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TROOPER INTERROGATION REPORT
SUBJECT 9449 - JOYCE YOUNG
1) Tell us a little about yourself: your work, your hobbies, and your background.
Before joining the Empire's forces my name was Joyce. I am now known as TB 9449 and I have been a Biker Scout with the Legion for a little under two years now. Was drafted from another Empire, initially only to function as a Data Droid but am now a fully armored member of the Biker Scouts.
When I am not out on duty, I enjoy programming for the Empire, riding motorcycles, creating costumes, dancing, and am learning the art of fencing. Joy, more uses for Ewoks ;).
2) When did you first get your costume and what drove you to it?
I pulled my armor in Oct. 2001 at an Imperial Factory on Colorado with the help of a fellow Imperial Citizen. After replacing the belt pieces, due to a mold malfunction, it was fully assembled for its premiere at Celebration 2.
I like the freedom of being one of the special troopers, scouts are independent troopers, much of the time spent zipping about looking for misfits and troublemakers; particularly I enjoy patrolling the forests of Endor. The greenery is amazing; it takes a lot of skill and practice to avoid the trees and Ewoks make great target practice.
3) What is it about the character (of your costume) that inspires you to go through the rigors of portraying them?
I have always liked driving fast vehicles, so I joined as a scout, and though my speeder bike has been impounded indefinitely, pending imperial review of my speeder bike endorsement, due to infractions for excessive speed and destruction of Imperial property, I hope to be back on patrol very shortly. In the meantime, I am a foot soldier or on desk duty?
4) How long have you been in costuming? What kind of experience do you have in the hobby?
I was a late bloomer with regard to costuming. I started making Halloween costumes, from very basic patterns, for my daughter 15 years ago and never thought I would be interested in wearing a costume on any day other than Halloween (which is my second favorite holiday).
Started going to cons about 10 years ago, saw other folks in costumes and still thought that I would never want to (or have time to) dress up other than Halloween, I was happy to be the non-participating fans for a long time. Three years ago, I attended my con as Queen Arachnia (ST:Voyager), and shortly after started on my Klingon armor. I was drafted into the Legion (thankfully!) and through con attendance I found resources to allow me to create my armor. I now enjoy all making types of costumes, and can be found with at least one project, typically being made on the fly&Mac226; (without pattern) on my sewing table at all times.
Recently I got into making my own latex appliances, and though my first attempts were very crude (creating a good mold is the key to a good appliance), I am hopeful and confident I will only get better.
5) What's your favorite memory of appearing in your costume?
My first time in my own armor, at Celebration 2! I met so many troopers, all of which were wonderful, warm, welcoming people. The fans are a riot, the kids are awestruck, it is wonderful to see the joy in children (of all ages) that is elicited from our costumes, even when they just call us "spacemen!"
6) What's the strangest thing to ever happen to you while out costuming?
Strange? Can't recall anything too strange, but the most beautiful thing happened to me while I was trooping: I fell in love.
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)
Stormtrooper? None. I would like to be a Bounty Hunter though, the one that catches that whiney Luke Skywalker and I would love to be the one to deliver him into the hands of the Dark Lord and watch him die.
8) If the 501st created a Tips manual on trooping, what tip would you add?
Make the most out of any event, make your own fun, and reach out to get to know new people. While we are all in this for the love of Star Wars, don't expect others troopers to reach out to you and become your best friend the first time they meet you.
Sometimes you have to be the one to make the first step, which can be hard, but remember, whatever you do in public reflects upon the entire Legion. Have fun, but keep it kid-safe (PG-13) in public.
9) How has the 501st influenced your love of costuming and of the Star Wars universe?
I know get to have a cool Biker Scout helmet in my house. Probably would have never bought it without being involved with the Legion. I now appreciate various standards of costumes, the Legion has incredibly high standards, which I strive to reach whenever I am trooping, but I accept that as long as it meet the 10-foot rule (looks good from 10 feet), some of my costumes will be held together with not much more that hot glue, safety pins and duct tape.
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?
I would want to be the executioner that delivers the Death sentence for Jabba. He is just gross, and mean.
11) What's the number one question/comment you hear from fans when you're in your costume?
"Is it hot in there?" followed by "oh my gosh— it's a girl!!!"
12) What's your favorite part of working with the 501st Legion Fan Club?
The fact that at any con where troopers are found, I feel confident that I can walk up, and talk to any of them and can expect that each time I will be received warmly. Even if we are divided into geographic groupings, there are not really many cliques or subdivisions within the Legion, at least none that obviously ostracize or segregate themselves from the Droid.
13) If the 501st assigned 'handles' or 'nicknames' to its members, what would yours be?
"Data Droid"
14) In your experience costuming, which Star Wars personality has impressed you most in relating to her/his fans?
Though I haven't been formally introduced to either, I have seen Peter Mayhew and his wife in action at D*C and then seem to be the most genuinely nice and sincere people in the industry. However, we the fans are the most impressive, as each time I hear of charitable contributions, hard work and dedication from troopers all over the globe I am amazed and impressed by the amount of selflessness that goes into this hobby; troopers spending countless hours organizing all types events, creating unique items for our members, and individual attention paid to new members trying to help them, by troopers from all walks of life. The troopers of the Legion should be very proud of themselves.
15) Which Star Wars character would you want thrown into a detention cell more than any other?
Han Solo. I really think I could convert him to the dark side.
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