How to be a Star Wars mega fan

You might have your own reasons for becoming a mega fan of the hit Star Wars sci-fi saga - to gain the approval of your Star Wars buddies, to impress boyfriends or girlfriends, or to be culturally relevant during this time.

The general rule (and the good news): You can infiltrate that inner circle of Star Wars nerds by using a skill that you probably already have.

It is in this spirit that we have assembled this foolproof insider guide.

OUTBUILD

If you have the engineering know-how, try building your own custom lightsaber.

There are many steps involved, but the basic set-up is that it is an LED torchlight with a blade made out of a plastic tube.

You can source for parts from sites such as The Custom Saber Shop (www.thecustomsabershop.com) or Ultra Sabers (www.ultrasabers.com).

Or, you can commission Singaporean Kit Woo's lightsaber business, Sabermach (www.sabermach.com), to fashion one for you.

At $90, a standard lightsaber won't break your bank. Customised designs will cost more.

OUTDRESS

Now that you have your own lightsaber, why not dress the part too?

A do-it-yourself costume is not difficult to create, especially if you want to look like a Jedi or a Sith Lord (evil counterparts of the Jedi, in case you didn't know).

Gather some polyester fabric, follow the step-by-step instructions at www.degraeve.com/jedirobe and you have your very own Jedi threads.

Unless you are hopeless with a sewing machine and scissors, you will not stray too far off the mark as there are many variations of Jedi or Sith outfits in the movies.

Online resources to other costumes can be found at 501st Legion (www.501st.com). There is a Singapore garrison too.

OUTFIGHT

For adrenaline seekers, Mr Woo can attest that duelling group FightSaber Singapore (www.fightsaber.com) will meet their needs. Mr Woo is a member of the Jedi Council in the group, which is officially endorsed by Lucasfilm, the production company behind Star Wars.

The group meets on Sunday and Thursday evenings at *Scape and Henderson Community Club respectively, to battle with lightsabers.

Lightsabers and costumes are not provided, but if you've been reading our tips above, you've got your kit.

You do not even need to be schooled in Star Wars mythology - each member gets to choose his own character and back story.

No Star Wars fan will dare question your faith in the Force once they see your moves, guarantees Mr Woo. 

OUTWATCH

Watching all six of the previous Star Wars episodes requires quite a bit of stamina.

Thankfully, you can view the movies in a more efficient way.

Watch them in this order: Episode IV, V, II, III and then VI. We've intentionally left Episode I out.

This is known as the "Machete" order and is touted by fans as the most enjoyable way to watch the films.

Another trick: Watch The Star Wars Holiday Special. Created in 1978 as a TV special, it belongs in the "so bad that it's good" territory. Few fans know of its existence as George Lucas sought to destroy every last copy of it.

Unfortunately for Lucas, the full two-hour flick, featuring the trilogy's original cast, is available on YouTube. 

This article by The New Paper was published in MyPaper, a free, bilingual newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.