Over the last 2 weeks myself and many COs both 501st and RL have been involved in Teleconference calls with Mary Franklin regrading the following changes to the way we all handle and work paid LFL events.
To better streamline the process of Star Wars character casting worldwide, and to help Star Wars fan
organizations have more time to do what they do best - having fun and helping their communities and
favorite charities – we will hold casting calls and auditions in locations around the world. These casting calls
will provide a roster of performers with Star Wars costumes that the local offices can contact directly after
Lucasfilm approves their events.
How casting will work. Please read all the way to the end, carefully:
• Do not contact your area Disney offices. They are not yet ready for casting, and this process
will likely take many months.
• Direction, when casting is ready, will come from the Lucasfilm offices.
• Worldwide Disney offices will receive casting requirements from our department in the Lucasfilm offices.
• When they are ready and able to do so, they will set up audition locations. These auditions will happen on different timetables in different countries, depending on when they are ready.
• Invitations to these auditions will come to you from the Lucasfilm Event Team.
• Different Disney offices might set priorities on casting certain characters first, depending on their time and budget constraints. The Lucasfilm Event Team will encourage them to hold casting for all characters, however, including Imperials, Rebels, and EU. This might not all happen in the first round, but we will continue to encourage them to do so.
• At the auditions, the character photos will be taken from all requested angles, up against a height
marker, and a photo will be taken out of armor, too, to show true height in stocking feet.
• All photos will be sent to Lucasfilm Events for character approvals.
• Characters will be approved for different levels of appearances. More characters will be approved for general events, while a smaller subset will be approved for high-profile events like TV.
• Do not worry about height restrictions going in. For most characters we can work with different heights. Stormtroopers can be matched at events with other troopers of similar heights.
• Do know we are looking for movie-real body types.
Once the auditions and selections are complete, here’s how event casting will work:
• Disney offices will turn in event plans to Lucasfilm for approval.
• Once approved, the offices can reach out to those on their roster of approved character directly.
• If you receive requests for appearances directly from Licensees or Partners, and not through Disney or Lucasfilm, the request is not approved. Please circle them back with us.
• Events requiring large numbers of characters will likely be cast in the way we have been.
More to know:
• We will continue casting just as we have been as this process rolls out.
• Open invites will still come through Lucasfilm.
• When you have questions, ask us!
And also Mary Franklin is leaving LFL but still continuing her duties for Celebrations but is moving to "ReedPop". Statement from Mary herself:
"Now, after almost 14 years of working on Star Wars, it’s time for another life. I’m moving on from Lucasfilm. But I’m not completely moving on from Star Wars, thank the Maker. In my new job at ReedPOP I will remain working on Star Wars Celebration from their side, the show production side. Those of you working with me on the show now — on panels, programming, fan tables, etc. — will find me still there with you. I’ll just have a different email address."
I'm sad to see her go since she is such a great fan relations and generally awesome person to work with. It will still be awesome to see her at celebrations.
The new staff and LFL contacts are Este Meza, Rachel Bartlett And Pete Vilmur.
Again there should be no direct contact with the new staff without contacting Myself and/or Legion CO.
Look forward to the new paid LFL events we could have later this year and wish Mary all the best and best of luck for Este, Rachel and Pete to fill her boots.