.png)
A look into the dedication behind lightsabers, creation and being a real life Jedi
See the bottom of this article for more videos and social media from Mike Starwalker
Mike Starwalker
Did you ever want to be a Jedi when you grew up? I'm sure it's something every Star Wars fan thinks about. A life of training, connecting to the Force, slashing battle droids, and dueling Sith. Sounds like a ton of fun. For most of us this is just a backyard fantasy, but for others with an undying commitment to the ways of the Jedi, it is a lifestyle.
In this interview, we're highlighting a content creator who not only shows the traits and spirit of a true Jedi, but who makes some seriously wicked content for Star Wars fans to enjoy. Mike Starwalker is a content creator on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. With thousands of followers and hours of original Star Wars inspired content, Mike is surely a great Force in the Star Wars community.
In an effort to highlight positivity and creation within the community, "Interview with a Jedi," has been created to showcase certain individuals that make the Star Wars community great. Here's what Mike Starwalker had to say about his experiences with Star Wars, content creation, lightsaber building and more:
Mike, thanks so much for taking time out of your day to answer some questions for Star Wars fans. Before we talk about anything content-related, can you explain what got you in to Star Wars?
Mike: I must have been 4 years old - my grandpa played the VHS for me and I was hooked. I would watch the original trilogy all the time, especially episodes 5 and 6.
You're known for creating all types of lightsaber-related content. Tutorials, reenactments, original choreography. What inspired you to start making this content?
Mike: Honestly I’ve been inspired since seeing the first movie, I just didn’t have the means to make the content. Even at 5 years old I remember trying to imitate Luke’s moves fighting my dad with those shoot out lightsabers, and growing up I would make videos with anyone I could find. Then I found out about saber guild, they trained me in the stage combat arts with the 9 count system, and I met @mikeskykiller. He had already started learning and writing the fights from the prequels, and it all went from there.
How much time/dedication does it take to be as skilled with a lightsaber as you and make the content that you do?
Mike: It takes a lot of time. I trained with Lothal temple for 2 years, practicing in 2 hour sessions once or twice a week, before I even really started making my content. @mikeskykiller and I practice any chance we get so we can to keep improving and making content. We actually stream our practices on twitch sometimes, and my followers know it can take up to 2 or 3 hours per practice. The content we make takes a long time - learning or choreographing the fight, filming, and then editing. Especially for tutorials, the editing alone can take hours. This isn’t our day job yet but I hope some day it can be!
What is your favorite thing about sharing your content?
Mike: I get so hyped when someone tags me in a video of them doing a fight from our tutorials.
How do you make your content look so legit? Does anyone help you along the way?
Most of the time I do all the editing and special effects for my videos. A few times I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with some very talented artists, @4Dfightingarts on TikTok and IG did the visual effects for our fan film Perpetual Force, @praxis_visuals on IG and YT has done some VFXs for a few fight scene clips (including an electro staff) and our Ahsoka vs Maul re-enactment, and @Kyberphonic on IG and YT did the sound effects for our Luke vs Maul video on YT.
Before social distancing and the public lockdown, did you do any choreography performances?
Mike: we do perform at local comic cons and sporting events with the Lothal temple branch of saber guild - a nonprofit organization that raises money for charities with lightsaber choreography performances.
It seems like you'd have to be pretty athletic to do the stunts that you do. Do you have a background in any martial arts or sports?
Mike: Oh thanks man! I was always active growing up, and I try to keep to a regular workout routine. I’ve also been taking adult tumbling classes @aerialathletics, prior to Covid.
Your dedication is amazing, worthy of recognition in the Jedi archives. But now let's talk about the really hard-hitting questions. Who is your favorite Jedi?
Mike: Luke Skywalker (GOAT)
What is the best lightsaber duel in Star Wars?
Mike: I have to go with Obi-Wan vs Anakin episode 3. Not only is the choreography incredible, but the emotional impact of the scene really makes it for me.
What is it about lightsabers that makes them so dang cool?
Mike: It’s the ultimate sword. Also, the fact that it’s apart of a Jedi’s training to build his own lightsaber - which is what inspired me to learn how to build my sabers.
So you build your own lightsabers?
Mike: Yes, I learned how to build sabers before I really learned how to “fight” with one. I’ve installed sabers with CF’s 6-10 and Proffieboards, and I usually use Tri-Cree leds for the light. I also just recently made my first neopixel saber, which isn’t a saber I would would want to duel with, but was a very satisfying build nonetheless. In my fight videos I’m usually using a stunt saber (light only, no sound) that I’ve configured for maximum brightness. That way, my sabers look almost how they do in the moves with out me having to rotoscope. I actually have a tutorial for building them on my YT channel.
Last question for those that want to find out how to become a Jedi. How would you recommend people get involved in saber fighting?
Mike: I would say saber guild is a great way to get started - you can go to saberguild.com to see if there’s a temple near you. You can also check out my YT channel, I have tutorials ranging from the basics all the way up to sections of the Obi-Wan vs Anakin fight.
Concluding Thoughts
I want to send a huge thank you to Mike for sharing his experience and being a great representative for the Star Wars community. It is a powerful thing to connect with so many people through Star Wars, and Mike does an amazing job of giving to his followers in different ways. We hope this can inspire people to take on new hobbies and get active through Star Wars. So, are you ready to start your Jedi training?
Here's another video from Mike Starwalker and company:
You can check out Mike Starwalker's social platforms here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikestarwalker/
Comments