Hello my dearest Fabanistas! Yesterday, the “Fab Fund For Shelly’s Recover,” GoFundMe Campaign that Dusty Sage set up reached its goal for my surgical costs. I’m filled with amazement and gratitude. And some pain, but that will soon go away. Also, there’s a ton of news, including a really funny fan film! See for yourself:

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Rogue One Gets Its Own Toy Stories by Fans

A team of Star Wars superfans today revealed the new toy line for the highly anticipated “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” movie via a series of fan-made animated shorts launching on the Star Wars YouTube channel. As part of a competition in collaboration with creative network Tongal, a team was assembled to write, direct and produce original, fan-made stop-motion shorts starring key toys from the new line to kick off a global UGC contest that asks fans to share their own “Rogue Stories.”

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“These fan-created shorts are a tribute to the incredible content that the Star Wars community posts online every day,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media. “The Go Rogue campaign was designed with Star Wars fans in mind – we want them to be front and center in the run up to ‘Rogue One’ by imagining and creating their own Rogue Stories.”

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This is inspired genius by Pitaro and his team. I mean, honestly, who is more creative than  Disney/Star Wars fans, in terms of fan-created content? And THIS way, there’s also some say over at least SOME of that content, because … I’ve been to Tumblr, and it scares me. 

Some behind-the-scenes photos:

When Star Wars news breaks, many fans worldwide react by sharing their own videos online. According to new research [ZEFR online content report, August 2016], fans posted over 838,000 pieces of Star Wars-related content on YouTube in the past year alone, which is more than 2,296 per day and nearly 96 per hour. Star Wars fan-generated content is also incredibly popular, accruing more than 16.3 billion views in the last year – equivalent to everyone in the world viewing at least two fan-created videos.

AT-ACT toy featured in the video
AT-ACT toy featured in the video

30279ABF-SW_Stormtrooper_IP_02The global contest, which kicks off September 30, invites fans to share their own short stories or skits set in a galaxy far, far away… Winning entries from around the globe will be chosen by a panel including “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” director Gareth Edwards. Beginning September 30, teen and adult fans can enter the Go Rogue contest on StarWars.com/GoRogue. In addition to the global contest on starwars.com, in the U.S. and parts of Canada, kids 8-12 can participate on Disney.com/MyRogueStory. Winners will be invited to Lucasfilm in San Francisco to attend a screening of “Rogue One,” and see their short story on the big screen.

The fan-created shorts showcasing the new line of “Rogue One” toys for the first time launches on the Star Wars YouTube channel today, with new installments rolling out through September. The team was lead by James DeJulio at Tongal, and the series was written by Kevin Ulrich and brought to life by stop-motion animators and directors Dan MacKenzie and Tucker Barrie. The stories follow the adventures of “Rogue One” toys from Hasbro, LEGO, FUNKO, JAKKS Pacific, Mattel and Disney Store as they try to track down the building instructions to the LEGO Star Wars Death Star set which have been misplaced by the Empire.

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LEGO STAR WARS Rogue One 75155 Rebel U-Wing Fighter
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LEGO STAR WARS Rogue One 75155 Rebel U-Wing Fighter
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LEGO STAR WARS Rogue One 75152 Imperial Assault Hovertank
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LEGO STAR WARS Rogue One 75152 Imperial Assault Hovertank

“I’ve been a Star Wars fan my whole life so this is a dream project,” says James DeJulio, co-founder of Tongal. “It’s been amazing to see what an inspiration Star Wars has been to so many members of our creative community, whether that’s coming up with their own Star Wars storylines, or playing out scenes with Star Wars toys at home with their kids. I’m excited to share this first ‘Rogue Story’ with the world and hope it inspires other fans to share theirs.”

Director Orson Krenni POP
Director Orson Krenni POP

Fans can pre-order a handful of select items seen in the “Rogue Stories” beginning September 2 at mass retailers, Disney Store locations and disneystore.com. The full range of new “Rogue One” and Star Wars products will be available globally starting on September 30. Join the global #GoRogue conversation on social.

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Tongal’s creative network includes 120,000 writers, directors and animators across 150 countries. For more information, go to www.tongal.com

MiceChat Imagineer Event at the Anabella in Anaheim

Saturday September 3rd – 6pm – Starring Terri Hardin

Okay, I am going to tell you one last time about this amazing event at Anabella this Labor Day weekend. They are also offering a cocktails and appetizers party in their Tangerine Grill and Patio with Terri Hardin on that Saturday night (Sept 3rd) at Tangerine Bar and Grill. There is no charge to attend this event! Our own Dusty Sage will interview Terri briefly about her history as an Imagineer, Jim Henson Muppeteer, Star Wars junkie, and runDisney fangirl. Then she’ll take your questions and offer her own unique brand of motivation. This is a runDisney weekend, so Anabella is also offering a special deal with Food and Beverage credit and complementary late checkout (so runners have time to return to their rooms and shower and relax after the race), but even if folks aren’t racing, (and by “folks”, they mean ME) they can still take advantage of the offer and get the room deal (while supplies last). And EVERYONE can join Terri at Tangerine whether they are staying at the Anabella this weekend or not.

If you are anything like me, you WANT to be there!

DopeyMedals-610x813This picture’s a couple years old. She’s won about 284 more since then.

 

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The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade is Near!

…and there’s some really cool gear you can wear all year long, because, come on, ever since the 80s, it’s been pretty much acceptable for every day to be Halloween for a whole swath of contemporary society, and I think that’s swell!

Click on each photo to get to the support page to order!

2014 Grand Marshall Bob Gurr was only too happy to model this year's shirt last weekend!
2014 Grand Marshall Bob Gurr was only too happy to model this year’s shirt last weekend!

Want to find out the sitch on all the happenings? Here’s their Facebook page – you can also straight-up make a donation from that page if you can’t make it and you want to help out!

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They’re even throwing a cookout to raise money for the parade!

Info HERE

The Anaheim Halloween Parade annual Backyard BBQ benefit is Saturday, September 10th from 6-9 PM!

Tickets are available online, at the door if any are left (cash and checks accepted), at the Anaheim BreweryTony’s Original Deli and Bottle ShopUnsung Brewing Company, or call 714-905-9098. Your $50 contribution gets you beer, wine, hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, root beer floats (made with homemade root beer!), and live entertainment from the Echo Sparks!

Guaranteed to be a great event. Space is limited so please don’t get left out — get your tickets or make reservations now by calling 714-905-9098! If the event isn’t sold out, tickets will be available at the door on a first come first served basis.

Pretty Mad Tree

That’s not all – wouldn’t YOU like to work on a float like this sweet baby above, or the Flying Sasser or Rocket Witch or one of the other historical or hysterical highlights of this Halloween tradition? Want to get some paint on your hands and rub elbows with some of the nicest people on the planet? Click on the email address directly under Andy Anaheim in his cute lil punkin and ask about working on a float!

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[email protected]

 

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Justin Trudeau Joins Iron Man and Alpha Flight with a Beguiling Beginning

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Marvel Comics has published the comic book Civil War II: Choosing Sides #5, featuring the official introduction of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau into the Marvel Universe. In the story, Trudeau interacts with Canada’s premiere super team Alpha Flight and the American superhero Iron Man, a.k.a. Tony Stark.This groundbreaking comic book adventure is written and illustrated by noted Canadian comic book creators Chip Zdarsky and Ramon Perez. In a special event yesterday, this titanic Torontonian creative team autographed copies of the comic book with a limited edition cover illustration featuring Trudeau, at The Beguiling Books & Art in Toronto. (beguiling.ca)

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If you’re up thataway and you’d like to get your mitts on Chip Zdarsky’s whomever-the-Canadian-version-of-John-Hancock-was on YOUR copy, you’re in luck! There’s a con devoted to…. devoted to…

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I want to go to that place. Also, I want to throw a FabCon. Possibly in Trader Sam’s storage closet, one morning before they open.

Kylo Ren Star Wars Premium Format(TM) Figure

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Disney Partners with 15-Time Grammy Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter/Producer Alicia Keys on

Mira Nair’s Upcoming Film “Queen of Katwe”
Starring David Oyelowo and Lupita Nyong’o

 Here is your first look at a featurette featuring singer/songwriter/producer Alicia Keys and her new song “Back to Life,” which is featured in the upcoming film “Queen of Katwe.” The film, which is based on a true story, is the vibrant true story of a young girl from the streets of Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.

The soundtrack is now available for pre-order at Amazon, smarturl.it/KatweAM

Walt Disney Studios is partnering with 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning recording artist Alicia Keys (“Girl on Fire,” “No One”) on the studio’s upcoming film release “Queen of Katwe,” which opens in limited release September 23 and expands wide September 30, 2016.

The multi-talented singer/songwriter/producer’s new original song, “Back to Life,” appears in the film and on the motion picture soundtrack from Walt Disney Records, which also features the buoyant score from Golden Globe® nominee Alex Heffes (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” “The Last King of Scotland”). “Back to Life” was written by Alicia Keys, Carlo Montagnese and Billy Walsh and produced by Illangelo and Keys.

“’Queen of Katwe’ moved me in every way,” says Alicia Keys. “The film beautifully depicts Uganda with such honest attention to detail—the colors, the sounds, the people—all vividly brought to life. But most soulfully, it’s the story of this fearless, brilliant girl Phiona who embodies the message that the rise to success first begins with opportunity, and the belief you have in yourself to pursue something bigger. The song ‘Back To Life’ that I wrote for this film alongside collaborators Illangelo and Billy Walsh, is about pushing past that little voice of doubt in our heads so we can instead, electrify the world. When we allow women to find and express their power and potential, the world changes for the better. I encourage people to see this film, be moved by Phiona’s story and then go back into their own communities and encourage a girl who will rise like a flower that breaks through the concrete to see the sun!”

The film’s Academy Award®-nominated director Mira Nair (“Salaam Bombay!,” “Mississippi Masala”) says, “I have carried a torch for Alicia Key’s voice and passionate engagement with the world for years, so it was exciting to have her artistry join ‘Queen of Katwe,’ which celebrates the idea that genius is everywhere!”

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“Queen of Katwe,” which will have its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 10, is directed by Nair from a screenplay by William Wheeler and stars Golden Globe® nominee David Oyelowo, Oscar® winner and Tony® nominee Lupita Nyong’o and newcomer Madina Nalwanga. The film is based on the vibrant true story of Phiona Mutesi, a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda who is introduced to the game of chess by Robert Katende, a former missionary and soccer coach, and goes on to become an international chess champion.

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Did You Forget to See Finding Dory? Now’s Our Chance!

Last Chance to Catch the Forgetful Blue Tang on the Big Screen When “Finding Dory” Swims Back into Theaters Sept. 2

Remember this? Best. Cuddle. Party. Ever.

Movie fans’ favorite forgetful blue tang Dory is making an encore appearance in more than 2,900 theaters nationwide this Labor Day weekend. “Finding Dory” returns to theaters Sept. 2, inviting moviegoers to revisit the adventure with clownfish Marlin and Nemo, septopus Hank, whale shark Destiny and beluga whale Bailey as they team up to help Dory reunite with her long-lost parents. Directed by Andrew Stanton, produced by Lindsey Collins and featuring the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Hayden Rolence, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Diane Keaton and Eugene Levy, “Finding Dory” originally opened June 17, 2016, and became the highest grossing animated film of all time domestically.

fabsays I actually DID miss it the first time ’round, due to illness, so I haven’t seen it yet! I’m looking  forward to seeing it! Thanks Disney! 

Universal Studios Hollywood

Hip Hop Dance Crew Jabbawockeez Returns to
Universal Studios Hollywood with an All-New Performance at “Halloween Horror Nights”

Global Phenomenon and Multi-Talented Hip Hop Dance Crew, Jabbawockeez, Returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with an All-New Performance at this Year’s “Halloween Horror Nights,” Beginning Friday, September 16 Diverse Dance Crew Amplifies New Show with Dynamic Multi-Color Laser Projections; Adds First-Ever Female Dancer to Energetic “Halloween Horror Nights” Performance.

Jabbawockeez, the acclaimed, award-winning hip hop dance group, universally recognized as America’s best dance crew, returns to Universal Studios Hollywood for a new electrifying original series of performances, enhanced by spectacular multi-color laser projections and the addition of the first-ever female dancer, as part of this year’s “Halloween Horror Nights.”

“Halloween Horror Nights” begins on Friday, September 16, 2016.

With the addition of the first-ever female dancer to the popular dance crew, the Jabbawockeez will take to the stage within the Special Effects Show venue donning their signature white masks. The diverse group of dancers will perform a repertoire of innovative, synchronized choreography accompanied by a stunning laser lights display that will come to life in a full spectrum of color.  The all-new, high-energy Jabbawockeez show, created exclusively for “Halloween Horror Nights,” will once again underscore the dance crew’s unique brand of humor as they transport guests into a new realm of gravity-defying dance, elevated to new heights by special effects and pulse-pounding music.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD — “Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights” — Pictured: Global Phenomenon and Multi-Talented Hip Hop Dance Crew, Jabbawockeez, Returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with an All-New Performance at this Year’s “Halloween Horror Nights,” Beginning Friday, September 16 — (Photo by: Universal Studios Hollywood)
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD — “Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights” — Pictured: Global Phenomenon and Multi-Talented Hip Hop Dance Crew, Jabbawockeez, Returns to Universal Studios Hollywood with an All-New Performance at this Year’s “Halloween Horror Nights,” Beginning Friday, September 16 — (Photo by: Universal Studios Hollywood)

Currently starring in a new production, “Jreamz, Journey Within,” in their own theatre at MGM Grand Las Vegas, the Jabbawockeez are considered dance movement pioneers having shattered the glass ceiling for dance groups worldwide as the first dance crew to ever headline their own show in Las Vegas.

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror.  Featuring an all-new slate of unrivaled film production quality mazes, frightful scare zones and a fully re-imagined “Terror Tram” experience uniquely themed to today’s most definitive horror properties, “Halloween Horror Nights” will taunt, terrorize and torment guests with spine-chilling haunted attractions as part of Southern California’s most extreme Halloween experience.

“Halloween Horror Nights” 2016 mazes include “American Horror Story,” that will unlock the terror from three installments of FX Networks’ wickedly gruesome TV series; “The Exorcist: The Possession of Regan MacNeil,” based on the iconic supernatural horror film; “Freddy vs. Jason,” inspired by New Line Cinema’s 2003 film that brought together the biggest horror icons in history: demented killer Freddy Krueger (A Nightmare on Elm Street) and notorious hockey mask killer Jason Voorhees (Friday the 13th); “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Blood Brothers,” which pits guests against the unsavory wrath of manic killer Leatherface and his mentally unhinged brother, ChopTop; “Halloween:  Hell Comes to Haddonfield,” an all-new maze inspired by the second film in the classic “Halloween” horror franchise; and “Krampus: The Christmas Devil,” based on Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures’ Christmas-themed horror film that brings to life the fabled anthropomorphic “half-goat, half-demon” horned creature who terrorizes those devoid of holiday spirit; and “The Walking Dead,” an authentic living representation of AMC’s hit television series that takes the realism of the show to an entirely new level with the all-new permanent attraction.

Join the “Halloween Horror Nights” conversation using #UniversalHHN on Facebook at Halloween Horror Nights – Hollywood, Instagram @HorrorNightsTwitter and Periscope @HorrorNights.  Add us on Snapchat, username HorrorNights for nightly live content and watch the terror come to life on Halloween Horror Nights YouTube.

To learn more about the all new Jabbawockeez show at “Halloween Horror Nights,” click here.

Thank You!

Thanks to my Patreon Patrons for their support and to Nick Cotton and his team of DVC Pros at DVCResaleMarket.com, where you will get $50 off closing costs just by uttering the magical word “MICECHAT” when buying or selling DVC points – but that’s not the only way you’ll save money at DVCResaleMarket.com – Nick and his team have been working both inside and outside of Disney for a combined total of almost a century of experience, and they are more than happy to use that knowledge to help you get the best deal possible, with the most personalized service – and a long roster of satisfiedclients who are only too happy to recommend them to others. Check out DVCResaleMarket.com today!

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Shelly Valladolid
Shelly Valladolid, aka Fab, has been writing about Disney and theme parks for about two decades. She has written for various fan and pop culture sites, Disney Magazine and OCRegister.com and participated in several books, including Passporter's Disneyland and Southern California and Disney World Dreams. She was co-founder and president of the Orlando, Florida chapter of the NFFC (now Disneyana Fan Club). She taught a class on theme park history at a Southern California University. She is creator and co-owner of Jim Hill Media, one of the creators of MousePlanet and was a consultant on MSNBC, The Motley Fool and others about Disney and various media matters. She was a Heel wrestling manager on TV and a voice artist on the radio in Honolulu, HI, where she grew up. She has a blog and a podcast with her daughter, Mission:Breakout Obsessive Alice Hill. She and her husband, MiceChat columnist Noe Valladolid, live in Southern California with Alice.