New Snippets of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Anyone at Disney’s California Adventure on Thursday was treated to a preview of the new World of Color show hosted by Mickey Mouse and Neil Patrick Harris.

During the show, the most famous rides at Disneyland are featured in a brilliant display of colored water, plumes of fire, and new screens on the ferris wheel and California Screaming.

During the feature on Star Tours, we see Poe Dameron in his flight suit, and we see a black-gloved hand reach out to touch R2-D2.  We also see the much beloved BB8. 

There was an audible gasp from Star Wars fans in the crowd as they saw the new footage, even if it was just a few moments’ worth.

May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day!

Happy Star Wars Day!

It seems like this is the biggest May 4th Star Wars Day ever, as fans who were not in the know are celebrating for the first time given the post-Star Wars Celebration excitement and The Force Awakens hype.

Even Vanity Fair is getting into the mix, launching their May issue with the Star Wars cast-past and present-on the cover. (Harrison Ford is there, and I’m sure the fact that Annie Leibovitz is the photographer had something to do with it)

In honor of the momentous, should-be-a-national-holiday, here are some SWCA pictures, and a few more from Disneyland.

May the 4th Be With You!

May the 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day!

Happy Star Wars Day!

It seems like this is the biggest May 4th Star Wars Day ever, as fans who were not in the know are celebrating for the first time given the post-Star Wars Celebration excitement and The Force Awakens hype.

Even Vanity Fair is getting into the mix, launching their May issue with the Star Wars cast-past and present-on the cover. (Harrison Ford is there, and I’m sure the fact that Annie Leibovitz is the photographer had something to do with it)

In honor of the momentous, should-be-a-national-holiday, here are some SWCA pictures, and a few more from Disneyland.

May the 4th Be With You!

Photos from Star Wars Celebration 2015 in Anaheim

I’ll be adding more content over the next few days, but here are some pictures to whet your appetite….

Photo Gallery and Sneak Peek of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

I was lucky enough to be in the first group of fans into The Force Awakens exhibit on Saturday morning at the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim. 

Here is what I saw….

View of the new First Order Stormtroopers, new droid BB8, and a Desert Nomad and Junkyard Thug 

First Order Snowtrooper

First Order Firetrooper

Finn’s Costume

Rey’s Costume

The really interesting thing about this display is that each costume had a list of the materials used to make each item.  This is a huge nod to cosplayers who create their own amazing costumes to show their love for Star Wars.

What do you think about the new costumes?

Arrival at Star Wars Celebration

We have arrived in Anaheim and the Star Wars Celebration is set to officially begin soon.

The fans have flocked en masse to the Anaheim Convention Center to celebrate all things Star Wars.

Keep checking back for more SWCA coverage!

Up Next: Star Wars Celebration Anaheim

Well, it’s finally here.  In a few short days I’ll be making the short drive up the 5 Freeway to Anaheim, CA, to the Star Wars Celebration.

We’re already getting emails from the event planners talking about the queue procedures on Thursday.  Thursday at 10am, you see, is when JJ Abrams is doing his panel presentation on the newest incarnation of the Star Wars franchise, The Force Awakens.  And that’s where everyone will be.

From amazing cosplay and the full complement of the 501st Legion to panels to out of this world merchandise, Star Wars Celebration is the place to be next weekend.

For full coverage, keep an eye on my blog!

 

My Con Schedule (So Far)

I’m happy to report that I’ll be attending several cons this year to provide coverage for Dark Media Online.  My press badges have been approved and I’m ready to go.  (I even have a photographer, aka my trusty sister who is a photographic genius)

This weekend is the Long Beach Comic Expo.  This is the sister event to the Long Beach Comic Con in September, and while the focus is on comics, there is already a ton of cosplay planned, along with panels and screenings.

In April I’ll be heading up the 5 to Anaheim to cover the Star Wars Celebration.  I’m really excited about this event, even though Jawas terrified me when I was younger.  (Don’t tell anyone, but they still do)  I can only imagine how great the event will be this year with the new film set for release.  Mark Hamill has been confirmed as a guest, as are the actors behind C3PO and R2D2.  It’s going to be phenomenal.

And now that my press badge for San Diego Comic Con has just been approved, so you can expect to see tons of coverage both here and at DarkMediaOnline.com.  We should be podcasting by that point as well, so watch for updates.  SDCC means a long (15-minute drive) Downtown for me, so you can be assured of tons of pre-convention coverage as the signage goes up and the Exhibit Hall takes shape.  It’s also fun to wander the Gaslamp to see what is moving in for SDCC.  (Remember the Godzilla building?  We drove by last week and the Legendary art is still inside)

Lots of good things to come in the next few weeks/months, so stay tuned!

 

More from SDCC Day One: The Exhibit Hall

The Comic Con exhibit hall floor is an amazing place. You can literally find anything here. Every fandom is represented at the hundreds upon hundreds of booths.

This year I really think that the booths and exhibits from the big names are the best in years. 

2014 marks the 75th anniversary of Batman and DC is celebrating in a big way.  They have the new cape and cowl from the Ben Affleck incarnation of the Dark Knight.

Now that Disney owns Marvel and Star Wars, they dominate the floor, and yet Disney itself is not as well represented.  Images of the new Thor and Captain America are all over.

Keep checking back for more coverage of SDCC 2014!

Nerdvana in San Diego: It’s Time for Comic Con 2014

Eight years ago you could buy a 4-day pass to Comic Con and walk in the front door when the Exhibit Hall opened.  Syfy had huge installations in the middle of the floor, and their booth was surrounded by Pokemon and D&D gaming tables.  

Now, people enter a lottery to be able to buy badges, and the Exhibit Hall floor is crowded beyond belief.  Vendors are on a waiting list to get in.  Syfy has moved across the street to the Hard Rock.  In fact, many of the neighboring hotels have taken advantage of SDCC by sharing their ballrooms and convention spaces for extra panels.  Even Petco Park has cashed in as it hosts The Walking Dead Escape.

Personally, as a native San Diegan, I think that SDCC is a welcome boon to our city and I support anything that needs to happen to keep SDCC here.  SDCC was born here, after all, and the money generated from out-of-town guests is more than we’ll ever see from the Chargers.  I think SDCC should be a city-wide event, spreading beyond the confines of the Gaslamp to other areas of San Diego.  

I get as excited about the SDCC banners going up along Harbor Drive as I get when I see the first Christmas trees during the holiday season.  

SDCC is a nerd’s paradise.  I’m so glad to be a part of it!

(That said, watch for my coverage of SDCC here on my blog and on Twitter @SarabethPollock