CINCINNATI - Since it opened in 1977, “Star Wars” has become part of our cultural DNA. Many of those who haven’t seen the films — shocking, but they’re out there — still know of Darth Vader, lightsabers and the Force.
There are the casual fans who enjoy the movies. And then there are the hardcore fans. The ones who live, eat, and breathe “Star Wars.”
To them, “Star Wars” comes with a deep, emotional connection. It may be an outlet to express their creativity, a way to bond with family members or make new friends. It might even be a career.
In honor of “Star Wars” Day (May 4 — “May the Fourth be with you” – get it?), we talked to four local “Star Wars” superfans.

JOSH SNEED: Connecting across generations

Josh Sneed, left, with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams in April at "Star Wars" Celebration in Anaheim, Calif. Sneed's father worked on "Star Wars" toys for Kenner Products beginning in the 1970s. Photo provided by Josh Sneed
“Between the Reds and ‘Star Wars,’ that pretty much defined my childhood.”
For Josh Sneed, “Star Wars” isn’t just a movie series. It’s a way to connect with generations of his family.
His father, Gary Sneed, was a model maker at Kenner Products from 1977 through 1992, and he was there when Kenner began work on the very first “Star Wars” toys. Gary would bring home the figures for Josh, which made him popular with other kids he knew.
“I always got invited to everyone’s birthday parties because they knew I was the one who’d show up with (‘Star Wars’ toys),” Sneed said.
Read how “Star Wars” action figures designed in Cincinnati  changed the toy industry forever.
The mix of outer space, adventure and access to the toys hooked Sneed from the start. “It really resonated with me immediately,” he said. “And it made it even cooler that my dad would bring home pictures of stuff they were working on, and I got to see the toys they were making from the new movies before anyone else did, and even got to see the movies before anyone else did.”
“I was very close with my dad,” Sneed said. “It was something that all little boys liked, but it was a special bond for me and him because he was literally hands-on with it.”
Gary Sneed died in 2008, “but … he still kind of lives through my affection for (‘Star Wars’),” Josh Sneed said.
Sneed now shares that affection with his own 4-year-old son. “He’s already into it as well. And now it’s become the bond that I can have with him.”
In April, Sneed, his brother-in-law and his 8-year-old nephew, Luke, traveled to Anaheim, Calif., for “Star Wars” Celebration, the annual fan convention held by Lucasfilm. Sneed’s wife surprised him with tickets to the convention as a wedding anniversary present.
While there, Sneed met J.J. Abrams, co-writer and director of the upcoming “Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens.” And Sneed’s nephew came away from Celebration with a unique souvenir: J.J. Abrams’ own hat, which the director gave to the boy.
“It was pretty surreal,” Sneed said.
About Josh Sneed

 

DAVID REED: Droid builder 

David Reed poses with replicas he built of C-3PO, R2-D2, a Jawa and Jedi Master Yoda. He was inspired to build his own droids after meeting other droid builders at a “Star Wars” Celebration in Indianapolis. Photo provided by David Reed
David Reed said he’s always been good with his hands. As a hobby he tore apart and rebuilt electric toy slot cars, and he sought a career as a remodeling contractor. Add a love for science fiction, and what do you get?
A droid builder.
“I was already out of high school when ‘Star Wars’ came out,” Reed said. “Of course I was weaned on things like ‘Lost in Space’ and ‘Star Trek.’ And ‘Star Wars’ came out, and that was just the greatest thing.”
Like many fans, Reed found himself immersed in the stories and themes presented in the “Star Wars” movies. “The characters are classic,” he said. “Vader is the embodiment of good and evil, all rolled into one.”
Beyond the themes, Reed said his imagination was let loose by the new universe projected onto the cinema screen.
“There’s a certain freedom in that imaginary universe,” he said. “You know, it’s a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Well, where do you go from there? Anywhere you want. And there is a freedom to that, and to express their creativity in that and let their imaginations go wild.”
It was a trip to a “Star Wars” Celebration in Indianapolis that inspired Reed to build his own part of that far, far away galaxy. At the convention, Reed saw a group of fans who had built their own remote-controlled R2-D2 robots.
“I found out there were these guys building the R2s,” he said. “When I found out that there were guys building movie props, I was like ‘Holy geez! I want to do that.’ ”
Reed threw himself into learning how to build his own R2-D2. “Being an R2 builder has caused me to stretch the things that I know how to do,” he said. “It inspired me to learn everything from mold-making to using remote controls.”
Though he had some technical skills from his contracting career, there was a steep learning curve. “First you make something,” he said, “then you blow something up.”
Reed eventually found himself among a small group of local droid builders. They would help each other with their designs, work on their droids together, and travel with the robots to conventions.
“There’s a lot of camaraderie among the guys who are doing similar things,” he said. “That’s been great, learning to put things together and be creative.”
About David Reed

 


Jamie Arielle stands next to her full-size Chewbacca costume. It takes 10 minutes — and a pair of stilts — for her to get completely into the outfit. Photo provided by Jamie Arielle
JAMIE ARIELLE: 'I like to break barriers'
“Let the Wookiee win.” – C-3PO
Why does a 5-foot, 2-inch-tall woman dress up as Chewbacca, the 7-foot-tall co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon? “Because people told me I couldn’t,” said Jamie Arielle, who dons the guise of the famous Wookiee.
Arielle, a Philadelphia native who moved to Cincinnati in 2001 for graduate school, grew up in a family deep in fandom. “I am the youngest of my group of cousins, and they introduced me to ‘Star Wars,’ ” she said. “My family was always big into “Star Wars” and Disney.
Arielle said she has a strong independent streak. “I like to break barriers,” she said. “My mom said I could do anything I put my mind to,” adding that her mother often regrets telling her that. “Star Wars,” she said, provided her with the rebellious inspiration she needed.
“(‘Star Wars’) broke so many technological barriers” in film special effects, she said. “George Lucas was told that he couldn’t do it.”
Arielle, who works as a theater prop and costume maker, made “Star Wars”-related props in graduate school. She also volunteered her time to charities. When she encountered the Rebel Legion, an international “Star Wars” costuming organization, she was able to combine her interests. “Some say the Rebel Legion is all about costuming,” she said, “but it’s more about charity.”
The members of the group and its sister organization, the 501st Legion, volunteer their time, dressing as “Star Wars” characters. “What better way to do good in the world than make a costume that makes people smile,” Arielle said.
As a member of the Rebel Legion’s Great Lakes Base, she’s helped with Habitat for Humanity, appeared at Cincinnati Cyclones games, and she even threw out the opening pitch for the third 2014 “Star Wars” Night at Great American Ball Park – all the while dressed as Chewbacca.
But her favorite thing to do? “Visits to Children’s Hospital, which are the best.”
So, the big question: How does someone her size get into character? “Stilts.” It takes her about 10 minutes to get into costume. “The biggest problem is forgetting to put the mask somewhere I can get it.”
Once in costume, Arielle said she just becomes Chewbacca. “It’s freeing,” she said. “You can do anything.”
About Jamie Arielle

 

CHRIS REIFF: Childhood favorite turns into career 

Chris Reiff shows off a "Star Wars" thumb wrestling book he helped illustrate. He studies and builds props from the films, and his books allow him to create the nuts and bolts of the “Star Wars” universe, including a replica R2-D2. Photo by Kevin Necessary for WCPO.com
Chris Reiff once had to calculate what the length of Han Solo’sMillennium Falcon would be if the ship actually existed. Poring over blueprints and reference books, he and his illustration partner determined the Falcon would be 113.8 feet long.
Reiff’s client, Lucasfilm, thought the number was too much of a coincidence, he said. A long-running joke throughout the “Star Wars” films and television shows is to slip in the number 1138, a reference to George Lucas’s first film, “THX-1138.” “They thought people would think they were making it up,” he said of the Falcon’s length, “so they had us round up to 114 feet.”
Reiff is a freelance illustrator and designer who makes his living thanks to “Star Wars.” He’s contributed work to licensed “Star Wars” toys, collectibles and books, and he is co-author of “owners manuals” for both the Falcon and the Death Star.
Before he contributed to the “Star Wars” universe, Reiff was just a fan. “It’s always just kind of been there for me,” he said of the films. The first scene of a movie he remembers is Luke Skywalker’s uncle buying R2-D2 and C-3PO in the original film.
“I grew up with it,” he said. “It just happened to turn into a career.”
Reiff said he wanted to explore the vast universe portrayed in the “Star Wars” films. “I like the richness of it,” he said.
Reiff said “Star Wars” didn’t directly influence his career choice as an illustrator and designer. It was while working at Cincinnati-based toy-design company SOEDA that he got his first opportunity to create official “Star Wars” work. He designed miniature versions of helmets worn by “Star Wars” characters, a set of which is on display in the lobby at Skywalker Ranch.
Reiff began going to conventions, where he made further Lucasfilm connections and met his illustration partner, Chris Trevas. “It opened a lot of doors,” he said.
Reiff is interested in the minutiae of “Star Wars,” both real and fictional. He studies and builds props from the films, and his books allow him to create the nuts and bolts of the “Star Wars” universe. He says fans like him appreciate his work. “The fans are passionate about the details, unlike other (science fiction) properties,” he said. “Fans want to understand it in a real way.”
See photos from Reiff's May 1 trip downtown with his droid.
That desire to explore “Star Wars” hardware led Reiff to build his own remote-controlled R2-D2. “It was something I always wanted to do,” he said. He had the opportunity to get access to the blueprints to R2-D2 while working on products for "The Phantom Menace."
He takes the droid to book signings, science fairs, and the occasional stroll through Northside. His droid, along with another built by a friend, were featured in the background of a Good Morning America interview with Star Wars director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy.
Reiff said he enjoys taking R2 out into public. “People are just drawn to him,” he said. “He’s at eye level with kids. He’s not threatening. People just want to go up and touch him.”
Building your own R2-D2 can be expensive. But for Reiff? “It’s crazy, but R2 is a business expense.” 
About Chris Reiff