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The Lightsabre Interview Arthur Papadam
Welcome to
Lightsabre. Our latest guest is one of the key figures in the
Wookieepedia and a contributor to the official Star Wars site’s Databank
through the What’s The Story feature of Hyperspace. Perhaps better known as Azizlight or
perhaps Arf Maul, please say a big hello to Arthur Papadam. Q -Arthur, welcome to Lightsabre. A - Cool, thanks for having me! Q – Star Wars has had a profound effect on all of us
– it’s why we’re here talking about it, but what was it that started you off
on your Star Wars journey? A – I fell in love with the saga with my very first viewing
of Episode IV, which was probably around 1983-84. I have my parents to thank
for that, who were big fans at the time of its
initial cinematic release. They sat me down to watch it on video, in an
attempt to indict me into Star Wars fandom. They succeeded. It wasn't entirely smooth sailing though.
Just the site of Darth Vader boarding the Tantive IV had me literally running
out of the room; scary stuff for a mere 4 year old. Q – You’re involved in Star Wars fandom through a number of outlets, including
the fast-growing Wookieepedia, your entries into the official Databank and
your presence on both the Force.net boards and blogs.starwars. How does it feel to
have carved yourself a niche in the Star Wars fan community? A – It's
a lot of fun being involved in a community which is so passionate about Star
Wars. I think it's really cool how some fans find their own ways to express
their love of the saga, be it through making fan websites, fan art, fan
films, fan fiction, contributing to Wookieepedia and even the official
Databank, or just blogging. I've always wanted to make a contribution to Star
Wars fandom in some way, and Wookieepedia provided an easy way to do that. I
would never have thought that I'd be able to contribute to Star Wars in an official
capacity, but thanks to Hyperspace, it happened, and I'm ecstatic :-D It's
really quite an exciting time for Star Wars fandom at the moment, and it
feels great to be a part of that. Q – Which of the six episodes stands out as your favourite? A – The Empire Strikes Back, easily. That film is a
flawless representation of everything that is good about Star Wars. I love it
above all others. Q – To have an entry of your own submitted and
accepted as established Star Wars cannon must have been indescribably
thrilling. Tell us how the process
worked and how you felt when your ideas for Leektar the
Ewok and the world of Bal'demnic were accepted? A - To know that I have contributed to Star Wars canon is the
best feeling ever, if not unbelievable.
It's quite a lengthy yet fun process. Half the time is spent on
researching; checking what is already known about the subject, and studying
the themes of the entry. Wookieepedia and CUSWE are an excellent starting
point for doing this. Then I turn to the primary sources (if they're
available) for the finer, more accurate details. I usually ponder over the
subject for a few days, collecting ideas, taking notes. It's not until late
in the process when I begin to write my actual submission. Keeping within the
2,000 character limit is the most difficult task.
Q – As a fellow fan you must have many golden
Star Wars memories. Tell us about some of them. A – I guess lining up to see the
Episode I midnight premier would be the most memorable, um, memory. In my
local cinema in Australia we had to turn up 12 hours before the movie began
in order to be first in the queue. Alas, I arrived only 10 hours before, and
someone had beat me to it. I challenged him to a
lightsabre duel! I lost. I look back now at the photos from that
event - and cringe. You see, I was having a "bad hair year" at that
time. Then again, when am I not having bad hair? Fortunately, I learnt from my previous
error, and I was first in line to see Episodes II and III. Though I am still a lousy swordsman. Q – Which of the many Star Wars characters are you closest to? A – Tough question. Not sure that I have ever really
identified with one particular character, but I have many favourites which
often change. Perhaps Boba Fett. He always intrigued me in the films, but it
was not until I read Tales from Jabba's Palace and Tales of the Bounty
Hunters that he became one of my favourites. Fett, Palpatine, Kyle Katarn and
Thrawn would rank high up there. Oh and Greedo. Q – What would you change about Star Wars if you
could go back in time and make alterations? A – I would change nothing. Hooray for the recently-announced
original versions on DVD coming in September. I do enjoy the odd retcon though ;-) Q – The Wookieepedia has sprouted from a Star Wars wiki into the fastest growing wiki
city on the net. As an administrator
it must have been thrilling to watch it grow as swiftly as it did. What exactly does an administrator do on
the Wookieepedia? A – It's been amazing watching it grow to its current size.
Chad Barbry and Steven Greenwood have done a great
job in founding the site, and since then a number of "Wookieepedians" have done an equally impressive job
in continuing to build on the project.
What does an administrator do? Pretty much the same as regular
contributors, and not too much more really. All decisions for the site are
made through the consensus of all contributors rather than just the
administrators. Admins have restrictions lifted on certain functions such as
suspending or banning accounts or IP addresses, and deleting articles, which
is handy for the War Against Vandalism and FanonT. But the real work has little to do with being
an administrator. It's the content submitted by the entire community that
counts. Q – Where do you think Lucas will take us next on
our trip through the Star Wars galaxy? A – After the next two mini-series. I
can't hazard a guess. I'm confident that there will always be some major
project in the works, in addition to the continuous release of novels, comics
and games. My main hope is that keeping consistent continuity across all new
media will continue to be a priority among the powers that be. Q - What do you foresee for yourself in the
future? A – With any luck, I'd love to be involved with Star Wars in
a more official capacity. Perhaps a writer for Star Wars Insider - here I go
dreaming again. For now, I'm working on a new online fandom project, which
will hopefully be ready to launch in the very near future. It would be great to give up the old day
job and somehow pursue a career in Star Wars. And Banthas might fly, right? Q – A quick question about our site,
Lightsabre. Any comments? A – I
like it. I downloaded some of the Setnin radio episodes, which are cool. I
love the British accent ;-) I also really enjoy Setnin Select - I'm a sucker
for good fanart involving original characters and locations. I really admire
fan sites and communities that have been around for as long as yours. Keep up
the great work! Q - It's been a great interview, and thanks for
being our guest on Lightsabre. Just one final question. Bal’demnic has been chosen to be the
secret location for a conference attended by a number of groups. Representing the Ewok nation is Leektar, alongside a representative of the Kon’me and finally Jedi Master Mace Windu. It’s swelteringly hot, the sun is beating
down and all three are sweating buckets.
Which one finds the quickest and most polite way to cool down? A – They
all cool down in the same manner, though Leektar is
the least offensive in doing so. The Kon'me
delegate reveals that skinny-dipping is the ritual usually performed at the
conclusion of such summits. One by one, the representatives peel off their
sweaty garments. Leektar removes his bandolier; no
harm done. Mace Windu gracefully throws off several layers of Jedi robes in
one swift movement, much to the dismay and embarrassment of the other male
delegates present. And the Kon'me. Oh, now that's
just weird. Thanks guys! - Arf |
