How do visual effects artists spend their New Year’s Eve? Lightsaber dueling, of course! After the international success of yesterday’s lightsaber post, I spent a little time digging through the Mojoplex archives and unearthed these gems from a 2006 New Year’s Eve party – where we offer proof that you’re never too old to not grow up (on the other hand, if you’re easily embarassed, the alternate lesson learned here is that booze and lightsabers don’t mix if you’ve got a digital camera laying around and a friend with a blog). Click through for more pics and the identities of the revelers!
It was a balmy, Los Angeles evening on December 31st, 2006. A bunch of us had made the pilgrimage to Q’s house so we could ring in the new year in style (yes, his name really is Q and he’s leading the pack with the red saber). Q (a top-notch visual effects artist who’s part of the old-school Amiga & Foundation Imaging days) provided the BBQ, big screen and video games; PJ (seen above watching our backs with hot, green death) provided copious liquid libation and also hails from the earliest days of CG (he helped put the Oy! in Voyager) and I, naturally, brought the lighsabers.
Not that I actually expected them to see any use, but I figured what the hell, we’re nerds, it’s a party – what could be more a more natural party favor than lightsabers?
To be honest, I don’t fully recall what led to us being outside and having a full-on nerd-out, but I do remember it was late and everyone was giddy with their post-midnight high. We probably needed to stretch our legs after sitting in front of the TV for hours, or maybe we wanted to soak up a bit of the pleasant night air… but somehow we all ended up drunk and excited and outdoors – with lightsabers in our hands. And this happened (click to enbiggen):
At this point I have a vague memory of Q running down the street chasing an SUV, his lightsaber waving wildly in the air. All I have to say is these pictures alone justify the cost of having multiple Master Replicas Lightsabers at your disposal. And the cool thing is the photos are totally unretouched – those things actually photograph like that and look pretty damn real (well, as real as something not real can look).
Do you have any incriminating lightsaber photos you’d like to share? Send them to me, I’ll publish the best of ’em and we’ll let all of you vote for a winner. Of course, no contest would be complete without a prize, so I’ll sweeten the deal and offer a brand new Hasbro Obi-Wan Kenobi lightsaber replica – still in the box – to whomever provides my favorite pic (yes, I do have way too many lightsabers). And while I may have talked smack about Hasbro yesterday, make no mistake – they are still pretty damn awesome and are nearly identical to the Master Replica versions.
Send your pictures to: DarthMojo4U@aol.com
The only rule is your photo has to feature a MR, Hasbro, Luxeon or any fully lit, realistic lightsaber in action. I’ll give you guys a post-Halloween deadline of November 10. You can send as many photos as you like.
And May The Force Be With You!
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Darth Mojo 
Reminds me of the time a neighbor called the cops on us because we were dueling it out on a bridge. I guess that makes me a nerd too. ;)
“The only rule is your photo has to feature a MR or Hasbro lightsaber in action. ”
So it takes a Hasbro (or better) lightsaber to win a Hasbro lightsaber?
Does it have to be a photo of ME playing with the lightsabers? Cause I took some pictures of the best use of Master Replica sabers EVER.
Also, how many pictures can you send, cause I’m not sure I could pick a favorite.
I’m with doubleofive, does it have to be MR? I’ve got plenty of pics of me geeking out with sabers, but they’re luxeon types (like you mentioned last time).
Yes Luxeons sabers are fine for the contest – I suppose what I should have said is ANY type of fully illuminated, realistic looking saber is the only requirement. You can send as many pics as you like, we’ll choose the favorites (post has been updated with the extra info).
Now go forth, ignite and get snap-happy!
Related – but not related. When I was about 16 years old, I had made carpet armor for my brother and I. Along with the requisite seat cushion shield, bokan sword, and a flail I made out of an old softball and broom handle, my brother walked down to the local park to duel. We were play fighting mostly when a police cruiser pull up. The officer got out of his car, walked over to us and asks what hell we were doing. We explained it was a duel, then he turns around walks back to his cruiser and drives away. Fun times! No Alcohol required.
“I suppose what I should have said is ANY type of fully illuminated, realistic looking saber is the only requirement.”
You realize that the original sabers are thus excluded from your contest. Yes?
Church, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I said that basically any saber toy that involves a big, bright, glowing stick is fine. What “original sabers” are you talking about??
Small joke. The original ones weren’t made by… Y’know what, just ignore me.