(laser beam whooshing)
(lively orchestral music)
- [Cris] My love for Star Wars is big
and so is my collection.
- [Beau] Some people lean towards the light side,
others the dark side.
I'm somewhere in the middle.
- [Alphie] I know kung fu and the force
is strong in my family.
- [Sean] Star Wars is everywhere and so am I.
- My name is Cris Macht.
I was born on May 25th, 1975,
two years to the day before "A New Hope" came out.
I was five when 'Empire Strikes Back' came out
and it's been my favorite movie ever since.
Star Wars was a big part of my childhood growing up.
When I was seven, my father committed suicide
and Star Wars was a very powerful tool
that helped me cope with the loss.
We've been married for seven years now.
We did have a Star Wars wedding.
- No, we didn't.
- Yeah, we did.
- No, we didn't.
- The bride and groom, ("Imperial March")
Mr. and Mrs. Christian and Michelle Macht.
(crowd cheering)
- [Melissa] We had like a five, 10-minute lightsaber duel.
- [Cris] Well, that's all
that you would let me get away with.
- Absolutely.
(Cris laughs)
Weddings are sacred.
- When I went to Tunisia in 2005, I brought back
some sand from the Star Wars location sets
and I used that as part of our sand ceremony
for our wedding.
So there were some Star Wars--
- There were some Star Wars trinkets placed in--
- Throughout, yes.
- Yes, I would say so.
I didn't know you were a Star Wars fan
until I asked him if he knew what an Ewok was.
And I have a dog, Bella, and she looks like a little Ewok.
- And I said, "Of course I know what an Ewok is"
and then I thought you were pretty cool
because you brought up Ewok in our first conversation.
- Little did I know
what I was really getting myself into.
- Star Wars is a funny thing in our marriage.
It's something that we share together
but I would say it's something
that probably causes a little controversy.
- Little bit.
- [Cris] And it's taken over our life a little bit
and I'm in the process of trying to sell some stuff--
- No, we're in the process of getting a new house
because we don't have enough room
for all of his Star Wars (bleep).
I like Star Wars.
I like the movies.
I have a couple things
but it's really your thing.
- You have a couple things because they're mine.
- No, I have a--
- And what's mine is yours.
(car engine revving) (light upbeat music)
The winters in Chicago are so, so brutal.
They're very, very Hoth-like.
(claws scratching)
Celebration cannot come soon enough.
It's colder than Hoth out there.
- When are you leaving again?
- It does seem like ever since we had our daughter,
the communication has been a little repetitive.
I told you like five times,
I'm going April 15th, tax day.
- Our communication has been repetitive.
Repetitive.
- Are you sure you don't wanna come?
- Yeah, I'm pretty sure I don't wanna go sit around
with a bunch of drunk Star Wars fans
talking about Star Wars.
- Is that what you think we do
when we go to Celebration is just drink all the time?
- Yeah.
You buy Star Wars stuff, you look at Star Wars stuff,
and you drink.
Right?
- Your insight serves you well.
Well, someone's gonna miss me when I go.
Daddy's gonna miss you when he goes to Anaheim.
- Who?
- Maybe I should take you with me.
Who do you think?
- The dogs?
(chuckles)
- Danny.
- Danny will miss you.
For sure.
I'll miss you.
(energetic piano music)
- My name is Beau Glazar.
I was born in 1970.
I am a painter and an artist and a musician but most--
- My Renaissance man.
- Mostly painting people's kitchens
pays the bills more than the music always has.
- We got married in October of 2013
and we had an entire photo booth full of Star Wars gear.
- [Beau] And costumes--
- nd costumes and props.
So, it was a big part of our wedding.
- [Beau] My first experience with Star Wars is 1977
right when it came out.
One of the most fun things I remember
when I was a kid.
I'm still a fan today
for probably quite a few different reasons.
When Nikki was pregnant and we were gonna have a kid,
it really just brought back being a kid
and the first thing that came back was Star Wars.
- My favorite Star Wars movie is "Return of the Jedi"
because I'm a little bit younger than Beau
and I remember all of the Ewoks and that was a big draw
for me because I was a little, little girl
when "Return of the Jedi" came out.
You know, we watch it as a family.
We enjoy it as a family.
We'll play with the figures.
We dress up.
It's something that's brought us together, I think.
Not just as a couple, but as a family
because our daughter really gets to be involved in it.
- We looking very forward to going to Celebration.
Our first two honeymoons were kinda canceled
because of financial problems and job changing
and that kinda stuff.
So the Celebration will be our honeymoon basically.
It's a pretty big trip.
- We can't check in until five because the house
isn't ready until then.
They have a really weird rule.
Planning this whole time has been, you know,
it's about making sure all the pieces are in place
and it finally is and we're gonna get to go
have the honeymoon that we never got to have.
So we're really, really, really excited.
- Okay, so what about the original hotel?
We can--
- We know we're going to have a couple of hours.
- [Beau] We're going to check out at 11.
Did you get Cris's email?
- I did.
- My old buddy Cris helped us decide to do this.
He was getting a house near the Convention Center.
This is unbelievable this Celebration.
I don't know why I haven't been to all of them.
Well, I didn't have any preconceptions of people
going to Star Wars conventions and stuff.
I've been more of a rock 'n' roller and an artist,
and I really never did Comic-Cons and stuff like that.
- You know, hearing that there was a place
where all of these Star Wars fans gathered
got me excited because it's something that I,
I hate to use the term, but I nerd out on it.
I cannot wait to buy Her Universe clothes.
- Yeah, is that where you're going right away?
Costumes, craziness, merchandise.
All Star Wars, all the time.
(Nikki laughs)
I'm looking forward to immersing myself in all of that.
- [Nikki] What's the matter, my love?
- I want mac and cheese.
- You want mac and cheese?
- We have Star Wars crackers.
- No!
- No Star Wars crackers?
- No!
- So, we are looking forward
to a little adult time, party time.
(Nikki laughing)
A good time.
- Yes, we are.
(Cora crying)
- Come here, come here.
- [Cora] I want mac and cheese!
(rolling piano music)
- My name is Alphie Jimenez.
I was born in 1972 which would have made me five
when the first Star Wars came out.
I'm married, two children. (lively electronic music)
I'm a mortgage loan officer by day, Star Wars fan
by day and night.
Being so young when it came out,
it always brings me back to a time in my life
when everything was innocent and pure and fun.
Just reminds me of spending time with my family.
I recently lost my dad.
Part of the reason why I'm such a huge Star Wars fan
is because he would always take me and my brothers
to the movies.
He was one of the main reasons why I am a Star Wars fan.
It's been around a long time for me,
and a big part of my life growing up with the movies
that's such a huge part of our lives
so I want my kids to experience it.
My wife, she doesn't really care that much
about the Star Wars fanatic part of my life.
I did have a Star Wars themed wedding.
It was actually Episode Eight: Alphie and Grace.
(chuckles)
We did have a lightsaber battle with Darth Maul.
It actually enhanced the wedding, 'cause you know,
her whole take was it's my wedding, too,
so if just something I wanna do she let me do it.
So it actually worked out beautifully
and I know people were questioning her letting me have
a lightsaber battle with my friend Sean.
- [Child] Take me.
- We're going home.
- Woo hoo! - Yay!
- [Alphie] What was your high today, guys?
- Mickey, the snake got almost as tall as me!
- [Alphie] What about you, Ethan?
What was your high today?
- Playing Infection.
- What was your low?
Any lows?
- No. - Nope.
- No lows?
Okay, so it was a good day then.
(lighthearted music)
(boys grunting)
- Hey, when I'm gone, I don't want you guys
watching the prequels, okay?
- Okay.
- Okay?
I'm going to Celebration, I actually look forward to this.
I know it's only every two years or so that we go.
It's a lot of fun, but it's also very hectic
because with my family schedule I don't get to stay
really the whole time. (boys shouting)
Always on the move.
Hey, this is why I'm not taking you guys to Celebration.
Stop!
- Yeah.
- Stop, stop, stop.
I have brought the family in the past
but honestly it's a nightmare.
(futuristic techno music)
- I'm Sean Hynes.
Born in a cold December morning 1972.
I work as a broadband media technician aka cable guy.
(slow upbeat music)
(car lock honking)
At our wedding, I definitely wanted to have
some Star Wars stuff in there.
At the top of our cake we had Han Solo and Barbie
as the cake topper.
But then I snuck in a few other Star Wars themed stuff.
- I just approved the music, and the rest kinda snuck in.
- So my friend Alphie and I did a lightsaber fight
for his wedding and I always knew I wanted to do that again
for my wedding or our wedding, excuse me.
(Sean laughs)
The kids loved it.
We had a full audience in front of it.
It was a blast.
I'm glad I did it.
- [Lisa] I did know he was a Star Wars fan when I met him.
- Unfortunately, we do not have kids.
It just wasn't in the cards for us.
(water splashing)
(door creaking)
- [Lisa] Oh, hey.
- [Sean] Hey, hon.
- [Lisa] How's it going?
- Not too bad.
- I went shopping with my mom and look what I picked up.
- Oh, nice, nice.
Did you use your rewards coupon?
This is like the pizza cutter that I don't wanna use.
- Oh, that's true. (Sean laughs)
- But I'll use it anyway.
- Sure, honey.
- [Sean] That's awesome.
Thanks, hon.
- [Lisa] Cool.
- Anything else exciting happen?
- [Lisa] Ah, not too much.
- I absolutely think Star Wars keeps me young.
I mean, I always say you're only as old
as you allow yourself to be.
- [Woman] Robby.
- [Sean] And Star Wars is definitely well-rooted
into my childhood and the longer I'm into it,
the younger I remain.
- [Man] What is it?
- [Sean] Star Wars show.
This lovey. - Wow.
- [Woman] No that's--
- The way I look at it, you're a husband
and a kid rolled into one
and my scruffy-looking nerf-herder.
- Aw.
- Hey, hon, what are you working on now?
(lighthearted piano music)
Yes, Sean will take over the house a couple times
throughout the year.
Whether he's spray painting on the balcony
or he's taking up all our living room space
so it gets a little annoying at times.
- I'm just working
on my costume for Celebration
and I need you to see if this fits.
- [Lisa] What, what is that?
- It's part of your costume
that we're going to be debuting at Celebration.
I'm always excited to go to Celebration.
This year, actually, I'm really excited
about the Mandalorian mash-up photo-op.
Going back as far as Celebration three
when I made my first mash-up.
The idea of a mash-up group
has been batted around ever since.
I've managed to gather random Star Wars fans
across the country who make their own versions
of mash-ups and Celebration will be the first time
that we will have an official meet-up.
- I'm kinda excited to see this happen.
- Yeah, it's gonna be a lot of fun.
I'm nervous and excited.
You know we've been talking about it.
We're bringing Smurfette to life.
- [Lisa] Oh, wow.
(Sean laughs)
- This is what I'm working on for myself.
I'm doing a Van Halen Fett.
Eddie Van Boba or whatever we're gonna call him.
- When is this house getting back to normal?
- (groans) Maybe summertime depending.
- [Lisa] Maybe?
Okay. (Sean laughs)
- Depending how long as it takes us to recover
when we get back.
Even with all the craziness
that she has to put up with me, you know, honey,
and you do have to put up with a lot.
I just want you to know, I love you.
- I know.
(cheerful piano music)
- [Melissa] The way I feel about his hobby,
for the most part, I'm okay with it
because as I've said before
it's better than crack and hookers.
It could be a lot worse.
Does it need to slow down?
Absolutely.
It has to slow down.
What are you doing down here?
- I'm looking for my Lando shirt.
- Lando shirt?
- Lando's not a shirt, he's a man.
He's a card player, gambler, scoundrel.
You'd like him.
(Danny whining)
Hey, look what I found!
Brand new and unused.
- Where did those come from?
- From the basement.
- You are a hoarder.
- I'm not a hoarder, I'm a collector.
There is a difference between a hoarder and a collector.
- Yeah, and didn't you go out for a stroller
and came home with these?
- I went to the garage sale yesterday,
I went out for a stroller
and yeah these were only a quarter apiece.
- [Melissa] Did you need them?
- And when I see a steal, I gotta have it.
- She--
(Danny cooing)
Does she like it?
- [Cris] She loves it!
- If she likes it--
- Don't, I didn't wash it yet!
- Okay, keep it. - I didn't wash it yet.
I didn't wash it yet. - Well, I need
to wash it then.
- [Sean] See look.
- [Melissa] She's gonna get some disease.
Let me, here, for real.
- She's not going to get a disease.
Packing for Celebration is such a pain in the wazoo
because I have so many cool Star Wars shirts.
I always break out my vintage Star Wars iron-on collection.
I'm dressed to impress.
I'm in the middle of packing
and I smell something coming from the loft.
(suspenseful piano music)
- Oh man, who pissed on the rug again?
Don't everybody answer me at once!
- I came up, I pissed on the rug.
- No, I'm serious.
I'm tired of the god (bleep) dogs pissing on the rug.
This rug is, it ties this room together.
It's in my Star Wars sacred place.
- It's Molly.
- [Cris] She pissed on the rug again.
(lively techno music)
- Hey, hon.
- I had a bad day today.
- What happened?
- Company did some downsizing
and I got let go.
- Oh no. (somber music)
- So.
- I'm so sorry.
- It sucks.
I don't know what we're gonna do.
So, we're planning for Celebration
and in the middle of all this,
the company I work for cuts back and I get let go.
- I'm so sorry, hon.
- It's okay. - I'm so sorry.
- Are you okay?
[Sean] I will be.
- [Lisa] It's like horrible timing.
- [Sean] It's gonna be rough.
- [Lisa] I know, I know.
- These things cost a lot of money
and with no money coming in, we weren't sure
if we were gonna be able to pull it off.
Star Wars is definitely an expensive hobby
for us, well, probably more so for me.
I don't know what we're gonna do.
We got all this stuff planned.
We got the Celebration that we already paid for.
There may be a chance we're not going.
(phone ringtone beeping)
- [Cris] Hey, what's up, man, how're you doing?
- [Sean] I've been better, had a rough couple of days.
Unfortunately, I got let go from my job,
so money is gonna be really tight here for a little bit.
You know how we're kind of in the middle
of planning this trip to Celebration,
I might have to change my status to a maybe.
- [Cris] Oh, well, that sucks, man.
- [Sean] I just wanted to kinda give you
the heads up since I know you're coordinating the house.
I didn't want you to have any last minute surprises.
- You know, we figured out the house rental, too.
(Cris mumbles)
I figured everybody's cost based on everybody
that committed to stay, you know?
You know, keep me posted, man.
All the best to you.
- [Sean] Yeah, I'll let you know what happens.
I'll definitely keep you in the loop.
- Okay, man, take care.
- All right--
- See you soon, man, later.
It sucks that Sean lost his job
but I got a plane to catch to Anaheim.
- [Announcer] Next time on "The Real Fans of the Saga".
- The first transport is away! (upbeat drumming music)
There's nothing better than being in a house
with all my Star Wars friends talking about Star Wars.
- [Nikki] It wasn't like what I envisioned
as a traditional honeymoon, obviously, but I think
we're gonna have a really good time.
- So, I'm stoked (light upbeat music)
about the party tonight.
There's celebrities there.
I was even signing autographs and taking photos
with the fans.
- One Sam Adams, please.
(people chattering)
- Don't go down to pick up Lee.
I picked him up earlier.
And there is beer in the fridge per your request.
- Something about the Chinese lettering
with the Star Wars stuff
that I always liked, you know. (phones ringing)
- Hey.
- [Cris] Hey, man, what are you doing right now?
- Nothing, I'm drinking another beer.
- I guess that makes sense why you can't pick me up.
The convention is fun (energetic techno music)
but it's really all about bonding
and geeking out over Star Wars.
- Was there something going on today
or were we just standing in lines
like it was some sort of water torture.