Beijing 'Star Wars' Fanboys Make Short Film, Enter Competition

Just like one of the evil Storm Troopers depicted in his film, Troy Sandford is dutiful, singleminded, and relentlessly focused on his target. But he's not trying to eliminate any Jedi, instead the Beijing based aspiring filmmaker is trying to create a classic short film that will win the contest being put on by Disney ahead of its theatrical release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story later this year.

The Australian expat's short film, Redemption: A Star Wars Story (in which he directs and stars; and that is also made by his upshot Troys Team production company) is an irreverent, jokey take on the star wars saga with some well done special effects (including holograms and lasers from blaster pistols), along with even more impressive Storm Trooper suits supplied by the Chinese 501st (the mainland branch of an international fan organization that authentically duplicates the films' costumes). The heroic rebel costumes, meanwhile, were personally made by 501st member Vincent Rondia, who also wrote the short film's script.

Sandford has posted the short on Youku and has also entered it into the Go Rogue competition that is part of the promotion for Disney's next Star Wars installment. The contest will award one lucky filmmaker a trip to the Lucasfilm studio in San Francisco, an invitation a screening of Rogue One, and (arguably best of all) see their video on the big screen (click here for more information).

While the prospect of such prizes does excite him, Sandford says the best part of working on this short film was collaborating with Rondia. The pair met at the last Beijing Comicon, when Sandford complimented Rondia on his Chewbacca costume. They kept in touch via WeChat sci-fi groups, and when Rondia heard about the Go Rogue competition, he became eager to work with Sandford on their own entry in the contest. Sandford says Rondia: "Quickly delivered us all costumes and script as well as location and we were off to an incredible start. The cooperation with a true Star Wars master has been the most enjoyable factor of this process, along with entering an official Walt Disney competition."

Rondia is equally gracious, saying Standford did "the most painful part filming the movie and editing it."

Working on this project has also stoked Sandford's anticipation for the next theatrical installment in the Star Wars saga. Dubbed Rogue One and slated for a December 16 release date in the US (a China release date has not been set), the new film acts as a bridge between the prequel trilogy of the 00s and the original series of films released in the late 70s and early 80s. Among its cast are Chinese superstars Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen, and Sandford hopes that both actors will draw droves of Chinese film buffs, so that they can be enthralled by the series just like he was upon first being introduced to it.

"For now Star Wars is new to China, and they aren't connected with the original trilogy," Sandford says. "Just like any individual that didn't grow up with the films, they would be less involved with the magic. However after joining the 501st's community, I have come to discover some fans in China that are far bigger Star Wars fans than I have ever met even back in Australia. To see and feel the love for Star Wars in a local Beijinger is also a magical thing and well worth its appreciation."

Sandford adds: "Star Wars is so powerful it has even extended into the farthest corners of the world exploding from the cinematic universe into the private lives of everyday office working 9-5 Chinese."

Check here to keep abreast of the Go Rogue film competition, announcements, and news on whether Troy Sandford and his crew snag top spot.

Images courtesy of Troy Sandford