Yesterday, J.J. Abrams posted a video from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII for a couple of reasons: One, to announce a new contest in which you could appear in said movie and, two, to kick off a new philanthropic initiative called Star Wars: Force for Change, benefiting UNICEF.
It’s easy to enter; but it will cost you. Anyone who’s Kickstarted anything will be familiar with the crowdfunding model they’re using. Head to http://www.omaze.com/experiences/starwars-episode-vii, pick your reward level (anything from a hearty pat on the back to a private advanced screening of Episode VII) and you’ll earn a number of contest entries. The more you give to the cause, the more entries you get, the better your chances are of winning.
It’s a good cause and I’m glad to see that Disney is continuing George Lucas’ philanthropic philosophy (don’t forget, he gave the proceeds of the Lucasfilm merger to education). It’s also a great contest and will make one Star Wars geek deliriously happy (though I have to imagine, if Mdm. or Msr. $50,000 Bid doesn’t win, they will be enjoying their advanced private screening through clenched teeth).
I would be remiss if I failed to point out two vitally important things about the video – Abrams is on an honest-to-Yoda set that is on location and at 30 seconds into the video a live-effects creature saunters into the shot! Green-screen? We don’t need no green screen! I will readily admit, that alone is enough to give me…
*lowers blast shield*
…a New Hope.
I don’t want to be in the movie but I’d donate money just to keep lens flare out of any of his films.
There *totally* should be a “No Lens Flare” tier.
I’m no huge fan of unicef (other better places for my charitable contributions to go) but for a one in a million shot at being in a star wars film I’ll toss $10 their way!