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Buying movie props

If you are planning to buy some Star Wars props, or props from other movies, and dont know where to look; do not despair.

While buying light sabers you have some options. The first two options let you use the light saber as a part of a costume, during cosplay, while performing live action role playing (LARP) or displaying your light saber on a bookshelf. They come with the blade connected to the hilt in one piece or with a removable blade. Either one are made of durable materials and have an on/off switch which enables you to turn the blade on or off. These sabres have different sounds depending if you slash it into something, swing it into thin air or turning it on/off. The last option is to buy a stunt replica of a light saber or a scaled light saber. These ones are cast replicas of the hilt and is fragile. If you just want to buy a light saber for display-only purposes the stunt replica is a good choices. The stunt replicas comes in two versions; the hight-quality hero-version and the stunt-version. Hero props are made for close ups and promotional pictures which require a beauty shot of the prop. Often they are featured with the main characters while stunt versions are used for the extras in the background.

Most of the time when a lightsaber is ignited on screen it is a stunt version of the hilt. These props are usually cast in resin from the hero prop and then painted to look just like the hero prop. They are lighter and easier to wield while filming the exciting light saber duels and action scenes. In the case of the stunt light sabers, there is usually a rod attached to the hilt so that the actors can actually duel and make contact with the blades. These rods are also invaluable reference points for the special effects technicians to later digitally add in the signature glows of the light saber blades.

The options you have are:

The above light sabers are replicas of the light sabers used in the movies and The clone wars series. If you want a custom light saber or a light saber that looks like one of those from Expanded universe (EU) there is hope. On Ultralightsabers.com they have a variety of light sabers with or without sound as well as single or double bladed sabers.

If you really want a custom light saber UltraSabers.com sell parts so you can build one yourself. You can make one from your imagination or make it look like the light saber of your favourite EU-character. They have a bulletin board at saberforum.com where you can ask whatever you want before you build or customise your light saber. The Custom Saber Shop have a larger selection of parts if you want to build your own light saber. On this page you can design your own hilt. It is possible to combine parts from Ultra Sabers and The Custom Saber Shop as long as they are MHS-compatible.

Most people have decided what colour they would like on the blade of their sabers but do you know what makes these colours? At the heart of every lightsaber is a set of crystals that resonated to produce the efficient, powerful blade. Jedi and Sith used a variety of crystals to produce various colours, effects and unique abilities. Before placing the crystal in the lightsaber, the Jedi or Sith had to imbue them with the Force. While the Jedi used natural crystals, the Sith mostly used red-hued synthetic crystals. The Sith-made synthetic crystals create a slightly more powerful blade when energized by the dark side of the Force. Around 4,000 BBY, lightsaber crystals were used to indicate a Jedi's chosen class. Blue indicated a Jedi Guardian, a Jedi who used the Force on a more physical level. Green indicated a Jedi Consular, a Jedi who preferred to reflect on the mysteries of the Force and fight the dark side at its heart. Yellow indicated a Jedi Sentinel, a Jedi who honed their skills in a balance of combat and scholarly pursuits.

When it comes to clothing things are, or could be, easy depending if you want to make it yourself or not. If you are creative, or know someone who are, you could make your own costume. The 501st legion was originally composed of members who wore Stormtrooper costumes, and has since expanded to include all trooper variations, as well as Sith Lords, bounty hunters, and other villains from the series. The 501st is also known as Vaders Fist. The Rebel legion is created by, of and for people interested in creating costumes for Jedis, rebel pilots, rebel troopers, princesses and even Wookiees. They are the good guys. If you want to make an Mandalorian outfit you should check out The mandalorian mercs. No matter if you choose Vaders fist, The Mandalorian mercs or The rebel legion they have hight requirements for approving outfits and in some cases it may take years and thousands of dollars to complete an outfit and get it approved. But, on the other hand this work is rewarding.

If you want to buy costumes online Museum replicas is a good place to start. They sell LOTS of nice outfits and these outfits are not limited to just Star Wars. They dont sell Star Wars outfit right now but have said they will do so when the new movies are launched in the cinemas. They have some props or home decor-stuff related to Star Wars. Museum replicas is pricey but they only sell high quality stuff. A cheaper place is Jedi-robe.com. The quality of their clothing is not that good compared to Museum repicas but its an option if you dont have that much money to spend on an outfit. Jedi-robe also have a store in London where they sell outfits, figures and light sabers. It takes a while to get there from The City (London city centre) but its worth a visit.

Master replicas manufacture licensed products for brands and companies such as Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Disney, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Chronicles of Narnia, Marvel Comics, Muppets, and Stargate. Previous to January 2008, the company manufactured and sold product under the Star Wars brand before the license expired. When their license expired Hasboro got a licence and started making the same equiptment. Master replicas are most famous for their high quality helmets and light sabers.

If you want to buy statues or busts from Star Wars, the Marvel universe, Iron Man and more, have a look at Sideshow collectibles. They got lots of awesome stuff.

If you want to search for movie props elsewhere from the sites I have mentioned above eBay and Amazon are great places to start. If you are looking for cheap books Amazon.co.uk is recomended.

Einar Herstad-Hansen © 2002 - 2024