…that remind me of why I got into show business in the first place.   In case you’ve not been paying attention to social media, today was a big event at #StarWarsCelebration.  The brand new trailer for Episode 7, #TheForceAwakens just dropped live at the convention down at Anaheim.

For those of us who can’t attend, there’s always live streaming on YouTube.  I got to see JJ Abrams, Kathleen Kenedy and the new cast come out for a Q&A panel, as well as some old friends that many of us grew up with.   A squad of brand new Stormtroopers took the stage as Anthony Daniels, Carrie Fisher, and Peter Mayhew leaning on Mark Hamill for support came out as well to talk to the thousands of fans in attendance.

But that was nothing compared to what happened next.  JJ Abrams announced the new teaser trailer.  This time, there was a lot more revealed.  I must say, I got a little choked up watching this:

For those of us who remember growing up with the original trilogy, it was one of those “come full circle” moments.  It’s hard to believe that it’s been almost 40 years since the very first “Long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”   Those of us lucky enough to have experienced the life changing moment of seeing the original movie in the theater can remember that moment when the whole world became different.

To me, the movies represent my childhood, and my inevitable path to this filmmaking career.  Unlike most other kids with Star Wars toys growing up, I would perform the movies, almost like live plays with my action figures.  Instead of fantasizing about being a real life Jedi knight, I would dream of standing on a mark against a blue screen stage, when a clapboard slate would clap in front of me, and George Lucas or Steven Spielberg would yell “Action”!

I ate up all the behind the scenes documentaries, books, and photos.  I was fascinated with how Irwin Kershner directed the actors on The Empire Strikes Back.  I wanted so much to be a part of this kind of movie making, that I started making my own movies with my sister and brothers as fellow cast mates.  From Law Of The Ninja to Quest For a Thunderstick, to Recycle The Dragon, I began my acting career both behind and in front of the camera.

Now, my wife Pamela & I have our own production company, Four Scorpio Productions.  We just released our first short film together, The Muffin Man, and are in pre-production on our next short (stay tuned for more!!!).  I’m also finally going to be doing Cyber Fighter–this time as a stand alone short film that will be used to help promote and develop the feature film.  (I’m actually doing CG animation for that right as I am writing this post.)   I’ve also been cast in an action short where I will be doing the fight choreography as well.  Plus, performing in Unbound Productions’ Night at the Mausoleum fundraiser, and a table read of a brand new web series, I’ve never been busier!

I owe it all to that long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…