By Keighla Schmidt, Staff Writer

Couples often bond over shared interests. And for John and Lisa Duffy that just happens to be adorning clanking plastic white head-to-toe “Star Wars” Imperial Stormtroopers costumes.

The Duffys didn’t just bond over their passion for all things Star Wars, it was how they met and later got married.

“Ironically, we met through this crap,” John said while sharing the details of his pastime.

The meeting happened in 2002 while each was at a convention. John struck a fancy with the fellow “Star Wars” fan and the story began to write itself.Lisa and John Duffy: Lisa and John
Duffy have a passion for "Star Wars."

Courtship included getting Lisa to join John as a member of the 501st Legion, a worldwide group of volunteers who make appearances around the world dressed as “Star Wars” characters. Along with the membership come the obligatory costumes.

“She didn’t have any costumes,” John said of his then-girlfriend. “Now she has more than she needs, more than me.”

‘Star Wars’ wedding

Their wedding in their home in Savage just over a year ago was a memorable one, as the bride, groom and guests were all in costume.

Lisa had a veil attached to her Stormtrooper helmet and John added a black bowtie to his black and white bad-guy suit.

“That’s how we met, it was something we had in common, it seemed like the natural thing to do,” John said.

The guest book was signed by fellow Stormtroopers, Princess Leia, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, to name a few.

“We said (guests) could come in costume if they wanted to (since) that’s what we would be doing and pretty much everyone did,” Lisa said.

Passion

Both John and Lisa developed a passion for the George Lucas’ sci-fi hit as children.

“I was born in 1970, it came out in 1977. My mom took me to see it, and I never gave it up,” John said. “Then I realized I don’t have to just read comic books, I can be a Stormtrooper and that’s what I did.”

For Lisa, it was a bit more accidental. Her father promised to take her to a movie and she wanted to see a Charlie Brown movie, but was convinced forgo the cartoon.

“I didn’t really want to go … but I loved the movie and I ended up asking him to take me four times to the movie theater to see it,” she admitted.

501st Legion

John, who has been a member of the 501st Legion for many years, said he loves dressing up and showing off the costume he’s created.

The members dress as the “bad guys” from the “Star Wars” movie series. “We have cooler costumes,” John explained of the dark side.

The pragmatic Lisa chimed in, “Well, I bet someone who dresses as a Jedi would say they have the cooler costumes.”

For those wanting to portray the “good guys,” they can join the Rebel Legion, Lisa said.

The costumes are really what the organization is all about.

“For as strong of a connection and passion people have for Star Wars, people have an equally strong love for costuming,” Lisa said.Lisa and John Duffy, Stormtroopers: Lisa and John Duffy
are members of the 501st Legion, a
costuming organization that dresses up
as "the bad guys," from Star Wars.

“Star Wars is just easy, you might spend a couple hundred bucks and a few hundred hours on a “Star Wars” costume, but costumes can get to be a lot more than that,” John said.

According to the organization’s Web site, “Since 1997, the costuming organization known as the 501st Legion has spread the magic of the “Star Wars” genre worldwide through its authentic-looking costumes.”

Being a member is more than wearing a nerd patch, it’s about friendships and networking.

“I don’t have a lot of friends that don’t do costuming,” John said. “It’s kind of weird.”

Making costumes

But before the costumes can be shown off, they have to be made.

Both John and Lisa’s helmets are equipped with voice changers to make them sound robotic, window screen components and parts from a hair dryer. They have guns that were made with painted Tic-Tac containers, laser pointers and light bulbs.

Many hours have been spent perfecting and fixing the costumes. To appear at a 501st Legion event, the costumes have to be approved for authenticity, Lisa explained.

If a costume is lacking or just needs some adjustments, leaders will work with them to make it more authentic. “Some people just put on a robe and make a cheap light saber,” John said – that won’t cut it. “There are standards.”

One of the perks of being in the Legion is making special appearances. “When you’re this much of a dork, you gotta travel,” John said.

The pair has traveled as far as England with their costumes.

“Oh, going through the airport is a treat,” he said with a laugh. “When you’re bringing a Stormtrooper helmet on the plane, you have to take it as your carry on. There are just too many questions with it.”

Other appearances have been more informal, such as walking into Eagle Ridge Junior High School during one of Lisa’s children’s concert when the band played the “Star Wars” theme.

While authenticity is the key, some other aspects can be fabricated.

Being of short stature, Lisa as a Stormtrooper is a bit fictitious. But dedicated “Star Wars” fanatics play along.

“Aren’t you a bit short for a Stormtooper?” Lisa says as she recites the famous line from the movie, which is said to Princess Leia, but its one Lisa often hears.

Being inside the mask is a big part of the draw for timid Lisa.

“When you put this helmet on, you can be anything,” John said of his wife.

“Actually, being shy I like something with a helmet,” she said. “I can hide behind it.”

Keighla Schmidt can be reached at kschmidt@swpub.com.

Call us

The Savage Pacer encourages others to share their unusual hobbies in an occasional series titled, “You do what?” If you have a particular pastime, or know of a neighbor or friend who would make a fun addition to this series, e-mail editor@savagepacer.com.