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Weapon of the Jedi, toy of the people
The Star Wars franchise
Writer: Various
In 2002, fifteen-year-old Canadian high school student Ghyslain Raza made a videotape of himself using a golf club retriever as a double-bladed lightsaber in an effort to mimic the moves of Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace. The bespectacled kid dances, spins, and leaps around a corner of his high school’s studio. He is all in, fully committing to the moment, which includes him replicating the familiar sound effects of a lightsaber. The videotape was left behind, and a fellow student would later find and upload it to the Internet on April 14, 2003, unbeknownst to Ghyslain. It became a viral video sensation before we even really grasped what that meant or what torment that could bring. Star Wars Kid was born. But with that title, infamy, and, later, thirty-four million plus views on YouTube alone, Ghyslain Raza was subject to massive amounts of bullying, ridicule, and shame. All for being a passionate Star Wars fan with a love of lightsabers.
There but for the grace of God go I.
As you watch Ghyslain Raza now, spinning and flying around a room locked in a lightsaber battle that only he can see and feel, you slowly start to realize what you’re watching. You’re not watching an awkward high school student lost in his own imagination. You’re not watching an Internet meme that ushered in countless parodies and even more online abuse. You’re watching yourself. Star Wars Kid is us.
Who here among us hasn’t grabbed a cardboard tube, a broomstick, or a flashlight and immediately made the sound of an igniting lightsaber? Who here among us hasn’t daydreamed about being locked in ferocious combat against the dastardly Sith or self-righteous Jedi? (I mean, it’s all about perspective, right?) Who here among us has not purchased a lightsaber toy? Better yet…who here among us can resist seeing a lightsaber toy near you and NOT grab hold of it and transport yourself into the Emperor’s throne room or fiery shores of Mustafar? You can’t. I can’t. Ghyslain Raza couldn’t and nor should he have. The lightsaber itself is, without a doubt, one of the reasons we love Star Wars.
It doesn’t take much to understand the appeal of the lightsaber. It’s simple and direct. George Lucas was inspired by the science fiction of Flash Gordon serials and the swashbuckling adventures of his youth. He wanted swords in his story. Creating laser swords was a natural progression. The concept of what we eventually know as lightsabers certainly changed from the early designs, including the famous Ralph McQuarrie concept art pieces, but the core was always there. Korean animator Nelson Shin is often credited as the person to use a rotoscope to create the shimmering colored blades.
There are several ways for fans to first be introduced to the lightsaber. For many, it is the subdued action of A New Hope where Luke’s minimalist training and the stand and slash fight between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. For others, it’s the dazzling display of acrobatics and art in The Phantom Menace. And now it’s possible that a younger fan’s eye bulged at the sight of Kylo Ren’s red broadsword-style blade or the animated sabers of Ezra Bridger or Ahsoka Tano. There are (thankfully) many, many ways to fall in love with a lightsaber, but one thing remains constant—the sounds of the lightsaber. And, once again, we find ourselves at the feet of Ben Burtt’s genius.
Ben Burtt created the now unmistakable sound of the lightsaber with the motor hum from old movie projectors and interference of a television on a microphone. The latter part an accident…or just simply fate. However he did it, Burtt created a collection of enthralling sounds that were one of his personal favorites in the franchise. It’s not far off to call them the most important sound effect in Star Wars. Consider what happens when you grab hold of a replica lightsaber? You immediately start making your own version of the ignition hum, the whir of the movement, and, most tantalizing, the crackle of two lightsabers colliding in battle.
A cult of lightsabers has sprung up around the simple idea of laser swords in space. There are countless videos and writing on the myriad colors and their significance. There are real-world experts on the various lightsaber fighting disciplines and knowing that Obi-Wan uses Form III while Vader fights with Form V are key bits of knowledge to many. There is a fascination with the hilts of the weapon, and knowing what kind of lightsaber you would have, should you ever be asked to join the Jedi Order, is an answer every Star Wars fan has. Yeah, lightsabers are important to Star Wars.
In 1995, during the Power of the Force toy release and resurgence of the brand, I purchased a Hasbro replica of Luke Skywalker’s green lightsaber. Fitting—considering that saber was part of my first memory of becoming of Star Wars fan. Years and years later, I’m still drawn to the simple yet powerful design of the hilt and the bold statement of that green blade. Over twenty years later, that same lightsaber with the same C-cell batteries sits in the corner of my room; it has followed me from old houses and former work offices before. Often, while trying to write or just roaming my house, I’ll spot that lightsaber out of the corner of my eye. I’ll stop, smile, and pick up the blade that represents part of my love for this franchise. And with no one else around to watch, I ignite the weapon, the batteries bringing life to an otherwise simple piece of plastic, and I hack and slash my way through an imaginary lightsaber fight I’ve been winning my entire life. My own sound effects drown out the hum, whir, and crackle the toy makes for itself. I end the fight with one final move and put the toy back into the corner, knowing I’ll fight another day.
I don’t know where Ghyslain Raza is right now and nothing can ever make up for what he went through, but I hope he knows he was never alone. I’m Star Wars Kid, too. We’re all Star Wars Kid. And we always will be.