How Should a TK act?

[jmgordon7]

I'm not sure, but is there a standard way for TKs to act while trooping? Are they supposed to walk a certain way, stand a certain way, talk a certain way? If there is no standard, how do you guys behave while in armor?

[john danter]

I'm not sure, but is there a standard way for TKs to act while trooping? Are they supposed to walk a certain way, stand a certain way, talk a certain way? If there is no standard, how do you guys behave while in armor?

 

Bit of a tough one this as different garrisons have different 'rules' about it in general. Lids of, lids on etc but just remember that you are representing the 501st so should always remember that.

 

We usually ask people for their ID, do searches on people, in a fun way. I always look behind kids ears for bugs etc, tell them they've bought the wrong toy and escort them to the Star Wars toy ailse....that kind of thing

 

We do have a stormtrooper called disco steve who dances with a blue and silver leotard on. He'd never do that in public and is quite 'professional' about the way he troops. Stand holding you blaster to your chest and try not to fidget. This is how we do it in the UKG. No one tells us to do that way. It's just a case of watching what others before you do and copy them. It's the accepted behaviour now.

 

You do this for fun right? So standing to attention like a robot all day isn't much fun. Get in there with the public, interact and call people sir and maam. It helps you to be cheeky

[James3[501st]]

 

Sometimes we play "in character" sometimes we are more laid back.

 

Yeah, That's Tony raising the roof.

[carbonitekid]

Bit of a tough one this as different garrisons have different 'rules' about it in general. Lids of, lids on etc but just remember that you are representing the 501st so should always remember that.

 

We usually ask people for their ID, do searches on people, in a fun way. I always look behind kids ears for bugs etc, tell them they've bought the wrong toy and escort them to the Star Wars toy ailse....that kind of thing

 

We do have a stormtrooper called disco steve who dances with a blue and silver leotard on. He'd never do that in public and is quite 'professional' about the way he troops. Stand holding you blaster to your chest and try not to fidget. This is how we do it in the UKG. No one tells us to do that way. It's just a case of watching what others before you do and copy them. It's the accepted behaviour now.

 

You do this for fun right? So standing to attention like a robot all day isn't much fun. Get in there with the public, interact and call people sir and maam. It helps you to be cheeky

 

Wise words Mr D.

 

A couple of examples here:

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scV4FHfIKwo&NR=1

 

[Navajo Bro[TK]]

My group tries to stay in character yet still have fun and not scare anybody. When the kids ask "where did you get your armor" I'll reply in a fun way the "it's Imperial issue" or something similar, and when they ask if it's hot in there (summertime) I'll usually say "Lord Vader doesn't allow us to complain" or "Darth Vader doesn't allow us to get hot" or something like that.

 

And when they ask for your autograph sign your TK id number...

[TK1420[501st]]

My group tries to stay in character yet still have fun and not scare anybody. When the kids ask "where did you get your armor" I'll reply in a fun way the "it's Imperial issue" or something similar, and when they ask if it's hot in there (summertime) I'll usually say "Lord Vader doesn't allow us to complain" or "Darth Vader doesn't allow us to get hot" or something like that.

 

And when they ask for your autograph sign your TK id number...

 

Yeah, I sign my TK # when autographing.

 

A lot of funny lines help, too: when posing for pictures I tell people to "smile like I"m doing". Just after a picture sometimes I'll say "wait- I blinked!"... those usually always get a laugh.

 

I try to keep people amused, not scare the little kids and scare the older kids just a bit Here is SG, we try to keep out buckets on as much as possible, especially around kids. We don't want to spoil the illusion. If a kid asks me to take it off, I reply that I am too ugly to be seen without it.

 

Another good line to use when asked where you got your costume is "well, where do you get your/ costume?", which at least gets a chuckle out of that person's companions.

[ItsThatGuy[501st]]

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Sometimes we play "in character" sometimes we are more laid back.

 

Yeah, That's Tony raising the roof.

Yep that's me at the 55 second mark with the MG-34.

 

We are pretty laid back, but we still try to maintain the illusion the best we can.

 

I only take my bucket off if a kid is crying and terrified of me... then I just let them know we are just regular folks trying to make kids happy. Other than that, the bucket stays on.

[TK-4935]

Never give up your weapon, maintain an heir of authority, interact with the kids by making their parents look like dorks "how long have you had these droids" works a treat.(the droids being the parents)

Generally you can be pretty free as long as everything you do is geared towards being an imperial stormtrooper.

The UKGarrison has a nice little thing going with different personality traits for different costumes. The TK's are pretty standard issue sarcastic police officer types. the Scouts are the suave lady magnets, a bit cheeky, a lot mischievious. The Sandies are a little more serious but you would be with that backpack on all day. they tend to be strong silent types. "why are you so dirty?" "because we do all the hard work Ma'am"

It's great to see the inter costume banter and comradery.

the public like to be involved, not intimidated but actively immersed into our act.

You definately have to be more than just a guy in a costume which is why it's best to stay in character as much as possible.

if a kid cries, i just walk away a little. i wait a bit. pretend i'm not watching, when they next look to see if i'm still there i give the thumbs up sign or wave and usually they then decide your okay and stop crying or get bored and move on.

i get better with practice but once i realised that nobody knows who i am or what i look like i realised i could get away with a whole lot more

[jmgordon7]

Yea, I'll have to get used to the fact that no one has any idea who I am.

[kiyotei[TK]]

I like to ask the kids if they are rebels. I ask girls if their name is Pricess Lea. I ask them if they have any droids with them, stuff like that. Kids like to ask if the gun is real. I tell them its a real blaster. I think Darth Vadar gets the best questions. At a toy drive we had recently, a girl asked Vadar why he was collecting toys for kids cause he is evil. she just kept saying, "but your evil". Very funny.

[RBJ[501st]]

Yea, I'll have to get used to the fact that no one has any idea who I am.

 

 

..the anonimity is very liberating! As far as how to act goes, taking the bucket off in front of kids/ the public really bugs me..it just ruins the whole illusion for all the troopers .." oh, it's just dorks in plastic..."

[James3[501st]]

Can we PLEASE not get into that debate again? I am a face character in EVERY costume I currently do so maybe my perspective is different but this topic is taking that dangerous turn that the one on the Legion board did. We really don't want to go there.

 

 

Bottom line, every Garrison is different. And sometimes there are different ways of doing things for certain events. Jeremy, trust me in that once you get your TK id and troop with your Garrison you will find your "character".

[ItsThatGuy[501st]]

Can we PLEASE not get into that debate again? I am a face character in EVERY costume I currently do so maybe my perspective is different but this topic is taking that dangerous turn that the one on the Legion board did. We really don't want to go there.

 

Agreed!