Man, I'd love to talk to someone experienced with casting silicone. I'm making a latex headpiece for Ahsoka right now cause I know you can do a latex/acrylic mix paint base coat on that. I have no idea how to color silicone other than tinting it before it cures. Silicone is a much better material than latex.

Man, MonCal has a reputation for being very, very slow to deliver. People in our Garrison waited over 4-5 years for Snowtrooper armor. Good luck. I know he does good work, but I don't think I would order from him.

As for another source... I'm partial to Intergalactic Supply, since he was our Garrison GML for a while and I make all his vinyl decals. I know he's taking a break for the month of December, so I can't imagine the backlog he's going to have in January. I got a set of TK shins from him earlier this year to make a Shoretrooper (not going well for a variety of reasons) and those look very good. https://www.facebook.com/IntergalacticSupply/

Welcome back. I'm in North Charleston and happy to help if you need some cheerleading to motivate you to finish. You're also welcome to help out as a handler at any local events if you wanna meet people. Mt Pleasant xmas parade is the next big one.

Man, sorry no one has replied to you. I'm not near you, but can maybe help point you in the right direction. If you haven't ordered anything yet, I would start with the detachment forums. They're all linked from the 501st site. If you're looking at Shadow Trooper, that's gonna be in Spec Ops. They're more familiar with specific vendors and what you will need to do with it to get approved. Most vendors who do trooper armor are willing to do it with black plastic instead of white, but helmet lenses (mirror instead of green), decals (silver instead of blue/black), and stuff like that might have to come from another source.

FYI, if you ever need decals, feel free to PM me. I can do almost anything and I keep a bunch of colors on hand. I usually do em for costume pals for just the cost of an envelope and stamp.

This thread is 4 months old, but I'm just seeing it, so I'm gonna say what was said earlier: hit up the Spec Ops forum. They're the experts on Shadow Trooprrs, and their detachment leader (in addition to our Garrison's GML) will be looking at your photos when you apply. Always go give the detachment first for build info. It's useful to have people in your area, but unless they've got the same kit, their help could set you back further on your path to the 501st.

Obviously events are rare these days, but I believe the Mt Pleasant Xmas parade is happening. It's the evening if Dec 13, and it's a parade of lights, so get some LEDs to cover your armor. We're gonna throw together a float with a Tattooine theme, if you have anything to add (dunes, droids, banthas?).

Sounds like you know exactly what you're doing. If Anovos ships on time, I have heard good things about their resin helmets. Their vac-form armor is real thin and many who bought in 2015-16 are looking for replacements now or doing their best to fix cracks in corners. Nothing you need to worry about though. I'm sure the helmet from them will be fine.

My first advice would be to look for any other vendor besides Anovos, especially if you're looking at a preorder product. So many of their preorders fail to actually go into production. Often the ones that do go into production, and up with wait times over a year to actually deliver. It would be nice if an officially licensed vendor existed to produce Star Wars costumes, but Anovos has angered so many fans, you'd have a harder time finding someone who is happy with a purchase from them.

Also, as a newbie, how familiar are you with 3d prints? A lot of people buy a printer and immediately call themselves a vendor, selling poor quality prints that are fragile and require a lot of cleanup before they look good. Know who you are buying from if you're getting 3d printed parts. A "pro" vendor of 3d prints will print a part, do all the required cleanup, then make silicone molds and sell resin casts, selling a more rigid piece that doesn't require buyers to do that clean up work. A single resin piece will always be preferable to multiple 3d prints glued together.

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get on the 501st forum and sign up to do table duty. 2 people at a time in 2 hour blocks all weekend.

I always bring a fan to plug in and leave at the 501st table all weekend to help cool down costumers (and so I know I can cool down). When you're at the table, make sure that's plugged in for me!

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Welcome back. I know Cheralyn and the Jordans have been trooping that long. I still see them all the time. I officially joined in 2013, after doing my first DragonCon in 2010!

You can always update those parts of the armor that don't fit. Doing a lot of outdoor events has quickly turned my armor yellow, so I assume you've got at least a little of that going on. Also if you've been inactive, you'll have to reapply and some costume standards have changed. I know we have a trooper down here who took a long break from trooping and just started fresh with a new set of armor.

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Welcome. I've been impressed with the constant Instagram posts from you. Started following you from the Mercs forum.

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Hey Keyser, I know you from Wolfpack at DragonCon, right? I'll be the one with the speeder bike tomorrow!

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welcome to the family!

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Yeah, that's Cheralyn and the jetpack she's wearing is Albin's first attempt from 1998!

Date:
Nov 30 - Dec 2

Location:
Hilton Garden Inn
International Blvd, North Charleston SC

Description of Event (Please share as much info as you can):
This was the 5th year for North Charleston's Atomacon. This small convention has struggled to keep an audience for a number of reasons, but a couple of local 501st members always like to drop in and visit with, what now seems like a gathering of close friends. It's a weekend of panels, costume contests, live music, and gaming. It all feels interactive, so you don't just sit and listen to a panel. Most are more of a discussion between fans. And as the name Atomacon stands for All Types of Media Arts, many fandoms are represented, such as Marvel/DC, horror, sci-fi, paranormal investigators, DIY costumers, anime, etc.

Space was limited, so a small display of 501st members' props and helmets flanked a backdrop for photos with people. Guest of honor Jason Fry, author of the novelization of The Last Jedi, gave a very interesting talk to Star Wars fans about that writing process and his interactions with LucasFilm over the years.

Did this event support a charity? If yes, which charity?:
Yes, Sea Turtle Care Center at the SC Aquarium

Event Length (Hours):
around 25 hours

Indirect Funds Raised (Total money raised by event):
$700

Carolina Garrison Members in Attendance:
1. Chris Gould - Biker Scout
2. James Caplette - handler/displays
3. Cheralyn Lambeth - handler/displays/panels

Check out some of the event photos below: