Of the many memories and impressions that are dear to my heart from Star Wars Celebration II, these two come to mind immediately: what Star Wars fans contributed to the show, and Yoda.
First, about Yoda… What we at Lucasfilm knew, and what the audience in the Indiana Convention Center had not seen, was that Yoda would have his first real lightsaber fight in the upcoming Attack of the Clones. We’d not released any clips of the Jedi Master in action before the show, having saved the excitement for those seeing it first on the big screen.
At the Celebration II Opening Ceremony, our head of marketing kept the audience in the dark right up until the last moment. In fact, he led them to believe they’d be seeing a trailer from a movie that would be competing with us, and that he wanted to know what they thought about it.
I won’t forget it. The trailer opened with familiar text — used for that other movie — about “This Summer’s Biggest Action Hero.” The screen went black for a moment, and then Yoda appeared, pulling back his robe gunslinger style and snapping his lightsaber into his grip with the Force.
There was a groundswell of cheering…actually a roar…that started low and built to a tremendous crescendo. As the audience realized what they were seeing I felt as much as heard their reaction. When the clip was over, when asked if they wanted to see it again, their response rendered me momentarily deaf.
Yoda opened the weekend with a bang and then the fans, who took part in Celebration programming largely for the first time, carried it through beautifully.
We had changed the show in a number of ways from Celebration I, including hosting it inside a warm and dry convention center. Though the Celebration I fans loved that show in Denver, and still love the memory, we had new fans and new exhibitors who needed convincing that they could come celebrate Star Wars while staying comfortable. More than 27,000 individual fans flocked to Star Wars Celebration II. The Star Wars convention culture was cemented, and the show was proof that partying together is the very best way to party.
Celebration II was my first Celebration on the team, and it also marked the first time we introduced a high level of fan-generated entertainment and exhibits, to the benefit of everyone who attended. Fans took key roles in creating new events and exhibits, which made the show richer and deeper. Through the years, their contributions set Celebrations apart. I am always awed by new ideas and new displays and programming. It would not really be a Celebration without the contributions from Star Wars fans.
At Celebration II, Star Wars fans proved that they were far more than the audience. They were the beating heart of the show itself.
Tags: Celebration II, Indiana, star wars, Yoda
Hello… I’m sorry for being off-topic but I did’t find a “contact” button or other forms to leave a message to the creators of the CLONE WARS series. I’d highly appreciate if you’d transfer this to them, if you can. So… I was asking why such Jedi Masters, Knights and Padawans are missing from the CW series… Jedis who will play important roles in the saga, and Jedis about I nearly know something. I guess it’s not correct to give that much attention to one of the Jedis who appeared in several episodes (one of them didn’t even exist untill that episode!). I know one of them appeared in comic books and… for further information, I can find some stories about them on Wookiepedia… but I think it would be extraordinary if I and all the STAR WARS fan all around the world would meet in the Clone Wars series Jedis like (beware! I prepared a huge list
– and I tried to make it in order of importance):
K’Kruhk, T’ra Saa, A’Sharad Hett, Tholme, Fay, An’ya Kuro, Oppo Rancisis, Empatojayos Brand, Kazdan Paratus, Rahm Kota, Kento Marek, Tsui Choi, Vima-Da-Boda, Sian Jeisel, Bhat Jul, Sha Koon, Stass Allie, Cin Drallig, Bene, Nem Bees, Voolvif Monn, Ylenic It’kla, Beyghor Sahdett, Zett Jukassa, Tallisibeth Enwandung-Esterhazy, Kina Ha, Denia, Roblio Darté, Ikrit, Beldorion, Jerec, Echuu Shen-Jon, Jastus Farr, Ma’kis’shaalas, Joc Sah, B’dard Tone, Codi Ty, Depa Billaba, Tyneir Renz, Ranik Solusar, Qu Rahn, Shadday Potkin, Morvet Storm, Bultar Swan, Kai Justiss, Dass Jennir, Kai Hudorra, Noirah Na, Zonder, Jurokk, Ferroda, Maris Brood, Darrin Arkanian, Corwin Shelvay, Darrus Jeht, Fy-Tor-Ana, Garen Muln, Ry-Gaul, Nos’lyn, Qid Proko, Saras Loorne, Zao, Tao, Simms, Sev, Du Mahn, Falon Grey, Chase Piru, Koffi Arana, Aqinos, Caryn, Minos Fel’Kona, Geith Eris, Callista Ming, Chankar Kim, Jai Maruk, Plett, Klossi Anno, Deran Nalual, Ashka Boda, Jax Pavan, Siadem Forte, Iwo Kulka, Bol Chatak, Roan Shryne, Olee Starstone, Jin-Lo Rayce, Ali-Alann, Traavis, Olana Chion, Serra Keto, J’oopi Shé, Etain Tur-Mukan, Tru Veld, Sors Bandeam, Shia Letap, Ekria, Drake Lo’gaan, Ydra Kilwallen Sibwarra, Niebur Boton, Halagad Ventor, Dama Montalvo, Sia-Lan Wezz, Bardan Jusik, Arligan Zey, Drakka Judarrl, Neth Enasteri, Ameesa Darys, Dorn Tavers, Dorn Tavers, Danaan Kerr, Maw, Travgen, Gruu Dunrik, Bon, Nia, Laranth Tarak, Iri Camas, Valara Saar….
I guess these are just enough
Now that the Indiana Convention Center has been expanded, maybe you’ll consider returning for a Celebration VII.
Celebration II will always stand out as one of my favorites (and I have been to every Star Wars Celebration, except Europe). As part of the starwarsfan.org fan group at the time, it was truly a great experience to work with you and to interact with my fellow fans on a different level. Thank you, Mary, for making all the fans feel included and for making C2 a wonderful experience. May the Force be with you, always!