I've been carrying 'Tarkin' to and from work with me for a few months now - only got a few chapters read after finishing 'Thrawn' but it's a good read! Enjoy!
For what it is worth, there is a whole other board that cannot be seen by all members for a team of folks called the CRL Team that was appointed at beginning of term if I recall. Consists of all 20+ IOC Advisors, Detachment Staff, and some others. Forget who. That is where the matter was discussed. The proposal was made by a GML from Ireland (if I recall) and was commented one by some (not a lot), viewed by many / all in the group, but not actually disputed by anyone, other than specific spelling / wording to use. That would likely be why the matter was considered sorted.
I did not participate in the discussion then, as during said discussion, there was no dissent that I could see, and my concern at the time was: "As long as the detachment has consensus." Which there appeared to be.
In retrospect, there was a breakdown in communication when all that happened. Between detachment and me, mainly, and I'll take responsibility for that. I personally believe that has been since rectified as in regards to LMO/Detachment process, however, and transparency of edits/corrections.
Going forward!
Looking at the Wiki, the current CRL for the staff rankbar no longer requires a single bar. If it still says it does on your screen, web caching still has not cascaded out for you. It soon will.
LMO's typically do not get involved with Excellence Levels programs. Except to sanity check.
My particular opinion as in regards to rankbars on Staff officer is so: I have absolutely no problem in saying that L1 Staff Officer should allow for whatever rankbar, due to whatever reference. You got a reference, have a rankbar!
The problem to be resolved is how to answer "What is more accurate for L2/L3?" which, as @Mac says above (and whom should NOT be made to feel bad for making the proposal) is really hard to answer ... because really, that really depends on the exact reference you are looking at.
We all do, in some ways. Most people like Pablo and the story group are VERY accessible - both on Twitter, and though mutual friends in our own legion. The Rogue One costume group seems to love answering our questions - it’s one of the ways we realized the Krennic gloves and boots were not just off the shelf items.
Plus the plethora of games, comics (both the old Marvel/Dark Horse that are now Legends, as well as the current Marvel that is cannon), cartoons, etc. The fact we’re even DISCUSSING trying to exclude items that are cannon, whether or not certain people want them to be, is... well, atrocious.
It’s time to stop pretending we’re blissfully unaware of anything outside of the OT when it comes to rank bars and accept all sources.
We had approvals in the German Garrison with staff officers and double rank-bars. Event though they were not seen in ANH nor in RotJ we wer always approving them. Today, since the Change, I would go on approving them as Long as there is reference for this. And we have a bunch of reference to this it appears.
I have to confirm the view on the ANH-Fahrenheit 451-Unifom. The current Staff Officer CRL is not correct and needs to be split in two: one for the ANH-Staff Officer, another for the RotJ (without any rankbar), R1, Comics, Games... Everything else would not cover the reality.
Making the single bar rankbar level one but being imprecisely considering the real configuration of a ANH-Uniform in L3 is in contradiction to itself and should be corrected soon. The wording: "ANH officers wear a uniquely designed tunic with subtle differences that are only seen in ANH. Costumers may choose to replicate this design in lieu of the standard officer tunic, but only if doing an ANH Staff Officer." is far too inaccurate next to the fact that the Fahrenheit 451-Uniform differs in a great many ways to the "regular cut" of the officers tunic. These differences are not subtle - they are obvious!
If one should call me for doing work on a "real" ANH-Staff Officer's CRL - just give me a call
Then - and only then - a single bar rankbar makes sense for the ANH Staff Officers. But in this Moment we should have the RotJ/R1/Comic/Game-CRL for the black uniform already in hands.
After running this past the tailoring and First Order knowledge of @rattleandburn, @Tentayena and @DarkJedi, I think we're in a really solid place with this draft!
I took the CRL draft provided on page three of this thread by @Tutanchseth and used it as a base to build on. A lot of the structure and highlighted changes were highlighted there, so I elaborated, standardised where I could, and ensured the text was as accurate and technically correct/worded correctly as I could. @rattleandburn was a huge help there for technical wording.
While working on this draft, a few standardisation issues across all First Order officer CRL's either currently available or in the works were highlighted, but we can discuss those elsewhere.
Without further ado:
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First Order Major and Colonel CRL Draft:
Hair and facial appearance
For 501st approval:
If hair is worn short, it should not extend past the top of the collar at the back of the neck.
If hair is long, it should be neat and worn up in a military bun. Hair should also be kept neatly tied back away from the face.
Costumer is clean shaven.
If the costumer is wearing makeup, it should be subtle and appear “natural”.
Note: I’m adding apprarance guidelines for generic officers because I believe officers should be neat and tidy/presentable. Possible character specifics for Kaplan and Datoo have been given below for those looking to specifically portray those officers:
Colonel Datoo:
Costumer is clean shaven.
Very short, neat, greying (???) hair. Either the costumer’s own hair or a suitable hair appliance such as a wig.
Colonel Kaplan:
Costumer is clean shaven.
No visible hair, either through removal of costumer’s own hair or through suitable bald cap application.
Tunic, First Order Major, Teal
For 501st approval:
Fabric is a medium weight suiting material exactly matching the pants.
Fabric is a medium-dark blue with notable green tones similar to ‘peacock blue’ or specifically ‘blue teal’
Fabric is twill, gabardine style weave is most accurate.
Tunic is fitted to the wearer.
Tunic is double-breasted and has a left over right closure. It ends atop the right seam as seen in reference pictures. The fastenings for this closure should be completely hidden.
The top edge of the front closure continues downward from the left-hand side of the collar in a 45 degree angle across the upper chest where it fastens into place.
The collar is not separated from the front panels, nor the back, by a seam. The only seam is that which follows through from the shoulder seam to the neck, separating front and back of tunic.
Collar is draped so that it lies neatly against the neck, snugly fitting, with no noticeable bend or wrinkle. Overlap of collar portions is at a noticeable angle, forming a visible V-shape at the center throat - no rounded shape.
Sleeves are long, and without decoration, folded cuffs or buttons. A visible seam line separates the sleeve from the straight cuff portion, which is approximately 4.5 - 5.5”.
There are two vertical seams - straight princess seams - running the full length of the garment, on both front and rear of the tunic. These seams meet each other at the shoulder seam, approximately halfway between the neck and the sleeve seam.
Tunic has a waist seam spanning the full circumference of the waist, hidden by the belt.
The tunic does not feature epaulets, a center-back seam, nor a First Order insignia patch.
There should be no visible hems or top-stitching on the sleeves, collar, tunic opening or along the bottom of the tunic.
For level two certification (if applicable):
Tunic is fully lined in a suitable colour.
Jodphur Trousers, First Order Major, Teal
For 501st approval:
Fabric is a light to medium weight suiting material exactly matching the tunic.
Flared jodhpurs have sharply pointed, semi-stiff flares in the hip/thigh area, below the tunic and above the knee. The shape of the flared pants at the thighs should be slightly rectangular as per reference images. This flare should follow the flare of the bottom of the tunic. This angle should not change.
Pockets and waist belts are acceptable, although should not be visible with the tunic on.
Stirrups may be attached to the leg bottoms to keep material tightly tucked into the boots
The fabric below the knee should remain fitted to the leg and tuck tightly into the boots.
Officer Boots, First Order, Black
For 501st approval:
Knee-high, black, lace-less, smooth non-textured, leather or leather-like material, with moderate to high-gloss shine.
Rubber rain boots or wellington boots are not acceptable.
PVC or synthetic material is allowed as long as it gives the appearance of leather.
There are no stretch panels, buckles, snap tabs, or decoration.
Boot seams must closely match screen-used boots.
Boots have conservative or no heels at all. Flat soles are most accurate.
If zippers are present, they appear on the inner part of the boot shaft only.
The toe of the boot is rounded, not in a square, rounded, or pointed style
The top of the boots are flat style, not Spanish, Cowboy, or Superhero.
For level two certification (if applicable):
Boots have a zipper on the inner shaft.
Soles are flat, similar to FO TK and TI soles.
Seams and design must match screen-used boots.
Gloves, First Order, Black
For 501st approval:
Gloves are constructed of a non-textured, black leather or leather-like material.
Enclosed fingers.
Gloves are gauntlet length, fitted, and worn underneath the sleeves.
No buckles, straps, etc.
Gloves may have stitching detail on the back of the palm similar to First Order Lieutenant for basic approval.
Belt, First Order
For 501st approval:
The belt is constructed from a black, non-textured leather or a leather-like material.
Approximately 2-2.5" in width, by 4.5-5” in length is acceptable. Belt band is not at all wider than buckle.
Belt must fit snugly over the natural waist of the wearer.
There are no loops on the belt.
No sizing holes should be visible.
The buckle is constructed from a horizontally brushed metal, or metal-looking material.
Buckle is free of decoration, greeblies or insignia.
Buckle is rectangular, with sharp-angled edges, approximately 5 1/4" (13.3 cm) long & 2 1/2 high (6.35 cm).
For level two certification (if applicable):
Belt is made of leather.
Buckle is made of a brushed metal such as aluminium.
Buckle has a slight horizontal curve.
Rank Insignia, First Order
For 501st approval:
Rank consists of one black band sewn down to the sleeve with white piped/embroidered edges at the top and bottom.
Aurebesh text dependant on rank is to be embroidered, hand sewn, or applied via vinyl transfer to the center of the band. The text options are:
“Tarkin” for Major
“Kaplan” for Colonel
Bar should be worn on the left side of arm, just above the wrist cuff seam and below the elbow.
It should be invisibly stitched down to the sleeve in full, or adhered securely using iron-on patch adhesive. The bar should not appear loose.
Major and Colonel costumes do not have a First Order emblem patch on their sleeves.
For level two certification (if applicable):
Aurebesh text is machine embroidered in white thread matching the edge piping/embroidery discussed above.
First Order Officer Hat, Teal
For 501st approval:
The hat's brim is a black leather, or leather-like material protruding from the front bottom of the dome. It is slightly curved in shape and does not obscure the wearer's eyes.
The dome fits snugly on the head when worn and should cock slightly back like a baseball cap.
It is fitted to the head and does not cover the ears.
There is a tall flap which runs around the back of the hat, snugly fitting around the dome at the back and at both sides.
The flap piece is not higher than the dome of the hat, and does not overly flex outward. It is effectively vertical in respect to the rest of the hat, and when viewed from the side, it's edges are tilted slightly back at an angle.
The First Order emblem is centered in the front of the hat's dome. It is black and silver. The silver areas should have a metallic finish.
The hat is made of the same teal fabric as the tunic and pants, with suitable interfacing or buckram as to give it the correct shape and stiffness.
The dome has a subtly curved seam separating the front panel from rest of the hat, with a similar seam on the back section of the dome, with one vertical seam running down the dome's back.
For level two certification (if applicable):
First Order insignia is a silver/nickel metal pin with a slight brushed finish and black enamel paint. It should be centered in the front of the hat's dome. It is approx 1 1/2" wide & 1 3/4" tall.
The hat’s brim is leather. Its finish matches that seen in reference images.
Hat features topstitching on either side of seams on the side and back panels of the hat as well as on the panels at the seam where they meet the dome, but not upon the dome itself. The front dome features top-stitching only at the lower edge where it meets the brim.
Optional Accessories
Items below are optional costume accessories. These items are not required for approval, but if present appear as described below.
Officer's Blaster, First Order
For 501st approval:
· Based on a replica Glock 19 repeating pistol, scratch-built with added greeblies, or a modified commercial replica is acceptable.
· Details to be painted black and silver per reference photos.
A pretty cool thing happened to my daughter and me last Friday at the Grand Rapids (Michigan) Comic Con. While chatting with Clive Revill (original voice of Emperor Palpatine in The Empire Strikes Back), Julian Glover, CBE (General Veers) stepped into our chat. It turns out that, while they were not in any scenes together in ESB, Revill and Glover worked together in the 1950s for the Royal Shakespeare Company (we learned from Julian during this encounter that it was then called the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre) in Stratford-upon-Avon. Over the next fifteen or so minutes, they had a lovely reminiscence and included us as appropriate. It turns out they had not seen each other since their time at the SMT in 1959. My spawn and I were honored to be part of this reunion 58 years in the making. Thank you for including us, gentlemen.
Here is a link to the photo:
https://imgur.com/a/877Lt
Obiwanbologna reacted to CrashedATAT in Picked Up A New Book!
Obiwanbologna got a reaction from Dario in My Director Krennic work in progress part four