-=Salute=-
Greetings again from the Recon Office. This one actually on Friday... >:P
Not a *ton* of RO News this week. Myself and CA:RO Shay'la have been discussing possible new Honorary Members who we are setting our sights on. More on that to come in the next few weeks.
RA Shay'la has been a bit busy this week. She made a new welcome page for the RO website and is working with a friend of hers to revamp the website itself. Not to mention she has finally promised to kick some ass on the very out of date Conventions Database. The next few weeks should a *lot* of good things out of our cute CA:RO!
As some of you might know, I am on semi-leave from the Recon Office due to my mother going through open-heart surgery, ICU then rehabilitation ( which she is still in). I received a surprisingly large number of emails wishing her ( and I) luck through all this. I'd like to take this time now to thank each one of you who sent me an email. It's the little things like that, that really makes being in the EH for the past 6 years really worth it. I'm happy that I've made a lot of the friends I've made in this group and that those people, whom I've never met actually care enough to send an email like that. So to all of you, Thank You! :)
Unfortunately, that's it for me this week. CA:RO Shay'la in her usual vigor has drummed up a HUGE amount of SW news for us to enjoy. Next is her report, then the news. The Non-EH Site Of The Week is at the bottom. Enjoy!!
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CA:RO Report
-=SALUTE=-
Hey there. Yes, it’s me again. So get ready for a huge amount of Star Wars News…. Yes, of course. These news; a few contests, a new book except, information about the HUGE SWG update… There is also a PETITION for the original trilogy to be made on DVD… check this one out…
Now that this is all cleared out let’s go on with the RO news. Out of boredom in between studying 2 books, I made a new entrance picture. It can be seen on the Recon Office Webpage.
For those who does not know. I changed my email address to vornskr@sympatico.ca so if you have security and you need to add the email to the safe list for you to receive it, I would suggest you do it soon, but it is just a suggestion of course. :P
My one week break is near. It already started, but officially, it will be tomorrow evening, after I am done with all the things I must do in RL. You should expect some update in the Database convention —finally—and more work for the Recon Office from me.
Quick notice… I am seriously thinking about joining Hyperspace. So if you guys want me to join and have more news from Episode III … send me a quick email, which address is mentioned above. I might be able to do a EP3 report each week if you want and if the FC and XO allows me to. So it is to be seen…
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CONTEST: Star Wars ScreenThemes Giveaway Screenthemes.com and TheForce.net have teamed up to give away 6 Star Wars screen saver collections to one winner each week. Star Wars ScreenThemes is a Windows screen saver and wallpaper program. Each screen saver collection contains between 12-20 Star Wars images, all available up to a resolution of 1600 x 1200 pixels. The program allows you to view the images in a screen saver which also sets your images as your desktop wallpaper. The screen saver supports sound & music and over a hundred transitional effects. You can also superimpose a monthly calendar and apply cool textures to your wallpaper. There are currently 45 screen saver collections covering all aspects of Star Wars. To be in with a chance of winning, just answer the easy trivia question on our ScreenThemes contest page. The contest is open to Star Wars fans worldwide. Click here for more info. Good Luck!!
Rebelscum Costume Contest 2003!
Reported by Rebelscum.comIt's already that time of year again, Halloween! To celebrate we hold a costume contest each year here at Rebelscum. Click here for the time line for this year's contest and to see what prizes we have lined up for our special winners this year!
Enter the Master Replicas Sweepstakes Today! You could win a trip to San Francisco to help design one of our authentic replicas and more!Click here for out sweepstakes rules. 2 Grand Prize winners receive:
Roundtrop airfare and a 3-day/2-nights stay in the San Francisco Bay Area
Exclusive tour of the Master Replicas design center
Secret, behind-the-scene preview of upcoming products
Your personal opportunity to provide input to the Master Replicas Design Team Plus, each month two winners will receive an authentic Limited Edition replica worth over 200$.Click here to enter.
Hyperspace: We'll Take a Check Fans without a credit card now have access to the ultimate online Star Wars experience -- starwars.com Hyperspace. Due to popular demand, a new fully-secure option to subscribe by check is now available for those wanting to make the jump. Click here to get started.For just $19.95 a year (less than 40 cents a week), starwars.com Hyperspace members can get inside Lucasfilm and the Star Wars saga in a way never experienced before. Join today for member favorites like the...
Episode III Set Diary
Before the Helmet - Episode III Production Photos
Photoreceptor - rare and never-before-seen classic trilogy photos
Bantha Tracks - from the Lucasfilm archives
Collector Alerts - get email when products are released
Message Board exclusives - user icons and a member-only forum
Live Online Celebrity Talks
No More Ads! Plus, you won't want to miss upcoming Hyperspace features like...
Episode III Post-Production coverage and webcam
Making of Episode III documentary videos
Clone Wars micro-series - the animated Star Wars adventures will debut online for Hyperspace members, and will feature an exclusive DVD-style audio commentary with creator Genndy Tartakovsky
and much more to come... Find out why members like Jedi Master Stevie W are raving, "This is the last time that anyone will able to watch such a great movie being made in this way and those who have not subscribed yet have already missed out on a lot! It is the best $20 I've spent on Star Wars in years!" Don't be left behind. See what all the excitement is about... Make the jump to Hyperspace today! NOTE: There is presently a temporary problem in accepting MasterCard payment for Hyperspace membership. This should be alleviated shortly. Other payment forms, like Visa or check, are working. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
Longing to be Borsk Fey'lya? Have you been using the C-3PO avatar on the message boards when you secretly wished to be Thrawn instead? Now fans of Expanded Universe characters have a chance at equal representation thanks to the latest avatar additions. Hyperspace members not only have the option to choose Saga-themed avatars such as Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Darth Maul and R2-D2, but essential Expanded Universe characters such as Mara Jade, Kyle Katarn, Jacen and Jaina Solo, and others are currently available. To change your avatar (the graphic that represents you in the starwars.com forums and other Lucas Online sites), go to your personal profile and choose between 36 Saga and 35 Expanded Universe characters. Be sure to look for your favorite Expanded Universe character's bio for additional information in the updated Databank
Original Trilogy Petition Nears 40,000 OriginalTrilogy.com is nearing 40,000 signatures on their petition to get Lucas to release the Classic Star Wars films as they were on DVD. Here's the update - follow the link above to add your name today! As many of you know, Starwars creator and movie legend George Lucas recently made clear that it is his intention to never again make available, the classic trilogy in their original, pre-SPECIAL EDITION form. For many of us, this is tragic. These are cinematic classics, which now adorn many critics and film societies lists of best films of all time. These movies won awards and set a new standard for visual effects and movie production in general. Most importantly, these are the versions of the movies that many of us grew up with, that first gave us a our love of a galaxy far far away. Since the spring of 2003, www.originaltrilogy.com has been gathering support for a petition, the goal of which is to persuade Mr.Lucas to reconsder his stance that the original versions are more then just "rough cuts". The petition now carries on it close to 40,000 signatures, and management of the site has been informed that Lucasfilm is monitoring with interest. We believe this is a good sign. www.originaltrilogy.com, is not trying to abolish the 1997 SPECIAL EDITION, or any subsequent revisions to the classic trilogy. We applaud Mr.Lucas for his continued efforts to maintain Starwars as timeless classic. The hope of the petition is that Mr.Lucas will also recognize the incredible historical signifigants of the original versions, and to release them on DVD in addition to the 1997 SPECIAL EDITION, or any future versions of these films that may be created. Though some of the FX may seem quaint by todays standard, they are also the FX that set the standard, and revolutioned the movie industry, if the original versions are not released, many of these FX will be lost for all time. Please show your support for STAR WARS and sign the petition, get your friends to sign it. Those of you with websites of your own, feel free to host one of the many striking banner ads that link to the petition. Please, don't let a classic vanish forever.
Conventions & Events This Weekend There are 3 conventions/events taking place this weekend:
Slanted Fedora Con (San Antonio, Texas) - October 10
the Star Wars guest is Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca).
Metreon Festival of Anime (San Francisco, CA) - October 11
the Star Wars guest is Doug Chiang.
F.A.C.T.S. (Ghent, Belgium) - October 11-12
the Star Wars guests are Dave Prowse (Darth Vader), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), and Michael Carter (Bib Fortuna). You can get more info about future Conventions & Events by clicking here. If you've got a Con or Event coming up, or you know of one in your area, be sure to tell us about it.
CooperOwen 'At The Movies' Auction
From CooperOwen: We will be holding an At the Movies auction on the 30th October which includes: Lot 169
Ronto maquette used during the production of 'Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope'
A maquette comprising a cast composite figure mounted on plinth believed to have been sculpted by ILM's Richard Miller and used in the development of the computer graphically generated creatures seen in the Mos Eisley scenes of the Star Wars special edition DVD A New Hope in which George Lucas added extensive digital improvements and computer graphic imagery to the original film.
Condition: The creatures fragile ears have broken off but can easily be re-attached.
Stands approx. 9 inch. ( 23 cm) in height.
£300-400 Lot 170
Three autographed photographs of characters from 'Star Wars'
Three signed colour 8 x 10 photographs to include Dave Prowse in character as Darth Vader, Kenny Baker (R2-D2) and Jeremy Bulloch in another role but signed with Boba Fett. (3)
£20-30 Commission bids can be placed on our website now at www.cooperowen.com and the auction will culminate with a live event at 23 Denmark Street, London on the 30th October at 4pm GMT.
Doug Chiang To Appear at Anime FestivalMikk from the South Bay Star Wars Fan Club sends in the following Doug Chiang news: Doug Chiang will be appearing at theMetreon Festival of Anime on October 11th in San Francisco promoting his new book Robota. Mr. Chiang will be speaking from 3 to 4pm in the Action Theater at Metreon about his creative process, art techniques and training. There will also be a special screening of the animated Robota teaser. Afterwards he will sign books for an hour at the Chronicle Books store in the Metreon complex. Should be a great opportunity to get a look "behind the scenes" of an extremely talented & influential artist.You can read more about the festival at the link above. Thanks for the alert.
Brian Ching at TUCWS For a great interview with master Star Wars: Republic artist Brian Ching, check out the newly-redesigned Clone Wars Unofficial Site. Accompanying the interview is an exclusive look at Ching's pencils for the cover of Republic #62!
Mark Hamill Autographs at the TFN eStore TheForce.net in conjunction with C2 Ventures is proud to offer 100% truly authentic autographed photos from some of your favorite Star Wars celebrities. This week we are happy to announce our newest autograph additions: Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker). Check out these newest limited run 8x10 and 11x14 Theater Wide photos in the TFN store!
The Unifying Force E-Signings The end of the epic New Jedi Order is near -- only two books remain in the saga from Del Rey Books. While the penultimate chapter, The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes is making its way to bookstores this month (read an excerpt from it here), the explosive conclusion, The Unifying Force, is still a month away. Online fans of Star Wars literature can now order copies of The Unifying Force signed or personalized by bestselling author James Luceno. This online offer lasts until October 25, 2003. The book is scheduled for release on November 4, 2003. For information on ordering a signed copy, as well as details on Luceno's tour schedule, visit E-Signing's official website here.
The New Jedi Order series:
1. Vector Prime, by R.A. Salvatore
2. Dark Tide I: Onslaught, by Michael A. Stackpole
3. Dark Tide II: Ruin, by Michael A. Stackpole
4. Agents of Chaos I: Hero's Trial, by James Luceno
5. Agents of Chaos II: Jedi Eclipse, by James Luceno
6. Balance Point, by Kathy Tyers
7. Edge of Victory I: Conquest, by Greg Keyes
8. Edge of Victory II: Rebirth, by Greg Keyes
9. Star by Star, by Troy Denning
10. Dark Journey, by Elaine Cunningham
11. Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream, by Aaron Allston
12. Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand, by Aaron Allston
13. Traitor, by Matthew Stover
14. Destiny's Way, by Walter Jon Williams
15. Force Heretic I: Remnant, by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
16. Force Heretic II: Refugee, by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
17. Force Heretic III: Reunion, by Sean Williams & Shane Dix
18. The Unifying Force, by James Luceno
19. The Final Prophecy, by Greg Keyes
The Final Prophecy Excerpt Tahiri's ConvictionsThe epic New Jedi Order series is coming to a close, and the latest paperback novel chronicles the explosive events precipitating the climactic conclusion. In The Final Prophecy, the penultimate chapter of the saga, the secrets of the Yuuzhan Vong -- who they are, where they come from, what terrible forces drive them -- are at last exposed. But will this knowledge aid the Jedi... or doom them? The Final Prophecy by Greg Keyes is available now from Del Rey Books. Click here for an excerpt from Chapter Nine of the novel.
Das Offizielle Magazin #31 Discover Anakin's latest look for Episode III in issue #31 of Star Wars Das Offizielle Magazin, the official publication of the German Star Wars Fan Club. This issue features an Episode III photo gallery with new images of Hayden Christensen, Ian McDiarmid, R2-D2, Anthony Daniels, George Lucas, John Knoll and other members of the cast and crew in action from the set in Sydney, as well as Rick McCallum's production news from the set. Also in this issue, ILM's own Rob Coleman discusses development of the Republic's clone army, while stuntman/actor Ray Park (Darth Maul) talks about his work on Episode I. Explore "Incredible Cross-Sections" of Star Wars vehicles or how the memorable hum of the lightsaber came to be with an interview with Star Wars sound expert Ben Burtt. Journal of the Whills #31, a bonus magazine available to fan club members, includes an exclusive interview with Star Wars artist Randy Martinez, an article explaining possible meanings and origins of the Star Wars character names, a profile of the German online Star Wars roleplaying community as well as extended letters from readers, fan art and activities. Star Wars Das Offizielle Magazin #31 has already shipped to subscribers, and hits German newsstands on Oct. 8. For more information about the German fan club, click here.
January 2004 Comics Ring in the New Year with Dark Horse Comics' assortment of new and collected Star Wars stories. Experience the Imperial side of the battle in Star Wars: Empire, as young Lt. Janek Sunber and his infantry regiment are cut off from command within the deadly jungles of Maridun. Surrounded by hostile native Amanin, the troops must choose between combat or surrender, but death lurks behind either choice. Star Wars: Empire #17, the second chapter of "To the Last Man," is by Welles Hartley, Davidé Fabbri and Christian Dalla Vecchia, with cover art by David Michael Beck. It is scheduled for release on January 7. Han has been freed from Jabba's clutches. Luke has been captured by the Empire. And the Rebels are undertaking a precipitous and premature attack on the Death Star. Sound familiar? Think again. This alternate take on Return of the Jedi has Leia leading the attack, which will lead to a surprising setback to the Rebellion and to Luke Skywalker in particular. Star Wars: Infinities -- Return of the Jedi #3 is by Adam Gallardo, Ryan Benjamin and Saleen Crawford, with cover art by Rodolfo Migliari. It is scheduled for release on January 14. The Clone Wars rage on in the pages of Star Wars: Republic, which switches focus from the troops to the Senators steering the epic conflict. Bail Organa's ship is attacked by pirates, and former Supreme Chancellor Valorum returns to warn of treachery behind the scenes. Star Wars: Republic #61 is by John Ostrander and Brandon Badeaux, with cover art by Brian Ching. It is scheduled for release on January 21. A royal heir and his Jedi protector, Master Tholme, have been kidnapped. Two of Tholme's former Padawans have teamed up to rescue their master, entering into a web of treachery and danger. The Jedi must contend with the Morgukai, trained assassins conditioned to kill Jedi. Behind this conniving plot is none other than the notorious mastermind, Count Dooku. Star Wars: The Rite of Passage is a trade paperback that collects the four-issue story-arc by John Ostrander, Jan Duursema and Ray Kryssing. It is scheduled for release on January 28. Catch up on the Clone Wars with the third collected volume of war stories. Star Wars: Clone Wars - Last Stand on Jabiim chronicles the epic Battle of Jabiim, one of the major engagements of the ongoing war. General Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan Anakin Skywalker are in command of a regiment of clone troopers and Jedi warriors on the rain-drenched mud-world of Jabiim. Their enemies are the locals, led by the fanatical Alto Stratus. Before the battle's end, Anakin and Obi-Wan are separated, and young Skywalker must take command of a team of Masterless Padawans. This trade paperback collection features the talents of Haden Blackman, Brian Ching and Victor Llamas. It it scheduled for release on February 25. For more information about Dark Horse Comics, visit their website here
Star Wars Galaxies Huge Update To know what is on the most recent update, the Recon Office has made a special page. It was way to long to be placed here. Click here to see what is included in the patch.
President of LucasArts Resigns
The President of LucasArts, Simon Jeffery, has resigned abruptly. The L. A. Times has the story. The president of LucasArts Entertainment Co., Simon Jeffery, abruptly resigned. A company spokeswoman would not say why he resigned or who would replace him at the San Rafael, Calif., game publisher he led for more than three years. LucasArts, which produces video and computer games based on the Star Wars movie franchise, is a subsidiary of Lucasfilm, a privately held company owned by director George Lucas. Its titles include "Galaxies," an online game that launched this summer, and "Knights of the Old Republic." Source: StarWarsKnights.com
Rebel Strike Bonus Disc As we reported over two months ago there is a Rebel Strike Bonus Disc available to those who preorder the game. StarWars.com reports: For a limited time, gamers who pre-order Star Wars Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike will receive a bonus disc containing a playable demo of the Hoth level of Rebel Strike as well as trailers for both Gladius and Rebel Strike. Nostalgic gamers will also appreciate the additional retro feature of the bonus disc: the Gamecube-playable version of the original Atari Star Wars arcade game. (No quarters necessary).
Preorder KOTOR for the PC PreOrder KOTOR for the PC from LucasArts and receive a free letter opener.Source: StarWarsKnights.com
KOTOR 2 Rumors The November issue of the Official XBox Magazine has a brief mentioning of a KOTOR sequel in the works, as well. Bioware probably won't officially announce this until they have something nice to show off (like a trailer). Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2 (fictional name) has been greenlighted with the potential for a late 2004 or early 2005 release. Rumor has it that the universe will jump far enough forward in time to help introduce a new batch of characters
More SW Baseball References Suba sends us this Star Wars baseball report: The Opening Montage for FoxSports for tonight's game was a total Star Wars Opening. It started with the famous Star Wars Scroll but about the Game then It scrolled Down to the Corvette With a Boston Symbol on it being Chased by a Star Destroyer Whose Docking Bay had the Yankee Symbol. Then During the Entire Pre-game show Star Wars music was playing. More of the “Evil Empire” versus the little guy stuff. And Razorback adds this as well: Towards the end of the game, as the Yankees were winning, some fans pulled out a large banner that read “The Empire Strikes Back.”
Lucas to Receive Visual Effects Society Award The Boston Globe reports on the upcoming award for Lucas' innovation: HE'S GOT THE LOOK: Filmmaker George Lucas, whose "Star Wars" saga helped transform the visual effects industry, will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Visual Effects Society. The award is the first of its kind to be given by VES and represents, for the visual effects community, the equivalent to the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, which is the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nod given to feature film producers whose bodies of work reflect a consistently high quality. "When we made the first "Star Wars' movie, a group of extremely talented people helped me tell a story in a visually new and exciting way," Lucas said. "Since then, the imaginations and artistic abilities of visual effects craftspeople have never ceased to amaze me. It's a thrill to get an award from their peer group."
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Non-EH SOTW:
A website of KOTOR
http://www.starwarsknights.com/
That's it for this week. Depending on how RL goes, I might return to full active duty next week or the week after. I'll keep you posted!
-=SALUTE=-
-- Reconnaissance Office Staff --
((((((((((((O#O))))))(ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ>
RO/AD "Six" Joe/CS-12/SSSD Sovereign
IC/GOE/GS/BSx3/PCx2/ISMx6/MoI/MoT-1gh/MoC-6BoC-7SoC-4GoC-27PoC-3DoC/CoLx2/CoB/OV-6E
[DRAG]
Craft: M/CRV "Doomsday" - Omega Squadron Emeritus
KP ''Doc'' Hades (Krath)/Rouge, DC/(BNB)
{SA: G:LS}
"It's God's responsibility to forgive Bin Laden, It's our responsibility to arrange the meeting..."
-United States Marine Corps
CA:RO/RA Shay`la DuKahn Ludsorkim/CA-12/SSSD Sovereign
PC/ISMx3/CoL/LoA/OV-2E {IWATS-GFX-ICQ-IIC/1/2-M/1/2-PHP-PHP-SM/2-VBS}
ROA/AD Zsinj/SSSD Sovereign
IC/GSx3/SSx6/BSx2/PCx2/ISMx5/MoT-3rh-1gh-3bh/IS-1SR/LoC-IS-CSx4-Rx3/DFC-BW-Rx2/MoC-6BoC-9SoC-6GoC-12PoC-19DoC/CoS/LoAx5/OV-4E [GLDR] {IWATS-CBX-ICQ-IIC/1/2/3-M/1/2-R-SM/1/2-TM-TT-VBS-XTT}