#eventreview

The final Q&A involving the Ahsoka cast held over the Invasion weekend came with Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Eman Esfandi. There was a lot to unpack here so let’s drive straight in. The pair kicked off by discussing the Nogi-Pod fight that occurs towards the end of the series. Eman explained that all involved had trained for a long, long time to get this fight right as it was to be a complicated shoot. Lots of angles, lots of moving parts and the fact that this was not shot on a volume sound stage. This final component proved to be tough. When the time came to film this sequence, California was experiencing a massive heat wave. The crew fitted the cast with something called ‘ice shirts’, similar to that used by F1 drivers during extreme heatwaves to keep body temperatures cool. With this helping in a manner of sorts, Eman then said that he had not rehearsed in full costume. By the time filming came, in his own words, the fight was a disaster. His gloves kept sliding off, he missed his mark, kicks were heading in the wrong direction. In the end, most of the fight we see on-screen was pretty much made up as they went along. [gallery columns="2" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" link="file" ids="164710,164709"] In the first instance of proving just what a Star Wars fan Eman is, he informed us of his extensive helmet collection and remarked to Natasha just how much room they took up. When asked what type of costume he would love to wear in Star Wars, he said he was a huge Power Rangers fan (what kid wasn’t back in the 90s?) and said he’d love to wear an all-black ensemble like the Black Ranger or like Luke’s in Return of the Jedi. Next, someone asked what project or character the pair would love to be involved in aside from the one they’re in now. Without missing a beat, Eman said Visions. He loves the series and would love to voice a Sith character in the show in any way. Natasha drew big laughs when saying she’d love to be an “Australian creature.” Eman, again proving his passion and demonstrating that he really knows his lore, circled back by saying that his brother had introduced to him to character of Darth Revan. He loves this character, perhaps his favourite in Star Wars and urged anyone who hadn’t sought him out yet to do so in the old expanded universe - now classified as Legends. Sticking with Revan, Eman went on to talk about a conspiracy theory on the web going around that Ezra was someone linked to Revan. Eman knows this will never happen but is happy for the theory to be out there in anyway. He then offered the joke that perhaps he could play Thrawn’s new jester. “Darth Jester, maybe?” The pair then went to talked about the fantastic use of practical effects and sets that were used in the show and Natasha commented on how brilliant it felt to really bring some “old Cowboy and Western elements” into the show and really create a hybrid of Samurai and Western. A fun question that came from the crowd was when they were asked if either of them took anything from the set. Eman drew a laugh when he said he was crushed when he realised that no one else seemed to be taking anything and realised he couldn’t get away with it either. Natasha drew a bigger laugh when she said, quite nonchalantly, that Sabine’s jacket we first see her in wasn’t needed for season 2 so… “Maybe I have it, maybe I don’t.” It was time to ask my question. I detailed it around the notion that Hayden Christensen’s return in this show was in many ways far greater than that of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s. In Kenobi, it was all about Vader. We saw glimpses of Anakin here and there, we had the lightsaber training flashback and then the end dual, but with Ahsoka, it was all about Anakin Skywalker. [gallery columns="2" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" link="file" ids="164708,164707"] The pair were on fine form and I was incredibly amazed by the thoughtfulness and detail of their answers. Natasha explained how she went to set, despite not being needed, for the all of the World Between Worlds sequence. She knew this would be special and didn’t want to miss it. She told us she deliberately changed her stunt training time to be on set on those days so she could witness it. Again, much like with Anthony as C-3PO, there was an air of magnificence when Hayden was on set. Eman told us he first met Hayden when training in the gym and they bonded over their love of playing tennis. He too, much like Natasha, went out of his way to be on set for the final scenes filmed for the show. This is the closing moment of the show when Anakin’s Force Ghost is watching over Sabine and Ahsoka. This was a surprise to me when Natasha revealed that Hayden was on set with everyone for that shot. The way the scene plays, with Anakin in the distance, it would have been incredibly easy to simply shoot Hayden by himself and add him in later. This was not the case, however, and demonstrates a level of care that Filoni takes. Eman ended this part of my question asked by explaining that though this a new show, a new version of Star Wars – when an “OG connection to George Lucas” shows up, it suddenly takes everything to a new dimension. As we began to wrap up this brilliant panel, a few final questions came in the guise of ‘favourite things?’ First up was favourite fight. For Natasha it was the first dual between Sabine and Shin Hatti. She loved the choreography and visuals of the fight and believes it stands out as a brilliant one. For Eman, it was the battle between Ahsoka, Sabine and Ezra in the final episode as they took on the Night Troopers. Finally, it was favourite things that have happened recently in Star Wars. Natasha told us that it was the fact that she gets to use to Force. For Eman, once again he proved just what a genuine fan of Star Wars he is. Much to the surprise of the crowd, he told us that Tech’s demise in The Bad Batch stands out as an emotional favourite for him. He really felt the loss of that character and immediately was on the phone to his brother when that episode aired. That brought us to a close of a brilliant panel and I for one, loved every second of it. After witnessing these three Q&A’s back-to-back, I have the sudden urge to and watch Ahsoka again. With that being said, if you need me, you’ll know where to find me. [amazon box="1647225221"]

The second of the intimate panels held over the Invasion weekend came at 1pm with the arrival of Mary Elizabeth Winstead. For this panel, Starfury founder Sean Harry kicked things off with a brief conversation with Mary covering the breadth of her career. After this brought us to the present day, it was back once again for the audience to ask their questions to Mary in a very relaxed fashion. Below are all the things covered in a galaxy far, far away. Mary kicked things off by saying that Star Wars had always been a part of her life and she grew up with the original films in her household from childhood. It was her love of Princess Leia that really got her into saga. Mary explained how she connected with the character straight away and felt the spirit of Leia from a young age. She described Star Wars as an “omnipresent force” in her household. Going into the Ahsoka series, Mary told us that by Hera having a connection to Leia in the story is something that was incredibly emotional for her. When it came to preparation for Ahsoka, Mary admitted that she didn’t have enough time to go back and watch every episode of Rebels - she is the mother of a toddler after all - however, she did watch the most pivotal episodes that Dave Filoni recommended and made it a top priority to view these. She then went into detail of the tragic relationship between Kanan and Hera and bringing that element of Hera’s past into the show. Mary also went to detail about keeping her version of Hera separate to that of Vanessa Marshall’s portrayal. She was aware of the French accent that sometimes-accompanied Hera in Rebels but left it down to Dave Filoni and his instructions. To the surprise and delight of many fans in the crowd, Mary also informed us of her viewings of The Bad Batch and how incredibly important these episodes featuring Hera were in her prep. [gallery link="file" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="164703,164702,164701,164700"] Someone asked what her favourite moments of portraying this character were and Mary instinctively answered that she loved the parenting moments the most with Jacen. Being a new mother at the time of shooting, she felt the connection to this storyline and really worked hard as an actor to make this element of her character the emotional epicentre. Another question fielded from the crowd was that we haven’t yet seen live-action Hera in action and while that hopefully is to come, Mary went on to detail that her favourite fight of Star Wars thus far was the rematch between Obi-Wan and Anakin in the finale of the Kenobi series due to the emotional stakes. When it came to the more philosophical questions surrounding that of being in Star Wars, Mary explained that it’s “pure joy to be surrounded by the fantastical everyday at work” and the make-up team worked hard to streamline the eye lenses and lekku in the make-up department. [gallery link="file" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="164706,164699,164705,164704"] When it came to my question for Mary, I had to bring up the fabulous scene involving C-3PO. Mary explained that all rehearsals were done with Anthony NOT in his costume. When the time came to shoot the scene, everyone got “chills” as C-3PO entered and emotions ran high. All involved in that scene with C-3PO knew that they were involved in something special and no one took it for granted. Mary once again, proving her point, brought up how this emotional scene made her feel as it highlighted her character’s connection to Princess Leia. I explained to Mary a connection she might not have known. Her husband, Ewan McGregor, had a similar moment back in 2003 shooting Revenge of the Sith. For the prequels, 3PO didn’t get to shine until Episode III as for the previous two instalments he’d been naked with wires and then looking a tad rusty in Episode II. On the Episode III DVD extras, there’s footage of Ewan talking about how acting opposite Anthony in full, shiny gold Threepio costume was a very powerful moment for him. Funny how things work out sometimes. Sticking with family, Mary explained how it was special to be able to connect with Ewan about Star Wars and share this together and how it was also fun to be closer to his Uncle Denis through it and, of course, their son – Laurie – who is also coming to be a big Star Wars fan thanks to his love of Grogu. Stay tuned for my coverage of the panel with Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Eman Esfandi. [amazon box="1647225221"]

The first of the intimate panels held over the Invasion weekend came at midday. Diana Lee Inosanto and Nelson Lee kicked off an afternoon of Ahsoka interviews. Let’s first touch on the ‘intimate panels.’ This phrase doesn’t quite do it justice. The talks were held in the main hall suite at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham and there was no moderator. The stars were simply introduced and if you wanted to ask a question you simply got up, waited your turn and then headed for the mic. There is no way you’d get this level of intimacy at Celebration or even a bigger convention in London. Let’s dive in and see what they said. There were all the obvious questions of “What’s it like being in Star Wars?” or “Do you love being in Star Wars?” Both Inosanto and Lee came across as friendly, down-to-earth and humble when talking about their experiences. Inosanto, who played Morgan Elsbeth in both The Mandalorian and Ahsoka, has a very famous Godfather. None other than Bruce Lee. Inosanto gave a detailed account of how it was difficult to find work in Hollywood when she started her career but found that paid jobs became available after she had done some stunt work on Moonlighting – the successful TV series starring Bruce Willis. She explained how doing by stunts she was able to learn the craft on the job, get paid and learn how production schedules work and all the rest of it. A titbit that excited the room was to learn that Inosanto was a stunt double for a certain vampire slayer in a series called Buffy. This level of intense knowledge of physical performance would account for Inosanto’s incredible fight work on the Star Wars shows. We moved onto prior knowledge of Star Wars before joining the universe and what preparations the actors took for their roles. Nelson Lee, who plays Hamato Xiono in Ahsoka, discussed that he watched all of Rebels and Resistance in preparation for the role.  It’s fascinating to the see the parallels coming in here with actors watching Star Wars animation to get ready for live-action. Hayden Christensen did the same when preparing for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Ahsoka. Diana Lee Inosanto gave an account that she was able to meet Thrawn creator himself, Timothy Zahn, at a comic-con before shooting began and she was able to hear first hand his thoughts on the character  and how people around might act and feel. [gallery link="file" size="large" ids="164692,164693,164694"] Some fun questions came next and someone asked the actors who they would have loved to have portrayed in Star Wars outside of their respective roles. For Lee it was an easy answer of Han Solo or Luke Skywalker and for Inosanto it was either Leia or Jyn Erso. I decided to get up and ask a question and posed one for the both of them. “What was the pinch-me-moment for both of you that made you realise you were in Star Wars and a part of something special?” For Nelson Lee, he spoke about how it’s all very surreal getting the call to say you’ve got the job and feeling the excitement but he then said it finally felt real and like a kid again when it came to the costume fittings. Being surrounded by alien heads and creatures and then finally getting to try on your own costume really brought it home that this was happening. Diana Lee Inosanto gave an answer that surprised me. She said it was long past production. It was along after post-production. She said her moment came when she saw the episode air. The episode she’s referring too, of course, is the fifth episode of the second series of The Mandalorian – The Jedi. She explained how seeing it all come together and play out made her very emotional and made it all feel very special. Watching the episode was also the first time she had heard her character’s name. In the scripts that Inosanto got, she was only referred to as The Magistrate. It was in another scene where she first heard Ahsoka Tano use the name Morgan Elsbeth. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="164695,164696,164697,164698"] A little while later, Inosanto was asked what project she would love to be in. Her answer? “A Lego movie all to myself.” When fellow Fantha Paul Naylor asked the pair about becoming Star Wars merchandise, Inosanto once again revealed her love for the building brick by saying that her Lego figure was her favourite toy made of her out of the Black Series, Vintage Collection and Retro figures. Lee, meanwhile, is starting the campaign to get his figure made. Towards the end of the hour came the biggest laugh. We were told ahead of time, for obvious reasons, that Lucasfilm had asked no questions about Ahsoka Season 2 or any upcoming projects. Fair enough. Someone in the crowd, however, hadn’t quite gotten the message. “Diana,” they asked. “Even though your character is dead, are you going to be in the upcoming Mando film?” Diana paused, only briefly, before saying – “Errmmm…it’s a trap!” Brilliant. You couldn’t have written that come-back if you’d have tried. Stay tuned for my coverage of the panels from Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Natasha Liu Bordizzo and Eman Esfandi. [amazon box="1647225221"]

Ever since its humble beginnings in 2017, Power of the Force con has quickly grown to be one of the most fun conventions dedicated solely to the saga. The usual convention floor layour with its two halls has been expanded for this edition with a third, which made the floor space even better to navigate. [gallery link="file" columns="4" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="162051,162049,162045,162043"] The first hall was filled with interesting merchandise stands where good deals could be made. The wide variety of all kinds of merchandise, from Hasbro to Funko, LEGO, props and various other items, has got you hard-pressed to not return with something that is still missing in your collection. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="162048,162044"] In the second hall there was also some merchandise, but this hall is mostly devoted to the guests signing. This is where this convention really shines as each year the organization manages to get a big line-up of guests and ther are always a few rare signers that you hardly ever see at other cons. Among last year’s line-up of guests were Hassani Shapi (Eeth Koth), Michaela Cottrell (Even Piell) and Mary Oyaya (Luminara Unduli). For this edition the rarest signing guest was no doubt Oliver Ford Davies, who played Sio Bibble in the Prequels. Davies regaled visitors by repeating his famous line about how a 'communication disruption can mean only one thing…invasion', funny anecdotes about filming and Ian McDiarmid. While certainly getting on in his years - after all it has been 25 years since The Phantom Menace premiered - he was clearly happy to be there and a pleasure to meet. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" ids="162055,162046"] Another great guest to meet is Barry Lowin, who was in Din Djarin’s suit for Seasons 1 and 2 of The Mandalorian among other roles in the recent series, and while there were more guests from the new era of series, with a line-up of twenty-four star names there were plenty of guests to meet from all eras of Star Wars. And of course there was the third hall, the new space for panels, photoshoots and fanclubs like the 501st Legion, Rebel Legion, Mando Mercs and others. If there was any form of critique among regular visitors as myself about previous editions, it would have been that the queue for photoshoots snakes too much among the merchandise stands, and that panels could be difficult to hear due to it being part of the merchandise hall as well. With this problem now solved with the addition of a third hall, there really is little to no critique that can be had at this convention (except for overpriced food and drinks, but when is that not the case for a convention?) So if you find yourself looking for a fun show where you'll enjoy yourself and go where some of those rarer autograph opportunities can come knocking: set your navigation-computer to Cologne, Germany and visit the Power of the Force convention. [amazon box="B0D3FPHL98"]

Taking place on Saturday 13th Echo Base Live, is a FREE event that will provide Star Wars fans with an unforgettable day offering up an excellent range of vintage and modern collectable items from toys and figures to art and books. There will also special guest signers available on the day. Special guests signers include*: Julian Glover (General Veers), Denis Lawson (Wedge Antilles), Chris Parsons (K-3PO), Riichard Oldfield (Derek (Hobbie) Klivian), David Stone (X-Wing Plot), Jack Mckenzie (Cal Alder), Paul Jerricho (AT-AT Driver), Stephanie English (Hoth Rebel Technician), John Mogridge (Snowtrooper), Alan Austen (Snowtrooper) Come along as your favourite Star Wars character - you won't be alone at Echo Base Live! That's how the Kingfisher Centre website described the event, and for Star Wars fans - and obviously the collectors - there are few days in the calendar year as important as the two Echo Base Live events. I make a confession at the top…I absolutely adore these events. Around a month before each show, the anticipation grows and the week before it I’m like a kid counting down to Christmas. It was little different this time around as I, along with my good mates, had rented a couple of tables to sell off some duplicate items and unwanted bits and bobs. (Apologies to The Black Series but I stopped being interested a long time ago) So, I was up at 4.30am and headed off the Redditch Kingfisher Shopping centre to meet my old pals – Chris (of Toys of the Jedi) and Paul (of Fantha Tracks) I met both men in a dark Toys R Us car park way back in September 2015 and it’s been nothing but a friendship full of joy ever since. [gallery link="file" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="160506,160507,160508,160509"] For the second time at Echo there was a Star Dinner on the evening before, and from all accounts, however, it was a smashing success. The event itself boasted a stellar signing line up worthy of Celebration but without the eye-watering prices to go with it. Wedge Antilles himself, Mr Denis Lawson was in attendance along with a motley crew worthy of living up to name of Echo Base. The prices, as always, were sensationally fair and all the guests looked to be extremely popular from where we were standing. On offer for the first time were professional photo shoots which were a nice touch, and you could bring home a special memory from the day. https://www.facebook.com/fanthatracks/videos/826256562653962/ Even though we were all selling this time, I’d taken along some cash to spend of course as it would be sacrilegious not too. There were some amazing finds to be had to quench the thirst of any collector. I managed to pick up a grail item for myself – a Land of the Jawas playset. It was a little worn but complete and was an incredible price. Some other highlights included some Episode I Christmas crackers, a Jumbo Gentle Giant Vader, a 1983 3PO model kit and some Argentina Episode I bootlegs. [gallery link="file" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="160522,160523,160524"] The SWAG at Echo base events has really grown too and there were some brilliant ones to be had. The Wampa juice has become a firm favourite in the collection already. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="160512,160511"] It was great to catch up with old friends and there were two topics of conversation on everyone’s lips; Celebration Japan and the forthcoming Haslab. We’ve all heard the rumours and everyone I passed at some point had a certain playset on their lips. [gallery link="file" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="160521,160520,160519,160518,160514,160513,160510"] As ever, there were some brilliant traders and good deals to be had. There was also a second room next door to the main event that featured around 20/25 more tables. A setup that had everyone talking was the IB3D stall. If you were there, it was amazing to see. If you couldn’t make the event, then fear not - we have pictures. https://www.facebook.com/EchoBaseLIVE/posts/pfbid0Aa263BLhn8CSKqbWveSDppr9PjtPcKPsjmhSSNegwWsGYRvGsj4X4x1KRdT4bd7Ql The raffle was as popular as ever and the team and goodwill of Star Wars fans have managed to raise £3864 for Alder Hey Children’s Charity in Liverpool. Well done to all involved. Outstanding. As ever with events like this, a sign of a good Echo is getting home and being absolutely shattered from Star Wars buying overload, and I certainly was. The real collection, however, are the friends made along the way. (I can hear the groans but it’s true) [gallery link="file" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="160517,160516,160525,160526,160527"] Surely the next event will be in October and I’m waiting with my pen to mark it in my diary. (I may be 32 but I’m old fashioned) If you can’t wait until then, fear not! Star Wars Fan Fun Day is taking place in just a couple of weeks with the Star Dinner on Saturday May 4th and the show itself on Revenge of the 5th with Fantha Tracks in attendance. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="large" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="160529,160528"] One final note worth mentioning. It was great to see so many younglings at the show with their parents. Without them, Star Wars collecting has no future and seeing them excited by the toys just as we were as kids is really brilliant to see. Roll on October. Thanks to Paul Warren for the use of his photographs. For more from Paul, visit https://www.facebook.com/SWCCollection [amazon box="0744098823"]