First troop will be a solo troop

[zoekoner[TK]]

So i have my first troop coming up next month. It is at a special needs school with 50+ in attendance. If anyone has any advice besides what is written in the field guide on the 501st website i would appreciate it very much.

[Scubacat[501st]]

Here is a somewhat tutorial that I grabbed from Dizzy over at the Spec Ops forums.

 

"It's come to my attention that troops are just standing around, literally. One does not simply wait in front of the backdrop for people to come up and take pictures, the only exception being if there's a large "circle" of people, meaning the crowd is moving like in an airport or a mall and they just want to snap a selfie and move along.

 

But in most cases your garrison/squad will have the booth set up in what I call an "open" photo op. This is where people are free to move about and there isn't a set route such as conventions. At my squad's cons, we're placed near the convention center entrance so we make a good opening impression, but away from the main vendors as not to "take away" from artists and shopkeepers. Sure people want the perfect picture of them with a few troopers or vader at the death star but it's important to keep in mind you aren't just a trooper. You are a mascot, a representative of the LEGION, not the empire. Remember the whole "bad guys doing good" motto? Troops are a group effort people, don't just stand around, interact!

 

With the baby-to-toddlers group, they don't know what you are or what you might do. I give a friendly "palm straight, fingers moving" wave, or a quick "hand twisting side to side" wave and tilt my head to appear nonthreatening in a cartoony way. Older kids between 6-10 who generally may know of star wars, might look at you unsure of if they're supposed to go up to you or not. Often the parents will coax them into getting close for a picture. This part is imperative. Before they shy away (or run up in glee), bend over slightly and nod your head yes, or wave them "come on over" to let them know "I acknowledge you". I then will look down and put my palm out to say "I want you to stand here" and get into either standing or battle position towards the camera. It helps to be able to read the kids by their facial expressions. There is the general omg a star wars guy grin, and there's the parent-forced smile. For single kids, if I deem them worthy, I might have them hold my blaster for the shot, with one hand on my belt and the other on the kids shoulder. This really impresses people and shudders away all thoughts of you being "a bad guy". I warn, don't do this for everyone, but when done 99% of them give you your blaster back immediately. The other 1% either don't know what to do next or just want to see the picture first.

 

For multiple-child shots, I always aim my blaster at the camera, this is because having it down you might not be able to see your actually aiming right at the dome of a little girl. You don't want to single anyone out. And again NEVER AIM YOUR BLASTER AT A CHILD.

 

For troops that have a no-blasters policy, just hold onto your belt with both hands like vader for multi-kid shots, or one hand on the child's shoulder with your other hand on your belt for single child shots.

 

For everyone else (ages 12 to 112) it's strictly professional, NOW you can just stand there and wait for the hotties to make their latest facebook picture. Occasionally from adults you may get odd requests. I was asked if a guy could hug me.. Anyway, perfect example: You might get "pretend you just captured me guy" which is a simple everyone aim blasters with his hands up, or if solo, I make him kneel, arms above his head, one hand on his shoulder, and blaster pointed to his head. There's a certain point where it's obvious if you're just blatantly aiming at everyone, but don't do that. The spectators or "next in line" people don't want to see repetition.

 

Here's some other helpful tips:

Never do anything you aren't comfortable with. Almost all people ASK you to get a picture out of human nature. They'll ask those odd things I mentioned too. That may include "can I kiss you" which has happened to a trooper who was single, and he specified "helmet on, or off?" But be careful with stuff like that.

Never let adults hold your blaster. Not because they could run off or drop it, but it just makes for a bad picture.

If you let a child hold your blaster, make sure they hold it properly before letting go. One or two have tried to hold it like a pistol then realize how heavy it is, before I let go I make sure there's two hands.

If said child drops your blaster, motion to them that's it's okay. Their first reaction will be "OH NO" and seeing as how you're pretty much an angry god in their eyes, you don't want them to freak out. Hopefully them being so close to the ground your blaster wont be damaged but if that's the case, ask a handler to get the parts.

Don't take off your helmet unless you're in a private area, bathroom, or in back of the backdrop. Being helmetless is as bad as being naked. It takes the "real live stormtrooper" fantasy away.

After someone gets their picture with you, offer up a high five. It's the universal bro-fist."

 

I have gone by these rules and tons of people have loved seeing me so far. So I have made my decision to follow these, minus the occasional small break dancing that I do, and I have tons of fun. I think the number one rule is to have fun and relax.

Edited January 20, 2014 by Scubacat

[Mayhem75[TK]]

I would hope you have someone out of custome going with you as NCS.  First outing, by yourself, little kids, and did I mention your first outing?  As you know your vision is compromised and hearing is too.  Be careful I know I lose sight of little ones within a 3 foot radius and you never know who is behind you.  So if you don't have NCS coming with you I recommend that one of the school staff help you.

 

Congrats on the first troop I know you must be excited!  But remember trooper safety is most important!

 

And I know that no matter how careful I am I always step on or bump a youngling during a troop - it happens.

 

Good luck, be safe, have fun!

 

MAYHEM

TK/TS-62946

[zebrabuse]

I definitely hope you can get someone out of costume to help "wrangle" for you and make sure you are safe. Especially if you don't know the location you're going to.

 

Little things like steps, even a couple at a time, can prove problematic and you will need to negotiate. I have fans in my bucket that can sometimes compromise my hearing as well. I would hate to walk off leaving a kid hanging that wanted to say hi simply because I didn't hear them.

 

It's great having a friend around for safety and to help with photos.

 

I hope it's a great time! The first one is hard to forget, so it will be a special day. Have fun!

[zoekoner[TK]]

Thank you

[RampantLion[TK]]

Kids will also want to play and run around. It's fun to engage in this a little but it can get out of hand for some locations. This is where the handlers are great to calm things down to the appropriate level. If solo you'll have to reign in the little ones before they get too roudy.

[LadyInWhite[TK]]

Hey, Greg! Sounds like fun! 50+ is not bad. 

 

I strongly recommend you take a handler with you - a friend, wife, even your own kid, whatever it takes. Kids can be very grabby and not all their adult supervisors realize that, nor that you are unable to walk, see, etc. as well as you would without helmet. Having someone to help prevent too much contact and help you get used to trooping in the suit. If it weren't your first rodeo you'd probably already have the hang of it, but for your safety and the kids, I strongly recommend it.

 

Otherwise, just have some fun and decide what your character is (strict military or clowning around PR guy) and what your backstory is (because you'll get 500 questions about what planet you're from, where your spaceship is, and where is Darth Vader, and is that blaster real and why don't you shoot something to prove it...).

[Tolo[TK]]

In Comic Cons, I love doing the statue and scare people. In events like I had this week end, I just walk arround, give high-5 to kids and take pictures with them. If you see they are scared of you, don't force yourself on them and try to say hi from far away, sometimes, it helps to calm them down

 

 

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[Tolo[TK]]

And I was forgetting, a handler is needed.

 

 

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[Darth Voorhees[501st]]

Greg, what event is this your talking about? I dont see it on our calendar, and it doesnt sound familar to me. We really wouldnt want you to do your first troop alone either! Like was said, you really need someone there with you, like a handler or at least another trooper, till you get the knack of it, especially for your first outing!

Edited January 21, 2014 by Darth Voorhees

[zoekoner[TK]]

Pm sent Voorhees