i joined the UK Garrion around november time last year they are a great bunch of pepole and share knowledge with eatch other as star wars fans do, ive cleard two kits with when and on my third cleared kits OT Tie Pilot Hero 3 version ROTJ Imperil biker scout trooper And working on my Imperial royal guard ROTJ TKID-11935, HAPPY TROOPING 😁

Member of the Redback Garrison here (QLD Australia garrison) and this was a fantastic video explaining those levels. At the cons I say something similar when we are meeting potential new members in regard to what you need to meet but might have to work in some of the comments you made :D

Hi just wanted to say thank you I had a bad experience with the ukg many years ago but watching your videos gave me the inspiration to try again and I was recently cleared by my garrison and I am already hard at work upgrading to next level so please keep up your good work from TI 31102

Great video. Currently going through the process. I have an assigned 501st ukg Armourer that helps me pick the right pieces to avoid mistakes that can be costly or time consuming. If you join up and go down this route you can avoid a lot of disappointment and frustration. If you start on the various forums, it can be tricky, as well meaning people will sometimes give you incorrect advice, and this can lead to mistakes and negativity. Even screen acurate is very subjective, so your best going with the advice of your Armourer above everyone else, as they will be the person putting you forward, and they wont do that until they are sure you are ready.

Great video! Funnily enough, I just make a Ghostbusters costume recently. DZ-4792, 70th Explorers Garrison

I agree with what you say. I like to get as close to screen accurate as I can , or with what I can afford. I've made some things and mixed it up with what I've made. The 501st Garrison and UK Rabel Legion are on an other level accuracy fanatical about it, which I do get , I've tried getting in the Rabel Legion but we're turned down, I were upset for a few days but , you guys are just awesome. So I made made own group, which is just me, it works but it's very lonely. As always. The Force will be with you, always.

I was a UKG member until moving abroad but have just rejoined and starting a costume build. What some call snobbery I see as accuracy, authenticity, and dedication. I love Star Wars but am not a Star Wars nut or a walking encyclopaedia of facts. There are Star Wars nuts there with impressive knowledge and that can be intimidating. The high costume standards are borne from a desire to make people believe you just walked off a filming set. The standard is high but not impossible with proper research and help. The are people you don't get on with - just like in all walks of life but the vast majority are warm and friendly, wanting to help you and to raise money for charity while having FUN. There can be internal politics, which you can avoid. Trooping does require a level of dedication and commitment and you should be ready for that. I loved it and hope to love it again.

Here is a good interaction with a possible future club member. Instead of walking up to them and tell them ur costume would never pass review to join. Why not say “Hello glad u came out to troop at this event, would u consider joining the 501? If so contact us so we can get ur costume up to 501 standard. We can show u what needs to be altered.” See how easy that works, didn’t even have to insult the persons costume. Basic 101 when u are dealing with other cosplayers..

I had just cleared a Jedi with rebel legion. Saw UKG at an event. “Hey where should I start to make a stormtrooper? I’ve just cleared a Jedi with rebel legion and I’m looking for a next project”. He looked me up and down and said “you don’t have it to be a stormtrooper”. Turned away and started talking to his mate. They started laughing hard while turning to look at me multiple times. I’ve been with other costuming groups for years now. No problem with most of the UKG guys I’ve costumed with but every group has its problem makers or snobs.

"Snob" is one of those words that a lot of people seem to use without understanding what it actually means. Having a standard of entry for a group is not snobbery. A snob has an exaggerated sense of their own social position and looks down on those who they view as being of lower on a social hierarchy. There may well be "costume snobs" among the 501st, but the overwhelming majority do not look down on more casual costumers, its just that that part of the hobby isn't what they're doing in that specific group.

Its the same with east middle ghostbusters ive been invited to join but you have to have one of 2 suits but both suits are around £70ish.

From a costume standpoint, they're not snobs. However, the folks that weaseled their way into leadership at the Garrison and Legion level ABSOLUTELY ruined the close-knit community that I joined 20 years ago. Gatekeeping, snobbery, and political maneuvering are rampant in many parts. Certainly not what Albin intended. If you find a good Garrison, then you may avoid this. Not sure if Leon is still trooping in the UKG, but he was a great person to interact with back in the day.

Is it bad that the 501st and members within it to want a certain level of accuracy in the costumes? No. Are there a handful of people within that take it too far, and progressively gatekeep? Most definitely. This will be at all level of things I believe, I have seen people who take things way too far and demand too much of a costume that looks amazing. Not everyone has to join the 501st Legion, that is a big problem. The 501st generally doesn't demand a lot, I understand that there are certain groups like the UK Garrison and even other U.S. based garrisons that are tough. That is a whole other opinion, my garrison tends to be laid back and ok, we demand what the CRLs state on a good level. The biggest thing is, we want people out trooping and doing events, that is what people pass on. That's is what this is all about, the joy of having members out to bring others joy at charity places and even hospitals. No one even tends to notice the difference, I have a very high end Vader and it doesn't matter to the average joe, especially children. I think the CRLs most of the time are extremely fair, and a way for people to stay reasonably in line while looking out of the movies. It's those however who step out of that and get hyper focused, and want everyone to look like them (as they see themselves as the peak standard of the character).

Hey cosplay vicar " sry. dont know youre real name" i have seen some of youre videos here and notes that you got a rasin printer so wase thinking if we could talk private cos i wase think if you could help me with some items hope to hear from you soon best regards Danish ANH Lord Vader " niels "

Maybe world wide no. However local Garrisons absolutely are. I got told to make adjustments and other people asked why I did. People gatekeep information treated me awful so I left. However I understand it's not like that in a global level but I do my stuff free lance and have a much better and I actually do troops with local Garrisons from time to time.

you like indiana jones ?

Oh yeah the 501 are total snobs. After my first few interactions with 501st i realised not only do i not want to be part of them, but i hate being part of even that same fan community as a whole.

Cosplayer: I'm 300lbs and want to wear a rainbow Storm Trooper my little pony remix costume and join the 501st. 501st: no Cosplayer l: facist snobs!!