kicked my butt!"
"No way, man."
"Way! My dad filmed it!"
"Dude, that's awesome, he totally made you poop yourself!"
"I know! I totally had to go back to the resort hotel and change!!!"
"Dude, Darth Maul kicked my butt!"
"No way, man."
"Way! My dad filmed it!"
"Dude, that's awesome, he totally made you poop yourself!"
"I know! I totally had to go back to the resort hotel and change!!!"
tribbleorlfl
Well-Known Member
While I'm not in the 501st (just don't have the time to build a screen accurate costume), I have a few friends who are and I'm active on the 501st Facebook page and forums. I know there was a lot of concern and ambiguity among the community when Disney purchased LFL (regarding licensing and approvals), but the LFL liaison has repeatedly stated it's business as usual w/ Disney at the helm. 501st has such exacting standards, I don't believe there's any risk for brand dilution.
Regarding background checks, no they are not required for memberships, and each "garrison" (regional club) handles discipline (very rare) internally. However, different facilities and organizations may require one as part of their normal volunteer requirements. To that end, I find it unlikely Disney doesn't require one for the 501st marchers- I had to go through one 15 years ago just to be a secret shopper.
dstrawn9889
Well-Known Member
seconded, working on an imperial gunner kit at the moment, but being able to create a screen-accurate costume and attending functions are the only 'requirements' for joining.
bethymouse
Well-Known Member
About the little boy. I was surprised that the actor shoved him. There should have been some sort of apology. I can't see him getting hurt though. He didn't fall down, thankfully. The parents should have been taking better care that the child was not so near to the actors/parade route. I am surprised Disney Cast Members didn't make sure of this with a rope or something. My boys have always been told to stay back, and I have heard many cast members "policing" the parade route making sure that something like this doesn't happen. But, if the actor knew better, which he should have, he would just keep going and stay in the middle of the route as to not interact with the crowd. Scary.
There should have been some sort of apology. I can't see him getting hurt though. He didn't fall down, thankfully. The parents should have been taking better care that the child was not so near to the actors/parade route. I am surprised Disney Cast Members didn't make sure of this with a rope or something. My boys have always been told to stay back, and I have heard many cast members "policing" the parade route making sure that something like this doesn't happen. But, if the actor knew better, which he should have, he would just keep going and stay in the middle of the route as to not interact with the crowd. Scary.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Agree, One was doing a 'security check' on a paper cup on the ground walking all around it with blaster aimed at it it was a scream.
BuddyThomas
Well-Known Member
When making your plans, don't forget that this event overlaps with Gay Days on June 6 - 8. The scheduled gay day for Hollywood Studios would be that Friday. I've been at that time of year multiple trips and it can get extremely crowded at Hollywood Studios due to this overlap. Fun crowd, but crowd is the key word. In fact, it will be absolutely mobbed.
Hyperspace Hoopla
Well-Known Member
Anyone else think it's a little strange that there's been no mention of celebrity guests yet? Possibly holding off until after an Ep7 casting announcement?
I guess that'd be tough since filming in England is supposed to start in May.
I guess that'd be tough since filming in England is supposed to start in May.
I don't think the official list came out last year until late April early May.
Bolt
Well-Known Member
Yeah - I assume in an industry where 'Entertainment is subject to change' you don't want to post earlier than you have to.
JohnD
Well-Known Member
They do fireworks every night at MK and Epcot. I think they can handle it.