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TROOPER INTERROGATION REPORT
SUBJECT 1174 - RICHARD KOPACZ
1) Tell us a little about yourself: your work, your hobbies, and your background.
Well my name is TK-1174, er, um, I mean Richard Kopacz. I am CO of the Empire City Garrison and Founder of the Trooper Groupies. In my mundane life I am an attorney in New York and practice criminal defense law. I enjoy all kinds of sci-fi including Star Wars, Farscape, Andromeda, Buffy, and Angel, just to name a few. I am hopelessly addicted to costuming and props and looking into 12-step programs so that I do not end up bankrupt due to these hobbies.
2) When did you first get your costume and what drove you to it?
Around January of 2001, Dion Rupa (TK-1217) sent me a link to an Ebay auction for Stormtrooper Armor. We both thought it was so cool and as soon as I realized I could get armor I wanted it. I mean it didn't take much to convince me to live the dream. I would have spent almost anything to be a Stormtrooper once I knew it existed. Don't worry, I didn't get mine off Ebay. Soon after, Dion got his own set of armor and the rest is history.
3) What is it about the character (of your costume) that inspires you to go through the rigors of portraying them?
Stormtroopers are the original bad boys in the universe. I think every guy in our age range who grew up watching Star Wars has always dreamed of being inside the armor. So when you finally get the chance, what are a few armor bites compared to that?
4) How long have you been in costuming? What kind of experience do you have in the hobby?
I have been in costuming now since January of 2001, I didn't join the 501st Legion and ECG until June of 2001 due to problems with the recruitment site at the time. I have had nothing but positive experiences in costuming and I was glad to find that so many other people shared my passion. And then there was Dragon*Con....:D
5) What's your favorite memory of appearing in your costume?
My favorite memory of appearing in costume is when I got to meet Natalie Portman at the Charity Premire of AOTC in NYC as part of the Tribeca Film Festival. We were working the event and as she came in to the building her security walked her into an area I knew to be a dead end. I followed and as they turned her around we met face to face. I called out with my mic and amp "Hey Natalie how about a picture with a Stormtrooper?" She giggled and said "With a Stormtrooper?" Wasting no time I jumped in, threw my camera to someone and I got my prized possession a picture with Natalie Portman herself! When I got home I noticed I had put my arm around her in the picture. I was so nervous I didnt even realize that at the time. It was by far the best trooping experience I ever had....and then we got to see AOTC about a week before everyone else.
6) What's the strangest thing to ever happen to you while out costuming?
Perhaps the strangest thing thats ever happened to me while trooping occured during the Halloween Parade in NYC. I was dressed in my standard TK armor and I was carrying my helmet. While walking home that night I was mobbed by countless people who wanted a picture with me...the only problem was they all thought I was dressed as Robocop. LOL Other than Robocop, I was also called Luke Skywalker a lot....weird. :-P
7) If you could pick any stormtrooper from the Star Wars movies for you to be, which one would it be and why? (specify the movie, scene, and some description of the action)
Any Stormtrooper who lives....preferably on Endor since I know we all want to go on an Ewok hunt. If not that then a Jawa hunt will do in a pinch.
8) If the 501st created a tips manual on trooping, what tip would you add?
Flat Lenses---Don't leave home without them! Snaps and Straps are your friend....Velcro is the enemy!
9) How has the 501st influenced your love of costuming and of the Star Wars universe?
The 501st has influenced my love of costuming by serving as my initiation into the work of costuming. It has influenced and deepened my love of Star Wars by making us a direct part of the Star Wars Universe. Most recently with Timothy Zahn's book, and appearing in the Star Wars Insider the 501st has allowed us all to become PART of the Star Wars Universe.
10) If you were contacted by Lucasfilm and asked to appear in a Star Wars movie, what line would you want your character to deliver?
"Inform Lord Vader the Jedi is dead."
11) What's the number one question/comment you hear from fans when you're in your costume?
Just like everyone else I always hear "Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?" (BTW, I am 6' 1") or "Are you hot in there?"
12) What's your favorite part of working with the 501st Legion Fan Club?
The best part of working with the 501st Legion is all the new people you meet in the group and elsewhere.
13) If the 501st assigned 'handles' or 'nicknames' to its members, what would yours be?
K-Pax. This is a nickname given to me by my coworkers because it sounds enough like my last name and it is also the title of a Kevin Spacey movie where he is a little odd and thinks he is from another planet. Kinda like that crazy guy who runs around on weekends as a
stormtrooper...LOL
14) In your experience costuming, which Star Wars personality has impressed you most in relating to her/his fans?
Ray Parks and Amy Allen. I have found Ray Parks to be one of the nicest guys around. He will just talk to you and shoot the breeeze regardless if your buying an autograph, very cool guy. Amy Allen is cool just because...well because she is Amy Allen. ;)
15) Which Star Wars character would you want thrown into a detention cell more than any other?
Jar Jar Binks is TOO obvious so I will go with the Ugnaughts. Those guys always creeped me out! What the heck is up with Lucas and those guys? Remember, if you see lots of little people in costumes (Ewoks, Jawas, Ugnaughts, etc.) you likely have too much Lucas in your film. If you have a shaman ripping out people's beating hearts (a la Temple of Doom) you have too much Spielberg in your film.
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